[Have you listen?]: André Matos - Soprano of gods

Andre Matos is a singer, composer, conductor and Brazilian pianist, singer of the band Viper and former member of the heavy metal bands Angra and Shaman among other projects. Being multi-instrumentalist who wins easily the most select audiences and acclaimed as one of the most revered artist in the world of rock and heavy metal, it is recognized by the challenges in his career.

Viper (1985-1990)
Matos began his musical studies in infancy to seven years of age with piano lessons and joined his first band, the Viper, at age 13. As the band had not a vocalist, Andre was chosen to take the vocals, although I think that was not capable of this, because what really knew how to do was play the piano and keyboard.

With his two albums released ("Soldiers of Sunrise", '87 and "Theatre of Fate", '89) the band had international recognition, especially in Japan and Europe, which resulted in the release of the albums in Japan. After the release Theatre of Fate, Andre decided to leave the Viper because he could not reconcile the band with his studies at the college, and it was his band split.
Angra (1991-2000)
While in college, Andre Matos met Rafael Bittencourt and he had the idea to start a new band where they could merge the heavy metal with classical music, which later result in the creation of Angra. With Angra, developed a career over nine years with tours in Brazil, Europe, Asia and Latin America, with over one million copies sold and that have a global presence, sagrando Andre Matos as one of the main vocalists called power metal.
Shaman (2000-2006)
In early 2000 Andre decided to leave the Angra due to problems with the band's manager. The bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo Confessori also leave the Angra along with Andre Matos and form the Shaaman band, inviting Hugo Mariutti to be the guitarist. And with their first album, Ritual launched in 2002, the band signed contracts with various stamps abroad. In 2005 the Shaman launched Reason album that resulted in another world tour.

 Solo Career - Time to be Free, Mentalize and Symfonia (2006-2011)
In 2006, Andre and the brothers Hugo and Luis Mariutti decide to leave the Shaaman and released an official statement explaining the decision. After the band Andre Matos performed at the Live festival 'N' Louder with a team of musicians who had Luis Mariutti, Hugo Mariutti, Andre Hernandes, Fabio and Rafael Ribeiro Rosa, shortly after announcing that they would be musicians would accompany him in his new venture, the beginning of his solo career.

 The first album of Andre Matos on his solo career was the "Time to Be Free" released in 2007 and succeeded by his first tour in Brazil, Europe and Japan with his new project. In 2009 the second album of his solo career was launched under the name "Mentalize". In 2010, Andre Matos and guitarist Timo Tolkki Finnish announced the formation of Symfonia supergroup. In April 2011, the supergroup, which still had Jari Kainulainen, Mikko Harkin and Uli Kusch, released their first album In Paradisum, giving the band start their world tour in the fall of 2011. The group ended a few months later, Timo after announcing his retirement from music.


The Turn of the Lights and meeting the Viper (2012-2013)

Matos announced drummer Rodrigo Silveira, who will replace Eloy Casagrande, who went to the Grave. Andre also announced that in early 2012 will start the recording process of the third album of his solo career. In 2012 the band announced the Viper To Live Again Tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album Soldiers of Sunrise, which will play for the first time in full the Soldiers of Sunrise and Theatre of Fate albums.

In July 2012, Andre Matos announced that its third studio album solo, The Turn of the Lights, would be released worldwide on 22 August 2012. In Brazil was knotted by the label Blue Music.

Commemorative tour Angels Cry (2013-present)
Due to the 20th anniversary of Angels Cry launch, the musician played the album in its entirety during the tour of 2013. Due to the success of the tour in 2013, the band decided to continue the tour in his native country Brazil, in 2014.

Thus, Andre is considered, today, both by critics and by the public, one of the greatest metal names around the world as well as being one of the few Brazilian artists of international success, respected by musicians and colleagues from distant regions the globe and with legions of fans in almost every continent on the planet.

Source -  Wikipedia
Official Website: http://www.andrematos.net
Facebook Official: https://www.facebook.com/AndreMatosOfficial?fref=ts

[Have you listen?] 7 strings InstruMetal - Conquering Dystopia


You headbanger, get ready for fifty three minutes of Inexhaustible headbanging!

Conquering Dystopia is the debut album of self titled band formed by Jeff Loomis (gt), Keith Merrow (gt), Alex Webster (ba) and Alex Rudinger (dr), releasead in March of 2014.

The album, with 12 fully instrumental songs, may be defined as one - if not the best -, instrumental heavy metal album of 2014. The four members dispoint not you in any sense, but the point here are the guitars. Jeff Loomis, very known in the heavy music sphere for his fast solos, low tone riffs, and a particular way of playing, and Keith Merrow, known musician for his guitar works and popullar on Youtube, makes a duo - that in some senses reminds Marty Friedman and Jason Becker on Cacophony - that show us the best of shred and riff'ing guitar!

 "Tethys", the second track, have one of the peculiar feature of Jeff, the weird sounding and uncommon harmonic field, making you not guess which will be next note to be played.




Sources:
Video: Youtube
(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you listen?] Melody Maestro - Marty Friedman


Cacophony, Megadeth and a envious solo career, where Martin Adam Friedman plays, he makes history with his unique way of playing guitar and writing!



Marty is an North-American guitarist known for his exoticism that goes from pick holding to peculiar bending. "Initially" [1] he played side by side with Jason Becker in Cacophony - that till nowadays their songs still to be object of study of guitarists - and wrote two albums: Speed Metal Symphony and Go Off! showing us the best of guitar duo!

After that, Marty auditioned to join in one of greatest heavy metal band ever: Megadeth! There he passed almost 10 years playing live worldwide and co-writing songs like "Symphony of Destruction" or "Holy Wars ~the punishment due~", this last one from Rust in Peace [2] album, an epic album in the heavy metal history.


Marty left Megadeth in 2000 with a epic legacy in the history of HM, then years later gone to live in Japan, where he plays by the side of artists of misc genre like Yashiro Aki, legend of Japanese Enka music, Momoiro Clover Z, japanese girls pop group, AKB48's Sashihara Rino - left side photo - and other artists; constantly he is on Japanese TV Shows.

Melodic Friedman has a total of twelve solo albums [3], each one with epic pieces of Metal, Rock, Pop and calm down music. INFERNO is the latest work of Friedman, released in 2014, the album counts with guest musicians as Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alexi Laiho, etc.


Being a guitar player with over than thirty years of career, Marty has some signature models made by Ibanez, Jackson and PRS, brand used by him currently. He also has Instructional DVDs which talks about Scales, Improvise and his picking technique.
[1] According to Wikipedia, Marty played in "Hawaii" and "Shout" before stand in "Cacophony".
[2] Great album from Megadeth. Friedman wrote challenging and epic solos just like  in "Hangar 18", "Tornado of Souls" and "Lucretia".
[3] Album listing: Dragon Kiss, Scenes, Introduction, True Obsession, Music for Speeding, Loudspeaker, Future Addict, Tokyo Jukebox I, Bad D.N.A, Tokyo Jukebox II, Metal Clone X and INFERNO.

-- Marty Friedman links:





Sources:
Images: Google Images;
Information: Wikipedia; Internet;
Video: Youtube;

(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you Listen?] God of Shred - Jeff Loomis


Shred, Technique, Feeling, Shred, Sweep Picking, Seven Strings, Shred (...)

For you shred fans, here is a great name of the art of shredding, and even for the ones who are not so fans of the style, Jeff Loomis is the man that should not be forgotten for any guitarist!


 Jeff Loomis is american guitarist very known for his heavily wonderful works in the Metal band NEVERMORE, but not only that, Loomis has released for two solo albums, "Zero Order Phase" and "Plains Of Oblivion" in 2008 and 2012 successively, besides his audition for one of greatest metal band ever, Megadeth!

During the beginning, Jeff Loomis had been influeced by guitarist as Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, both his friend, Yngwie Malmsteen, etc (Wikipedia).

Being Influenced by Jason Becker's style, one of the peculiarities of the long haired blonde guitarist is the technical skills, highlighted on his sweep picking and shred solos just like "Miles Of Machines"[1] or "The Ultimatum"[2].

Currently Jeff uses a signature guitar made by Schecter Guitars, his model contains EMG Pickups, seven strings tuned halfstep down, reaching low tones loved by the guitarrist. There is no doubt he is a great soloist however a great rhythm and composer guitarist also, you can realize that on "This Godless Endeavor" album and the song same titled[3], a really compilation of heavy and fast guitar riffs, solos, etc..

After him leaves Nevermore few years ago, he's now working at his solo project and duo with Keith Merrow in Conquering Dystopia [4].
  
DWGuitar classifies Jeff Loomis as one of those guitarist that "you must to know before diying"!


[1] 9th track of "Zero Order Phase" album. Amazing song with lots of sweep picking licks indispesable in Jeff's guitar clinics.
[2] 2nd track of "Plains of Oblivion" album. Lommis goes insane with his skills and share a solo with Tony MacAlpine.
[3] "This Godless Endeavor" is the last track of the same titled album by Nevermore. It's about nine minutes sounding the best of Loomis.
[4] "Conquering Dystopia" is a band formed by Jeff Loomis & Keith Merrow on guitars, Alex Webster on bass and Alex Rudinger on drums. They released their first album in 2014.



Sources:
Information: Wikipedia;
Images: Google Images;
Video: Youtube.
(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you listen?] Japanese Talented Guitarist you






Technique, Feeling, criativity, these are the three words we simply describe Yutaka Tsuda, or simply you.

Have been playing in japanese rock band Janne Da Arc for over than 16 yeaars, you is knew for his memorable and indispensable guitar solos in every single Janne's song that goes from the acoustic fingerstyle of "Carnation" [1] to Heavy Metal in songs like "Wizard" [1] or even "Mr. Trouble Maker" [2] showing the best of guitar sounding.

Since Janne Da Arc started their hiatus in 2007, Yutaka released to three solo albums: LIFE ~the first, second and third movement, one single and one DVD of his high performance at NHK Hall in Japan playing for relatively big public for a solo guitarist artist.


In his solo albums you can find excepcional songs joining electric song with orchestred instruments jus like "word" [3], an eight minutes of orchestra and guitar, bringing to our ears more even than pleasure, if it is possible. However, if you d' prefer acoustic guitar, you brings us LIFE ~the second movement~ a full album of acoustic songs with exotic instruments as "Sanshin" (a kind of a three strings guitar popullar from Okinawa, Japan) in "Native Beauty" [4].

You also released a instructional DVD for guitarists in 2003 called "Janne Da Arc You Guitar Technical Method" giving us tips, talking about techniques as tapping, sweeping, skipping, etc.


Now a days. you have some signature guitars by "Fernandes" brand, being the latest one "REGULUS", available for buying in Japan. Casually Yutaka do live shows with a acoustic guitar in streets of Japan.

Without any doubt you can be defined as a great and excepcional guitarist who show us all his talent in electric and acoustic guitar.


[1] From Janne Da Arc's "ARCADIA" released in 2004;
[2] From Janne Da Arc's "JOKER" released in 2005;
[3] From you's "LIFE ~the third movement~" released 2008;
[4] From you's "LIFE~the second movement~" released in 2007;
+ Janne Da Arc's FERNANDES guitars page

(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you Listen?] Brazilian Power Metal Band: Almah

First Album 
   Almah is a Brazilian power metal band, pioneered the Groove melodic metal, formed in São Paulo in 2006. 
Created as a solo project of Edu Falaschi, singer, Brazilian composer and music producer, and it was launch in July of the same year . Besides acting as a vocalist Edu Falaschi produced the album, composed all the music and lyrics, recorded all guitars and keyboards and created arrangements for voices, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and orchestra. 
   Although he created his solo album still being a member of the band Angra(vocalist), in early 2008 as the band was temporarily stopped by legal problems, Edu Falaschi is fully dedicated to Almah. Have definitively as a band and not another solo project during pre-production of the new album the band enter the guitarist Paulo Schroeber also the drummer Marcelo Moreira, both of "Caxias do Sul" (Municipality of Rio Grande do Sul - BRAZIL). 
  
Albums Next 
   Some time later, after several participations in workshops and concerts in varios pockets as in Music Expo and Independent shows in many places, the band was gaining more notoriety, prestige and of course, big fans due to his style Groove Metal Melodic, even participating in the famous Rock in Rio, held in March 2013. 
   In total (and yet), Almah has 4 studio albums: "Almah" (Solo Album - 2006/2007), "Fragile Equality" (2008), "Motion" (2011), and their latest release titled "Unfold", in 2013. 

 Formation 
Since the band's inception until today, this band went through several formations, and this current: 
Current Members
  Edu Falaschi - Vocals (2006 - Present) 
  Marcelo Barbosa - Guitar (2007 - Present) 
  Marcelo Moreira - drums (2008 - Present) 
  Raphael Dafras - Bass (2012 - Present) 
  Diogo Mafra - Guitar (2014 - Present) 

(former members) 
  Paulo Schroeber - Guitar (2008 - 2011) 
  Felipe Andreoli - Bass (2007 - 2012) 
  Gustavo Di Padua - Guitar (2012 - 2013)

 ĐШGUITΛR Recommends!















Official Site
 http://almah.com.br/eng/

(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you Listen?] Brazilian Metal Melodic/Progressive Band: Angra

Intro
   Angra is a Brazilian power metal band, formed in São Paulo in 1991 by vocalist and keyboardist Andre Matos and guitarists Rafael Bittencourt and André Linhares. This epic band formed by Rafael Bittencourt and Andre Matos was born with the proposal to merge the aggressiveness of Heavy Metal, Brazilian ethnic rhythms (Hometown of both), and also the sophistication of classical music. 

Formation 
After going through some changes since its inception, the Current formation of the band is: 

Fabio Lione - Vocals (since 2013) 
Rafael Bittencourt - Guitar (since 1991) 
Kiko Loureiro - Guitar (since 1992) 
Felipe Andreoli - Bass (since 2001) 
Ricardo Confessori - Drums, percussion (1993-1999, since 2009)

(former members) 

Edu Falaschi - vocals, guitar (2000-2012) 
Aquiles Priester - drums, percussion (2001-2007) 
Luis Mariutti - bass (1991-2000) 
Andre Matos - vocals, keyboard, piano (1991-2000) 
Marco Antunes - drums, percussion (1991-1993) 
André Hernandes - guitar (1991-1992)
Andre Linhares - guitar (1991)

Music
   Like the mythical goddess of fire from which they take their name, Angra is a band that balances grace and beauty, with devastating power. Burning with passionate aggression, but also stylish crafts, classical music influenced Angra weight combine with melodic accessibility, sometimes comparable to Dream Theater and / or Fates Warning. As evidenced by the success of the band's debut 1993 Angels Cry, and the 1996 follow-up, Holy Land (as well as three EPs 1994 Evil Warning, '96 's and Holy Freedom Call Live from 1997) fans of progressive power metal all around the world were illuminated by Angra, and are eagerly waiting to hear more of the quintet of Brazil. With an inspiring mix of traditional power metal sound layered with classical and folk influences, Angra brought together the right tools to create originality and skill, daring and quality. The band has been a phenomenon in his homeland, and made big waves in Japan, France and Germany in recent years. The Musical talent extraordinary of Angra presents a innovative and wonderful composition musicianship and creates an immediate, emotional impact on even in the most seIective listener.

   
The essence of the musical style that made the band a success around the world is still intact. Listeners will notice even more powerful guitars with catchy riffs and memorable solos, vocals with great feeling, and the rhythm section of thunder, who gather the strength of heavy metal with classical influences and typical Brazilian sounds. Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt, both renowned musicians, have been in the ranks of Angra since its inception back in 1991. Each of the three new musicians were chosen because of his experience, technical abilities, and perfect matching with the rest of the group, both artistically and personally, since the first rehearsals. 
   Sharing the passion for music played with intensity and a high degree of technicality, members of Angra certainly not imagine achieving global success they are enjoying today.

Albums 
Currently, the Angra has 7 Studio Albums with "Angels Cry" (1993), "Holy Land" (1996), "Fireworks" (1998), "Rebirth" (2001), "Temple of Shadows" (2004), " Aurora Consurgens "(2006)," Aqua "(2010), and recetemente his last album (yet), is" Angels Cry - 20th Anniversary Tour "(2013). 
In fine, if you want to hear great music in the style of Metal governed by Progressive Melodies and lyrics with breathtaking, this is ANGRA!

ĐШGUITΛR Recommends!
Official Site
 http://www.angra.net/
(This article contains personal opinions, and any stuff shown here have the only purpose of divulgation. All rights are reserved to their respective owners.)

[Have you listen?] Japanese Rock Band Janne Da Arc



Have you, at least one single time, listen to Japanese Music?
Whatever, this is a high quality band you must to listen!
Janne Da Arc (non relative to Jeanne D'Arc) is a Pop/Rock band formed in the 90's in Hirakata, Japan. Janne da Arc shuji (drums), ka-yu (bass), yasu (vocal), you (guitar) and kiyo (keyboard), respectly in the same order of the pic.
"The band is currently signed to the Motorod record label, which is owned by Avex Group. They have released three indie albums, nine major-label albums (including single collections), 26 singles, and 14 DVDs.
On May 9, 2006, they celebrated their tenth anniversary, the date marking when the final member, shuji, became an official member of the band. The band was not named after historical figure Joan of Arc, despite their song "Kyuuseishu (Messiah)" being about her. yasu named the band after a character in the manga Devilman by Go Nagai. A picture of the character can be seen on the art for the band's limited edition Janne Da Arc 10th Anniversary Indies Complete Box, released March 15, 2006.
Their sound is self-described as pop rock, but they played many musical styles such as alternative rock, progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal and many others. Vocalist yasu takes many musical cues from his musical idol, Motoyuki "Morrie" Ootsuka of the heavy metal band Dead End However, the members of Janne Da Arc have proven themselves to be very versatile as well as proficient at their chosen instruments, and are influenced by many bands and musical styles." (Wikipedia)

 As said before, Janne plays various styles of music that goes to Hard Rock - mainly in the beginning of their carrer as INDIES band - 'till the Pop-Rock sounded in some songs as DOLLS. For now, the band is in hiatus since 2007, and their members currently works on his solo projects.   

 If you use to listen Japanese Music surely you're going to like Janne Da Arc; If you have no experienced to listen JMusic, this is a nice band to start to listen to!
DWGuitar Recommends!


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[Have you Listen?] Guitar Acoustic Fingestyle Virtuosity : Tommy Emmanuel



      
William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian virtuoso guitarist and occasional singer, best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar.



 Musical Style
  
   According to Tommy, as a child he was fascinated by the musical style of Chet Atkins - sometimes called Thumbpicking or Travis picking - is a guitar playing technique or guitar using the right thumb for the bass or rhythm (often with a finger cot) and fingers to make the melody part). This technique became the basis for the style of Tommy.
   Emmanuel can often be seen curling his left-hand thumb around the neck of the guitar onto the fretboard to play certain notes rather than using only his fingers to play, contrary to how a classical guitarist would play. He frequently plays common three-finger chord shapes with just two fingers. He commonly uses a thumbpick, a flat pick (plectrum), his fingers or a combination of these in his playing, a style known as hybrid picking. 
His Music


   Although Emmanuel's playing incorporates a multitude of musical influences and styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and rock, this type of "Country fingerstyle" playing is at the core of his technique. While Emmanuel has never had formal music training, and does not read or write music, his natural musical ability and intrinsic sense of rhythm  and integrating their unique techniques to feeling, has gained him fans from all over the world. Guitar players of all levels come to his shows to watch him work his magic, but his appeal goes far beyond musicians.  His live shows are known for their humor, performance, passion, and infectious joy.


Now check out some previews of his most famous songs:





Official Site:

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