I'm sorry if I missed any avantgarde metal keyboard/piano players, but I wanted to keep the list short, and I think most people can agree that these four are considered the most popular keyboard/piano players in the avantgarde genre of metal. Picking for me was very hard.
Sverd is a very enjoyable player, and he's created some very beautiful solos, but in the end he's never stood out immensely on his own to me. I think he is good because of what he does in the whole of Arcturus' music. None the less, Sverd still has some EXCELLENT moments that stand out on their own, like the intermezzo of "For To End Yet Again" by Arcturus. He also has a strong knack for giving the music an extra powerful symphonic edge compared to other bands in the avantgarde style.
Andy has some of the most elegant pieces ever. He uses a beautiful piano tone, and has fantastic speed and angular, colorful playing. I think out of the four of these men, Andy is the most capable on his own. Thankfully, he has proven this with his solo album! In a genre that mostly relies on keyboards and synthesizers, Andy's use of piano really stands out. His piano's tone is bright and solid, and it really shines in both of his bands. And in the end, he still knows when to apply synthesizers, i.e. in "A Song For D. Incorporated" by Age Of Silence.
Lars is a very good player. He plays very nice accompaniments in Borknagar and Solefald, and throughout his career in Solefald, he has created some very creative and beautiful pieces and solos. He also has a good grasp on what kind of keyboard or piano to use for each song/album. His use of acoustic piano in certain parts, hammond organ in others, sythesized choir in others, etc. proves that sometimes something can be very simple, but with the proper tone and sound, it can be perfect for a piece. He also has some very good solos like in "Nutrisco Et Exinguo" by Solefald.
Mirai is probably the most varied keyboard/piano player in the style. He applies a WIDE range of keyboards/pianos/synthesizers which results in the utmost ideal tones and moods every moment of Sigh's music. He is also an exceptional player, capable of playing fast runs and solos, and writing beautiful lush classical style pieces (i.e. "Gundali", "Impromptu [Allegro Maestoso]" etc.). Throughout Sigh's existance, Mirai has recorded some beautiful, emotional solo piano pieces for each of Sigh's albums. His application of so many different instruments ranging from the mini-moog, to the Hammond b-3, to the grand piano, to the Fender Rhodes, etc. gives Sigh's music a wonderful unique feel, giving each section the perfect sound and style. His capable style has also graced the death metal band, Necrophagia, but I've never heard them, all I know he is in the band as their keyboard player.
Everyone, let's try to be honest! Don't just say Andy because he browses this forum!
I know it's a hard decision for a lot of people. It's a very hard decision for me. I'm torn between Andy and Mirai. Both are so capable on their own, but they are both in such different bands.
Sverd is a very enjoyable player, and he's created some very beautiful solos, but in the end he's never stood out immensely on his own to me. I think he is good because of what he does in the whole of Arcturus' music. None the less, Sverd still has some EXCELLENT moments that stand out on their own, like the intermezzo of "For To End Yet Again" by Arcturus. He also has a strong knack for giving the music an extra powerful symphonic edge compared to other bands in the avantgarde style.
Andy has some of the most elegant pieces ever. He uses a beautiful piano tone, and has fantastic speed and angular, colorful playing. I think out of the four of these men, Andy is the most capable on his own. Thankfully, he has proven this with his solo album! In a genre that mostly relies on keyboards and synthesizers, Andy's use of piano really stands out. His piano's tone is bright and solid, and it really shines in both of his bands. And in the end, he still knows when to apply synthesizers, i.e. in "A Song For D. Incorporated" by Age Of Silence.
Lars is a very good player. He plays very nice accompaniments in Borknagar and Solefald, and throughout his career in Solefald, he has created some very creative and beautiful pieces and solos. He also has a good grasp on what kind of keyboard or piano to use for each song/album. His use of acoustic piano in certain parts, hammond organ in others, sythesized choir in others, etc. proves that sometimes something can be very simple, but with the proper tone and sound, it can be perfect for a piece. He also has some very good solos like in "Nutrisco Et Exinguo" by Solefald.
Mirai is probably the most varied keyboard/piano player in the style. He applies a WIDE range of keyboards/pianos/synthesizers which results in the utmost ideal tones and moods every moment of Sigh's music. He is also an exceptional player, capable of playing fast runs and solos, and writing beautiful lush classical style pieces (i.e. "Gundali", "Impromptu [Allegro Maestoso]" etc.). Throughout Sigh's existance, Mirai has recorded some beautiful, emotional solo piano pieces for each of Sigh's albums. His application of so many different instruments ranging from the mini-moog, to the Hammond b-3, to the grand piano, to the Fender Rhodes, etc. gives Sigh's music a wonderful unique feel, giving each section the perfect sound and style. His capable style has also graced the death metal band, Necrophagia, but I've never heard them, all I know he is in the band as their keyboard player.
Everyone, let's try to be honest! Don't just say Andy because he browses this forum!
I know it's a hard decision for a lot of people. It's a very hard decision for me. I'm torn between Andy and Mirai. Both are so capable on their own, but they are both in such different bands.
