Michael Angelo Batio: 'I Have Found A Unique Voice In My Guitar Playing'

Michael Angelo Batio has been given more than a few illustrious titles since making his presence known in the 80’s band Nitro. Guitar One Magazine once called him the “#1 Shredder Of All Time,” while Total Guitar dubbed him “practically a god.” It’s a lot to live up to, but Batio has proven that he’s much more than just the amazing shredder seen in his Speed Kills DVD series. Batio is responsible for inventing both the eye-catching Quad and Double guitars, creating the Over-Under Technique while onstage at a Nitro concert, and writing some pretty incredible compositions to top it all off.

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects about Batio is his ability as a guitar instructor. He continues to educate musicians, whether it’s through one of his many instructional DVDs or traveling across the globe to hold clinics. And maybe you’ve heard of a guitarist named Tom Morello? Batio actually taught Morello for a period of time, and the Rage Against The Machine shredder called his experience with the guitar phenomenon “a musical epiphany.”

Not surprisingly, 2008 has been yet another busy year for Batio. He introduced a new pickup through Dean guitars at January’s NAMM Convention, and he’s planning on releasing 2 new instructional DVDs and a CD in the coming months. Because he was in the studio at the time we contacted him, Batio kindly granted us an interview via email in which he discussed technique, teaching Tom Morello, and what it feels like to be “the most blazing guitarist on the planet.”

Ultimate-Guitar: I understand that you’re currently in the studio working on new material. Can you give us an idea of what we can expect musically?

MAB: Yes, I am in the process of not only working on a new CD, but 2 DVDs, a new Double-Guitar solo and new guitar clinic tracks. There is a lot going on at the moment. As far as the new CD, I am focusing on keeping the music progressive and heavy, experimenting with different arrangements, having great drum parts and grooves, getting great rhythm sounds, great production and performing to the best of my ability. I always try to do the best that I can. I never worry about anything other than making sure that I am truly satisfied with what goes on the CD.

This past year has been one of your most prolific ever, with one of the most recent events being the debut of your new MAB “HWS” Signature Guitar pickup at the NAMM Convention. What specifications went into making it?

I do things differently. I have virtually the exact opposite EQ settings as players like Dimebag or Zack Wylde. I love their sound but that is not my sound. Pickups are extremely important to me. I wanted a pickup that has a very “round,” pure tone, but also one that has expressiveness. In short, one that “sounds like Mikey.” I worked with Pat Baker at Dean Guitars and gave him samples of different pickups I liked. After several prototypes and a lot of tweaking and experimenting, we got it right. I love the new MAB “HWS” signature pickup. It is loud, has a really warm, yet cutting and articulate tone. On a side note, I use Dean Guitars exclusively and my signature MAB Over Drive pedal from T-Rex. Both contribute greatly to my tone as well.

You’ve received so many accolades from the guitar community, being called everything from the “#1 shredder of all time” to “the most blazing guitarist on the planet.” When you began your career, did you have any inkling that you would be considered the iconic guitarist that you are today?

Thank you. I never really thought about it when I was first starting out, but now, as I have gotten to this stage in my career, yes, I do think about my place in “guitar history”. I would like to be remembered as a musical innovator, not an emulator and as someone who contributed, in a positive way, to the advancement of the electric guitar and guitar technique in general.

I have always performed onstage, since I started playing the guitar at age 10. In addition to all of the projects I am involved in, I manage to perform at least 100 shows around the world every year. I feel that I have found a unique voice in my guitar playing, both in the studio and in my live performances. That is not an easy task considering there are millions of guitar players out there. In conclusion, I have had only 1 goal throughout my entire career. That is to be the best Michael Angelo Batio that I can be.

What were a few of the essential practice techniques that shaped the way you play?

Economy of motion. I always thought that the less I moved my fingers, that faster and more precise I would be able to play. This idea has served me well over the years. Also, I use my fourth finger much more than most guitarists. I vibrato with my fourth finger and use it when most guitarists would use their third. Also, I am known for my alternate picking ability. I am also very good at sweep picking, economy picking and tapping, but I love the sound of alternate picking when I play solos and melodies.

Another important thing is that I have never had a hand injury from playing the guitar. Ever. I work out religiously and have done so since I started recording demos for the second Nitro record. I believe that a healthy mind, body and spirit can go a long way to keeping one’s skill level extremely high for one’s entire life.

My typical practice session begins like this: I start with legato finger exercises. This IMHO is the best way to warm up one’s fingers. After that I will start working on alternate picking exercise, scales, modes, etc., then Economy picking sequences and arpeggios. After that, it varies. Sometimes I will work on a song, other times I will work on new riffs. It just depends on what I want to accomplish at that practice session. Hope this helps.

"I never worry about anything other than making sure that I am truly satisfied with what goes on the CD."

You’re left-handed, but you’ve essentially become an ambidextrous player. How challenging was it to accomplish that goal?

I started playing the piano at age 5 and studied to be a concert pianist in college. I consider keyboards my “second” main instrument so I was already used to playing counter point and contrapuntal lines. The hardest part was not playing the guitar, but inventing the Double-Guitar. Once I did that and had a left-handed guitar to work with, it took me about 6 months of constant practice to be able to perform live with it.

You’ve been an innovator in terms of technique and equipment over the years. When we talk about technique, one of the most memorable moves has been the “Over-Under Technique.” How and when did your originally create that technique?

I wanted to do things on the guitar that were uniquely my own both live and in the studio. Jimi Hendrix smashed and burned guitars on stage, Jimmy Page used a violin bow, Pete Townshend had the famous windmill move, etc. I looked at these greats and tried to be like them. In other words, be unique and original like they were. I invented the beginnings of the Over-Under technique when I was about 12 years old. It started again, because I have performed onstage so many times throughout my life. I would be performing on stage, the lead singer would be singing away and I would get bored just playing rhythm guitar for 95 percent of the show.

I stopped the boredom by playing bar chords over the neck, with my thumb, all sorts of things, almost looking like I was playing a keyboard, just to amuse myself! I didn’t worry about what the audience thought. I was having fun experimenting with different ways to play a guitar on stage. This eventually evolved and turned into playing solos using open strings where I could cross over and under the neck and still be in key.

What happened, though, is that the audience really liked it. I started to develop a unique guitar show and get noticed at the same time. I never practiced the Over-Under technique other than onstage. That is where I developed it and that is where I use it. I am very proud of the fact that I was able to come up with one of the most unique and original stage moves, the Over-Under Technique, since Hendrix, Page and all of the other greats of Rock and Metal Music.

When a lot of us get a mental image of Michael Angelo Batio, it’s hard not to see your famous Quad or Double guitars in the same picture. What originally inspired you to invent them and do you ever use those guitars in studio recordings?

I wanted to do something that no guitarist had ever done before and I did it. Not to be “better” or “cooler’ than other players, just to be different. I don’t use the Double-Guitar or the Quad Guitar in the studio. They are specifically for the stage and live performances. (For more info, check out this article)

It was very cool to see that Dean unveiled its new version of the Quad. Is that something that consumers will be ever able to get their hands on?

Unfortunately, no. The Dean Quad was really made for photo ops, music trade shows and more or less a conversational piece. It is not a “playable” guitar, but it looks amazing!

What originally drew you to Dean guitars?

Again, the desire to be different. Many guitarists, in my early development years of playing the instrument, were using the same brands, the same guitar shapes, all looking and sounding the same way. I wanted my own voice, to travel down a different musical path, even down to the brand of guitar that I used. The ML, known sometimes as the Dimebag shape, is a Dean guitars design and IMHO is the most significant guitar shape in Heavy Metal history. Dean Guitars built top end, high-quality USA guitars using unique shapes, colors, pickups and marketing. It was the perfect guitar for me and is what I really used growing up. It is not just an endorsement. It is a passion.

On your site forum there you posted a message addressing the recent problem with your new Armorflame being produced in the Japanese facilities. Have those issues all been worked out?

Yes they have. My signature guitar will be shipping worldwide very soon. Dean Guitars has had a lot of orders for it. I can’t wait!

"I have had only 1 goal throughout my entire career. That is to be the best Michael Angelo Batio that I can be."

What currently are your guitars of choice in the studio?

At the time of this interview I have 63 guitars. I AM ALWAYS IN “GUITAR ACCQUISITION” MODE. I love guitars and can never have too many! About 45 of them can be seen on my website. I have specific Dean Guitars that I use for rhythms and specific ones for leads. My main recording guitars are, first and foremost, my Dean signature guitar called the MAB 1 Armorflame, 2 Dean USA Hard Tails, a Dean USA Blue Burst ML and a Dean USA Spalted Maple Flying V. I sometimes use a 1986 Strat that I have for clean sounds, but I would say that 99 percent of the time I can find one of my Dean Guitars will get the tone and sound I am searching for.

Your website mentioned that you just worked with Mark Tremonti on a new DVD. Are you able to reveal any details about it?

Mark and I are very good friends. He is not only an amazing, number 1, hit songwriter, but a great lead guitarist and one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen. He is incredibly fast using only a downstroke. He is just an amazing artist. In my guest appearance on his DVD, I demonstrated some intense alternate picking exercises and played a 5-minute unaccompanied guitar solo that they had asked me to perform when I got to the soundstage. I had no idea I was going to do that, but I was pleased with the way it turned out. I used Mark’s live, concert rig and it sounded great.

Some fans might be also interested to know that you once taught Tom Morello back when you were attending college. Can you recall what those sessions were like?

Tom told me that my guitar lessons to him were, and I quote, “a musical epiphany.” Guitar World Magazine did a cover story on Tom a few years ago and in the magazine he described what I taught him and how it helped his playing. Basically, he credited me with coordinating and getting both of his hands to play together. Tom personifies everything I have ever believed and taught about music and the guitar specifically. Be yourself. Be unique. Find your own voice. My lessons were NEVER about “play like Mikey.” They were about using techniques that make YOU a better guitarist and artist in whatever genre you choose to perform and record in.

Can we expect another instructional DVD to be released in the near future?

Yes. I have worked very closely with Doug Marks and Metal Method Productions in Los Angeles over the years. We are planning to film and release 2 instructional DVDs this year as well. I have also written a column for Guitar World Magazine for almost 2 years now called “Time to Burn”. I just filmed 6 more columns that will be featured in upcoming issues. My column, BTW, thank you to everyone for your support, has been so popular that GW is releasing a DVD this year featuring all of my columns. I am extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities I have in music and guitar education.

There are plenty of people who admire your work as a musician, but which guitarists inspire you?

Some of my favorites are: Yngwie, Alan Holdsworth, Jason Becker, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore, John Petrucci. Then there is Gypsy Jazz – Jimmy Rosenberg, Django of course, and… I also love country “pickers” like Tony Rice, Brad Paisley, Johnny Highland and Brent Mason. There are just too many guitarists to mention. I could name at least 100 more!

I understand that you’ll be appearing in an upcoming documentary on Randy Rhoads. What effect did he have on you as a guitarist?

Yes, I performed my interpretation of Randy Rhoads songs in a medley on my Hands Without Shadows CD called “Tribute to Randy.” The director of the movie, Peter Margolis from Dakota Pictures, saw me perform the song live at a concert in Hollywood in August of last year and loved it. They asked me then to be in the movie. I was honored to be a part of it. Randy Rhoads is a huge influence on my guitar playing

"My lessons were never about "play like Mikey.""

You’ve created so much music over the years. Are there one or two songs that have made you the proudest?

I have been signed to 2 major labels in bands. The first major label band Holland released a great CD on Atlantic Records. We had a hit song in the USA called “Gotta Run.” All 4 band members contributed in writing the song and it is a great 3 1/2 minute hard rock classic. Another one of my favorites is the instrumental song “No Boundaries.” “No Boundaries” was written to help people learn. I wrote this song to be included on my Speed Kills instructional DVD. It does not follow the standard binary or ternary song format but goes from part to part just like an instructional program would go from exercise to exercise. I had no idea that it would become so popular that we would film a DVD dedicated to just teaching the song.

Again this follows my philosophy that I can’t worry about what other people say or think. I just do the very best that I can and let the public decide. The song “No Boundaries” employs virtually every modern guitar technique that exists. That was the intent, to show what I was going to teach in the program. I am, again, grateful that the song has helped and inspired so many guitarists around the world.

For those who might just be starting to play, do you have any advice to offer them?

Outside of practice, practice, practice, I would say to listen to a lot of different kinds of music, have a basic knowledge of the Piano and play comfortably. I would also like to say “thank you” for your continued support and I hope to see all of you at a show soon!

Interview by Amy Kelly
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2008

Comments

[Aziraphale]

Tons of chops, sure, but if he wants to be remembered as a musical innovator he needs to write some songs that are in some way innovative. I have never heard one song of his that sounded original in any way, just standard rock/metal played very fast. And in this interview it seems like the next album will be the exact same thing. Again.

[Thewolf_and_man]

I really dont like that guy..

[webbtje]

The guy is untouchable on a technical level, never mind how show-offy a lot of his music is.

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

[shakin'cakes]

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

[john_latchem]

mark tremonti? death metal? whaaaa?

[Ragnorak6000]

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

You wouldnt be saying that if you could play 4 guitars at once and getting paid for it.

[stelios-papadop]

easy

[stelios-papadop]

anyway, no one has more technical than matt bellamy, its just no one looks close enough at his guitar style!!!!!the mans a F*****G legend!!!

[Aaron_Yeo]

He's uber-technical, no argument there. Sure, some of his music is repetetive and boring, but at least he's not like Yngwie.

I'm not gonna bash the guy (becuase more than enough people will) nor am I going to praise him (because, again, more than enough people will) but he has his share of good grooves and very nice licks. And I would count some of his stuff as original, specifically his prog stuff, because it's almost hard to not be unique in prog.

But who cares what I say, right?

[dgme92]

Funny, cos I actually prefer Tom Morello's playing style to his. Huh. Go figure.

[shwilly]

stelios-papadop wrote:

anyway, no one has more technical than matt bellamy, its just no one looks close enough at his guitar style!!!!!the mans a F*****G legend!!!

Naw, he's not. He's just very very, skilled and exceptionally creative (although his influences ar pretty obvious). I don't think he's overlooked but (just like Morello) there ain't many people who'd want to emulate him because it's hard to do that without sounding like a complete ripoff.

I reckon Muse are starting to become pretty legendary 'cause their albums stuff have been around for quite a while now, but to single out Bellamy as the most technical player in the friggin' world is crazy. Look up some Paco De Lucía, Steve Vai or even Michael Angelo for that matter. I mean, I don't like his music at all but I've heard very few people who can shred as fast as him

[rancidryan]

skill yes but not talent most f the stuffs just constant shredding

[Mahoru]

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

[littleleo88]

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

[mstysakura]

I love Muse, but Bellamy? The most technical guitarist? Anyway, I credit Batio with innovation on the actual guitar, but I'm not a fan of his music.

[symba05]

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

This is why shred is overrated. It is not impressive. Music is suppose to be musical, not technical

[Badmotorfever]

you have to ask yourself - is he impressive, or just some arsehole showoff?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RLnOx4E-G1g

seriou sly, there is nothing humble about him. I'm not doubting his ability but he is just cold, and its as if he just plays this riffs all the time...you can't FEEL the improvisation like you can with other guitarists, speedy or not.

[rhcp_freak]

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.


probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

Impressive? He plays four guitars fast without making any sort of music whatsoever.

Listen to Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Frusciante, Hell, even Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Satch and Eddie Van Halen. Now they aren't just great guitarists, they're great musicians.

Michael Angelo Batty-ho isn't.

#1 Shredder Of All Time,

+1
checked!

[Reviewer Pete]

"one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen."

Conclusion: He's never listened to death metal.
#1 Woodshedder of all time would be a more fitting description to MAB.

[wildchild6660]

stelios-papadop wrote:

anyway, no one has more technical than matt bellamy, its just no one looks close enough at his guitar style!!!!!the mans a F*****G legend!!!

Er... Matt is cool and all but hes not really on the same level as guys like MAB, Yngwie and Satriani in a technical sense. One hell of a song writer, though.

[samuwel]

incidentally, does MAB say IMHO out loud? why is it abbreviated in the article? seems a bit daft to me like.

i can't say i'm a fan, but to be fair to the guy, he's ****ing fast

[metallicafan616]

fake hair? thats his real hair..
and also, emotive music is too common, he wanted something different..

[slomoslam]

symba05 wrote:

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.


This is why shred is overrated. It is not impressive. Music is suppose to be musical, not technical

That is why I think Buckethead is so FREAKING amazing! He can uber-shred, he's innovative, and he composes great melodies in so many different styles of music. AND HE WEARS A BUCKET ON HIS HEAD!! YES!!!

[MAKETHEMSUFFER!]

i was at a guitar clinic of his recently, it was cool. he played great and he was pretty funny too.
but mark tremonti, death metal?! he doesn't even play metal, although he is pretty good at guitar.

[Les Paul Ell]

Michael Angelo Batio wrote:
On a side note, I use Dean Guitars exclusively and my signature MAB Over Drive pedal from T-Rex. Both contribute greatly to my tone as well.

How much ARE they paying him?! He seems so out of it, thinking he's so amazingly unique and all. I don't think he's had any real effect on the evolution of the guitar, instead he's just taken something which has already been done and redoing it to death.

[PhantomNote]

He makes music, but it seems like he's more focused on technique. Wich can be heard iin his music.
It takes great amounts of practice to get as good as him technically, but he's more of a shredder/guitar player than a musician.

[Karvid]

I can only appreciate shredding in songs if it's not overdone. Listening to guitar players like John Petrucci and Joe Satriani is a lot more interesting than listening to MAB or Yngwie because they know how to incorporate extremely fast licks into solos that aren't necessarily "shred" solos. They have a better range, tempo- and speed-wise.

[Raijouta]

Batio is more classical in his thinking - as in classical music. Just because he writes "fast" songs does not make him soulless - look at Bach and Mozart, et cetera.

[Raijouta]

That said, I prefer Satch to Batio.

[Pingis_Or_Death]

Mark and I are very good friends. He is not only an amazing, number 1, hit songwriter, but a great lead guitarist and one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen.
What??

[LD_Luke D]

funny how there is a lot of comments, coming from guitarists who dont like michael angelo batio. when non-guitarists rank him among the best in the world, that goes to show you how much people care about the way something looks (such as his double guitar). i mena he seems like a humble guy and is probably one of the best technical players, and a very good teacher, definetly, but unique, not as much as many.

[Garf72]

Ragnorak6000 wrote:

You wouldnt be saying that if you could play 4 guitars at once and getting paid for it.

shut up.

[ninocavalera]

yes

[Shread_6009]

samuwel :
incidentally, does MAB say IMHO out loud? why is it abbreviated in the article? seems a bit daft to me like.

i can't say i'm a fan, but to be fair to the guy, he's ****ing fast

he did this interview over e-mail, so IMHO is an abbrieviation in his message

[FretboardToAsh]

seems a good guy, funny music admire his skill.

[nutinpwnsgibson]

his stuff is pretty cool at first, but eventually you realize that its boring and pointless

[zalant]

samuwel wrote:

incidentally, does MAB say IMHO out loud? why is it abbreviated in the article? seems a bit daft to me like

Ultimate-Guitar wrote:

Batio kindly granted us an interview via email

Gotta read it all before ya comment, so as to avoid the such foot-in-mouth postings.

It's funny how much of a consensus it is here (among guitar folk at this site) that MAB can play his ass off, yet no one really cares, or can actually sit and listen to him for very long.

As inflated as his ego seems to be, he has to know that most people think that his playing is cold and lacking in emotion, or anything else which endears music to (most) listeners. Sort of makes me wonder why he doesn't shock everyone and come out with a really soulful blues album, peppered with bits of tasteful shredding here and there. Now that might actually get people to notice, but he'd first have to have that sort of thing in him, and my guess is that he doesn't. Oh well, there have been and always will be circus performers who make us say "ooh" and "ahh", but in the end, it really doesn't stay with us very long. That's MAB's legacy.

(Oh, and before anyone comes along and points out the painfully obvious, yes, I realize I can't play as fast as him. I know, I get it. OK. I'm not jealous. My ability, or lack thereof, has nothing to do with my above statement of opinion.)

[saucehead]

I like speedy players as much as the next person, but when I think about my all-time favorite guitar solos, none of them are insanely fast. They're all very emotionally drenched with great textures. If I drive my car faster than you does that make me a better driver? The truly great players are able to incorporate speedy passages in their playing to convey feeling, not as the focal point. If speed is all that matters then I guess BB and the great blues players suck ass.

[Tubyboulin]

I Like him, listening to his Music does make me feel different emotions. One of his acoustic songs (forget the title) I listen to to calm me down, something like No Boundaries i listen to when im Angry. he plays with as much emotion as any blues player imo. Cant wait to check out his new stuff.

[anty]

radiohead are the only innovators at the minute in music. if there are more post them and ill rate them

[Sonny_sam]

to be fair, I would much rather listen to something melodic and emotion driven than shred.

one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen.

what???
just what????

if he thinks tremonti's playing comes anywhere near the death metal genre, he needs to listen to some napalm death or cannibal corpse!

[vantage4]

any musician as technically good as this guy is has probably put out at least one song with a real emotional core to it. if you hung out with the guy and listened to him widdle on a guitar or piano i'm sure something would come out that pulled one of your strings.

that being said, i am not ambitious enough to search through a discography of speed shredding to find such a song. but he does seem like a cool guy, he comes right out and says that he's really good, but he doesn't make claims about being the best, just that he's gotten good at some skills. and he gives props to every other guitar player mentioned in the interview. i don't get the arrogant yngwie vibe from him at all.

[Billy Picken]

MAB does his thing, his way and gets paid for it. Rock on.

[vantage4]

Sonny_sam wrote:

to be fair, I would much rather listen to something melodic and emotion driven than shred.

one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen.
what???
just what????

if he thinks tremonti's playing comes anywhere near the death metal genre, he needs to listen to some napalm death or cannibal corpse!

i dunno, he could just be talking about his experiences playing and jamming with tremonti and not necessarily his recorded work.

[LegsOnEarth]

pfft

[Donkey Fly]

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.


probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

How do you know?

You know nothing about that guy...

[PissInMyShoeses]

Meh, he might be the fastest, but theres no emaotion to it.

[Black Hole Sun]

Not a fan of his music, but he seems like a cool guy. Yes, I find his music boring, but he has a cool message.

"Be yourself. Be unique. Find your own voice. My lessons were NEVER about “play like Mikey.” They were about using techniques that make YOU a better guitarist and artist in whatever genre you choose to perform and record in."

[Jondy]

shredders are a dime a dozen now adays. hell i went into the guitar center a few weeks ago there was this group of 4 kids, just kids like 10-14, they were ripping it up. yeah it was a little sloppy but the speed was there. but you know what? it didn't really matter because at the end of the day it wasn't even music.

i mean i felt like woah awesome kids shredding and I don't want to be hard on them because they are just kids and when they're older they may compose some awesome stuff.

but shredding itself isn't even special anymore.

quit hating on tremonti batio wasn't calling alter bridge death metal he was talking about stuff he's heard mark play out of band. mark is freakin amazing; too bad he got stuck with creed and it almost ruined his reputation forever as a guitar guy.

[Black Revolver]

honestly, i get none of the credit from teachin this guy everything i know. some people nowadays....

[screamsoftly]

This man is everything I hate about guitarists. And people really.

[Box_of_Spanners]

MAB has some severe technique but close your eyes and all the awe vanishes. MAB is a showman, he technically impresses but musically it's nothing out of the ordinary. Nowhere does it say that putting 64 notes where one was needed makes you a better musician. Give me some more complex music rather than complex fretrobatics and maybe you can starting calling people greatest of all time. Until then, stick to planning your pyrotechnics MAB.

[jumpmanhat]

john_latchem wrote:

mark tremonti? death metal? whaaaa?

haha, ya, i would love to see that.

MIKEY RULEZZ!!! my top 3 shreder for sure

[CapnKickass]

When he's on stage with the double guitar, not only is he an insane guitarist, he's also a circus performer. I like the No Boundaries, it pretty much rules

[restless_thrash]

To all the people who are saying that shredding is not an art...

It takes time and effort to be able to shred. It also takes time to be able to play with both hands. And, it takes time to write good music! To be honest, i love shredding. I like the speedy feel.

Why do you not call shredding music? Marty Friedman is godlike to me, not only for shredding, but his awesome compositional skills. The fact that his shred fits right in with the genre, AND we like it doesn't make it bad. Nobody ever discounts you guys as bad musicians.

While i do believe that there is a limit as to what music is, some shredders sound very good. There are some VERY godawful ones out there, but there are also very good ones.

In short, PLEASE get off your high horse, our music is just as much music as yours is.

[hinrix]

he´s god

[KSE69]

rancidryan wrote:

skill yes but not talent most f the stuffs just constant shredding

Tubyboulin wrote:how can that not be talent? lets see you shred for minutes on end and not miss a note

I Like him, listening to his Music does make me feel different emotions. One of his acoustic songs (forget the title) I listen to to calm me down, something like No Boundaries i listen to when im Angry. he plays with as much emotion as any blues player imo. Cant wait to check out his new stuff.

[mdawg24]

mstysakura wrote:

Anyway, I credit Batio with innovation on the actual guitar, but I'm not a fan of his music.

Exactly. He's fast, and he's cool and what not, but it's just not my thing.

[ordinary_story]

Cmon guys dont be so harsh on the guy...hes not that bad.. his music is pretty melodic... just learn to appreciate it.. dont bitch.

[blackorchidx]

ok guys, you are commenting mark tremonti on his music i guess so cant begin to comprehend that he can play or be described as a death metal guitars, you know morbid angel yeah? both MAB and mark have played with them so stick your theories up your ass.
accented offbeat sextuplet 16th passages all cleanly played with very little gain on the amp.
harmony implied by more that just minor 3rds and 5ths, you all think you are the shit and hide behind you computer screens, ok some of you arent being complete asses but for those of you just slating the guy and giving him no constructive criticism at all, you are the guys who are lucky to even play a major scale in 5 transpositional positions at the same pitch on one octave across the neck at at least 120bpm, until you are featured here, shut your mouth and stop whining at a guy who took time out to answer your questions for YOU GUYS!!

[xXChimairaXx]

I bet herman li dreams about this guy.

[sambargun]

I like him and his music(but my favourites are Shawn Lane, Satch and Allan Holdsworth). He's fast in a very economical way(and he's the king of economy picking) and I find its cool to listen to him once in a while. There will never be a mass market for people like him because not everyone can digest it.I have always loved people who play fast music and he's definitely one of the fastest(but IMHO, the fastest is Lane).....

[Aziraphale]

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.


probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

XD Seriously man, there's a whole lot of difference between being fast and being impressive. When I heard Stevie Ray's "Pride and Joy" for the first time, I had to sit down. When Richie Sambora cuts off the lead of "My Guitar Lies Bleeding in my Arms" to play a single, unaccompanied strat line, I stop breathing for a second.

When MAB has played for 30 seconds, I yawn and leave. I'm sure Mahoru could impress me just as much as MAB.

[williampatton]

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team

[chichong]

people say stupid things about MAB.Im sick of it.If you dont have nice thing to say about him then your dumb.The person developed his own style though different experience that he has gone thought.People are judgmental but the mere fact that he accomplished so many things makes him better than anyone else.

[Jawshuwa]

If it's not your thing, then that's cool. However, to say his compositions aren't "musical" and are just technical is asinine.

What, because you don't appreciate the playing, the notes, the song, it isn't music ? Get over yourselves. It's so easy to pick -- pun not intended -- apart this guy because he's shredding 99% of the time, and guess what, some of us enjoy shredding. Some of us think shredding is great music, while others would argue blues is great music. I can't stand jazz, but do I doubt it's musical ? No, not at all. MAB can play fast, because he learned to play slow; he may be the top shredder, but at the end of the day, he, like you and I, is a guitarist. Respect, you prissy little...guitarists.

"Shred is for those with a faster soul."

[sakura'sdarkest]

For such a technical guitarist he sure has alot in common with Johny Ramone when it comes to haircuts...

[poor_white_boy9]

when i listen to music, i dont necessarily go looking for technicality. i appreciate guitarists like paul waggoner for instance because when i hear a solo or a piece by him, no matter how technical it may be (which it is), i never think "wow, thats really fast!" or "wow thats extremely hard to play!"..i appreciate guitarists like paul waggoner because when i hear a piece by him, my first thought is always "wow..thats beautiful".

musicianship > technicality

[AlterTremonti]

vantage4 wrote:

Sonny_sam wrote:

to be fair, I would much rather listen to something melodic and emotion driven than shred.

one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen.
what???
just what????

if he thinks tremonti's playing comes anywhere near the death metal genre, he needs to listen to some napalm death or cannibal corpse!
i dunno, he could just be talking about his experiences playing and jamming with tremonti and not necessarily his recorded work.

In all honesty, Tremonti is a great guitarist that can play anything from any genre. Go to an Alter Bridge show and try to get in during soundcheck while Tremonti is just jamming. And you will see that his playing isn't limited at all by what is on his albums. After all he was influenced by Celtic Frost, Metallica, etc... he can write some seriously sick metal riffs, but chooses to maintain melody is his recordings which I totally repspect.

[SG Man Forever]

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team

NO U

MAB is very good, but he is NOT an innovator. He is simply one out of a sea of shredders. Yes, he is very good, and he can [ZOMG] play a quad guitar. That is not innovative, that is just showing off. MAB is really just an arrogant guitar player who happens to be very good.

[Jawshuwa]

poor_white_boy9 wrote:

when i listen to music, i dont necessarily go looking for technicality. i appreciate guitarists like paul waggoner for instance because when i hear a solo or a piece by him, no matter how technical it may be (which it is), i never think "wow, thats really fast!" or "wow thats extremely hard to play!"..i appreciate guitarists like paul waggoner because when i hear a piece by him, my first thought is always "wow..thats beautiful".

musicianship > technicality

A lot of technical players are great musicians. The technicality is what helps them become so great. This isn't about musicianship versus technicality, it's about the musicianship -- or as some would claim, lack-there-of -- in shred music. John Petrucci is a phenomenal musician, and he's just as technical; to say his compositions aren't musical would be down-right ignorant.

If people want to admire MAB because he can play fast and difficult licks, then is that so bad ? Some of us admire MAB for his dedication to guitar, not just because he can play fast.

[poor_white_boy9]

its just personal preference..some people dig this guy cause he plays fast, or for whatever other purpose..i just dont. its all just..too much, it just sounds like jumbled up notes to me being played at an unappealingly fast speed..but thats just me. im not bashing or discrediting anyone, i just voiced my own personal opinion on the subject matter...s'all.

ps. i have no idea how to quote

[Mahoru]

Aziraphale wrote:

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.


probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

XD Seriously man, there's a whole lot of difference between being fast and being impressive. When I heard Stevie Ray's "Pride and Joy" for the first time, I had to sit down. When Richie Sambora cuts off the lead of "My Guitar Lies Bleeding in my Arms" to play a single, unaccompanied strat line, I stop breathing for a second.

When MAB has played for 30 seconds, I yawn and leave. I'm sure Mahoru could impress me just as much as MAB.

Well, thanks I think the same; SRV, Hendrix, Sambora, Frusciante... while not being as technical as all those shredders, make me feel the music. I just don't get what's up with shredding nowadays. There are more and more shredders everyday, but nobody innovates! (I'm not bashing fast playing; I also enjoy some Satriani or Loomis from time to time)

[musicjunkie12]

he's hella good...but also extremely overrated by such names as "practicall a guitar god".....he's good but names like that i dissagree with....just because he can play fast doesn't mean that he writes innovative stuff or that his shredding techniques sound better than any other metal player

[chichong]

poor_white_boy9 wrote:

its just personal preference..some people dig this guy cause he plays fast, or for whatever other purpose..i just dont. its all just..too much, it just sounds like jumbled up notes to me being played at an unappealingly fast speed..but thats just me. im not bashing or discrediting anyone, i just voiced my own personal opinion on the subject matter...s'all.

ps. i have no idea how to quote

poor_white_boy9 wrote:

its just personal preference..some people dig this guy cause he plays fast, or for whatever other purpose..i just dont. its all just..too much, it just sounds like jumbled up notes to me being played at an unappealingly fast speed..but thats just me. im not bashing or discrediting anyone, i just voiced my own personal opinion on the subject matter...s'all.

ps. i have no idea how to quote

can you play guitar?...can you compose songs?
then you dont know what are you talking about..
jumbled up notes? what are you talking about?..

[blackorchidx]

25 jazz progressions dvd, no shred and caters for another style, MAB has no soul and no feeling?
the bashers here have no soul and no feeling for a succesful guitarist who shared his opinions with you all, Mike is a great jazz, prog, metal, classical (with a pick) guitarist.
for those of you who say he just shreds, mmm NO!! listen to " a new day "
kudos to people here who credit michael in some shape or form but just dont listen to it, thats constructive.
the watered down drivel of comments against mike doesnt make critics here intellectual about music or your opinion on a throne of its own, it just makes you an ass.

i am a fan but some of his music i dont like, hes not my favourite shredder either.
lane and holdsworth are more my thing but i'm guessing some people here would slam them too with their "musical insight" of lane was fat or holdsworth doesnt even like guitar and would much rather play saxaphone.

[NorfIrIon]

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

You're a jealous dick. I don't even like MAB that much and I can tell you're just a jealous dick.

[linkrevolver]

he is simply the best
i cant understand how there are a ot of suckers who hate him ( and say his haircut suck), i bet they are just jealous and frustrated cause they havent great skills like him

stop say s*** and practice

[DeadIdentity81]

Jondy wrote:

shredders are a dime a dozen now adays. hell i went into the guitar center a few weeks ago there was this group of 4 kids, just kids like 10-14, they were ripping it up. yeah it was a little sloppy but the speed was there. but you know what? it didn't really matter because at the end of the day it wasn't even music.

i mean i felt like woah awesome kids shredding and I don't want to be hard on them because they are just kids and when they're older they may compose some awesome stuff.

but shredding itself isn't even special anymore.

quit hating on tremonti batio wasn't calling alter bridge death metal he was talking about stuff he's heard mark play out of band. mark is freakin amazing; too bad he got stuck with creed and it almost ruined his reputation forever as a guitar guy.

Hit it on the nail. What u hear on record doesnt mean thats the only thing Mark plays. Mark was brought up on metal and i heard Mark in sound check and the man completely blows away most metal guitarists in rhythm and lead abilities.

What Batio was saying is that being close with Mark allows him to see all his abilities on the guitar.

[sito]

MAB is just amazing. Even though he shreds, he's still mindblowing. I mean, I listen to his music for fun, even though his music isn't really serious. Still, he's been termed the Circus freak, the #1 shredder etc...

[ntchode]

its so retarded to dis somebody because they shred. when you write a song, just because it isn't shred doesn't mean it doesn't sound like shit. MAB is one of the few shredders I can listen to who actually has a unique shred voice.

his songs can be quite musical, but since he is so trained a lot of them are in real weird time signatures and lots of tempo changes, it is hard to get used to at first, but with listening and paying attention to the music MAB has some incredible melodies in his songs even if they do sound kind of classical, its just his style.

[F8iscruel]

what is that string mutter on his guitar ( its not a capo i know that much because its so he can single hand tap) but what it called and where can i buy it or make it

[waveningkan]

i think his techniques have been used by so many guitarists around d world.even parts in asia, guitarists r using the over-under technique during gigs or battles.to not credit wat he has done is trully ignorant.heck,i bet all of u have heard or seen him,hence resulting u guys to read n post here.u noe hes fast.no one has the rights to say wat music is good or not.if u can play fast,it doesnt mean u cud play the bass or guitar parts of an RnB song.stop bashing the guy.at least hes tryin to be innovative.

[ticklemeemo]

symba05 wrote:

littleleo88 wrote:

Mahoru wrote:

Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

This is why shred is overrated. It is not impressive. Music is suppose to be musical, not technical

Amen. Even reading this interview made me feel bad.

[jv_music]

Yngwie at least incorporated a symphonic, classical feel with shredding.

[Imperial]

I have a feeling that although he may have dictated these responses, some editor from Dean went in and changed some stuff. Some of it seems a bit random, not at all how it was at the clinic i saw him at.

[DarkfnTemplar]

Yep. Even Marty and Dragonforce to a point still sounds original and melodic. Batio makes it sound like he composes with a calculator.

[!normajean!]

all he does is play fast. it gets boring. very boring.
i like Yngwie more. his stuff actually has quality. even if he is stuck up.

[BTBAM_7]

jimmy page used a cello bow!!!!

[ss311]

His slight arrogance comes with his immense skill. He deserves a bit of show-off time.

[LPDave]

saw him at sam ash 2 days ago

[James_Het_Rules]

Bleh. I give the guy credit for speed, but truly i can't listen through a whole song.

and what the hell is the point of a guitar with 2 necks pointing in different directions?

Oh wait there is none.

The one in tenacious D's Pick of Destiny is waaaay cooler than his lol.

[saucehead]

If you have to try to be innovative, you're not. Innovation 90% of the time happens by accident, not by trying to be different for the sake of doing so. Creating a 4 neck guitar or any of the other gizmos MAB takes credit for isn't innovation. Besides, even if it is, how many other players do we see using it? Answer: none. His "innovations" are about as useful as Betamax and the minidisc.

[zekk]

Batio seems like a pretty decent guy with his head on straight. No huge ego or anything of the like. Very good interview

[Billy Picken]

F8iscruel wrote:

what is that string mutter on his guitar ( its not a capo i know that much because its so he can single hand tap) but what it called and where can i buy it or make it

It's called a string dampener and can be purchased here;

http://www.angelo.com/html/the_mab_string_dampener. html

[rwalby9]

john_latchem wrote:

mark tremonti? death metal? whaaaa?

Mark Tremonti + Death Metal = wtf?

[DemonofShadow]

you guys need to chill out he's just trying to reinvent him self

[mightmuffin]

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

Er well quite a few of his videos have about a million to 2 million views on youtube so er you might be a bit wrong there

[metal Lover]

He looks so much like Nigel Tufnel it's not even funny.

[Sch1sM]

jv_music wrote:

Yngwie at least incorporated a symphonic, classical feel with shredding.

Some of us eventually get bored with the Eb scale, thanks.
I can't believe I'm posting here to add to the e-drama, ugh.

[Dimebag Dave]

People who bash on Mike and Yngwie, saying they play with no feeling, obviously haven't heard either discographies. There's an equal ammount of slow, melodic stuff with feeling to the shred. Neither can you say they're self absorbed an arrogant; as none of you know them personally.

Again, anyone who comments with "yah, they play with no talent or creativity just mindless shred!!1!!111!" is an ingorant twat, that probably listens to BS like Muse or RHCP.

[Gunpowder]

I feel as if a lot of the people saying "he has no feeling" are speaking more from jealousy than from reason. Truth is, MAB is a very technical, very practiced, and very skilled guitarist.

[psychokiller99]

Dimebag Dave wrote:

People who bash on Mike and Yngwie, saying they play with no feeling, obviously haven't heard either discographies. There's an equal ammount of slow, melodic stuff with feeling to the shred. Neither can you say they're self absorbed an arrogant; as none of you know them personally.

Again, anyone who comments with "yah, they play with no talent or creativity just mindless shred!!1!!111!" is an ingorant twat, that probably listens to BS like Muse or RHCP.

first of all muse and RHCP make great music. they are exceptionally creative. i won't comment much on the whole "emotion" issue, cuz i haven't heard all of mikes music. but from what i have heard...very boring. not my kind of music.

anyways, i've never heard of a guitarist that's more full of himself than this guy. any little question they ask him, he just goes on and on about himself and how much better he is than everyone else. the man hasn't innovated or influenced anything. he's just another shredder.

[psychokiller99]

saucehead wrote:

If you have to try to be innovative, you're not. Innovation 90% of the time happens by accident, not by trying to be different for the sake of doing so. Creating a 4 neck guitar or any of the other gizmos MAB takes credit for isn't innovation. Besides, even if it is, how many other players do we see using it? Answer: none. His "innovations" are about as useful as Betamax and the minidisc.

^+100000
i was trying to make this point in my last post, but this dude said it perfectly.

[frottage]

pretty cool, although i'm disappointed he likes country =P
my guitar teacher, who's 19, and his dad have played a few shows with Michael Angelo before, and have an autographed picture of all of them on stage jamming. it's pretty sweet.

[Billy Picken]

metal Lover wrote:

He looks so much like Nigel Tufnel it's not even funny.

ROTLMAO!!!

[foo_diddles]

i can name a bunch of souless blues players i know, 3 notes per song and boring as all hell. Shred isn't for those who cling to the 3 verse and three powerchord format of songwriting. and go watch any live show of some blues guy playing or getting an interview and tell me where they bash all the shredders for devoting their life to being an insanely great musician. with all that said my favorite guitarists are dave grohl and rusty cooley

[STorpedo]

Aaron_Yeo wrote:

He's uber-technical, no argument there. Sure, some of his music is repetetive and boring, but at least he's not like Yngwie.

I'm not gonna bash the guy (becuase more than enough people will) nor am I going to praise him (because, again, more than enough people will) but he has his share of good grooves and very nice licks. And I would count some of his stuff as original, specifically his prog stuff, because it's almost hard to not be unique in prog.

But who cares what I say, right?

Well said dude, well said, I cant put it better. To put my 2 cents in tho, he's a very interesting character, but i think he has to break down his, ahem, boundaries, and stretch the horizon of his playing, do something not necesarrily fast or in a style like metal, but something new, like fusion was for jazz or something. P.S. I wish he'd stop wearing those clothes tho, they look silly

[job153]

Deth Metal is gay anyways Bellamy is better hell i even like Petrucci Better than MAB

[Teufel]

This guy is a HUGE inspiration for me.

Freaking awesome player.

[FlyingVManiac]

Best on a technical level? Bullshit! Christopher Arp, Ben Weinman, Bobby Bray, Matthew Mills!!! Buckethead, Pin! Fucking amazing players! As for the death metal thing, this guy must think grindcore sounds like ****ing linkin park!

[Silky Smooth]

MAB is one if not the cleanest player I've ever heard especially at those tempos

He does have a lot of great songs too, check out "Rainforest" if you want to hear a great song with good melody's.

[pjpwnsu]

the only list that he should be on top of is who can play the same 4 notes the longest during a solo. all his stuff is fast sure...i wont argue that but its all the same and his acoustic stuff is lame. hes far from an innovator

[DP_SF_DTX_RATM]

OLP1 wrote:

Maybe off topic but does anyone else think his haircut makes him look like a muppet?

yes lol

But really, he is a cool sounding guy, and he doesn't let his ego get the best of him. He obviously has one, but I would call it more confidence, like where he says he sees himself as a man who will go down in guitar history. cause its the ****ing truth. like the man or not.

*checked*

*yawn* you guys are dullll :p:

[schecterboy3000]

well, i think that Batio is good, but does anybody listen to his actual music? Same thing with malmsteen, hees good and unique but i dont think very many people go to his concerts to hear his music, they just wanta see him shred the shit out of his guitar.
Ive also seen various comments about how technical he is. I dont see anything that technical. Just scales, arpeggios, sweeping, picking and tapping. can be mastered in 6 years. sure he plays fast, thats great but its overused now a days. What about phrasing, and making solos speak, and sound beautiful?
I really think that these guys could really take their music to a new level. they keep on saying it, but we keep on getting the same sh** over and over. theres so much more to music than just playing fast. it is just a treat in a good guitarists bag of tricks. Anyways, rock charts and modes, and minor arpeggios are pretty easy to play, try seventh, and the modes from the jazz melodic minor scale, then it gets reall fun.
Does anybody agree that these rock guitar gods like Batio, malmsteen, and gilbert should get in bands that will make music people will enjoy, and use their so called-technique, and extreme skill in a more inspiring way rather than just standing there and playing at light speed?
I have to acknowledge zakk wylde for doing that. He plays in a good band, and he has fking good solos.

[bass0wnage94]

i saw him live at a litttle music store up the road from me in south carolina, i didnt think he was gunna be that good i just went cause i had nothign to do but when i was there OMG hes like the best ever

[bass0wnage94]

!normajean! wrote:

all he does is play fast. it gets boring. very boring.
i like Yngwie more. his stuff actually has quality. even if he is stuck up.

no he doesnt, listen to rainforest, u probly heard like one song and then were like oh im gunna go comemnt something saying that all he does is play fast cause thats so bad and playing slow is better anyway

[not_dead_enough]

Buckethead is better

[Shining_Yrael]

Mark Tremonti is one of the best rock guitarists out there. I was watching a video of him playing around with some stacks at a NAMM show and a lot of his records really don't show off just how good Tremonti really is.

Also, MAB is amazing from a technical standpoint. But Satch, Vai, Buckethead, Petrucci and Gilbert all can combine speed and emotion much better than he can. He needs to get into some Guthrie Govan or Andy Timmons.

[Shining_Yrael]

schecterboy3000 wrote:

well, i think that Batio is good, but does anybody listen to his actual music? Same thing with malmsteen, hees good and unique but i dont think very many people go to his concerts to hear his music, they just wanta see him shred the shit out of his guitar.
Ive also seen various comments about how technical he is. I dont see anything that technical. Just scales, arpeggios, sweeping, picking and tapping. can be mastered in 6 years. sure he plays fast, thats great but its overused now a days. What about phrasing, and making solos speak, and sound beautiful?
I really think that these guys could really take their music to a new level. they keep on saying it, but we keep on getting the same sh** over and over. theres so much more to music than just playing fast. it is just a treat in a good guitarists bag of tricks. Anyways, rock charts and modes, and minor arpeggios are pretty easy to play, try seventh, and the modes from the jazz melodic minor scale, then it gets reall fun.
Does anybody agree that these rock guitar gods like Batio, malmsteen, and gilbert should get in bands that will make music people will enjoy, and use their so called-technique, and extreme skill in a more inspiring way rather than just standing there and playing at light speed?
I have to acknowledge zakk wylde for doing that. He plays in a good band, and he has fking good solos.

Paul Gilbert is probably one of the best musicians to ever live. I suppose you don't listen to him very much, because one of the biggest draws I have to him are that he approaches all his guitar work to a rhythm. He has outstanding technical knowledge and is incredibly fast, but he takes all that speed and technicality and molds it around a melody.

Check YouTube for Paul Gilbert lesson. There is a video listed as Paul Gilbert Rhythem lesson. Yeah, rhythm is mispelled. Anywho, check that out.

[scawti]

I find it funny how most guitarists who shred like almost any kind of music and those who don't bash shredders as being "not musical".

[schecterboy3000]

paul gilbert is insane.

[marino13]

this guy is amazing. i saw one of his workshops. he really is a down to earth guy i even got an autograph and a picture with him. i dont really listen to the kind of music he plays but he is amazing at what he does and he doesnt care what people think its what HE loves and thats what matters to him. i think you have to applaud him for that.

[The_Metalfreak]

ok I seem to be one of the few here who actually finds MAB's music to be emotive.

I finish listening to "No Boundaries" or "Rain Forest" and I am absolutely blown away by the emotive power in there. For me Batio is the greatest guitarist ever because he can combine insane technical skill, and yes just because it is fast doesn't mean it is not musical, with heart-wrenching emotion.

Please, listen to the songs (and yes there are others) mentioned before and then try and tell me that Batio leaves you feeling cold

[[CZD]Nietzsche]

He's fast, I'll give him that. However, Dragonforce is fast and they're nothing special. This just goes to show that playing fast doesn't cover up how much you suck; a loud amp does.

[urf_]

After all these years and all this success, why must he still have that big scary mullet!?!?

[YouAreDirt]

schecterboy3000 wrote:

paul gilbert is insane.

Thank God, someone said what I was thinking. Hah. I like Batio's playing, but not to the extent of him being my favorite.

And Rusty Cooley is the fastest shredder on the planet. As rediculous as Outworld is (particularly the singer, he's like the dude from Racer X, but a lot more un-necessary) you can't deny how nuts the guy is.

[gr1170]

And how many of you have acctually listined to much of his stuff? From your comments I can clearly tell you've heared about 1, maybe 2. He is an amazing jazz guitarist too. And about the playing so fast there is no emotion. Look at classical music, some of the most amazing classical music is shredding. Those people are reveared in the music world, yet so many people hate shredders.....that makes no sense

[Dimebag Dave]

psychokiller99 wrote:

Dimebag Dave wrote:

People who bash on Mike and Yngwie, saying they play with no feeling, obviously haven't heard either discographies. There's an equal ammount of slow, melodic stuff with feeling to the shred. Neither can you say they're self absorbed an arrogant; as none of you know them personally.

Again, anyone who comments with "yah, they play with no talent or creativity just mindless shred!!1!!111!" is an ingorant twat, that probably listens to BS like Muse or RHCP.


first of all muse and RHCP make great music. they are exceptionally creative. i won't comment much on the whole "emotion" issue, cuz i haven't heard all of mikes music. but from what i have heard...very boring. not my kind of music.

anyways, i've never heard of a guitarist that's more full of himself than this guy. any little question they ask him, he just goes on and on about himself and how much better he is than everyone else. the man hasn't innovated or influenced anything. he's just another shredder.

No. Just, no. He's not arrogant or self absorbed. You can't prove me wrong; he asnwers the questions he's been asked, and you've never met him. End of story.

As for RHCP: every other song about california is awfully creative, isn't it?

[jv_music]

Sch1sM wrote:

jv_music wrote:

Yngwie at least incorporated a symphonic, classical feel with shredding.
Some of us eventually get bored with the Eb scale, thanks.
I can't believe I'm posting here to add to the e-drama, ugh.

I was just saying. and shred really isn't my thing for the sole reason of uncreativity.

[duncang]

Jordmo wrote:

he doesnt play with his heart.

It's true. He doesn't use his clean channel and neck pickup and bend a lot.

[delizio37]

its pretty sweet to hear that he admires country guitarist like Paisley and Highland...i have yet to see anyone on UG give credit to a country guitarist. Brad Paisley, Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Johnny Highland, Chet Adkins...these guys are remarkable and yet 90 percent of the members here on UG are all about "Heavy" music. now i like that "heavy" music too but thats all i see on this site. It would be great to see headlines other than "SO and SO feels really in touch with themselves musically" or "so and so's best album yet"...that article on Rev Horton Heat was pretty cool, you know, something different from the "Metalzone" seen haha

[jonnyharris1]

delizio37 you have summed up my thoughts exactly, there are just so many different types of playing , as well as great players yet UG and quite a few popular guitar magazines are rediculously biased to metal. I think this really needs to be changed because I find metal is quite limited, for it to carry on without stagnating I think a greater amount of players should start looking outside the genre.

[Reages]

yeah he rocks, but i prefer wthis kind of technique playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLgWkbYzr30
it sounds more impressive than boring shred

[rhcp_fan2210]

this guy is the funniest thing to happen to guitar ever i mean 4 GUITARS IN ONE! i mean its like he was to crap to shred with the big boys so he made a ridiculous guitar to get famous

[Raizer Sabre]

i love how there's loads of comments on how he sucks because he's fast but there's only 2 or 3 references to dragonforce who, let's face it, are like 10 times faster than mab in a few songs.

i'm not a guitarist myself, but i really do respect guys like mab, yngwie malmsteen, herman li etc because while some people may not think shredding is impressive anymore, i'd like to see you do a lot better. all three of those examples have their own way of playing their music, so it's not a simple case of strumming 3000 notes a second or something, its more in how you go about constructing a song, solo or whatever from it

[duncang]

Post?Organic wrote:

This guy needs a new haircut, and needs to learn what death metal is.

Why do I get the feeling that he wasn't saying that Mark Tremonti's bands are death metal?

[webbtje]

Raizer Sabre wrote:
i love how there's loads of comments on how he sucks because he's fast but there's only 2 or 3 references to dragonforce who, let's face it, are like 10 times faster than mab in a few songs.

Lol, no.

[Aziraphale]

gr1170 wrote:

And how many of you have acctually listined to much of his stuff? From your comments I can clearly tell you've heared about 1, maybe 2. He is an amazing jazz guitarist too. And about the playing so fast there is no emotion. Look at classical music, some of the most amazing classical music is shredding. Those people are reveared in the music world, yet so many people hate shredders.....that makes no sense

Classical music is often fast, yes, but the argument isn't that MAB is somehow bad because he is fast, it's the lack of substance and innovation in his playing. Listen to "Scrapple from the Apple", a jazz piece that is fast and all but it's also a very catchy and melodic tunes, not just scale runs. Mozart's "Rondo ala Turka" is also ridiculously fast but it's so melodic and singable. It's fully possible to evoke emotions with fast playing, the argument is that MAB clearly doesn't do this as so many people here find his music utterly boring.

[uv_abcs]

i think he's really good and humble but i can only appreciate his music on live performances because he is more on the technical skills unlike Satch,Steve Vai or Paul Gilbert whose music can b appreciated both on studio and on live performances...

[ntchode]

****ing for real people, why don't some of you listen to an album before you come out and post stupid shit.

why don't you borrow hands without shadows the album and listen to the title track, and also Pray On, Prey. Then go pick up No Boundaries album and listen to Peace. then listen to all the rest of it and youll have a good base for talking about MAB. how can any of you say he doens't create good melodies? he is the only shredder that doesn't sound the same as all the other shredders. if you can't hear that then you just don't want to.

[schecterboy3000]

okay. he's right. but why are mags and this website so centered around metal guitar?

[kfong03]

lol so many negative comments here, i dun geddit, i absolutely respect MAB cuz geez playing left hand and right hand guitar at the same time isn't something everyone can do lol so yea, i definitely respect this guy.

[blackorchidx]

haha yngwie classical, no he isnt, he isnt even baroque or romantic era, you fanboys need to study harmony and counterpoint before you make such ridiculous comments, i'm sorry but parallel 5ths, consecutive chords and doubled thirds are not classical or baroque composition.

[Msu_Man04]

linkrevolver wrote:

he is simply the best
i cant understand how there are a ot of suckers who hate him ( and say his haircut suck), i bet they are just jealous and frustrated cause they havent great skills like him

stop say s*** and practice

Why can't you just understand that some people, such as myself, don't think that speed = music? We prefer guitar playing that envokes emotion, that can make you cry if it wanted. Playing that makes the guitar sound like a second vocalist, not another instrument.

And just because we prefer that, doesn't mean we are **** players. We aren't jealous. If we were, we would love shredding in the first place. While it is pretty impressive to play that fast, it does not make it innovative.

[scawti]

Why can't you just understand that some people, such as myself, don't think that speed = music? We prefer guitar playing that envokes emotion, that can make you cry if it wanted. Playing that makes the guitar sound like a second vocalist, not another instrument.

And just because we prefer that, doesn't mean we are **** players. We aren't jealous. If we were, we would love shredding in the first place. While it is pretty impressive to play that fast, it does not make it innovative.

Just because it's too fast for you to follow doesn't mean it's not music.
Like I said, you see few shredders who don't appreciate other music. I can understand a certain style of music isn't your cup of tea, but bashing everyone not playing a style you like is close-minded and immature.

[metalmaster1992]

he is the guitar god

[ripperangus]

Michael Angelo Batio is the best.

[Rorok_89]

stelios-papadop wrote:

anyway, no one has more technical than matt bellamy, its just no one looks close enough at his guitar style!!!!!the mans a F*****G legend!!!

That was fun as hell. I saw Muse at Wembley and I love them and I love Bellamy, but his guitar technique and so is much less than what you say, dude.

[Bobbito315]

vantage4 wrote:

Sonny_sam wrote:

to be fair, I would much rather listen to something melodic and emotion driven than shred.

one of the most ferocious Death Metal rhythm guitarists I have ever heard or seen.
what???
just what????

if he thinks tremonti's playing comes anywhere near the death metal genre, he needs to listen to some napalm death or cannibal corpse!

i dunno, he could just be talking about his experiences playing and jamming with tremonti and not necessarily his recorded work.

That's what I'm thinkin. He does look like he would have a badass down picking technique.

[Number42]

YAAAAAWN

[kaohn]

It really sickens me to see all you people out there posting your "Bad Comments" about other people! I'll admit, MAB isn't that much different than most guitarist, (He just has a different way of playing) but one thing he has over any of you is that "HE MADE HIS NAME KNOW IN THE WORLD!!!!!" I'll bet if you put your "REAL" name on this forum No one would know who you are. Coming from experience playing in a band, the reason why most bands dont get noticed is that they sound just like every other band, I know, my band failed (I'm not ashamed to admit it). But that doesn't mean that I can't try again. Don't go putting others down for something you can't do or haven't done yet! I grew up listening to Nitro in the 80's and I think the music is great, That even goes for Jim Gillette" He also did something that you cant do or haven't done yet! Don't rag on someone because you don't like what they did for themselves and their fans. I also like some of the music out today, You need to listen to the music, not just see the music being played! For example: Death Metal... What Are They Singing About, Does anyone know????? Sounds lik the singer sends out a lyric, it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, bounces back into space, then gets transported to hell and back then goes through a Moog Octivizer before you hear it! Doesn't mean I can't like the music.Remember one thing... 90% of music is writing it, 10% ist stage and marketing! people grow up!!! TKaohn

[Krildon]

"I start with legato finger exercises. This IMHO is the best way to warm up one’s fingers. After that I will start working on alternate picking exercise, scales, modes, etc., then Economy picking sequences and arpeggios."
WTF????? I mean great music doesnt come from this direction dude... Just cause this guy can mess around with styles and stuff his music wont make history

[AgentWiggles]

Meh. To all those who have some grudge against MAB, I'll just paraphrase from "Speed Kills"

"Have you ever heard an insanely fast guitarist go 'Speed sucks, dude'"?

[xJohnxAnarchyx]

Raijouta wrote:

Batio is more classical in his thinking - as in classical music. Just because he writes "fast" songs does not make him soulless - look at Bach and Mozart, et cetera.

Listen I love MAB's TECHNICAL work, I've read all of his Guitar World columns. He's technical. The Baroque composers DID try to convey emotion in their works. I just did a report on this. Batio is amazingly fast but he puts no emotion into it. Even though Vivaldi and Bach composed these high-tempo concerto's does not mean they had no soul. You can feel the emotion in their work.

[Metal_Hed_23]

I am also very good at sweep picking, economy picking and tapping, but I love the sound of alternate picking when I play solos and melodies

very very humble

[insurgentsteve]

i still say that anyone who can make a song out of a double-headed guitar is bad ass

[tbarrettl]

anty wrote:

radiohead are the only innovators at the minute in music. if there are more post them and ill rate them

I agree they are always changing though doing it well though also I agree that Muse is composed of great songwriters also and both deserve the success they have.

[rider-in-black]

i personally think the guy sounds like a robot. rusty cooley is faster and vai is better and easier to listen to but thats my opinion. honestly all i hear from him is fast and repetitive sweep licks and it bores me

[Lamrick21]

I personally dont like shredding. Though i do acknowledge the skill it takes, and do not deny its musicianship. IMHO i like to listen to a guitarist who knows where not to play, than one who never stops(again not an insult, all preference). And people say he hasnt innovated, but make sure you arent confusing innovating with inventing.

[live4ledzep]

mab is one of my biggest influences. yeah hes fast, but he turns his shredding into a different experience than most guitarists do.

+1 to him, amazing musician

[recliner33]

saucehead wrote:

I like speedy players as much as the next person, but when I think about my all-time favorite guitar solos, none of them are insanely fast. They're all very emotionally drenched with great textures. If I drive my car faster than you does that make me a better driver? The truly great players are able to incorporate speedy passages in their playing to convey feeling, not as the focal point. If speed is all that matters then I guess BB and the great blues players suck ass.

Couldn't agree with you any more. I just laugh at all the youtube videos that these kids post of them playing really fast thinking they are good. Alot of peoples mentality these days is fast guitar playing = good. Most of the time that isn't the case. Like would jimi hendrix be considered the best guitar player ever if he played all his songs as fast as dragonforce songs? Or would Tony Iommi's guitar riffs be as memorable if he played them all at the speed of light? I'm not saying that all fast guitar playing is bad, but it's good to have variety.

[RickyHarris]

mmh... i don't like batio too much... only speed... no passion...

[party_on_wayne]

i don't care how good you are. wiht a haricut like that, you'll get your ass kicked anywhere

[Unreal T]

i think MAB can give 2 shits what any of you jealous tits think of his music. he does what he likes to do best and creates the music he enjoys. im sure he is still getting paid a shitload of money. and from the looks of this interview it seems as though he wants to be different and unique than everyone else so no wonder why no one thinks he is good.

[futurama_rules]

stelios-papadop wrote:

anyway, no one has more technical than matt bellamy, its just no one looks close enough at his guitar style!!!!!the mans a F*****G legend!!!

matt bellamy's a faggot

[Anno[fzk]]

FlyingVManiac wrote:

Best on a technical level? Bullshit! Christopher Arp, Ben Weinman, Bobby Bray, Matthew Mills!!! Buckethead, Pin! Fucking amazing players! As for the death metal thing, this guy must think grindcore sounds like ****ing linkin park!

That's an excellent list, but I would like to add Paul Waggoner, Mr. Necrophagist (I forget his name), AJ from THA, Jason Becker, Rusty Cooley, and Chris Broadrick. If you want innovation, look no further than Luc Lemay. That mofo is not only technical, but he has some ****ing insane avant-garde compositions.

Check out Gorguts last 2 albums and the band Negativa to see what I'm talking about.

As for Mark Tremonti, you should check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbaULLHT7io&feature =related

It's like he's not even the same guy from Creed and Alter Bridge. Also, his wiki page claims that he was influenced by Celtic Frost and other metal bands. That would definitely explain it, since this guy brings the shred.

Oh yeah, MAB is a piece of shit. He acts like he's had such a profound influence on everything (in music). I find that funny, since he has the teen "non-conformist" conforming attitude (and the awkward hair-cut to go with it). You don't innovate by saying that you want to be different. You go out there and actually do it.
I'll admit he is fast, but god-damn, is he boring. It doesn't take much talent to be boring.

[Hanrahan]

F8iscruel wrote:

what is that string mutter on his guitar ( its not a capo i know that much because its so he can single hand tap) but what it called and where can i buy it or make it

It is the MAB String Dampener. You can get it at www.angelo.com It is about $90 US, you can get the same effect from a fuzzy hair tie thingy for a lot less.

[trainzorg]

dont be musical snobs

music comes in different flavors and these different flavors are likened by different persons

so if you dont like it then dont, no one is forcing you too
many people like him, many don't that's same with all other great guitarists
it all depends on our preference

whether his style is more of a choppy and more of a technical showoff well its his style and we should respect it
and besides, those uber-technical pieces that he made inspired many to learn and practice more...

this guy is fairly humble his style is what he is...

afterall, music is the guitarists/musicians way of expressing themselves.

[trainzorg]

how can you even tell that MAB is such a robot?
since you didn't like him
have you ever heard all of his works? (off course no right?)

the ones that came up popular are his compositions with a lot of technicalities like the no boundaries which he created for guitarists who wants to master hand techniques and also have fun enjoy practicing...

he is famous for his shredding style but it does not mean that he could not do any other thing than shredding
he knows a lot of stuff in music and can make a lot of better material
but hey, he chose to do shredding
so who cares?

JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T PLAY LIKE HIM, YOU THROW AND TAKE HIM DOWN? WHY ENVY?

this is why HUMBLE GUITARISTS like him are appreaciated and uplifted

NOT THE ONES who think that their guitar gods in their own world.

[NewShred]

Playing fast is merely a technique that should be practiced by guitarists so when it's NECESSARY, they can use it at their disposal. Thing is, it's a technique that's a bit harder to grasp for some people than other techniques, so they strive towards it, lose sight of their original goal, and make speed the ultimate goal. Personally, I'm not against shredding. Look at my username. I'm against shredders.

[trainzorg]

this is why i hate my past classical guitar teacher
he always reminds us that classical guitarists are more advanced and more melodic than shredders and electric guitarists who can only play melody and needs accompaniment contrary to classical guitarists that plays polyphonic msuic

WHO CARES? "guitar playing is not a competition" -theshredda on youtube

[Comeback Kiddd]

This guy is godlier than Chuck Norris and Stephen Colbert combined!

[schecterboy3000]

MAB can play really clean. its cool.

[Ravenwoods]

He's definitly got some of the most cheesiest faces that I've seen guitarists pull and yes that includes John Petrucci from A Scene From A Memory DVD.

[BillPeck]

How many of you guitarist play full time for a great living, travel the world constantly, are featured in Guitar World magazine every month, and have a signature guitar?

[SL!!!]

I laughed when i read the part about him having a certain sound cus i just thought "yeah, his sound is really f*cking fast." Hahaha.

[Travlembo]

samuwel wrote:

incidentally, does MAB say IMHO out loud? why is it abbreviated in the article? seems a bit daft to me like.

i can't say i'm a fan, but to be fair to the guy, he's ****ing fast

it says in the intro that the interview was conducted by e-mail.... read....

[wadbox]

Batio was not the first person to do his over hand guitar technique it was actually jimi hendrix. I know it sounds ironic but ive seen a live vid of purple haze where he plays his outro solo using this technique ... but he is fast

[wadbox]

it is on youtube

[negative1]

a bit full of himself, isn't he?

[plaugeis]

Just as a side note, about all the "haircut" comments:
None of you noticed that his hair's not real? The guy's practically bald. Must be from all the hair spray etc. from the Nitro years. And in terms of musicality, you can't go far with MAB. Though he's a techical beast, period.

[NeoNoks]

i love MAB

[bazman13]

untill you can do what he does, i reckon everyone can shutup about how he cant play emotivly, im sure he could tone back if he wanted, but he dosnt want to, and fair e-****ing-nough. i doubt he would ever be haild as the new david gilmore so why not shred like ****ing crazy and leave the emotive stuff to people who can pull that off. why not play like you wanna huh? whats wrong with that. not that i listen to him. gimmi zakk any day. oh and his hair is ****ing horrible

[Lauri]

Not a big fan of this guy...but he sure is good
Did it say he taught Tom Morello?

[cena_911]

speed isn't everything.

[Nddesh]

metallicafan616 wrote:

fake hair? thats his real hair..
and also, emotive music is too common, he wanted something different..

Music is supposed to be emotive

The_Metalfreak wrote:

ok I seem to be one of the few here who actually finds MAB's music to be emotive.

I finish listening to "No Boundaries" or "Rain Forest" and I am absolutely blown away by the emotive power in there. For me Batio is the greatest guitarist ever because he can combine insane technical skill, and yes just because it is fast doesn't mean it is not musical, with heart-wrenching emotion.

Please, listen to the songs (and yes there are others) mentioned before and then try and tell me that Batio leaves you feeling cold

I listened them.. both sound like old 80s anime manga music theme and its only a few song who don't leave cold... he's the best in only one thing

[Nddesh]

bazman13 wrote:

untill you can do what he does, i reckon everyone can shutup about how he cant play emotivly, im sure he could tone back if he wanted, but he dosnt want to, and fair e-****ing-nough. i doubt he would ever be haild as the new david gilmore so why not shred like ****ing crazy and leave the emotive stuff to people who can pull that off. why not play like you wanna huh? whats wrong with that. not that i listen to him. gimmi zakk any day. oh and his hair is ****ing horrible

if i was doing what he does i would not claim myself as a innovator or an artist.. just someone who can play guitar very fast

[WhiskeyGuitar]

hmmm I know him for a long time now but I never really spent time with his music n stuff well I think I´ll check some stuff out!!!!!

[meanic112]

well i really andore the man i would say =P he have just so fuking cool speed to play!!!

[sock_demon]

Faster!! Faster!!!!!

[SamTotman]

Unique? Hmm, he may have some fancy guitars and have a fancy over-the-top technique, but he sounds very similar to other artists, most notably Yngwie Malmsteen, who If I can remember back to one of his videos, has indirectly accused Michael of ripping of his style, which, to me, does appear to be the case!

[Esen312]

MAB and Malmsteen just play super fast WOW woopdie freekin doo! Theres no soul in the playing. The top 40 solos of all time are compiled all the time and MAB is never listed!WHY, because theres no soul. Take Pink Floyd's Comfertably Numb, Im sure MAB could play that solo ten times faster but it wouldnt be the same at all anmd would probally suck. MAB and Malmsteen while good show guitarists suck as writers and have no feelings.

[Rungej]

You guys obviously haven't heard Rusty Cooley....

[ashesofthewake]

Rungej wrote:

You guys obviously haven't heard Rusty Cooley....

at least rusty has expression. i cant stand MAB at all! its just shit music. sure he has tons of chops. but as a 'musician' this guy fails at music.

[wyldechylde14]

Why do people have to bash Mikey behind his back? he could tear you to shreds. He is such an honest guy and a modern relavant guitar magician.

[azagthoth_lvr]

MAB the fastest of them all.

[ValoRhoads]

[b]

You wouldnt be saying that if you could play 4 guitars at once and getting paid for it.

+1

I wish I could do something similar to that. Batio is great! I don't know why people take th time to bash him, if you don't like him or aren't interested in Batio, why did you read this and then waste your time responding?

[Billy Picken]

wyldechylde14 wrote:

Why do people have to bash Mikey behind his back?

Welcome to UG.

[g00fy_130]

Maybe him and Yngwie Malmsteen can 69 with each other...

[schecterboy3000]

istnt petrucci really good and fast too?

[touchme]

im might b the only 1 but kirk hammet is freakin gnar and way better than this dude

[Musician6797]

heys probably just like all the rest of the guitarists who come up with something cool and express it to much and have the glam hair and the good guitar he is sooo different than everyone else. neo-classical wow..

[DeanESPJackson]

So this dudes been playing for how long and now he's found his "unique voice". Now I haven't heard of any of his stuff from Nitro, (a band thats been around since the 80's and I've never heard of before???) but what I have seen I absolutley can't stand. When he plays a bit slower and finds something melodic intergected with some fast stuff he sounds fairly decent. Its when he plays, and plays, and plays fast doing all this stupid flashy shit that he not only sounds like hell but he looks like a fool. I really can't stand to watch this guy play. Skill he has in spades, and obviuosly the dexterity, and sure he knows theory as good as the next guy, but I haven't come across anything really enjoyable to me from this dude. If he weren't in a band playing and selling records I really don't know who would pay this guy. Satriani he ain't.

[kennyvspenny]

Jordmo wrote:

he doesnt play with his heart.

I agree. This guy dominates, but at what cost? The music is kind of lame imho. Call me Laiho, I don't care. I will never be as good as this guy but I think that my music is infintely better in terms of catchiness and heart.

[fleh]

this giy aint a musician so much as a robot

[reclise]

There's definitely a lot of debate on this page, but regardless, Batio is a fast guitarist, and in many people's eyes, that makes him the best. But I personally, HATE his tone, it bores me almost instantaneously, and it just gets to me how he can do all of these different things without warranting musical expression into what he does, such as the flows in the music, and I don't think I've heard much for song structure from what I've heard, it starts, stays the same, then ends with a (usually) cliché little riff at the end, and I'm sorry two guitars? That's just overkill for me, I mean it definitely takes talent but, it's just too much skill and not enough expression, which is why I personally LOVE listening to Paul Gilbert, because he focuses so much on the actual musicality involved.
-Abja

[JohnnyRye]

tried to listen to some of his songs after i read this interview... at least the man's fast, no one can disagree with that. But as far as I'm concerned, anyone could make better music..

[Billy Picken]

It's disclosed that his song "No Boundries" was written to be an "Excercize of Techniques"

One great thing about the song No Boundaries is that it's a combination of every rock style imaginable from blues and classic rock to neoclassical shred arpeggios. In other words, once you've mastered this song, you can play anything.

Link to the site the quote above was pasted from;

http://www.metalmethod.com/lead-guitar-lesson-speed -lives.htm

[troyponce]

I don't dig on his music so much, but he's a great guy and really loves what he does. He's got a great stage persona and he's a wonderful person even when he's just walking around being another guy on the street.

[jim morrison714]

he will forever be known as an innovator of the shittiest haircut ever

[nolife'tilmetal]

probably the best guitarist alive. He plays from his soul. and ya his haircut does look bad. hahaha

[KennethJay]

For those that ****ing thinks he's a robot, you guys need to ****ing research better till you say he's only a shred head.

Listen to his acoustic pieces, and tell me he has no emotion at all.

[nmlyons24]

he looks like john fogarty with a lot of hair

[henza_x]

KennethJay wrote:

Listen to his acoustic pieces, and tell me he has no emotion at all.

THANK YOU! Most you ****ers only know No Boundaries, do some research kids

[Say Ocean]

yaaaaawwwwwnnnnn


comes across as a weirdo too

[ATFN]

First of all why the hell are you worry about his hair...seriously spell Ultimate guitar for me!!!!

Secondly I think he one ons the best teachers out there...Music is a life long study. Looking at MAB there is alot to learn form...

[toine]

Thewolf_and_man wrote:

I really dont like that guy..

wtf? how can't you love this dude? he's amazing

[Unreal T]

its pretty interesting how ppl make fun of him every way imagineable. if everyone thinks they know what real music is then why arent YOU on stage performing shows across the world with cd's out by major labels and making a shitload of cash?

[The_Metalfreak]

The_Metalfreak wrote:

ok I seem to be one of the few here who actually finds MAB's music to be emotive.

I finish listening to "No Boundaries" or "Rain Forest" and I am absolutely blown away by the emotive power in there. For me Batio is the greatest guitarist ever because he can combine insane technical skill, and yes just because it is fast doesn't mean it is not musical, with heart-wrenching emotion.

Please, listen to the songs (and yes there are others) mentioned before and then try and tell me that Batio leaves you feeling cold


I listened them.. both sound like old 80s anime manga music theme and its only a few song who don't leave cold... he's the best in only one thing

I thank you at least for listening to them as opposed to jumping on the bandwagon or judging by one song, which it seems a lot here do. I guess Batio is simply not for everyone. I find him to be amazingly emotive, as to many others, but there is obviously quite a few that don't.

It doesn't matter. The beauty in music is whats important, and congrats to anyone that can see it

[[CZD]Nietzsche]

AgentWiggles wrote:

Meh. To all those who have some grudge against MAB, I'll just paraphrase from "Speed Kills"

"Have you ever heard an insanely fast guitarist go 'Speed sucks, dude'"?

I think we're all past the age of believing that speed = talent.
I'd rather listen to some music with some kind of emotion or thought behind it rather than an idiot shredding on a guitar.
Even rap has more soul to it than this guy.

[Mr.Punker]

some of his rythms aren t very good. speed shows his great dedication to the guitar, you can t just grab a guitar and start playing at max speed. just listen to No Boundries and if it doesn t make you groove your minds outta of place

[Badmotorfever]

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team

He's just a showman. Anyone can play fast, but it takes a lot more to play with soul.

THIS is playing with soul...THIS is innovation.

Heres one for you...get one of the most legendary songs of all time, by one of the most legendary artists of all time, and make it better!

Batio is a douschebag. His fast sweeps and showmanship are nothing compared to this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSpbuFSr2o

[godin_force]

Paul Gilbert is the best! so creative

[KennethJay]

ATFN wrote:

First of all why the hell are you worry about his hair...seriously spell Ultimate guitar for me!!!!

Secondly I think he one ons the best teachers out there...Music is a life long study. Looking at MAB there is alot to learn form...

Badmotorfever wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team

He's just a showman. Anyone can play fast, but it takes a lot more to play with soul.

THIS is playing with soul...THIS is innovation.

Heres one for you...get one of the most legendary songs of all time, by one of the most legendary artists of all time, and make it better!

Batio is a douschebag. His fast sweeps and showmanship are nothing compared to this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSpbuFSr2o

Ba tio a douche bag.. cause he plays fast... wow... just the most idiotic thing I ever heard. I hate you freaking people that base people of ONE freaking song, and dont even go through to search then flame. His accoustic songs and some of his slower songs are amazing. I even find them catchy, even with no lyrics.

But you... just wow, comparing 2 way diff genres and disclaiming the metal genre completely.

What about the classical pieces that many of the great composers made? A lot of them are fast. They didn't use pentatonics like most "soulful" artists today. Do you consider them soulful?

[Axe_Burner]

Wow, a lot of opinions here. I happen to like MAB's playing, and while not as soulful as some guitarists out there, he's got amazing technique and is a great teacher!
On top of that, he's also a really decent guy behind the rock star facade. I met him at a clinic last year and bottom line, he's just a really good guy. Glad he's putting some more material out there.

[violent diamond]

MAB, an innovator? Nuh-uh. MAB, a trickster? Mhmm.

[The Silence]

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team

Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!!

[The Silence]

godin_force wrote:

Paul Gilbert is the best! so creative

The most intelligent thing said here!!! :P

[TheNERD250]

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.


You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

can you play fats with a four neck guitar?
that's what i thought

[Dnalrafcmb3]

The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!!

The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!!

[quote]The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

[Jonzors]

wow, just a fellow musician trying to share his music and insight.
And to what end? so people can call him soulless, heartless, a douchebag, and just flat out make fun of him.... it's kinda sickening

where's the love

we're all human, after all

[godin_force]

Thank You

The Silence wrote:

godin_force wrote:

Paul Gilbert is the best! so creative


The most intelligent thing said here!!! :P

[Phe4rTheGod]

to any sh*t-talking moron:

shut up

'to hate one better than thyself if self-denial of thine own own talent'

man up and admit...MAB is the f*ckin man, no questions...grow up and quit listenin to fagoutboy and greenhomoday...

idiots..

[Jonzors]

Wow, Just a fellow musician living and leaving his mark, trying to help others along the way.

And for what?.... so a bunch of people can downplay his talent and lifetime of hardwork so far... call him soul less and heartless.

so much negativity, it's kind of sickening how easily others are trampling dreams nowadays.

it seems as though the loves been lost.... what lay ahead now?

[iml84myd8]

magic trick

[Fosho321]

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

Yeah, you're right. Batio is trash! I mean it's not like he is hailed as the number one shredder of all time, or that he has been touring since the 80's, or even his flawless technique. Yeah, forget all of that! I'm going to go put my head in a lawn mower now.
/End sarcasm.

[The Silence]

Dnalrafcmb3 wrote:

The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!!The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!![quote]The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ha

[The Silence]

Have i said that he doesn't write with "feeling"??
NO!!

Did i say that he sucks???
NO!!

I said that i don't like the way he's plays guitar, but a respect the guy and sure he has lots of talent, it's just....to me, it's like i said, First time: Awesome that's really difficult to do, Second time: I'm bored as hell.

[edgarvanburen]

[quote]The Silence wrote:

Dnalrafcmb3 wrote:

The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!!The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELING".

Ever took one of MAB's songs and tryed to work out the compositon? Try it, It'll be real fun for you guys, being that the only chord types you play are bar-chords on the 5th and 6th strings (thats the two thickst for any of you wh dont actuall know notes yet. haha).

Here's one for you. Try playing a minor sweep from the 6th string to the 1st and add an extra tapped note in at the end there. If you can't even do that then what makes you think that you can mouth off about people who can play as good as MAB?

Another thing if you slate the people who play well, don't take drugs or drink all the time, love spending time with fans, will show you how to play like him and have the time to be loyal to their fans then what's the point in having fan loyalty? Cos it would never be repaid. I dont mind becoming unpopular with a lot of people here bacause I know that Mike will be thatnkfull for what I de even if it isn't expressed directly. Cos that's who the real Michael Angelo Batio is - a man who want's to be the best that he can, and show his thanks for the people who enjoy what he does. So if you dont enjoy what he does then dont expect your signed copy of one of the "speed kills" DVD's to arrive anytime soon.

William Patton
Proud member of the MAB Street Team


Sorry dude, but i can do that arpeggio without breaking a sweat. And if you don't believe me, check my band.


http://www.myspace.com/themiragetheory


I really don't like Micheal Angelo Batio. To me it's some fast picking with sweeping, that's it!!!that's impressive the first time, the second time, BORING!!![quote]The Silence wrote:

williampatton wrote:

Ok so you guys think he's cold. But you all wana play good gutar right? And you also wana look impressive doing it as well.

so you go out and you buy the "SPEED KILLS" DVD collection and you rock out.

But why is it that none of you think he has feeling? Ever heard a song called "Rain Forset"? It has some of the best melody that you will hear, some of the best high speed picking licks and some of the coolest sweeping licks that you will ever see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiT6qtM09tI

Check that out before you tell me that he can't write "FEELI

[[CZD]Nietzsche]

TheNERD250 wrote:

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.


You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.
can you play fats with a four neck guitar?
that's what i thought

The practicality of using one?
That's what I thought.

[jshwak]

edgarvanburen calm down.. go stroke your quad guitar altar that you erected for MAB.. geeeesh.. anyway.. I'm not going to bash the guy.. but I'm not a huge fan.. he doesn't really do it for me.. but he's got his own thing going for him i guess..

and is it just me.. or does it constantly look like he has to take a huge shit when he's playing !!! :-D

[Lost_Rose]

NorfIrIon wrote:

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.
-----
You're a jealous dick. I don't even like MAB that much and I can tell you're just a jealous dick.

+10

[violent diamond]

TheNERD250 wrote:

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.


You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

can you play fats with a four neck guitar?
that's what i thought

Well, granted, none of us here can play fats with a four neck guitar (and by fats, I assume you mean heavy strings). But, when you take me to the Music Store that has a four neck guitar and allow me to play it, then we'll see. Otherwise, don't bring up the Quad as an excuse for Michael Angelo being good. All he really does is double handed trills with a sock attatched to the fretboard anyways.

The day I see Michael Angelo do all of his wizardry without a sock tied to the end of his guitar is the day I call him somewhat good.

And P.S. I know it ain't a sock, but either way, it just deadens the excess noise and could make an 8 year old guitarist that screws up on Green Day songs sound good.

[violent diamond]

Oh yeah, and if he's so great, how come I never see him play anything like "Giant Steps" or "Autumn Leaves?"

[FadeToBlack2404]

WOW he said all of this during a guitar clinic in NY that i was at... I'm kind of skeptical about how legit this "interview" is...

i have videos of it too... this interview basically took a lot of things word for word from the clinic.. unless he just says the same crap during every event where it involves him speaking

www.youtube.com/user/fadetoblack2404

check on there for the vids.. i'm uploading them now

[AngelOfGermany]

i dont know what the negativeposting people at MAB here trying to say..i saw that guy three times life..he really kicks asses, he is so friendly to his fans..he is a very innovative guitarplayer..and last but not least..guys you are talking bad about someone who plays the double speed than you ever will reach..so have a lil respect.

[DroptheBomb]

scawti wrote:

I find it funny how most guitarists who shred like almost any kind of music and those who don't bash shredders as being "not musical".

wow things must be azzbakwards where u come from compared to where i am cuz its the polar oppisite here, all my shredders friends only like 3-4 genres of music and there all subgeneres of music. th eonyl thing they listin to is Death metal,Neo-clasical,Power, and progressive metal, and only shredding Prog like Symphony-X.
they wont lisitn to more song oriented or non metal prog bands like Tool, or King Crimson its only shreddy prog metal 24/7 oh and Stevie ray Vaughn cuz hes like the fastest well known blues guitarist[ i say well know cuz not as many know of like T-bone walker or Johnny Winter in comparison to stevie] on the othr hand me and all my friends lsitin to everything.
like my itunes playlist right now for example has charlie daniels band, Prince,Manson,Death,Grover Washington,george Benson,John lee hooker,RHCP,and RATM

so whos more open minded? the shredders or non shredders?

[DroptheBomb]

*subgenres of metal* lol


typo....

[carlo754]

look everybody, MichealAngelo Batio rocks, I know that basically people think he just plays fast, but fastness is a key in music, imagine if the only kind of music would be slow, no metal, no hard rock, almost nothing except horrible rythmic popsongs which just make the singer popular. Carlo out...

[r3volv3r_78]

so far, he's the fastest shredder in history and one of the best guitarrists of the world.

[Billy Picken]

carlo754 wrote:

look everybody, MichealAngelo Batio rocks, I know that basically people think he just plays fast, but fastness is a key in music, imagine if the only kind of music would be slow, no metal, no hard rock, almost nothing except horrible rythmic popsongs which just make the singer popular. Carlo out...

You don't have to play fast to be heavy. Black Sabbath proved that decades ago.

[imdrbill]

Batio rocks!

[violent diamond]

r3volv3r_78 wrote:

so far, he's the fastest shredder in history and one of the best guitarrists of the world.

Wrong. Shawn Lane, Rusty Cooley, and Todd Duane are all faster than MAB. And I know this because MAB's friend or tech or whatever by the name of Willjay proved it. That, and the fact that I've never seen MAB play as fast as either one of them.

And the point is, who gives a damn about how fast he is? The day I see him come up with a jazz tune, maybe even cover someone elses, or play something that doesn't have to be played at over 150 bpm and make it musical is the day I consider him great. I have a subscription to Guitar World, and he's had a column in there for about the past year, maybe even longer. And I swear, if each of his columns got me 100 dollars, I'd have a lot of Vintage Amps right about now.

[violent diamond]

each of his columns that are all about playing fast*


typo

[jacksondinky55]

Thewolf_and_man wrote:

I really dont like that guy..

Wrong! 5,000 points from Gryffindor...

[afromonkeyR0X]

I know this comment is gonna sound like pretty much everyone elses, but who gives a f***?

A lot of my friends, and pretty much most of everybody I've met in my life can like somebody because they're funny, can have a good time, play guitar and whatnot. But until they find one fault in that person like, "Oh, that person can't play basketball!" They person has to f***ing dwell on that one like imperfection and because of it they start to hate that one person.

Seriously! Idk whadafxup with that? MAB is just a guitarist, but he has a big ego and because of that one little thing, you people have to bitch about him. If you don't like a guitarist's style or the way they write music, Hey, here's an idea: DON'T F***ING LOOK AT INTERVIEWS/COLUMNS ABOUT HIM/HER! And let the people that do like him/her, not have to put up with annoying F***heads like you!



I'm done...

[arnob_oblique]

dude...watever u r ...how gr8 u can play... u need to b humble abt urself!! cmon man look at this guy... he plays fast (though i don like him), i understand... bt at least don b so arrogant abt urself! get a life!!

[Blasphemylol]

I can admire the skill involved but Steve Vai beats him hands down on a musical level.

Plus Nitro killed the 80's scene with bigger hair, bigger egos and plain over the top guitarring. He's good but his too much of an *******

[Blasphemylol]

afromonkeyR0X

Who's judging who now little monkey?

Yeah you're done

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

I can admire the skill involved but Steve Vai beats him hands down on a musical level.

Plus Nitro killed the 80's scene with bigger hair, bigger egos and plain over the top guitarring. He's good but his too much of an *****
Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

This is why shred is overrated. It is not impressive. Music is suppose to be musical, not technical

The two Idiots that wrote the stuff above clearly don't know anything about the guy the guys a F**king genius, theres a guy in my school year 11 who can play anything, and that includes Batio's stuff and yngwie. What do you guy's have agaist shred and yngwie Malmsteen. JUST BECAUSE THE'RE BETTER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE! does't mean you have to take it out on them. if you've seen batio or knew any thing about him you would know that he is a master of all.
he plays fast yeah the reaason he is classed as metal is because of the time he spent with NITR0 and jim gillet. Batio if you knew anything about him can play slow and he does and the stuff he plays is musical a mean i listen to he's stuff to calm me down.

and MAB is 1million times better than Steve Vai. Vai is awsome but not as awsome.
I've met batio and he is basicly 100% versatile
You guys a just Idiots.
Batio Rulez(grr)

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

I can admire the skill involved but Steve Vai beats him hands down on a musical level.

Plus Nitro killed the 80's scene with bigger hair, bigger egos and plain over the top guitarring. He's good but his too much of an *****
Well, he plays fast. But that's all the special about him. He has to be one of the few guitarists that, when I hear them playing, they leave me cold and say nothing with their music.

probably because you realise you'll never be that impressive.

This is why shred is overrated. It is not impressive. Music is suppose to be musical, not technical

The two Idiots that wrote the stuff above clearly don't know anything about the guy the guys a F**king genius, theres a guy in my school year 11 who can play anything, and that includes Batio's stuff and yngwie. What do you guy's have agaist shred and yngwie Malmsteen. JUST BECAUSE THE'RE BETTER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE! does't mean you have to take it out on them. if you've seen batio or knew any thing about him you would know that he is a master of all.
he plays fast yeah the reaason he is classed as metal is because of the time he spent with NITR0 and jim gillet. Batio if you knew anything about him can play slow and he does and the stuff he plays is musical a mean i listen to he's stuff to calm me down.

and MAB is 1million times better than Steve Vai. Vai is awsome but not as awsome.
I've met batio and he is basicly 100% versatile
You guys a just Idiots.
Batio Rulez(grr)

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

Seriously! MAB is just a guitarist, but he has a big ego and because of that one little thing, you people have to bitch about him. If you don't like a guitarist's style or the way they write music, Hey, here's an idea: DON'T F***ING LOOK AT INTERVIEWS/COLUMNS ABOUT HIM/HER! And let the people that do like him/her, not have to put up with annoying F***heads like you!

This Guy right I mean who the F*CK do you guys think you are. How would you like it if somebody decided to hate you just because you have 1 little tiny floor :GRR:

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

Seriously! MAB is just a guitarist, but he has a big ego and because of that one little thing, you people have to bitch about him. If you don't like a guitarist's style or the way they write music, Hey, here's an idea: DON'T F***ING LOOK AT INTERVIEWS/COLUMNS ABOUT HIM/HER! And let the people that do like him/her, not have to put up with annoying F***heads like you!

[/u][/u]

This Guy right I mean who the F*CK do you guys think you are. How would you like it if somebody decided to hate you just because you have 1 little tiny floor

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

When anyone can play 2 guitars at once and play a lefthanded guitar then go and play a right hande guitar both including picking I'll Listen to them!

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

TheNERD250 wrote:

shakin'cakes wrote:

He seems pretty humble, considering how direct the questions were.

You're joking right? When he says, " And I quote " About Morello's comment on his teaching that just threw all the humbleness he had away. Not that he had any to begin with. And he considers himself an innovator? No. He's just a fad from the 80's. True innovators change the way people think about music. This guy is just a simple magic trick. WHOAHHH I CAN PLAY FASTT WIT 4 GIItARS!1!! Yeah no one cares.

well he has changed the way people think a bout music you DICK and he is an innovator un like you? your trying to compare Billy joe Armstrong to Yngwie Malmsteen. and your saying Billy crap is better when he's not so GO F*CK YOURSELF THEN GO JUMP OF A CLIFF

[MABARMOURFLAME1]

[MABARMOURFLAME1]