10 years ago every “Real” metal-head was criticizing 7 string guitar players because of the nu-metal movement. Hell, even these days people look down at them for it. In the past year or so musicians have stepped it up, saying; “If you don’t like 7 strings…here’s one more.”.  Let’s look at a few things in the current metal scene with more than 6 strings.

• Catalepsy is a dethcore band that has 3 seven string guitar players. It’s not like they are Iron Maiden with 3 astounding 6-stringers. You really can’t decipher between the three players. Seems like a waste to me, but they put on a good live show. I’m not sure exactly what they sound like on CD as I’ve had little interest in them.
• Dino Cazares plays an 8 string Ibanez in Divine Heresy (and other bands) and has played 7 strings in the past.
• High On Fire’s Matt Pike uses a custom 9 string guitar from first act…which is pretty much just a 12 string without the E, A and D string being strung normally. It’s actually quite interesting. He does this for a chorus type effect being that he is the sole guitar player in the band.
• Scale The Summit’s Chris Letchford uses a custom made 8 string guitar and band mate Travis Levrier uses a 7 string. Also Prosthetic Records newly signed progressive/instrumental band Animals As Leaders uses both 8 and 7 string guitars.

So is it only acceptable for a band to use more than 6 strings as long as they are using them in a non nu-metal way. Progressive metal bands are allowed to use them because they are actually doing more than chugging with them? I honestly don’t care either way as along as it sounds good, but I’m just kind of wondering what everyone’s opinion is on this.

Image: Guitarcenter.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

“He gave us 10 different reasons why we should stop — ‘My microphone doesn’t work, I got diarrhea, the monitors are f–ked up’ — whatever he could think of,” Cazares told HeadbangersBlog.com. “And we decided that’s not fair to the fans. We wanted to give them a full show.”

But when Divine Heresy blasted into the next song, Cummings became unglued. He tried to pry the drumsticks from Tim Yeung’s hands, then he shoved Cazares, knocking him down. “The venue has a weird step onstage, and I hit the step and fell after he pushed me,” Cazares said. “He just caught me off balance. It was extremely unprofessional, and, in my head I just knew it was over with him.”

The Poughkeepsie incident was the final straw in a relationship that had grown increasingly strained over time. From the start, Cummings’ hardcore and hip-hop background clashed with the rest of the band’s brutal death metal orientation, and as the lead singer, he seemed to see himself as the leader of the group even though the band was formed by Cazares. “He’s a big, intimidating guy and he knows how to use that to his advantage,” the guitarist explained. “We didn’t agree on a lot of things and we thought it was better that he left.”

Perhaps they will find another singer that will fit better in the band. I hope so. I really dug their debut and I like Dino’s playing style. Read the entire news clip here. Tommy Cummings Fired From Divine Heresy

Image Source: Amazon.com

Post from: Metal Martyr