Steve Smyth's playing

[ChickenScratch]

Hey there everyone. I have a question about Steve's playing. I've never seen him live with Testament and frankly have never heard of him before he joined the band. There's no doubt he's a good player because he's following in the tradition of the previous players in the band.

So just clue me in on his playing style a bit. Is his picking very percussive like Jame's, does he put fusion, jazz or classical influences in his playing? Give me all the details you can huh.

 

[Testament Legions]

His style is very melodic, with mostly progressive and some classical influences. He can be bluesy when he feels like it as well! I would say he qualifies as a "shredder".

His heroes are Randy Rhoads, Paul Gilbert, Akira Takasaki, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Friedman/Becker, among others.

I'm not a musician, so forgive me if I'm not using the correct terminology .

 

[ChickenScratch]

It's cool man, thanks for the explanation and for a musician you did a really good job describing his sound.

 

[Deadly Embrace]

Besides his great guitar playing, we all know he's a very technical
player. Steve's very into alot of different types of metal, he knows
what new bands are up & coming, he's turned me to alot of bands that I really like now. When I tell him I like some band, he'll say, "well if you like In Flames, then check out Arch Enemy"
then he will tell you their best album to check out, Steve's a Rock'n Roll encyclopedia. He knows whats happening out in the metal world, & his influences are all very today. He will get to show off his own stlye when the new TESTAMENT comes out!...........................................................

 

[Sasser]

Can't wait!!!!

 

[ChickenScratch]

I've seen a bunch of pix of himon the Testament and his own site. I really don't like bolt on guitars and it's all he seems to play.

Look at me being all picky.

 

[Heavy D]

I saw him play at the House of Blues in Chicago and I was extremely impressed! I don't think I could build up the ability to play that technical, quick, and remain tight! I wish there were guitarists in my area with that much skill!