Home > Neo-classical metal

The chord progressions, arpeggios, broken chords, and speedy scale runs of neo-classical metal are borrowed for the most part from Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Niccolo Paganini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Most renowned neo-classical guitarists are classically trained virtuoso players and incorporate Harmonic Minor scale and the Phygarian scale . Such performers are sometimes dubbed " Guitar Gods "

Although Yngwie J. Malmsteen is probably the forms best known proponent, classical elements used in heavy metal and hard rock date back to Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Eddie Van Halen's innovations in the late 1970s.

Neo-classical Metal Performers

• Ark-Storm
• Michael Angelo Batio
• Jason Becker
• CacophonyCacophony Sounding badly, antonym to harmony. From the greek word kakophonia kakos (bad) + phoni (voice, sound) The band Cacophony is a heavy metal band which contained the guitar team of Marty Friedman and Jason Becker. Cacophony only released two albums ( Jason Becker & Marty FriedmanFriedman, Marty Friedman, Marty Marty Friedman was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost twelve years (1988 to 2000). It was during this period that Megadeth's musical style became less aggro, and more melodic, which of Megadeth)
• Paul GilbertFormer guitarist of Mr. Big, Paul Gilbert (born November 6, 1966 in Carbondale, Illinois) is now successful as solo artist/singer/songwriter and lead guitarist of the re-unioned 1980s power metal band Racer X. His songs range from classical to pop to hard
• Yngwie J. Malmsteen
• The Reign of Terror
• Billy SheehanBilly Sheehan is a Rock and fusion bass player in the Geddy Lee mold. Billy has recorded with David Lee Roth, Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio and Dennis Chambers as well as being the co-founder of the rock group Mr. Big featuring Paul Gilbert. Sheehan, Billy Shee
• Joe Stump
• Steve VaiSteve Vai is an American guitarist and composer, born June 6th, 1960, making him six years old on the sixth day of the sixth month in 1966, as famously noted in the Frank Zappa book of guitar, which he transcribed, in Long Island, New York. Vai is best kn
• VirtuocityVirtuocity is a Finnish neo-classical metal band lead by guitarist Jaron Sebastian Raven, born as Jarno Keskinen, formerly of KenZiner. Discography Secret Visions (2001) Northern Twilight Symphony (2003).