King Shah (Metalasia)

Name: Raja Shahrul Shawal
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is the first Malaysian guitarist who used Ibanez Universe 7-strings guitar in recording a full length studio album, a well known lead guitarist for his wide creativity in a band called "Metalasia", a composer, producer and a businessman who owned Tri Castle Entertainment.

History: He started to learn basic classical music at the age of 8, and started to played guitar in his teens, he had played in various bands as guest but before joining "Metalasia" he was with "Apple Green".

"Metalasia" is a Progressive Heavy Metal band formed in 1997, at first King Shah was actually a producer for this band, but later joined the band when he saw the potential of "Metalasia" which can change the metal scene in Malaysia. They took Malay epic/nature/life as their lyrical theme, which is considered rare in Malaysia and this is why they are much different from other metal bands found in Asia.

The higher technical difficulties of guitar riffs made by King Shah was superb and if you listen carefully to the guitar melody, you'll actually find the sound has a similarities to the U.S legendary band called "Cacophony". They were one of a few Malaysian Thrash Metal bands who ever toured to Japan and Korea.

Influences: Marty Friedman, John Patrucci (Dream Theater), Rhapsody of Fire, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen and Jason Becker.

Axology: Ibanez guitars (Universe 7-strings and RG Series) and Line6 Amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzi44bZLwnM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uqQjYSpBAA

Andra (Dewa19/Andra & The Backbone)

Name: Andra Junaidi Ramadan
Born: 17th June, 1972 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Profile: A talented guitarist from Indonesia in a well known band called "Dewa19", currently Andra is busy with his solo project band called "Andra and The Backbone" where he is also the lead guitarist, composer and producer.

History: Started to exposed in music while joining an ECA in music at school, he dreamed to be a famous drummer, but quickly change his mind after seeing all his friends at school played guitars, a self taught guitarist who always plays various genre of Rock music.

While attending school he formed a band called "Dewa19" with good friend Dhani Ahmad, a rock band which later on evolve in playing Jazz. His style of playing consists of 70's and 80's Rock music and Jazz made him one of the greatest guitarist in Indonesia.

Influences: Joe Satriani, Dave Navarro, Scott Henderson, Flea (bassist of Red Hot Chili Pepper), Jeff Berlin and Pat Metheny

Axology: Fender Stratocaster, Ernie Ball Music-Man guitars and Marshall amplifiers.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUMeCw99HU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnkPy1VWeKU

Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)

Name: Richard Stephen Sambora
Born: 11th July, 1959 (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)

Profile: He is an American rock guitarist, producer, musician, singer and songwriter who is the longtime lead guitarist of the popular rock band "Bon Jovi". He is also a solo artist.

History: He began playing guitar at the age of 12 following the death of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix in 1970. From his early days Richie was strongly influenced by blues and 60's rock 'n' roll, and he even auditioned for "Kiss". He was a guitarist for the band called "Message" before joining "Bon Jovi".

In the 80's Richie went to a show and after being impressed by Jon Bon Jovi, approached him (Richie) and informed that they should work together. They immediately hit it off as friends, and Richie was invited to a rehearsal. By the time Jon arrived, the band was sounding better than ever and Richie was hired on the spot. He has occasionally taken over as lead vocalist on some "Bon Jovi" songs, most notably "I'll Be There for You" and "These Days" when played live.

His first solo outing was Stranger in This Town in 1991 (a blues-influenced album), Eric Clapton even played the lead guitar track on the song "Mr. Bluesman", backed by Richie on acoustic guitars. "Undiscovered Soul" was Richie's second solo album, released in 1998.

Influences: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry and "The Answer".

Axology: Fender HSS Stratocaster, Fender Black Paisley Stratocaster, Kramer guitars, Jackson guitars, Hamer guitars, Martin acoustic guitars, LTD SA-2 Richie Sambora and Marshall JCM800 2203 amplifiers.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCQt7FQWFSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUV8NZ3FliE

Joe Stump (Reign of Terror)

Name: Joe Stump
Born: 18th September, 1960

Profile: He is an American guitarist and composer and has released albums with his band, "Reign of Terror" and as a solo artist. He also plays the lead guitar for the symphonic metal band "HolyHell". Joe is a professional shredder, who has taught for many years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

History: Originally picking up the guitar at age 10, Joe didn’t get serious until he was 13. His first guitar was a Gibson SG copy, then a year later he got a brand new 1974 Fender Stratocaster, black with a maple neck and big tilted headstock, just like Rithie Blackmore’s.

In 1979, Joe enrolled as a student at Berklee College Of Music and completing his degree in 1982. During the same time Joe started listening to a lot of classical music, hearing the way his favourite players used this influence and incorporating into his own style.

The mid 80’s saw Joe being part of rock/metal band "Trash Broadway" and in addition to the band album Joe planned to do a solo record with the same label. In 1993, Joe joined the faculty at Berklee becoming head of metal guitar.

In 1996, Joe formed a band "Reign of Terror" with the album "Lighting The Sky" getting release in North America, Europe and Asia. On the new band outlet Joe states, "The music is a natural extension of what I do on my solo records with the heavy Blackmore/Malmsteen influences mixed with some good doses of speed, thrash and European power metal". In mid 2000's, Joe then got an offer from Magic Circle Music to join a new power metal band called "Holy Hell". This new gig saw Joe play to large audiences with "Manowar" and "Rhadsody Of Fire" playing big venues in Europe in addition to some huge outdoor metal festivals with them.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Al DiMeola, Gary Moore, Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen - Classical Influences; Johann Sebastian Bach, Vivaldi, Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Paganini

Axology: ESP guitars, Fender Stratocaster guitars, MC guitars, BOSS FX, Marshall amplifiers, Rhino amplifiers, Engl amplifiers and Voodoo amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dhn-3ZLR9g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIcIZ4xJIVM

"I loved that guitar (Fender Stratocaster), and I was lucky my parents were very supportive of my musical endeavours when I was young" - Joe Stump

The Great Kat

Name: Katherine Thomas
Born: 1966 (Swindon, England)

Profile: She is a composer, musical revolutionary and a musician best known for her thrash metal interpretations of well-known pieces of classical music. Most feature her using electric guitar, but some have her on violin.

History: After listening to Beethoven since birth, Kat began classical piano studies at age 7, and at the age of 9, she began classical violin in New York.

At the age of 15, Kat won a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City as a violin student. Kat became the Concertmaster of the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra and won the "Robert Hufstader Scholarship" in Composition and Theory at Juilliard. She graduated with Honors and began performing, first as a classical violin soloist at Carnegie Recital Hall as winner of the exclusive "Artists International Competition" and then soloing extensively in Mexico, U.S. and Europe.

After touring the world, Kat realized that classical music was dead, so she began updating Classical Music with Speed Metal and transcribed intricate violin solos to the guitar. Kat developed a new genre of music; fast, furious and Virtuosic.

Known as the “High Priestess of Guitar Shred,” Kat was recently awarded the "12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists" by Elle Magazine.

Influences: Ludwig van Beethoven, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimi Hendrix, Judas Priest and Paganini

Axology: Burns “Scorpion” guitar, violin, SPECIALIZED EFX and Marshall amplifiers

Signature song(s): THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE-BEE

Link(s):

http://www.greatkat.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtRuZeQWXyM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGUQyKBMklA

"The Great Kat is the savior of classical music and musical revolutionary and can only be compared to LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN!" - The Great Kat

"The Great Kat is the REINCARNATION of Beethoven because I was born listening to Beethoven and developed a high sense of musical genius. At the age of 2 The Great Kat was singing Beethoven “EGMONT” and 9th Symphony!" - The Great Kat

Michael Angelo Batio aka Mike Batio

Name: Michael Angelo Batio aka Mike Batio aka MAB
Born: 1956

Profile: He is an American heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003. He was also listed as one of the "Top 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time" by Guitar World Magazine.

History: MAB started playing the piano and composing music at the age of 5, and first played guitar at the age of 10, reportedly playing faster than his teacher within 2 years. At the age of 14 he started playing jazz guitar, and within 2 years he had won the Chicago-based "All-State Jazz Solo Award". He attended Northeastern Illinois University and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theory and Composition.

After he had graduated, MAB looked to become a session guitarist in his hometown. When he asked for a job at a nearby studio, he was given a piece of music and simply asked to play it. Naturally, he managed to play it and added in some of his own improvisations and fills, making him the studio's primary call-out guitarist.

MAB began his recording career in 1984 when he joined new heavy metal band called "Holland", the band split up soon after, due to the moderate success. In 1987 MAB formed "Nitro", which one of the music video "Freight Train", received much airplay on MTV, featuring MAB playing his now famous "Quad Guitar". By 1992, "Nitro" released their second studio album entitled "Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S..", and was disbanded shortly afterwards.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Dean Guitars; both electric and acoustic, a Dean signature guitar known as the MAB1 Armorflame and Marshall amplifiers.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcc7IL18m0I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhpAmlL86gY

Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)

Name: Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt
Born: 14th January, 1967 (Bayonne, New Jersey)

Profile: He is an American musician and songwriter, who is best known as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band "Black Label Society", and his use of Gibson Les Paul Custom model guitars with a "bulls-eye" graphic, a design he used to deliberately differentiate himself visually from Randy Rhoads. As a solo artist he released Book of Shadows in 1996.

History: Started to play guitar as a teenager, and played in a hard-rock band called "Stone Henge". The story with Ozzy began when Wylde's wife heard in the radio that Ozzy Osbourne was looking for a new guitarist, but Wylde did not know how to get in touch with Ozzy so he ignored the audition.

At a gig in Sayreville, N. Jersey a photographer friend named Feld approached him and asked if he'd ever considered to auditioning for Ozzy, it turns out Feld was a friend of rock photographer Mark Weiss and he offered to pass Wylde's press kit to Ozzy who just happened to be in town. The next morning Sharon Osbourne gave a call to him for an auditioned in L.A. Wylde was introduced as Ozzy's new guitarist in December, 1987 at New York City's Hard Rock Cafe.


Influences: Randy Rhoads

Axology: Gibson Les Pauls, Custom Dean Split-tail guitar and Marshall JCM 800s and 2203s amps, BOSS SD-1 and CE-5, Dunlop Rotovibe and Hendrix wah pedals

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsih9nUpq2U

"Me and Dime (Dimebag Darrell) would always say to each other, 'Are we the only two assholes, who can still get from low E to high E and back safely? Does anyone practices scales anymore?' - Zakk Wylde

"I think the longest I've ever gone without playing guitar is a day. I couldn't imagine going a week without playing guitar" - Zakk Wylde

Ace Frehley aka "The Spaceman" (KISS)

Name: Paul Daniel Frehley
Born: 27th April, 1951 (The Bronx, New York)

Profile: He is an American guitarist and songwriter best known as an original member and lead guitarist for the rock band "Kiss". He took on the persona of "The Spaceman" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics. As lead guitarist, he was known for his frenetic, atmospheric playing, becoming one of the most popular guitarists in the 70's and spawning a generation of new players. His trademark was the "smoking guitar trick", causing the smoke to come out through the pickups and the infamous rocket set-up that shoots into the air.

History: The Frehleys were a musical family, and when Frehley received an electric guitar as a Christmas present in 1964, he immersed himself in learning the instrument. Basically Frehley was always surrounded by music, he started playing guitar at age 13. He got the nickname "Ace" when he had the ability to get his friends dates. His friends said, "You are a real Ace".

Frehley spent the early 70's in a series of local bands, "Cathedral" was known to be his first bands. In late 1972, his best friend, spotted an advertisement for a lead guitarist; Frehley auditioned for the trio of Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (bass guitar) and Peter Criss (drums), about three weeks after Frehley auditioned, the new group named him their lead guitarist. By January 1973, the band quickly decided to paint their faces for live performances, and Frehley decided to start painting silver stars on his eyes. When the group eventually decided to adopt stage personas to go with their makeup designs, Frehley became "Space Ace", later the stage persona would be known as "The Spaceman". Along with the three other Kiss members, Frehley released an eponymous solo album in 1978.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Albert Lee, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.

Axology: Gibson Les Paul guitars, Washburn guitars and Marshall amps.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVHXq4Hd0pM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38N9Ba7xFcs

"I never went to music school; I never took a guitar lesson, but everybody in my family plays an instrument. My mother and father both played piano, his father was the church organist, and my brother and sister both played piano and acoustic guitar." - Ace Frehley

"I don't know shit from Shineola, I think that's one of the reasons I'm original." - Ace Frehley

Jake E. Lee (Badlands)

Name: Jakey Lou Williams
Born: 15th February, 1957 (Virginia, USA)

Profile: He is a guitarist best known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne and his own band "Badlands".

History: At the insistence of his mother, Lee took classical piano lessons as a child; however, he preferred playing his older sister's guitar which exposed him to rock and metal bands in the 70's such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. He played in various high school bands and would eventually bring his skills to the San Diego music scene in the late 70's with his bands "Teaser" for several years.

In 1980, he joined various of bands such as "Mickey Ratt", "Rough Cutt" and "Dio". Soon after the death of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne wanted Lee to replaced the deceased guitarist. He was with Osbourne doing albums after albums and toured the world. In 1987, Lee left Osbourne to formed a blues-based metal band called "Badlands" in 1988. Until today Lee is still active in the blues and metal music scenes.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix and Brian May (Queen).

Axology: Jackson Strat, Marshall JCM800 2203, Modified Fender Stratocaster, 2 Charvel Holdsworth Strats

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWAohdmCl4o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D69ILnVrk

Norifumi Shima

Name: 島紀史 Norifumi Shima
Born: 1st May, 1970 (Osaka, Japan)

Profile: He is a Japanese metal guitarist and songwriter. His impressive style has already made him a guitar hero in his native Japan, and has gained a considerable following overseas as well.

History: He has been playing piano since he was 4 years old following his brother footsteps and evolved to guitar when he was 13, and started to play in bands when he was 16. In 1983 he happened to see a "Rainbow" videoclip where Ritchie Blackmore played the guitar, which led the young musician to take up the guitar seriously. Two years later he was playing an important role in the band "Dion" and formed the later, highly praised band "Crystal Clear" in 1994. After three eventful and formative years, "Crystal Clear" split up, yet within months Norifumi formed "Concerto Moon".

Influences: Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Yngwie Malmsteen and Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions)

Axology: Fender Squier Stratocaster

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGFkV77g_iY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HopdfI1a-VM

Katsu Ohta

Name: Katsu Ohta
Born: Unknown

Profile: One of Japanese Neo-classical guitarist and metal shredders of all time, ofter dubbed the Japanese "Malmsteen" due to his scalloped Fender 70's Startocaster.

History: Started to play guitar in his early teens due after seeing the magnetic performance of Jimi Hendrix which became his biggest influenced. He even told in an interview "One of my uncles gave me a real old trashy classical guitar and that was the start". Currently he is now a member of a Japanese metal band "Ark Storm".

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple) and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Axology: Fender 70's Stratocaster, 1978 Marshall 100 watt, DOD and Tube Screamer by Ibanez.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QPz9xMUAGE

Randy Rhoads

Name: Randall William Rhoads
Born/Died: 6th December, 1956 - 19th March, 1982 (Santa Monica, California).

Profile: He was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. A devoted student of classical guitar, Rhoads often combined his classical music influences with his own heavy metal style. While on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, he would seek out classical guitar tutors for lessons, Rhoads is a major influence on neo-classical metal players that emerged in the 1980s. He is cited as an influence by many contemporary heavy metal guitarists.

History: Rhoads was born to a family of musicians, his mother has owned and operated the Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood, since 1949. Rhoads started playing guitar at age 6 on his grandfather's old Gibson "Army-Navy" classical acoustic guitar. According to Rhoads' mother, he learned to play folk guitar, a popular way to learn guitar at the time, although he did not take lessons for very long. Rhoads was always evolving toward a hard rock/metal lead guitar style, but he was heavily influenced by classical music as well.

At the age of 14 Rhoads formed a cover band called "Violet Fox", after the dissolution of Violet Fox, Rhoads taught his best friend Kelly Garni how to play bass, and together they formed a band called "The Whore" and renamed it to "Quiet Riot" when Rhoads was 16. Until the auditioned of Ozzy Osbourne who at that time seeking for a guitarist.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Angelo Batio and Jason Becker.

Axology: Gibson Flying V and Jackson Flying V guitars.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVJKlOkrgt0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4iDqFELf_M

Eric Clapton

Name: Eric Patrick Clapton.
Born: 30th March, 1945. (Surrey, England).

Profile: An English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. A solo performer, as a member of rock bands; "The Yardbirds" and "Cream". He is the only person ever to be inducted three times. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time.

History: Eric was raised in a musical household. His father was a gifted musician, playing piano in several dance bands in the Surrey area. By 1958, Rock and Roll had exploded onto the world. For his 13th birthday, Eric asked for a guitar. Finding the inexpensive German-made Hoyer difficult to play - it had steel strings - he put it aside. In 1961, when he was 16, he learned to play guitar and listening to blues.

In October 1963, Clapton joined "The Yardbirds", a blues-influenced rock and roll band until March 1965. Clapton forged a distinctive style and rapidly became one of the most talked-about guitarists in the British music scene. After "The Yardbirds" he joined "Bluesbreakers" just in a brief of time and left in 1966 to formed Cream, one of the earliest supergroups. In the 70's he formed another supergroups called "Derek and the Dominos" and after that we went solo until now.

Influences: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, Eddie Van Halen, Orianthi, John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Alex Lifeson, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster, Jim Dunlop Cry Baby wah-wah pedal and Martin 00-42; late Fifties Fender Twin.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscPOozwYA8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PI4S83OzeM

"The only education I ever really had was finding out about the blues. I mean, I wanted to know everything." - Eric Clapton.

Shahrul (Ekamatra)

Name: Mohammad Shahrulhadi Sallehudin
Born: 12th June, 1972 (Johor, Malaysia)

Profile: A well known guitarist in the late 80's with the band "Ekamatra", musician and composer. He gained fame in his band "Ekamatra" where later he was dubbed as the Jason Becker of Malaysia

History: Born in a musical background family, where his father (guitarist/producer) and mother (singer) been in the same band called "D'Fiction". He started playing guitar as a teenager and formed a band called "Diamond Head" in 1986 and changed it to "Ekamatra" in 1988. After "Ekamatra" was disbanded in 1990, he and his younger brother (Mohammad Nurul) who was also the second guitarist for "Ekamatra" formed a new band called "Eka". Shahrul plays traditional heavy metal with neo-classical solos in all his guitar works

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore and Jason Backer

Axology: Fender Stratocaster

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxpxREYFgQ4

Eddie Van Halen

Name: Edward Lodewijk Van Halen.
Born: 26th January, 1955 (Netherlands), son of guitarist Jan Van Halen (father) and Eugenia née Van Beers (mother) originally from Indonesia.

Profile: He is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band "Van Halen". He is widely known for his innovative performing and recording styles in rapid guitar playing, tapping, and high frequency feedback; he is also known for energetic and acrobatic stage performances.

History: Eddie learned to play the piano as a child and has won many different talent shows. However, playing the piano did not prove sufficiently challenging or interesting to him. Consequently, while Alex (brother) began playing the guitar, Eddie bought a drum kit and began practicing. They would practice for hours day after day. After Eddie heard Alex's performance of the The "Surfaris" drum solo, he grew annoyed that his brother had overtaken his ability and decided to switch and begin learning how to play the electric guitar.

Eddie notes the importance of supergroup "Cream", holding their improvisation in high regard, considering their songs to be mind-blowing. He once claimed that he had learned almost all of Eric Clapton's solos "note for note" by age 14.

Influences: Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Allan Holdsworth and Ronnie Montrose.

Axology: Fender "Frankenstrat" guitar, Ernie Ball Music Man signature series guitar, Peavey Wolfgang, Marshall 100-watt Super Lead amps, Peavy 5150 amps; MXR Flanger, MXR Phase 90.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

"His innovative use of two-handed tapping, natural and artificial harmonics, vibrato, and tremolo picking, combined with his rhythmic sensibility and melodic approach, have influenced an entire generation of guitarists."

"undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century."

"Lot's of people think a song without singing is not a song, Tell that to Beethoven and he'll kick your ass" - Eddie Van Halen.

Joe (Wings)

Name: Abdul Zamin Abdul Kadir.
Born: 18th October, 1969 (Johor, Malaysia)
Profile: He is a gifted lefty who has been a wizard in music scene in Malaysia. Among the best guitarist in Malaysia, producer and musician.

History: Started his career in 1986 with the band called "SCANDALS", Joe has embarked his legendary journey when he joined one of the best rock n roll band "WINGS". Joe achieved his recognition more than a talented guitarist when he start producing "WINGS" 4th studio album called "Bazooka Penaka". The album has been sold for more than 100,000 units within a couple of weeks, without any doubt he has become Malaysia's one of most influential and a legendary guitarist.

Influences: Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Gary Moore, Jimmy Page, Robert Leroy Johnson, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpion), John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía.

Axology: GIBSON Les Paul Custom, HAMER Custom Reverse Headstock, KILLER KG-Prime Original, SCHECTER Hellraiser, TAYLOR Acoustic, MAESTRO EJ-1 Acoustic, MAESTRO ED12-1 Acoustic, BOSS PS2, MOEN MO-PD Pretty Dolly, ROCKTRON Pre-Amp, SHURE Wireless, DUNLOP CryBaby and Marshall JCM 800 amps.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTnP9KMhkPc

Miyavi

Name: 石原貴雅 (Ishihara Takamasa)
Born: 14th April, 1981 (Osaka, Japan)
Profile: A famous international Japanese entertainer, mostly known for his slapping guitar technics, recording artist and guitarist. Miyavi is active in the current visual "kei" and mainstream rock scene in Japan.

History: In 1999, at the age of 17, Miyavi joined the visual "kei" band "Dué le Quartz" where he was credited under the name, Miyabi. Upon "Dué le Quartz's" dissolution in 2002, he announced that his plan to initiate a solo career and changing his name to Miyavi, releasing his debut album Gagaku soon after. He later signed a contract with PS Company, and eventually with Universal Music Group, becoming a major label artist. Miyavi's significant change in music and visual styles after leaving "Dué le Quartz" caused much of his original audience to disperse, but attracted a new audience.

Following his signing with Universal Music Group in October 2004, Miyavi released his first major single Rock no gyakushū -Superstar no jōken-/21 Seikigata Koushinkyoku and began to credit himself in the song writing credits in his liner notes as MYV.

In late 2005 and for most of 2006, Miyavi shifted to an acoustic/pop sound reflected in his second and third albums respectively.

On December 30, 2006 Miyavi put out a message that he would be joining a band. On May 25, 2007 at the JRock Revolution concert organized by Yoshiki at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, it was officially announced that Miyavi would be a part of a band named S.K.I.N., so far consisting of Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo, Miyavi himself.

In 2008 was the mark of his first world tour with performances in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. And in 2009, he announced another tour and still remains active until today.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Mostly acoustic guitars, Randy Rhodes signature series Gibson flying V, Killer guitars

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVsAceh55gQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThoGOST-Gw

Chachamaru (GacktJOB)

Name: 藤村幸宏 (Yukihiro Fujimura)
Born: 3rd March, 1960 (Kansai, Japan)

Profile: Known as The Legendary Guitarist of Kansai, he is also the top five guitarist known in Japan. Aside from being a highly talented guitarist, he is multi-talented.

History: Chachamaru is an extremely gifted musician. He started playing guitar at 12 and began playing guitar for major rock bands at the age of 13. Gackt job is the 5th band he has done major work with. There was a rumor that once, Chachamaru had a work as a teacher at a Buddhist College. None the less, music has been his truest passion.

Chachamaru started with bands like Ded Chaplin where he did the guitar parts and he helped several artists in studio, for example Toshi, who he helped writing 'Blue Blood' for X Japan. Thanks to the producer of Crim (king) records Cha was fronting a popular progressive band Gerard. The songs they wrote where stories about knights and maidens in distress. In the mid eighties he and Shusei Tsukamoto formed Vienna with Cha on vocals. In this bands stories where also about fairies and myths from Egypt. In the nineties the members reunited to produce one more album.

Cha worked more at the sidelines and in the studios. He produced for ex-member of Ded Chaplin and Loudness, Masafumi Nishida's "Girl U Need" and he played and produced on Toshi's solo album when he went on a solo tour.

It was now when he was introduced to Nippon Crown's new talend: Gackt. He joined Gackt's band, called gacktJOB around the year 2002. Chachamaru still works with Gackt as backing vocals, lead guitar, band master and technical producer.

He had released a solo album entitled AIR on the 12th of December, 2002.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Caparison Guitar (the Horus guitar).

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsSFC2_bo_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy7HOLDaXPQ

Sham (Kamikaze)

Name: Shamril Salleh
Born: 1976
Profile: He is one of Malaysia’s top rock guitarist, musician and composer.

History: With a background families who loves music; he started at the early age of 5 years old, where he played piano, got bored and change his instrument to guitar at the age of 12 and started a band at the age of 14. One of the instructor in Guitar Institute of Malaysia (GIM) in early 90's, he later became a sessions for various artists and his major break through was in 1996 where he is the session guitarist in "KOOL" first album. He then formed a band called "Kamikaze" in the late 1999. He has performed with musician such as Andy Timmons, Neil Zaza and T.M. Stevens, and opened for the Joe Satriani/Steve Vai/ Yngwie Malmsteen G3 tour in 2000.

Influences: Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani.

Axology: Sham Kamikaze Squier Signature Stratocaster, Fender guitars, Music Man Luke, Gibson Les Paul.

(Here is a link for his Squier signature Start)

http://www.squierguitars.com/news/index.php?display_article=122

(Sham did Rock You Like A Hurricane cover with Orchestra)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0-gd9c1uIY

Jaco Pastorius

Name: John Francis Anthony Pastorius III aka Mowgli
Born/Died: 1st December, 1951 – 21st September, 1987 (Norristown, Pennsylvania)
Profile: An American jazz musician and composer widely acknowledged for his skills as an electric bass player and bassist for "Weather Report".

History: Jaco started out on drums in his own band Las Olas Brass, following in the footsteps of his father Jack. He injured his wrist playing football at age 13 and took up the electric bass, the damage to his wrist was severe enough to warrant corrective surgery and ultimately inhibited Jaco's ability to play drums. In 1966, he took over bass duties in his band. Jaco bought an upright bass around 1968-69 as he started to appreciate jazz. Following the development of a crack in the body of his old guitar bass he finally traded the instrument for a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass.

Jaco's first real break came when he secured the bass chair with Wayne Cochran and The C.C. Riders. He also played on various local R&B and jazz records during that time such as Little Beaver, Ira Sullivan's Quintet, and Woodchuck. In 1974, he began playing with his friend and future famous jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny.

His playing style was noteworthy for containing intricate solos in the higher register. His innovations also included the use of harmonics and the "singing" quality of his melodies on fretless bass.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender 60's Jazz bass (fretless) and Variamp EQ amps.

"Jaco Pastorius may well have been the last jazz musician of the 20th century to have made a major impact on the musical world at large." - Pat Metheny

"Jaco was almost single-handedly responsible for the popularity of the fretless bass. He originally used a Fender Jazz with the frets removed." - Ralph Denyer

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwhkPSEXs1Q

Takayoshi Ohmura

Name: 大村孝佳 (Ōmura Takayoshi)
Born: 26th December, 1983 (Osaka, Japan)
Profile: He is a Japanese musician popular as a rock guitarist.

History: He started learning piano at the age of 3. By the age of 11 he had started to play acoustic guitar moving to electric guitar at the age of 14. By the age of 17 he was heavily into hard rock/heavy rock of the western-style music and devoted himself into it. He decided to attend Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in 2002 in the MI Japan Osaka school. He learned a lot through his 2 years. He also met and played with Vitalij Kuprij. He also recorded the CD "Nowhere To Go" with Richie Kotzen, Mark Boals and Doogie White. After finished studied he formed a band "Cross Hard" in 2005. In 2006, along with Cross Hard's bassist, Kaoru, he formed another band named "Gloria" and released its first mini-album on 26th March, 2008.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen.

Axology: ESP Ohmura's signature series and Marshall amps.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_j-d-3Z2gY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHEyUjxM0HA

Maestro Alex Gregory

Name: Alex Gregory
Born: Unknown

Profile: British composer, multi-instrumentalist virtuoso and inventor. Gregory is credited as the mid-’80s inventor of the solid body electric 7-string guitar, well before the instrument was popularized in modern metal.

History: Gregory was born into a family of musicians and visual artists. After years of strict studies throughout his youth, he graduated from Italy’s University of Milan as a classical composer and was formally titled MAESTRO by HM Queen Elizabeth II in British government in 1983. The classical composer-in-training was also a devoted rock ‘n’ roller.

Gregory’s dual loves for classical and rock led him down an unusual path, he is very likely the world’s foremost heavy metal mandolin player, and he was a pioneer in the design and use of the 7-string electric guitar, an instrument type for which he holds two patents and still vigorously champions. In the late 1980s, along with Eric Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen, Gregory was one of the original Fender signature artists.

He continues to delight audiences worldwide with his phenomenal musical prowess on both electric guitar and electric mandolin.

Influences: Ritchie Blackmore, Allan Holdsworth Paganini and Jan Akkerman.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster 7-strings, Gibson 8-strings Piano guitar and electric Mandolin.

"Gregory was named one of the world’s 50 fastest guitarists in the July 2008 issue of Guitar World magazine."

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwvwl_q4R0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRajRWO7aM

Andreas Kisser (Sepultura)

Name: Andreas Rudolf Kisseris
Born: 24th August, 1968 (São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil)

Profile: Better known as the lead guitarist for the metal band "Sepultura" where he is largely responsible for bringing a more progressive sound to the band starting with the 1987 album "Schizophrenia", musician and songwriter.

History: He first studied classical guitar for several years before joining Sepultura. During his early days, he frequently used Charvel/Jackson guitars. Recently he is being endorsed by Fender and is using Stratocaster model, though he still endorses Jackson and has been known to use them at a few live performances. In 1992, Andreas unsuccessfully auditioned for the position of rhythm guitarist of "Metallica", as a temporary replacement of James Hetfield, who had suffered severe burns on his hand during a live show.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender Stratocaster guitars, Jackson guitars and Mesa Boogie amplifiers.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2qZaDH52gI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPk7lWxFzlY

Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom)

Name: Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho aka Wildchild.
Born: 8th April, 1979 (Espoo, Finland)

Profile: He is a Finnish singer, composer and guitarist, best known for being the lead guitarist as well as lead vocalist for heavy metal band "Children of Bodom", and he is also the guitarist for "Sinergy" and "Kylähullut". Also a man with various tuning such as D Standard (D G C F A D), Dropped C (C G C F A D) and C# Standard (C# F# B E G# C#).

History: Alexi began his musical training at an early age by learning the violin. However, influenced by the music his sister listened to (heavy metal music bands such as W.A.S.P., Poison and Stone), he ended up dropping the classical instrument at the age of 11, in favour of guitars. A taped live performance of Steve Vai's song "For the Love of God" (from the Passion and Warfare album) was especially influential in Alexi's decision to become a guitarist. He then began taking lessons at the Finnish Pop & Jazz Conservatorio in order to study the instrument. His first guitar was a Tokai Stratocaster.

At the conservatory he also studied the piano. The development of his playing style was heavily influenced by "Stone's" Roope Latvala (who many years later became his bandmate in "Sinergy" and then in "Children of Bodom"). His vocal influences came mostly from Phil Anselmo (Pantera) and Mille Petrozza (Kreator). He genre is more to Melodic death metal, power metal, neo-classical metal, black metal and industrial metal.

Influences: Steve Vai and Roope Latvala.

Axology: ESP guitars, Jackson guitars and Marshall JCM 800 amps.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di_UbxpCprk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j723qPG-qhA

"Guitar World magazine has ranked him as one of the 50 fastest guitarists in the world."

In an interview with Kirk Hammett (Metallica) "Who do you think is the best guitarist ever?" he responded: "That would be me! Nah, just kidding. I would say it's the one and only Joe Satriani or that kid Alexi! What a power he has!"

Glen Drover (Megadeth/Eidolon)

Name: Glen Drover (Ontario, Canada)
Born: 25th May, 1969

Profile: He is a heavy metal guitarist from Ottawa, Canada, best known as the former lead guitarist in "Megadeth" and "King Diamond", as well as his own band "Eidolon". Currently he is teaching guitar lessons at Long and McQuade.

History: Glen Drover began playing guitar as a child, and was joined at age 10 by his brother Shawn on drums and formed the thrash/power metal band "Eidolon" in 1996 and in 1998, Drover joined King Diamond.

In 2004, Drover joined thrash metal band Megadeth, bringing along his brother Shawn. Following an extensive world tour, Drover also cut a guest guitar solo for the track "Emotional Coma" for Swedish metal group "Lion's Share", he recorded his solo at home in Canada, and sent the music file to the band. In January 2008 Drover left Megadeth to focus on family life and his last show with them was on 2007 in Australia.

Influences: and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Tony MacAlpine, Al Di Meola, Randy Rhoads, Greg Howe, MIchael Romeo, George Lynch and Warren DeMartini.

Axology: Dean guitars

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et-m9M0KC_Q

Yngwie Malmsteen

Name: Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck aka Yngwie Johan Malmsteen
Born: 30th June, 1963 (Stockholm, Sweden)

Profile: Swedish guitarist notable known in the mid-1980s for his technical fluency and neo-classical metal compositions, often incorporating high speed picking with harmonic minor scales, diminished scales and sweep picked arpeggios, he is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader.

History: Born of a musically-inclined family, started to played guitar after the death of his idol Jimi Hendrix and formed a band at the age of 10. In 1982, he was bought to the US by a producer after hearing one of Malmsteen's demo tape; he then joined for a brief of time with "Steeler" then the famous rock band "Alcatrazz" in 1983. After the released of "Rising Force" he then went solo.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Brian May (Queen), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpion), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen), J.S. Bach and Niccolo Paganini.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster Yngwie Malmsteen signature series with DiMarzio pickups: Marshall 50-watt Mark II heads.

"I know all the music theory there is to know" - Yngwie Malmsteen.

Karl (Cromok)

Name: Khairul Anuar Shariff aka Chot
Born: Unknown
Profile: Karl is a metal-thrash guitarist from "Cromok", a musician and producer.

History: Started playing guitar in his early teens, but taking it seriously when he was abroad studying in Australia. When he was there he formed a trash-metal band called "Cromok" with friends who are also in the same genre as him and gain fame in the late 80's in Australia and early 90's in Malaysia. The most influential trash guitarist in both Australia and Malaysia at that time due to his ironically mixing traditional Malay songs "Ulik Mayang" with heavy riffs and amazing solos and who ever forget his signature songs "Another You" and "I Don't Belong Here" (which "Amuk" did a cover in Malay). He also offers a great solo on each of their songs.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen.

Axology: Ibanez Guitars

Man Keedal (Lefthanded)

Name: Abdul Rahman Mahmud
Born: 2nd March, 1963 (Johor, Malaysia)
Profile: Left-handed guitarist from Malaysia, started to gain fame as the lead guitarist of Malaysia's #1 rock band "Search" in their first studio album, he is a musician, producer and composer.

History: Started playing guitar since he was 10, back then he played bass guitar but it evolved to playing lead guitar and formed a band called "Lefthanded" back in 1979, just before "Search" make a contract with him in mid 80's for their first album to replace Hillary Ang.

Influences: Jimi Handrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Axology: Left-handed Fender 70's Stratocaster, Marshall amps and RP12 Digitech.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3CuTbeN-k

Hillary (Search/Cromok)

Name: Hillary Ang
Born: 12th May, 1962 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)
Profile: One of the original member of "Search" back while it was still in Johor, the only Chinese guitarist in Malaysia who gain respect from his amazing shredding and a professional musician.

History: Hillary is the lead guitarist for "Search" back in the early years, but he did not had the chance to record "Search" first album due to his departure to Germany to continue his music passion. After his studies, he went back to Malaysia to rejoin his fellow companions in "Search" and recorded 5 studio albums with them from 1986 to 1989. He then join "Cromok" a trash-metal band which he really love to do experiments and composed an amazing riffs for all the songs. In mid 2000 he rejoin back with "Search" and all the original members.

Influences: Paul Gilbert

Axology: Ibanez guitars

Jimi Hendrix

Name: James Marshall Hendricks
Born/Died: 27th November, 1942 - 18th September, 1970
Profile: An American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Hendrix was one of the musicians who popularized the wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock which he often used to deliver an exaggerated pitch in his solos, particularly with high bends and use of legato based around the pentatonic scale.

History: Hendrix was exposed to blues and R&B music through his father's record collection and was given a harmonica at the age of 4 and an acoustic guitar at 10. He went "electric" a year later. In 1965, Hendrix formed his own band, adopting the name Jimmy James and the Blue flames. When the "Animals'" bass guitarist, Chas Chandler, heard Hendrix play he offered to bring him to London, when he was there he use his real name with the modified spelling and formed Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix was well known for his unique sense of fashion and wardrobe and his Afro hairstyle. A set of hair curlers was one of the few possessions that traveled with him to England when he was first discovered in 1966.

Influences: Elmore James, B.B King, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton.

Axology: Right-handed Fender Stratocaster upside down with the strings reversed, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Jaguar, left-handed Gibson Flying V, Marshall 4x12 cabinets, Vox wah wah pedal, Arbiter Fuzz Face, Uni-vibe and Octavia.

"I'd like to get something together, like with Handel and Bach and Muddy Waters, a flamenco type of thing," - Jimi Hendrix

"It's the most psychedelic experience I ever had, going to see Hendrix play. When he started to play, something changed; colors changed, every thing changed." - Pete Townshend.

Din (Search)

Name: Noordin Mohammad Taib
Born: 1963 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

Profile: Rhythm guitarist from Search and the big brother of Kid, musician and composer.

History: Started playing guitar since he was quite young with his first guitar Aria Pro CS (Cardinal Series) then he gave it to his brother Kid as a present for passing his SPM exams. As a rhythm guitarist for the band called "Search" originated from Johor Bahru, he and the other 5 members of "Search" set foot in Kuala Lumpur in 1981 to play in clubs' gig and was then identified by a budding composer... from the 80's till then "Search" is one of the influential rock band in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. He later formed a band called "Lives" with his brother Kid back in mid 2000, but rejoined "Search" back in 2006 along with the other original members.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Les Paul guitar, Fernandes guitar, Framus guitar, Carvin and Marshall amps

"Din was the one who taught me more about sounds, he never use delay, reverb and all those stuffs.... he was the one who give me this experience" - Kid

James Hetfield (Metallica)

Name: James Alan Hetfield
Born: 3rd August, 1963
Profile: An English, German and Irish descendant, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of American heavy metal band.

History: Started to play music (piano) when he was 9 years old, after which he took on his brother's drums and finally, at the age of 14, he began to play guitar. He was also in a few bands as a child "Leather Charm" and "Obsession". He also said Aerosmith as being his main musical influence and said they were the reason why he wanted to play guitar.

Hetfield recorded all rhythm and harmonic tracks, he occasionally plays guitar solos such as "Nothing Else Matters", "My Friend of Misery", "The Outlaw Torn", the second solo on "To Live Is to Die", "Orion", "Suicide and Redemption", and "Master of Puppets"

Influences: Aerosmith, Motorhead, UFO, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Saxon, Diamond Head, Johnny Cash, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Who, Hank Williams Jr., Kiss, Rush, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judas Priest, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Blue Öyster Cult, Venom, Led Zeppelin,The Yardbirds, Thin Lizzy and unknown band called "Chopcore" and "Stutter" with Ray Burr on guitar.

Axology: ESP guitars, Gibson Flying V, Gibson Explorer, Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier, Mesa/Boogie TriAxis preamp.

Signature song(s): Seek & Destroy - Metallica (Kill 'em All, 1983) and Blackened - Metallica (... And Justice for All, 1988)

Link(s):

http://www.metallica.com (Metallica's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_W9IlDEh30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFK0TBLNP0

"If you're ever satisfied, the game's over" - James Hetfield.

"James Hetfield is the greatest rhythm guitarist and songwriter in the history of heavy metal. Ask no question. Raise no objections. No one can chunk harder, crunch more cruelly or write meaner riff" - Guitar World.

Kirk Hammett (Metallica)

Name: Kirk Lee Hammett
Born: 18th November, 1962 (San Francisco)

Profile: An Irish and Philippines descendant, and the lead guitarist and a songwriter in "Metallica"

History: Before joining "Metallica", he formed and named a band called "Exodus". After picking up a 1978 Fender Stratocaster, Hammett attempted to customize his sound with various guitar parts, eventually falling for a 1974 Gibson Flying V. Hammett also took a job at Burger King as a youth to saved enough money for his Marshall amplifier. At the time of recording 'Kill 'Em All' album, Hammett was taking private guitar lessons from Joe Satriani.

In 2003, Kirk Hammett was ranked 11th in Rolling Stone's list - The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Influences: Motorhead and Joe Satriani.

Axology: ESP Flying V, Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom, Jackson Randy Rhoads signiture series guitars, Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Crybaby, Ibanez Tube Screamer and DigiTech Space Station.

Signature song(s): Creeping Death - Metallica (Ride the Lightning, 1984) and Master of Puppets - Metallica (Master of Puppets, 1986)

Link(s):

http://www.metallica.com (Metallica's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKiormZsvEg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0glNez9zqhY

Kid (Search)

Name: Hamzah(Charlie) Mohammad Taib
Born: 30th November, 1967 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

Profile: Former lead guitarist from "Search" and the younger brother of "Din Search", he is a musician and composer.

History: As a child Kid who used to be called Charlie at home by his Dad, started to play guitar the same time his brother Din played some licks, growing up in a music environment where Din played guitar in the band called "Search" while his other brother Musa play bass with "Kris", he started in a band called "Under Doom" then "Gersang" with his mentor Samad Lefthanded. After "Gersang" he left to join his brother Din in "Search" as a lead guitarist replacing Hillary Ang in 1986 until the mid of 2000. Then played with "Dragon Malaya" and the latest were with "Lives" with his brother Din.

Influences: Eddie Van Halen and Samad Lefthanded

Axology: Peavey Wolfgang guitars, ADA MP1 Peramp, Digitech Speaker Simulator, Marshall.

(This are links in YouTube for "Search" greatest hits called Kejora, the intro was done by Din Search and the solo by his brother Kid)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20EOsPXLYoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc-gwH2a9B4

Akira Takasaki (Loudness)

Name: 高崎 晃 (Takasaki Akira)
Born: 22nd February, 1961.
Profile: Legendary guitarist from Osaka, Japan.

History: Akira has been playing guitar since he was a teenager and was picked up at the age of 16 at a talent contest. Akira started his career in the mid 70's in the band Lazy, a Japanese Pop band under the stage name "Suzy". In 1981 he formed a heavy metal band named Loudness with Munetaka Higuchi (drummer). They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed in the US, releasing seven albums (3 in America) by the end of 1987 and reaching the Billboard top 100.

As well as many singles and EPs, they have released 5 DVDs, 7 live albums and 24 studio albums the last being 'Metal Mad' released in 2008. Akira has had a very successful solo career too, from 1982, he has released 10 solo albums, the last to date 'Black Brown' in 2007. Thought by many as one of the best metal shredders in Asia, Akira has influenced guitarists around the globe, he continues his solo work and his work with his band "Loudness".

Influences: Eddie Van Halen and Ritchie Blackmore.

Axology: ESP Signature Random Star guitar, Killer guitar KG Prime, Marshall Amplifiers, Metaltronix Amplifiers and Roland JC-120 combo amplifiers.

Steve Vai

Name: Steven Siro Vai
Born: 6th June, 1960
Profile: An Italian American rock guitarist.

History: Started to play guitar at the age of 14, as a teenager he would write endlessly, keeping diaries, documenting dreams and studying music. Before going on solo Vai has played in various bands and along side with great guitarist such as Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Billy Sheehan(Mr. Big), Joe Satriani, John Patrucci (Dream Theater), Ozzy Osbourne, Alcatrazz, Whitesnakes and G3.

Influences: Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Jimi Handrix, Carlos Santana, John Lee Hooker and Roy Buchanan.

Axology: Ibanez JEM-777, Ibanez UV-7 Universe 7-string, Marshall 100-watt heads, Eventide HS3000S Harmonizer and Vox Wah.

"The genius - the master of the space age guitar - Mr. Steve Vai" - Brian May (Queen)

"Steve Vai is a huge musician. Most people hear him as a guitar player. They don't see all the different pairs of pants he owns. But I've seen the pants and I've heard the tapes" - Joe Satriani.

Steve Vai is an interesting man, His music is powerful, fast and dynamic. Yet Vai also has humanistic, philosophical and at times spiritual approach to his music and his way of life. He was a student at Berklee School and music and also studied with guitar teacher performer Joe Satriani, fondly recalling long jam sessions with Satriani as among his most enjoyable experiences.

Stevie Ray Vaughan aka SRV

Name: Stevie Ray Vaughan also known as SRV.
Born/Died: 3rd October, 1954 – 27th August, 1990.
Profile: An American guitarist, singer and songwriter.

History: In 1971, Vaughan made his first studio recording, with a high school band called A Cast of Thousands. In late 1972, he joined a rock band called Krackerjack, but quit a few months later when the lead singer decided that the band should wear theatrical makeup on stage. In March 1973, SRV joined the Nightcrawlers and a year later, he found a battered 1963 Fender Stratocaster at a music store in Austin. It would remain as his favorite guitar for the rest of his life.

In late December 1974, SRV joined a popular Austin band Paul Ray & the Cobras, Three years later, Vaughan left the Cobras and formed Triple Threat Revenue and renamed the band to Double Trouble.

Influences: Jazz guitarists Kenny Burrell and Jimi Handrix.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster with a '59 body and a '61 neck. Fender Vibroverb and 150-watt Dumbles; Ibanez Tube Screamer.

He is considered to be one of the most important and influential electric guitarists in the history of rock and blues music scene. In 2003, ROLLING STONE magazine ranked SRV #7 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and CLASSIC ROCK Magazine ranked him #3 in their list of the 100 Wildest Guitar Heroes in 2007. SRV's sound and playing style, drew comparisons to Jimi Hendrix. Vaughan covered several Hendrix tunes, such as "Little Wing," "Voodoo Child" and "Third Stone from the Sun."

In 1992, Fender Musical Instruments Co. released the SRV signature series Strat (which Vaughan had helped design), in 2004, Fender also released a limited edition exact replica of "Number One" and in November 2007, Fender released a second tribute to SRV, an exact replica of his second beloved guitar: Lenny. This guitar was given to him by his wife Lenora ("Lenny") on his 26th birthday and Vaughan was very fond of it. According to Fender, the original Lenny was a 1965 Strat that he saw in the window of a pawn shop that he was unable to afford.