TOP 10 GUITARISTS

[schenkadere]

In terms of what? Again, I agree that there are better chops than his, there are more complicated things out there, but Kiko has a sound and feel that is unique. I don't hear anyone else with the particular kind of musicality that I hear from him and I think more chops would actually hurt his sound. Of course it's up to the listener to decide whether one likes the style or not, but I don't at all agree that he is "nothing special" in terms of musicality. Maybe you just don't like his musicality, which is cool, but he is definitely above average at what he does.

I am a huge fan of prog and complex music, yet my favorite song on "No Gravity" is the title track, "No Gravity," which is the simplest song on the album.

He's got a ton of great chops, put his phrasing and feel isn't quite mature...I can't really put a finger on it...there's something missing...it has nothing to do with technical ability for me.

 

[schenkadere]

I'm a big Alexi fan (before he gave up practicing and started drinking more) and I must say, Alexi comes nowhere near being in the top ten. He is a metal guitarist, not a virtuoso. Nowadays he plays the same solo, just rehashed. Same blues pentatonic patterns and the same E minor arpeggio. Less creative now than back in the Hatebreeder/Follow the Reaper days.

There's some really cool stuff on Hatebreeder and a few tunes on Reaper...great metal tone too. But I really don't dig anything else and his voice makes me want to uke:

 

[schenkadere]

I just really appreciate the mix of jazz / rock / fusion with the brazillian / cuban influences of his playing, as well as the rest of the band as a whole on that album (Universo Inverso), I really dig that stuff! Also the Hellborg / Eklundh album 'Art Metal' with its Indian influence, I love that ethnic sounding stuff...

You should check out Mark Rizzo's solo stuff...flamenco infused metal.

 

[schenkadere]

Ooh, Steve Stevens. Good show. I dig his stuff.

I think Steve Stevens sucks ass and I've heard he's a gigantic prick with an ego inflated far beyond his abilities. IMO of course. Bizarrely over-rated.

He's probably pushing 50...stop painting your fingernails...geez!

 

[Kenneth R.]

no actually you are showing your inability to comprehend

Alright. Care to elaborate? If yes, I'm sure my earlier comments will evidence themselves. If not, then they stand without requiring any further discourse.

 

[batera]

You should check out Mark Rizzo's solo stuff...flamenco infused metal.

Show me a video you like of him because I just checked a few out and I'd take Romeo any day. So I will give him the benefit of the doubt since I haven't seen a lot.

 

[neoshredder]

1. Tony Macalpine Best album is Maximum Securite
2. Vinnie Moore-Time Odyssey and Minds Eye
3. Yngwie Malmsteen-Trilogy, Marching Out, and Rising Force.
4. Michael Romeo-Symphony X-DWoT, V, and The Odyssey
5. Eric Johnson-Ah Via Musicom and Venus Isle.
6. Allan Holdsworth-Road Games, Metal Fatigue, and I.O.U.
7. Paul Gilbert-Racer X-Second Heat and Street Lethal
8. John Petrucci-Dream Theater-Images and Words
9. Joe Satriani-Surfin' With the Alien.
10. Al Di Meola-Casino and Elegant Gypsy.

 

[JesterIF]

In no particular order:
Michael Romeo
Mats Haugen
Shawn Lane
Vito Bratta
Edward Van Halen
George Lynch
Andy Mckee
Me
Jesper Stromblad
Bjorn Gelotte
The dudes from Killswitch Engage

I forget many...

 

[schenkadere]

Show me a video you like of him because I just checked a few out and I'd take Romeo any day. So I will give him the benefit of the doubt since I haven't seen a lot.

Well, progmetal was writing of ethnically influenced music...it had nothing to do with Romeo. It was a suggestion of an artist...not a competition.

 

[batera]

Well, progmetal was writing of ethnically influenced music...it had nothing to do with Romeo. It was a suggestion of an artist...not a competition.

No, that's what I mean. I watched several videos and didn't really see the ethnic influence you were talking about. It's not "who is better" but it's just "who I like more," and what I saw seemed like shredding with some minimal outside influences that Romeo does better. Romeo does lots of eastern-influenced stuff as well that is really awesome, so that's what I was using as a counterexample. I only responded that way because you had specifically mentioned him and I want to understand why, that's all. I'm just curious to see what you consider his best, not trying to make something of it.

 

[darkblade]

ok, i don't mean that alexi laiho's playing is revolutionary, but his sense of harmony is very unique and imo he is a very capable song writer who's a genious at inserting melody into songs. i guess that was what i meant by revolutionarey. he has a different way of making harmonics and melodies. not a unique technical playing style.

 

[Altitudes]

ok, i don't mean that alexi laiho's playing is revolutionary, but his sense of harmony is very unique and imo he is a very capable song writer who's a genious at inserting melody into songs. i guess that was what i meant by revolutionarey. he has a different way of making harmonics and melodies. not a unique technical playing style.

I completely agree. His melodies are the greatest and most memorable parts of his songs. Check out Sinergy too if you haven't already.

Are you War_Blade by any chance?

 

[forgottenglory]

Indeed. I really dig his Atomic Playboys album from the late '80's for sure, and his Flamenco-A-Go-Go was pretty stellar.

And not to forget his work on the two Bozzio Levin Stevens albums

 

[razoredge]

Alright. Care to elaborate? If yes, I'm sure my earlier comments will evidence themselves. If not, then they stand without requiring any further discourse.

Here, let me take you by the hand and lead you through this, little child

There by, in my opinion, there is not a single death or black metal guitar player that deserves any more than a long dip in a hot kettle of bleach

 

[cro4eva]

can you write great songs

To me that is compositional skills, not guitar skills. Writing a great song does not make one a great guitarist. Michael Angel Batio doesn't write good songs (in my opinion) but he is one hell of a guitar player.

 

[forgottenglory]

I quite enjoy Michael Angelo as well and I agree with you cro4eva. I think Michael's song are just an excuse for him to shred. However, the only exception is his album with the band C4 with contain some very strong songwriting.

 

[darkblade]

i am not war_blade but he sounds like a nice fellow. what, is he on the bodom forum or something?

 

[Kenneth R.]

Here, let me take you by the hand and lead you through this, little child

As I suspected.

cro4eva: Batio? Seriously? The guy fakes his videos to make him look faster. He's got nice tricks but he has zero compositional skills, which means in the grand scheme of things, he won't be remembered.

 

[schenkadere]

No, that's what I mean. I watched several videos and didn't really see the ethnic influence you were talking about. It's not "who is better" but it's just "who I like more," and what I saw seemed like shredding with some minimal outside influences that Romeo does better. Romeo does lots of eastern-influenced stuff as well that is really awesome, so that's what I was using as a counterexample. I only responded that way because you had specifically mentioned him and I want to understand why, that's all. I'm just curious to see what you consider his best, not trying to make something of it.

I saw some Rizzo Youtube videos and as you say, there's no flamenco style incorporated...in fact, they're not very impressive at all...I sampled his first solo effort CD and thought it was interesting...that's all...wouldn't consider myself a fan...just offering a suggestion.

 

[noble savage]

As I suspected.

cro4eva: Batio? Seriously? The guy fakes his videos to make him look faster. He's got nice tricks but he has zero compositional skills, which means in the grand scheme of things, he won't be remembered.

Yeah exactly, I am really surprised at the attention this guy has received lately. That kind of music has always made me...uke: Some of these guys should really take lessons from MJR. He can shred with the best of them but, he writes kick ass complex music not backing track oriented music.