Escape The Fate – ‘Whatever Gets The Job Done and Sounds Great’
We caught up with Escape The Fate guitarist Kevin Thrasher to talk about the record, the band’s recent robbery, and using the best musical tools for the job.
Read moreWe caught up with Escape The Fate guitarist Kevin Thrasher to talk about the record, the band’s recent robbery, and using the best musical tools for the job.
Read moreFor fans of all things late 90s and screamy, we give you The Undertaking! We caught up with singer Austin Visser as well as guitarists Keith Butsko and Johnny Mercuri to talk about the new record, their rad hometown music scene, and the salty tone you get from using a fish taco as an overdrive.
Read moreFormed in 2016, Capra were kicking around Lafayette for a few years until they met singer Crow Lotus – and
Read moreWe caught up with Bewitcher frontman M von Bewitcher to talk about the new album, his flying V, and why tone is in the hands.
Read moreLooking to pick up a few easy country songs for your next campfire singalong? We’ve got just the list for you!
Read moreRichmond crossover upstarts Enforced have just released their killer new record Kill Grid. We caught up with guitarist Will Wagstaff to talk about the record, Richmond, and old school metal setups.
Read moreWe caught up with Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake and Dio fame to talk about the new Dead Daisies record, Holy Ground.
Read moreThe Hagstrom was originally owned by a member of Elvis’s band, but producers thought it would look better front and center.
Read moreWe caught up with Sanguisugabogg guitarist Cameron Boggs to talk about the new record, tuning down stupid low, and a forthcoming release that sounds as out of the box as you’d expect.
Read moreFor their new record, Demons have taken a more collaborative approach that they call “more focused” and “more punk-rock” – fans of Metz and At The Drive in are in for a treat. We caught up with main man Zach Gehring to talk about the record, post-Trump politics, and Furnace Fest.
Read moreCannibal Corpse have arguably the most name recognition of any death metal band, and not just because of that one thing in the 90s. 33 years and 15 albums later, the band are the unquestionable king of American death metal. We caught up with new member Erik Rutan to talk guitars and classic CC records.
Read moreIn a sea of newer death metal bands, Denmark’s BAEST has made a name for themselves with their heavy but catchy take on chainsaw death metal. We caught up with the band to talk about their new record, recorded entirely live.
Read moreWe caught up with Brandon Baun of Philly’s blackwave upstarts The Drowned God to talk about their new record Pale Home, the gear, and their plans for the future.
Read moreWe caught up with Magnus Karlsson to talk about his new metal opera, his use of kempers and his life changing first boss pedal.
Read moreWe walk you through our top choices for the most playable low action acoustic guitars, plus we explain how to lower the action on an acoustic guitar
Read moreEleven albums into their career, Korpiklaani have taken their brand of folk metal in a direciton that is a little darker and heavier, but still one for the fans. We caught up with guitarist Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi to talk about the new record, his love of the kemper and why you should pay more attention to the fiddle.
Read moreWitherfall’s new record comes at a tricky time for the band as producer Jon Schaffer makes the news for all the wrong reasons. Even so, the album stands on it’s own two feet as a treat for fans of theatrical metal. We caught up with Jake to discuss the record, modelling, and one of the US’s most legendary metal landmarks, Morrisound Studios.
Read moreDelay pedals are found on almost every guitarist’s pedal board, but with such a wide range available, and given they’re a higher priced pedal, it can be hard to know where to start. We walk you through how to choose a delay pedal, and give you our top ten choices for delay pedals in 2021.
Read moreRivers Of Nihil made a big splash with their 2018 record Where Owls Know My Name, and not just because of the sax. The record featured some razor sharp guitar tones as well as some lush ambient reverb drenched almost synth like passages – and much more. Now all of those tones are available on Brody Uttley’s new Kemper pack. We catch up with the man to get the details.
Read moreJoyous Wolf have spent the last few years growing their reputation for fierce live shows – opening for everyone from Slash to Deep Purple – all without releasing an album. That all changes in 2021, as guitarist Blake Allard tells us.
Read moreDespite not picking up an instrument in person together for over a year, Of Mice And Men have written and recorded a killer new EP, Timeless, set for release Friday February 26th. We caught up with guitarist Phil Manansala to talk about the new EP, his twitch stream and his incredible guitar collection.
Read moreNeck dive is quite common in many popular guitar shapes, and can be a huge pain in the butt, or a simple fix depending on your approach. We go over the causes and some popular solutions to this issue.
Read moreKGR’s prediction is that, once the world reopens, everyone who’s so much as looked at a guitar is going to be itching to get out there and play to a crowd. If that comes to pass, you better make sure your setlist is memorable so you can get the gigs that everyone wants. Here’s our list of more modern acoustic cover songs for bars!
Read moreGWAR have made a career out of being drug addicted space aliens with a live show that leaves the audience covered in blood. We caught up with the band’s human slave Mike Derks to talk about the 30th anniversary of their sophomore record Scumdogs Of The Universe his current guitar setup, and trying to keep his guitar dry in a stage covered in fake blood.
Read moreWith the release of Death By Rock And Roll, The Pretty Reckless put a couple of hard years behind them to deliver a record that’s been many years in the making. We caught up with guitarist and co-songwriter Ben Philips to talk about the record, modelling amps, and his enduring love for the Gibson ES-335.
Read morePutting aside internet rumour, we reached out to the folks at Epiphone directly to find out exactly what strings come on an Epiphone Les Paul – and we have some suggestions for replacements too!
Read moreWe caught up with Swiss progressive deathcore mainstays Dreamshade to talk guitars ahead of the release of their killer new record A Pale Blue Dot
Read moreDarkest Hour are hitting you on all sides in 2021 with the release of their new live record, as well as Mike’s new signature ESP MSV1. We caught up with him to check out the specs and what makes this thing so special.
Read moreWe review the Epiphone DR-100, and explain why it wins our award for best acoustic in it’s categor
Read moreEven after almost 35 years and 10 albums, Asphyx never give up on moving their sound forward and creating killer records, and recently released epic Necroceros is no exception. We caught up with guitarist Paul Baayens to get the lowdown on the record.
Read more7 String Guitars are near-ubiquitous in certain styles of music, but many artists play guitars that rival Gibson Les Paul Customs on price.
We walk you through several of our best picks for 7 strings under $500 – new and used – and talk you through what you need to bear in mind as a buyer, and as an owner.
Read moreWhen you talk about the little guys making big waves in the Kemper profiling world, MattFig is the first name that comes to mind. We caught up with him to get some of the deets behind his killer profiles.
Read moreTexas Americana singer/songwriter Austin Meade is ready to kick off 2021 in style, with the release of his third record and debut for Snakefarm Records coming up in March, and a bevvy of dates on the road. We caught up with him to talk touring during covid and gear, sweet gear.
Read moreAgathis wood is the web’s least popular wood. Some say it’s a step up from plywood, but only barely. We look closer at why it’s so hated, and reveal some instances where having an agathis wood guitar is just fine.
Read moreGatecreeper are known for their sometimes sludgy “stadium death metal” – so the surprise release of a half dozen grindcore songs (plus one funeral doom dirge) came as a shock to many. We caught up with The Darkest Cowboy (guitarist Eric Wagner) to talk about their new release, An Unexpected Reality.
Read moreWhether you are a one-guitar person or own an army of stringed instruments, you should have a way to keep them within reach, at least the one that you use regularly. We go through our choices for the best stands and racks for all budgets.
Read moreWorld Musical Instruments Korea have been the manufacturer of choice for budget models of a huge number of brands over the years. While giving an exact list of who exactly those brands are is a slippery eel, we provide the best list of these brands available in 2021.
Read moreWhile budget amps have gotten a lot better in recent years, it can still be hard to find an actually decent sub $100 practice amp. Thankfully, the team at KGR have put all of the current contenders through their paces and come up with this list of the 7 best, plus a cheeky bonus amp if you have an extra $20!
Read moreKicking off the “most anticpated” list for 2021 is Frozen Soul’s Centrury Media debut Crypt Of Ice! We caught up with the band to talk about the record and their icy tone.
Read moreIreland’s Bitch Falcon take an unconventional approach to everything from creating synth like walls of vocals to using guitars as percussion instruments. We caught up with singer/guitarist Lizzie Fitzpatrick to get the squeeze.
Read moreMy Kid Brother’s self titled debut EP for Fearless Records is, in their own words, full of “warm piano, wistful psychedelic melodies, off-kilter guitar, wiry grooves, iridescent harmonies” – and we agree! We catch up with the band to talk guitars and plans.
Read moreThe Acacia Strain have spent the last year redefining the record release process, with two quite different new records that ignore the expected release schedule model. Within those records too the band packs a masterclass in how to downtune but still be articulate. We caught up with guitarist Tom Smith to discuss the two latest records, lockdown podcasting, and the incredible amount of gear that goes into The Acacia Strain’s sound.
Read moreListening to Spirit Adrift, one influence rings out over any other – Ireland’s contribution to rock canon, Thin Lizzy (who almost make up for U2). We caught up with singer/guitarist Nate Garrett to talk about the bands, the riffs, the legend.
Read moreWith only five years as a band under their belt, Ego Kill Talent have somehow managed to have a career most bands dream of, including tours with the likes of Foo Fighters and QOTSA. We caught up with Ego Kill Talent bassist and drummer Theo van der Loo to talk guitars, Dave Grohl’s house, and the famous Neve console
Read moreSomehow after 24 years and 7 albums, Within Temptation are still able to come out with new music that doesn’t rest on the laurels of the band, but instead pushes them forward. However, it’s not just musically that the band is embracing progress – they tell us about their new found love of digital amps.
Read moreIf floor space is at a premium, but you’re in a dorm or other rental with a “no drilling” policy, there’s hope at hand. With this simple process you can hang a guitar without drilling into the wall or doing any other damage. Let’s take a look.
Read moreMovement’s new record No Good Left To Give, recorded with post-hardcore superproducer Will Yip, is quickly shaping up to be a classic of the no longer nascent genre. I caught up with guitarist Ira George to talk about the band, the record and songs you might want to try at home.
Read moreIs Sweetwater Legit? Is it safe to order from Sweetwater? Not sure if your stuff will show up, or if they will be helpful with a purchase problem? We review Sweetwater in depth.
Read moreOne could be forgiven for thinking War On Women’s new album Wonderful Hell was titled for 2020 – except there’s nothing wonderful about this hellscape. We caught up with guitarist Brooks Harlan to discuss the record, not touring, and when to use amp sims.
Read moreIf you love Soundgarden, Led Zeppelin and the Black Keys, you’ll love BRKN LOVE’s debut record. We caught up with singer and guitarist Justin Benlolo ahead of the November 19th special edition.
Read moreThe Celestion G12M-70 is often spoken of as a cheap-but-not-cheerful alternative to, greenbacks, creambacks and the G12K-75, but there are some instances where it’s the right tool for the job.
Read moreWith the 2020 line refresh, Epiphone are inching closer and closer to their big brother, and in the Les Paul Custom Pro, they might just be almost the whole way there. Save for a few finer (and easily upgraded) appointments, you could turn your eyes away from the headstock and think you were playing a $4000 guitar. Let’s take a look.
Read moreJames Hetfield has used hundreds of picks over the years. We walk you through his current picks of choice – the Black Fang and the White Fang – as well as walking through the picks he and Kirk Hammet used to build the Metallica sound.
Read moreWhile there are many different materials for guitar nuts, most people find themselves choosing primarily between bone and Tusq. However, if you want a bright sound with good volume and sustain, and you want all of the strings to be consistent, there’s only one choice. Let’s find out which that is!
Read moreIf you’ve been in an online guitar community for more than five minutes, you’ve probably seen someone sneer the phrase Blues Lawyer in someone’s direction at least few times. But what does it mean, and why can’t I stop listening to Joe Bonamassa as I approach 50? Let’s discuss.
Read moreWhile there doesn’t seem to have been an official announcement anywhere online, it appears Matt Hornby left his postion as one of three directors of Chapman Guitars in July of this year, leaving the company in the hands of Captain Lee Anderton and The Monkey Lord himself Rob Chapman.
Read moreSkeletal Remains have been blazing an old school death metal trail for nine years and three albums, but their newest record steps things up a notch with some amazing Morbid Angel infused technical superiority. We caught up with to find out about the records, and what gear they used to get it’s grinding tones.
Read moreAC/DC’s Angus Young has one of the most famous picking sounds in the world – you hear Angus, you know it’s Angus. In an age when people are trying to pick as little as possible, Angus strikes every note. We talk about the picks that Angus uses to get his sound, along with the rest of his signal chain.
Read moreWe interview James McBain, the man behind Scotland’s fast rising blackened speed metal titans Hellripper about being a one man band, Fleetwood Mac, and how to record an album on your own.
Read moreThe Epiphone Les Paul Studio got a revamp in the 2020 Epiphone shake up. We go over all of the new features and improvements that make it a real contender.
Read moreRage Against The Machine’s 1992 album was a shot out of the dark that injected not only a huge dose of politics into a largely apolitical music scene, but in Tom Morello provided some of the most inventive guitar techniques on a major label record in years. We walk through all of the gear Morello used to achieve his sounds, song by song.
Read moreTerminal Nation have caused quite a stir with their debut album Holocene Extinction. The record combines death metal and grindcore, and then filters it through a sizeable dose of powerviolence, leaving us with a record that feels like the soundtrack to 2020. We caught up with guitarist Dalton Rail to get the inside scoop on the band, the record, and the mountain of tone that is Holocene Extinction.
Read moreCapo snapped and you need one in a pinch? Or maybe you can’t afford one, but you really want to play along to that one Beatles tune you like? We’re going to walk you through a quick way to make a cheap capo in less than two minutes.
Read moreAs Strike Anywhere release their first recorded music in over ten years, the lean Nightmares of the West EP, we caught up with guitarist Matt Smith to talk about Dr Z amps, how wrong Equipboard can be, and guitars that have had the ever living shit kicked out of them.
Read moreTen years on from their self titled debut’s mix of hardcore and doom, Xibalba have finally made the transition to a full on death doom band with the release of their new record, Años En Infierno. I spent some time with guitarist Brian Ortiz, talking about metal, throwing away guitar strings, and the diversity of California’s hardcore and metal scenes.
Read moreRemember Guitar Center’s String Club? We go over the history of the offer, and place it in time within GC’s long financial struggles.
Read moreWe list all of the guitars and amps used to get Jerry Cantrell’s guitar tone on the Alice In Chains album Dirt, and show you how you can achieve it at home
Read moreIf you’ve ever wondered what kind of guitar did Chuck Berry use to play those famous chords of Johnny B. Goode, then we got you covered.
Read moreWe spoke to over 100 Epiphone fans and asked them “why do you pick Epiphone vs Gibson? What is it that brings you back to Epis?”
Read moreLed Zepplin’s Stairway To Heaven might be the most iconic guitar song of all time – but what guitars did Jimmy Page use?
Read moreWant to learn your guitar string names? Want to memorize the guitar string order? We have a variety of memory tricks that will glue these into your brain!
Read moreLearn Guitar Online with these five amazing free resources, highlighting the very best free guitar lessons anywhere online
Read moreString guide for Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul style guitars – we walk you through the when, why and how to help you restring a Les Paul
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