The Riffhard Podcast (Riffhard)

Erik Rutan is a legendary guitarist and producer best known for his work with/in Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and Hate Eternal. Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to the Riffhard podcast with Erik Rutan
00:03:14 - Seeking Improvement in Guitar Playing and Life
00:06:40 - Prioritizing and Focusing on Career Goals
00:10:25 - The Ability to Adapt in Music Production
00:13:55 - Reflections on Patience and Character
00:17:08 - The Importance of Patience and Routine in Music
00:20:49 - The Importance of Stretching
00:24:10 - The Power of Mindset and Shutting Out the Noise
00:27:39 - The Importance of Yoga and Guitar Warm-Up
00:30:48 - Finding Inspiration in Music and Writing
00:34:13 - Wailing and Autopilot Playing
00:37:40 - Preparing Mentally for a Performance
00:41:08 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Relaxation
00:44:15 - The Benefits of Meditation during COVID
00:47:27 - The Benefits of Meditation and Learning a Song
00:51:11 - Trey Azagthoth's importance 
00:54:25 - Learning and Understanding Songs from Specific Bands
01:01:11 - Learning Guitar with Tab
01:04:29 - Finding Motivation for Learning Guitar
01:07:40 - Respecting the Legacy and Adapting to the another band's Sound
01:11:07 - The Legacy of Cannibal Corpse and the Dynamics of the Band
01:14:37 - Diving into Different Amps and Tones
01:18:01 - Capturing the Moment: Trying New Things in Music
01:21:33 - The Flow of Songwriting with Collaborators
01:24:54 - The Creative Process of Songwriting
01:28:15 - Expressing Comfortability Within Oneself
01:31:25 - Achieving Consistent Natural-Looking Kicks
01:34:48 - Tuning and capturing performances
01:38:20 - The Importance of Sound Alignment in Music production
01:41:40 - Be Yourself and Embrace Your Differences SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/RIFFHARDPODCAST LISTEN ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE: https://spoti.fi/3orTur3 https://apple.co/3BROI9t FOLLOW EYAL & RIFFHARD: https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/ https://www.instagram.com/weriffhard/ WEBSITES: http://riffhardpodcast.com http://riffhard.com

Manuel Gagneux is the songwriter, guitarist and singer in Zeal & Ardor.  On this episode: Channeling emotion into your writing Killing writer’s block Black metal tremolo picking Using lyrics to inspire music Follow Zeal & Ardor on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Christianson is a guitarist in Architects. 1:57 - Being a Canadian in a British band 13:44 - Big vs. small shows 27:14 - Advancement of online education 41:22 - What does Adam focus on with the guitar? 49:22 - Perform as soon as you can 57:24 - Don’t discount anyone 1:05:29 - Being disciplined 1:21:21 - Does Adam write riffs with intention in mind? 1:29:49 - What elevated Adam’s playing the most? Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Harvey, guitarist of Exhumed, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

Chapters:

00:01:29 - A Songwriter's Perspective on Music and Guitar

00:06:08 - Avoiding Traps in Composition

00:07:38 - ACDC Records: Style or Parody?

00:09:10 - The Evolution of Band Branding and the Social Media Age

00:15:04 - The Myth of Creativity

00:21:30 - The Delusion of "I Have Arrived"

00:27:45 - Balancing Act and Emotional Maturity

00:34:09 - The Process of Creating an Album

00:44:57 - Excitement in Writing Music

00:46:29 - Pursuing Opportunities and Maximizing Your Craft

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WEBSITES:

http://riffhardpodcast.com

http://riffhard.com

Sammy Boller is a guitarist and songwriter. He’s a brand ambassador for Friedman, Scott Stapp's guitarist, and previously played guitar in Citizen Zero. On this episode: Growing up in a musical family The difference between writing and practicing Playing with friends can hold you back And more! Check out Sammy Boller on Instagram and YouTube. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yannick Lehmann, guitarist of Paleface Swiss, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:03:11 The Importance of Enjoyable Exercise

00:06:50 Preparing Mentally for a Stage Performance

00:10:07 Guitar Picking Techniques for More Power

00:23:28 Crafting a Raw and Authentic Album

00:27:03 Songwriting Process with Reaper

00:34:40 Exploring Guitar Tones with Quad Cortex and Reaper

00:41:16 Jens Bogren's Impact on Metal Music Production

00:47:54 The Making of Our Best Song in 2 Hours

00:51:18 The Art of Simplicity in Music Performance

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Dave Davidson is the guitarist in Revocation.  On this episode: Building up through the underground, one step at a time How to stay top of mind with fans Touring with Cannibal Corpse, Periphery, and Animals As Leaders How to make the most of a 30 minute support slot Writing bad riffs on purpose Playing the long game How to know when a riff is worth keeping Working with Jens Bogren When the demo version is actually better The difference between cool sloppy and sloppy sloppy The finer nuance in Slayer’s Angel Of Death breakdown Listen to Revocation on Spotify. Check out Dave's website. Sponsored by: Neural DSP Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey Xavier is a guitarist and the Editor-in-Chief of Gear Gods. 2:10 - Gear will not make you better 19:10 - Outcome based playing vs just for enjoyment 32:08 - Interacting with comments on the internet 42:04 - The base skill set level for musicians 1:01:28 - What to look out for when buying new gear 1:11:00 - The future of recording 1:36:26 - Outsourcing Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J-F Dagenais is a guitarist in Kataklysm, Ex Deo, a producer, mixer, audio engineer and the owner of JFD Studio. On this episode:  Adapting as needed in order to survive Overcoming not being a natural at songwriting The power of collaboration Touring with backup guitars and amps Why you can’t replicate someone else’s tone And more! Follow J-F Dagenais on Instagram. Check out JFD Studio. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adrian Thessenvitz, guitarist of Ad Infinitum, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00:00 Adrian Thessenvitz Discusses New Album "Abyss"

00:03:20 Crafting Emotion in Music Production

00:17:11 Handling Guitar Recording Challenges

00:20:36 Collaboration Strategies

00:31:23 Navigating a Musician's Career in the Modern Era

00:38:22 Evolving Dynamics in Heavy Music

00:45:27 The Influence of Jazz and Musical Intelligence

00:49:03 Discovering the Path to Jazz and Fusion Guitar

00:52:52 Experience at Music School

00:56:23 Building Your Network in Music Education

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WEBSITES:

https://riffhardpodcast.com

https://riffhard.com

Zach Johnson and Chris Davis are the guitarists for The Ghost Inside. 1:37 - Practicing while standing 14:33 - Recalling the correct breakdown 27:22 - Not touring due to injury vs. not touring due to COVID 35:11 - How Zack and Chris create riffs 58:42 - Work ethic is key 1:32:34 - Working with someone who is different and how to get out of the way 1:43:04 - Everyone having a say can be dangerous 1:52:30 - What is a producer’s role? Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Misha Mansoor, aka Bulb is one of the guitarists of Periphery as well as one of the founding partners behind ventures such as Horizon Devices and Getgood Drums. 1:32 - Keeping busy during quarantine 14:23 - Building a career online 35:41 - Time management and avoiding burnout 47:58 - Taking a vacation 1:01:03 - Getting worn out 1:14:59 - Avoiding getting stale 1:38:52 - Communication is key - singing at someone instead of yelling 1:53:42 - Where does Periphery go next? 2:02:18 - Will there be another summer camp? 2:14:56 - Low vs. high gain Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Bentley and Adam Rafowitz are the guitarists in Arch Echo.  On this episode: Adam Rafowitz’s alternate picking workaround What’s the deal with jazz? Limiting or compressing a DI How Arch Echo writes songs And more! Listen to Arch Echo on Spotify. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Heylmun is the lead guitarist for Suicide Silence, arguably the most successful death core band in the world. On this episode: 2:19 - Mark and John’s tour stories 11:05 - How Suicide Silence leveraged Myspace to land a record deal 22:14 - Lockdown! 35:11 - Getting an idea and going hard with it 48:48 - Being in a band and being good at business 55:28 - Not dwelling on the negative 1:06:16 - Plan B 1:37:38 - Not all writers are virtuosos 1:47:08 - Working with another guitar player Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Sugarman is a guitarist in Ice Nine Kills. He is also a solo guitarist, the owner of Sugarman's Lesson Lounge, and was formerly a member of As Blood Runs Black. 1:48 - Carrot and stick method of learning 17:49 - The education business is not easy money 37:06 - Artists need to be emotional, but also educated on the business 50:31 - Knowing your role within a band 1:06:05 - How the mind connects to the body 1:20:11 - How to go about learning new techniques 1:37:37 - Dan’s five stages of learning 2:01:50 - Your own voice will come from you, not others Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marco Coti Zelati, guitarist of Lacuna Coil, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

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Jake Bowen is a guitarist in Periphery. 3:02 - Eating high-calorie meals 9:21 - Jake’s problem with airports and authority figures 29:16 - Humans are still animals even though society has modernized 43:51 - How the band is handling staying home 57:18 - Anxiety and being a people pleaser 1:05:03 - Playing guitar live 1:21:00 - A day in the life of Jake 1:32:13 - Battling depression 1:44:02 - Being influenced by his uncle, John Petrucci 1:55:36 - Jake’s riff style Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes Hauch is one of the most respected lead guitarists in metal known for his work with The Faceless, Black Crown Initiate, Alluvial, Thy Art Is Murder, and many many more. 2:25 - Mac vs. PC 11:32 - Hours spent playing guitar 25:38 - Playing what’s written vs. adjusting on the fly 36:14 - Lead guitar and solos 49:15 - Writing 1:00:37 - Lessons learned from playing live 1:08:29 - Geeking out about amps Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manuel Gagneux, vocalist and guitarist for Zeal & Ardor, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:14:48 - The Time Capsule Element of Music

00:23:42 - The Balance of Power in a Band

00:42:11 - Perspective on Audience Reception

00:55:35 - Mixing with a Non-Metal Guy

01:09:10 - The Balancing Act of Being an Artist and Offering a Service

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WEBSITES:

https://riffhardpodcast.com

https://riffhard.com

Alyssa Day is a trailblazing guitarist/composer who is in our top 10 guitarists to watch list.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Alyssa Day

00:02:48 - The Drive for Self-Improvement

00:15:31 - The Power of Visualization in Learning a Musical Piece

00:18:39 - Visualizing Rhythms and Melodic Arcs

00:24:44 - The Importance of Broadening Musical Perspective

00:27:56 - The Importance of Funk Playing Techniques for Guitarists

00:33:56 - Prioritizing in a Busy Schedule

00:40:39 - Engineering Your Life to Prioritize Relationships

00:43:55 - Introversion and Social Anxiety

00:53:49 - Analyzing and Modifying Behavior in a Saturated Market for Success

00:57:11 - Transitioning into Video Content

01:04:16 - The Joys and Challenges of Being a Musician

01:11:00 - Balancing Career Opportunities

01:14:15 - Deciding Your Worth and Raising Rates

01:23:52 - The Importance of Accountability

01:33:17 - The Anxiety of Being Self-Employed in the Music Industry

01:36:41 - The Value of Visual and Audio Content in Podcasts

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE:

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WEBSITES:

http://riffhardpodcast.com

http://riffhard.com

Juha Raivio, guitarist of Swallow The Sun, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:02:57 Choosing a New Producer for the Album

00:05:52 Guitar Lessons from Elite Players

00:11:13 Techniques for Mixing Bass in Metal Music

00:17:10 The Raw Essence of Black Metal and Its Misconceptions

00:19:41 Criticisms of Doom and Black Metal Culture

00:30:59 The Intersection of Music and Business

00:36:05 Rediscovering a Passion for Music After a Break

00:39:18 Choosing the Right Vocal Producer for Metal Bands

00:42:34 Taking Risks in Music and Personal Growth

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WEBSITES:

https://riffhardpodcast.com

https://riffhard.com

Nik Nocturnal is a musician, songwriter, Twitch Streamer, and YouTuber. He is the guitarist for Termina and NIK NXK. Finn McKenty is director of operations for URM and Riffhard, and the man behind the popular Punk Rock MBA YouTube, Twitch, and Podcast.  On this episode: You can’t predict what people will like Is there a difference between music and content? The most popular shredders are also the best writers What sets John Petrucci and Jason Richardson apart Creating online content that connects with people Starting with a riff when writing How Nik collaborates with Andy Cizek for Termina Metal is just a medium and aesthetic  Mapping Nik’s trajectory Why the DAATH self titled was a mistake Writing for the trash Not letting online hate get to you Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Burgess, guitarist of Allegaeon and Nuclear Power Trio, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00:00 - Introducing Greg Burgess: Guitar Player for Allegaeon and Nuclear Power Trio

00:11:45 - Balancing Artistic Output and Band Dynamics

00:19:55 - The Changing Economy of Being in a Band

00:23:34 - The Pressure to Tour

00:30:58 - Finding a Drummer

00:34:44 - Blending Classical with Electric Guitar

00:38:58 - The Entrepreneur Curse and Pursuing Multiple Skills

00:43:08 - Using a Metronome for Practice

00:50:49 - The Myth of Learning Music at a Young Age

00:54:28 - The Influence of Megadeth

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LISTEN ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE:

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WEBSITES:

https://riffhardpodcast.com

https://riffhard.com

Dean Lamb and Tobi Morelli are the guitar players and songwriters for the technical death metal band Archspire.  On this episode, the guys discuss the following with Eyal Levi: Writing extremely technical music in the same room Endurance building Using the right pick for the job How local bands torpedo their careers And more! Follow Dean on Instagram and YouTube. Follow Tobi on Instagram. Listen to Archspire on Spotify. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Garza is a guitarist in Suicide Silence and the host of The Garza Podcast. On this episode: What it was like having Ross Robinson on the Garza Podcast How Taylor Young captured the true spirit of Suicide Silence in the studio What Keanu Reeves prioritizes to be able to handle being John Wick at 54 years old What are you willing to sacrifice to live your dreams? How much do you trust your team? Lessons learned from the Self Titled Suicide Silence album, good and bad The dark side of risk vs reward When DAATH toured with The Acacia Strain How Suicide Silence blended influence from Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot, and Korn It takes a LONG time for the metal scene to accept you Chris’s daily routine How Chris knew that Suicide Silence was worth the risk Getting big without a record label Check out The Garza Podcast. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Shaw is a guitarist in Cradle of Filth. On this episode: Getting the Cradle of Filth gig Learning parts by ear Striving for more and never being fully satisfied Cradle of Filth surviving metal’s ups and downs Follow Richard Shaw on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Householder, guitarist of Whitechapel, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:05:53 Copyright and Musical Originality

00:12:12 European Tour Recap

00:17:46 Crafting Impactful Riffs

00:23:43 The Importance of a Second Set of Ears in Songwriting

00:35:29 Optimizing Guitar Speaker and Mic Setup

00:52:32 The Intersection of Talent and Work Ethic

00:57:52 Undiscovered Local Bands Myths

01:09:03 Evolution of Touring and Music Production

01:20:26 Independent vs. Label

01:25:49 Balancing Marriage and Home Renovation

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Ben Thomas and Ash Gray are the guitarists in Venom Prison. On this episode: Dealing with writing disagreements Guitarists recording the bass parts Wasting time in the studio sucks Making sure your pre-production is usable if needed And more! Listen to Venom Prison on Spotify. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Mabry is a guitarist and songwriter in Capstan.  He sits down with Eyal Levi to discuss: Capstan’s new record Separate How lockdown impacted the band Guitar solo restraints And more Follow Joe Mabry on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Travis is the guitarist in Emmure, previously in Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and a founding member of Glass Cloud. On this episode, Joshua Travis and Eyal Levi discuss: Knowing how to play drums and how it helps with guitar Why most people can’t master downpicking How Joshua ultimately joined Emmure And more! Follow Joshua Travis on Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Hudson is a virtuoso guitarist who has played with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, and I Am Morbid among many others. He is also the founder and lead guitarist of NorthTale. On this episode: Communication is key when balancing multiple projects Why everyone should work out How Bill practices when he’s short on time The importance of drilling the basics What it takes to forge a career as a session guitarist Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Myles Kennedy is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in Alter Bridge and the lead singer in Slash’s backing band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. On this episode: Knowing how to spot opportunities is crucial You’re never too old to pursue your passion Focus is a determining factor in what you do long-term Why healthy narcissism is necessary as a creator Check out Myles Kennedy on YouTube. Follow Myles Kennedy on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brody Uttley, guitarist in Rivers Of Nihil, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

In This Episode:

00:03:19 Unearthed EP: A Time Travel Music Surprise

00:06:21 Evolution Of Songwriting Techniques

00:09:38 Beginners Guide To Recording Metal

00:13:10 The Evolution Of Song Arrangements In Metal And Prog

00:23:52 Strategies For Refreshing Creativity

00:30:43 The Car Test: Enhancing Creative Process Through Audio Reflection

00:37:58 Mastering Alternate Picking Techniques

00:41:33 Band Member Warm-up Techniques

00:47:50 Announcing The Aggressive Progressive Tour With Cynic And Beyond Creation

00:51:28 Integrating Timecoded Lighting For Enhanced Live Performances

00:54:22 Farewell And Future Plans

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Carter Arrington is a guitarist who has played with Progger, Peter Rowan, Eric Johnson, and many others. 3:25 - Carter’s rhythm playing 16:47 - Carter’s definition of pocket 40:42 - Adjusting to the pocket of a drummer 54:22 - Ego and finding what you want to do 1:03:14 - Obsession 1:28:49 - Carter’s course and writing 1:51:28 - Sixteenth notes Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Matos, guitarist of Abiotic, joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast.

Chapters:

00:04:11 - Metal Shows in Miami

00:11:14 - Near-Death Motorcycle Experience

00:15:33 - Living with Risk To Pursue Dreams

00:22:19 - The Importance of Polite Persistence

00:24:35 - Unexpected Success in Social Media and Online Education

00:31:52 - Finding Success on YouTube

00:43:26 - Don't Take Yourself So Seriously

00:54:39 - The Effort of Creating Social Media Videos

00:58:54 - Balancing Content Creation with Other Responsibilities

01:01:06 - Reposting and Testing Content Timing

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Jason Richardson joins Eyal on the Riffhard podcast for some questions from the Riffhard community.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

Chapters:

00:06:03 - Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

00:11:47 - The Dilemma of Choosing Singles

00:23:09 - Finding the Balance in Technique and Practice

00:29:03 - Reflecting on Old Music and Japan Relationship

00:40:25 - The Influence of Gear on Guitar Tone

00:46:22 - Balancing Workouts and Video Games

00:51:36 - Ergonomics and Hand Fatigue

01:02:29 - Techniques for Palm Muting and String Muting

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Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann are guitarists for DevilDriver. 2:42 - How the guys are handling COVID 15:05 - How Mike and Neal know each other 29:19 - Dark times and lineup changes 53:13 - Working with Steve Evetts 1:09:01 - How Mike got into recording 1:22:56 - Pocket is different for everyone 1:34:44 - Tracking guitars and trusting producers 1:51:57 - Writing riffs 1:57:10 - Finding inspiration Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brody Uttley is the guitarist and co-founder of Rivers of Nihil.  On this episode: Prepping your rig for a headlining tour Post-big project depression Practice as if you were playing live Being fueled by fear Working at Rock Lititz Follow Brody Uttley on Instagram and Twitter.  Listen to Rivers of Nihil on Spotify. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tank The Tech is a popular YouTuber by night and guitar tech/tour manager by day. His YouTube channel has grown very fast because of how much truth he spits about reality in the music industry. Chapters: 00:02:06 - The Importance of Knowing Guitar Set-up Basics 00:06:24 - Stepping Into a Guitar Tech Gig 00:08:21 - The Importance of String Height and Maintenance 00:10:33 - The Art of String Changes 00:14:53 - Manual Vs. Automated String Winders 00:18:53 - The Importance of Regular Maintenance 00:21:06 - Reliance on Tuners in Live Performances 00:23:02 - Trusting Tuners Vs Trusting Ears 00:29:26 - Transitioning to Digital Amplifiers 00:37:18 - The Journey to Full-time Guitar Tech 00:41:21 - Learning on the Fly as a Guitar Tech 00:47:17 - Learning Experiences and Swallowing Pride 00:51:43 - The Role of a Guitar Tech 00:53:45 - Effective Communication in the Music Industry 00:55:41 - The Importance of Reputation in the Music Industry 00:59:36 - Treating People With Respect on Tour SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/RIFFHARDPODCAST LISTEN ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE: https://spoti.fi/3orTur3 https://apple.co/3BROI9t FOLLOW EYAL & RIFFHARD: https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/ https://www.instagram.com/weriffhard/ WEBSITES: http://riffhardpodcast.com http://riffhard.com

Dan Sugarman is a guitarist in Ice Nine Kills. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm Pugh is the guitarist in Inferi and A Loathing Requiem, the bassist in Demon King, and co-founder of the metal label The Artisan Era. On this episode: Making technical music sound musical Doubling guitar with other instruments Malcolm’s unique pick holding And more! Follow Malcolm on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eugene and Roman are the bassist and guitarist, respectively, in Jinjer. 1:59 - Working with Max Morton and writing songs 12:07 - Throwing ideas and riffs away 25:44 - The band’s communication 37:16 - Eugene’s bass lines 50:21 - Writing during lockdown and writing rigs 1:02:51 - Being able to travel with your own console 1:12:06 - Staying grounded 1:34:36 - Writing a song in 5 hours Roman Ibramkhalilov (@kazyolli) • Instagram photos and videos Eugene Abdukhanov (@jinjerbass) • Instagram photos and videos Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gus G, also known as Kostas is a Greek powerhouse, lead guitarist of Firewind. He has played in Arch Enemy, Nightrage, Mystic Prophecy, Dream Evil, and for Ozzy Osbourne himself! 1:58 - Technology and quarantine 17:14 - An unlikely path to success 26:34 - Artists and record deals 51:59 - The impact of playing with Ozzy 1:04:43 - Guitar practice 1:17:44 - How Firewind got discovered 1:36:39 - Leaving Greece 1:44:15 - Knowing when to place the vibrato Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Stroetzel is a guitarist for Killswitch Engage. Joel is also active in various side projects including Brothers Born and The Hidden Skyline. On this episode: Why both Eyal and Joel dropped out of Berklee How to avoid guitar related hand injuries Joel and Adam D’s approach to downpicking in Killswitch Engage You HAVE to practice playing standing up if you’re going to play live How high should you hold your guitar? How Joel adapted to learning Adam D’s insane finger stretching riffs Is being a super shredder genetic?  How Joel healed his hand injury Andy Sneap and Adam D’s collaboration changed metal mixing forever Kirk Hammett’s incredible luck finding Joe Satriani as a guitar teacher How did a bluegrass technique like hybrid picking become the cool thing for metal shredders to learn?  The groundbreaking importance of Shadow’s Fall How sick it is to have Andy Sneap mix your band One of the major keys to Killswitch Engage’s success Is luck real? How much does it matter? How Joel approaches learning polyrhythms Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Owen, guitarist of Six Feet Under, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

CHAPTERS:

00:01:59 - Album Release and Band Names

00:04:01 - The Art of Writing Lyrics

00:08:35 - The Importance of Contributions in a Band

00:12:49 - Creating Note Patterns for Guitar Riffs

00:14:59 - Categorizing Riffs with a Numbering System

00:19:31 - Making Music with Limited Resources

00:24:04 - Using Finger Rotation for Faster Playing

00:26:04 - The Importance of Daily Practice

00:30:08 - Exploring Cities While on Tour

00:34:11 - Keeping Bands Together: The Importance of Communication

00:38:30 - Crazy Club Stories

00:42:31 - Finding Inspiration in True Crime and Poetry

00:51:06 - Writing Songs for Different Projects

00:55:23 - The Importance of Individuality in Music Production

00:57:30 - Old School Metal Engineers and Studios

01:01:46 - Friendly Competition Among Bands

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Grant Truesdell, guitarist for Unleash The Archers, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

CHAPTERS:

00:03:09 - Power Metal Influences

00:05:15 - Translating Story and Concept into Emotionally Resonant Music

00:07:02 - The Two Camps of Songwriting

00:15:27 - Writing with Vocals in Mind

00:19:03 - Trust and Reliability in Band Members

00:22:42 - The Myth of the Lone Wolf Artist

00:26:13 - The Importance of Being a Good Person

00:29:31 - Making Guitar Practice a Priority

00:31:21 - Don't Wait, Just Start

00:36:14 - The Power of a Morning Routine

00:44:42 - Techniques and Practice Tips

00:47:49 - Three Approaches to Songwriting

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Michael “Whip” Wilton is a guitar legend, songwriter, and co-founder of Queensryche. On this episode: Why Queensryche love working with Zuess What does Michael actually look for in a producer Old school recording vs. modern recording Keeping track of ideas via any means necessary  Should you have a backup plan? The benefits of being signed to a label Why Michael uses Pro Tools for his writing rig Get the most powerful computer possible! Writing “Operation: Mindcrime” on a Tascam 4 track The dangers of demo-itis Queensryche’s top priority Maintaining a successful band for over 30 years Should you go to music school? The power of intentionality Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plini is a guitarist and songwriter who was called “the future of exceptional guitar playing” by Steve Vai. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 1:31 - Waking up early and having a routine 12:22 - Defining artistic validity 29:19 - You favorite songs vs fan favorites 42:04 - The price of success 1:00:15 - Does Plini practice on a regular basis? 1:16:36 - Balancing a competitive nature while keeping a low stress level 1:38:36 - There’s no set timeline for a career 1:57:00 - How Plini approaches meter 2:06:12 - How often is the final product different than imagined? Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Cash is a guitar player, songwriter, and vocalist in ERRA. On this episode:  Being a control freak and how to work on yourself  Handling technical difficulties on tour  Comparing yourself to others is both good and bad  The connection between the artist and the recording engineer can make or break the record Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa Day returns to the Riffhard Podcast to talk about making her puppy-filled video for "Trundle," how she recovered from a debilitating arm injury, and more.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Exploration of Puppy Love

00:12:50 - Breathing Life Into Instrumental Melodies

00:15:01 - Authentic Artistry in the Music Domain

00:17:02 - Reflecting on Past Missteps

00:19:09 - Navigating the Challenges of Injury and Response Diversity

00:21:13 - Harnessing the Power of Framing and Perspective

00:23:24 - Coping With Tour Absence

00:27:33 - a Struggle Shared Among Metal Guitarists

00:33:51 - Embracing a Slow Recovery and Resuming Guitar Practice

00:35:51 - the Virtue of Patience in Injury Rehabilitation

00:37:59 - Battling Hand Mobility Issues and Musical Pursuits

00:39:57 - Physical and Mental Endeavors in Music Education

00:42:05 - Confronting the Fear of Disappointment

00:46:25 - Defining Success and Fostering Creative Priorities

00:48:47 - Wrestling With Doubts and Risks in Music Video Ventures

00:53:06 - the Journey of Risk-taking and Passion Pursuit

00:57:17 - the Intensity of Pursuing Audacious Goals

01:01:23 - Crafting Musical Magic and Innovation

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Jason Richardson is one of the most highly regarded lead guitarists in modern metal. He made a name for himself in bands like Born of Osiris and Chelsea Grin before releasing an extremely successful solo album. He is currently the lead guitarist for metalcore legends All That Remains. On this episode: 2:10 - NAMM and Ernie Ball 7:59 - The Evolve EP and Jason’s own sound 19:41 - Returning to old ideas 30:21 - Jason’s rig 49:00 - Tour life 1:02:54 - How Jason learns other styles 1:12:10 - What Jason looks for in an engineer 1:29:40 - Jason’s online presence 1:39:14 - Jason’s favorite riff that he’s written Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Sampson is a producer, engineer, and guitar player for I Am Abomination. 3:14 - Handling COVID 11:11 - Gaining trust and respect 17:03 - How guitar players can prepare 36:47 - Scheduling and time management 57:51 - Making your guitar as playable as possible 1:17:50 - Building and patenting a guitar 1:38:57 - Buying weed used to be difficult 1:57:39 - There’s no liposuction for guitar Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Logan Young is a musician, songwriter, and content creator who is known best for his guitar acrobatics on TikTok and Youtube. Logan's current projects are Dal Av and Scarlet Rot and he has worked with bands such as Reflections and I, the Breather. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Petrucci is the guitarist of Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment.  On this episode: You shouldn’t need motivation to do something you love Making use of voice memos to remember ideas Why some practice is better than none How John writes for Dream Theater And more! Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dallas Molster is a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist in Grayscale.  On this episode: Using voice memos for songwriting Demoitis Band members knowing their roles And more! Follow Grayscale on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John 5 is a legendary guitarist and songwriter who currently plays with Rob Zombie. He’s previously worked with Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osbourne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others.  On this episode: Why personality is important in the studio Focus on your craft before anything else How tour prep differs from studio prep And more! Follow John 5 on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keyan Houshmand is a guitarist who has made a name for himself with his in-depth YouTube and quick-fire Instagram and TikTok videos. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Modern Definition of Being a Musician 00:04:10 - Finding the Right Balance in Guitar Playing 00:07:59 - The Importance of Pickups in Guitar Tone 00:11:56 - The Importance of How Playing Feels and Sounds 00:15:39 - Recording Techniques and Achieving Rhythm 00:23:52 - Recording vs Live Music Dynamics 00:27:58 - Inspiring the Next Generation of Musicians 00:32:00 - The Influence of the Internet on Music Production Techniques 00:35:58 - The Importance of Filtering Information 00:40:12 - Learning from Real Instruments and Programming Drums 00:44:39 - The Vibe of Real Recordings and Programmed Drums 00:48:27 - Finding the Time to Practice and Improve 00:52:36 - The Fine Control in Guitar Playing 00:56:19 - Developing Speed and Efficiency in Playing 01:00:26 - The Mind-blowing Precision of Guitar Players 01:04:26 - Finding Inspiration in Others' Mastery 01:08:28 - The Power of Great Musicians 01:12:22 - The Value of Outcome-oriented Practice 01:16:30 - The Importance of Enjoyment in Learning Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steffen Kummerer is the main songwriter, vocalist, and a guitarist in Obscura as well as Thulcandra.  On this episode: Steffen’s melodic style What working with Fredrick Nordstrom was like The technical aspect of Steffen’s playing Daily routines The difference between laziness and burnout And more! Check out Steffen’s website.  Follow Steffen on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Holcomb is a guitarist in Periphery and Haunted Shores. 2:05 - How Browne and Mark know each other 11:09 - The X factor and social media 21:51 - Adapting to touring life 29:18 - Day-to-day lifestyle 50:54 - Making ideas cohesive 1:22:45 - Coming up with open chords 1:35:26 - Using PRS guitars 1:42:14 - Gear and black metal Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Middleton is a guitarist/producer best known for his band Sylosis and former band, Architects.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:25 - Manifestation and Serendipity in Career Paths

00:04:39 - Second Wind for Thrash Bands

00:07:15 - Becoming your own favorite band

00:11:49 - Writing Simple but Impactful Riffs

00:18:25 - Learning Arpeggios on Guitar

00:22:58 - Developing your Muscle Memory

00:25:29 - Strategic Approach to Guitar Practice

00:32:40 - The Importance of Recording Yourself

00:47:55 - The Changing Role of Producers in Music Production

00:50:20 - Maintaining Quality in Guitar Demos

00:52:43 - Layering Guitars and Ethereal Ambiance

00:56:55 - The Art of Improvisation

01:01:43 - Plugins that have a unique sound

01:03:54 - The Journey to Becoming a Professional Music Producer

01:06:43 - Mixing with your Eyes

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Acle Kahney is a guitarist, songwriter, producer and mixer known for his band TesseracT and formerly Fellsilent. On this episode: 3:33 - Staying busy and live streaming during a pandemic 7:41 - Getting into mixing and mastering 16:56 - Different generations of guitar players 24:01 - Is talent real? 36:01 - What keeps bands together? 45:35 - Writing and learning new songs 55:53 - John Browne was THAT solo guy 1:11:17 - What happened when Acle started combining styles 1:23:07 - Working with Martin Grech 1:30:00 - Dealing with metal fans 1:39:13 - Working with other engineers 1:44:16 - Where Acle’s haunting melodies come from 1:50:06 - Getting a band from nothing to something Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eyal Levi and John Browne are joined by a killer lineup of guests to celebrate episode 100! They’re joined by Doc Coyle from Bad Wolves, Mark Holcomb from Periphery, Jason Richardson from All That Remains, Mark Heylmun from Suicide Silence, and Nick Johnston. On this episode: What it was like to have Rob Trujillo of Metallica on the Ex-Man podcast Kicking close friends out of the band How Bad Wolves persevered through seemingly insurmountable challenges How Jason Richardson joined All That Remains How Periphery maintain great communication as a band How Suicide Silence rediscovered their sound  Nick Johnston's unique perspective on touring as a solo artist Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Lamb plays guitar for the Canadian tech-death innovators, Archspire. He runs a very entertaining and informative YouTube channel where he takes on all types of hilarious and impressive guitar challenges. On this episode: 2:59 - Being creative in lockdown 10:32 - Being in a band should be treated as a job 19:30 - Fear of talking on camera 27:46 - Jason Momoa’s connection to the band 45:57 - Making money while being on a label 1:01:57 - Dean’s guitar playing and writing 1:22:16 - The role that rhythm plays 1:37:18 - The luck factor 1:49:02 - How ideas appear 2:02:13 - Learning techniques via cover songs vs. formal practice 2:07:16 - Playing without tension 2:14:38 - Warm up routines Check out Dean Lamb’s website. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Wiseman is the guitarist for Currents and Shadow of Intent. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Tkaczyk is the drummer for The Ghost Inside, session songwriter and ex-drummer for For the Fallen Dreams and releases music as a solo artist under the name One Decade. On this episode:  The initial spark when writing songs Soundtracks can make or break movies Good picking hand technique makes everything sound better Working with Will Putney And more! Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Putney is a guitarist in Fit For An Autopsy and END. He is also one of the most sought-after producers in metal, working with bands like Thy Art Is Murder, Knocked Loose, Slaughter To Prevail, Gojira and more. On this episode: Using your DAW to become a better guitarist Why songwriting is always more important than production The secrets to Will’s massive, brutal guitar tones What he learned in the studio with Machine Follow Will Putney on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stevie D is a guitarist and songwriter for Buckcherry.  On this episode, Stevie D and Eyal Levi discuss:  The difference between touring life and quarantine life Shifting from spending on radio to focusing on social media Why Buckcherry signed to a label And more! Follow Stevie D on Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Misha Mansoor, Jake Bowen, and Mark Holcomb joined us to discuss why Periphery nuked their own album, how video game addiction is good, and the terror of playing huge shows naked. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:44 - Trust And Respect Among Band Members 00:09:18 - Working with Spencer Sotelo On Vocals 00:13:58 - Overcoming Challenges As A Team 00:18:49 - The Mental Game Of Isolation And Writing 00:24:01 - Writing For Others 00:28:36 - The Benefits Of Loose Writing Sessions 00:33:12 - Breaking Patterns And Trying Something New 00:38:06 - Jake Bowen's Writing Process For Solos 00:47:45 - Misha Mansoor's Experience Of Working With A Producer 00:56:09 - Terrifying Stress Dreams And Nightmares 00:59:44 - Mark Holcomb's Performance Anxiety 01:03:35 - The Addictive Nature Of Video Games 01:20:25 - The Importance Of Talent And Specialization 01:25:05 - How To Make Sure Your Ideas Aren't Terrible 01:39:56 - Streamlining The Writing Process 01:44:40 - Importance Of Good Faith Creative Suggestions 01:49:47 - How To Give And Receive Feedback 01:54:18 - Burning Out On Your Own Album 01:58:46 - Dialing Guitar Tones 02:08:13 - Why You Should Invest In The Best Mix Possible 02:12:48 - The Energy Of Raw Creativity 02:17:20 - Nolly And Matt Halpern's Insane Drum Sounds

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Chris Rawson is a guitar player, songwriter, and producer who is known for his work in Walls of Jericho and Stick to Your Guns. On this episode: How Chris got into recording The futility of trying to please people with your music The luck factor The importance of changing your stage clothes How Earth Crisis taught Walls Of Jericho the ropes on tour Tour etiquette  Recording yourself is the BEST way to improve as a musician What they don’t tell you about using Evertune guitars in the studio When demoitis is a good thing What it was like working with Zakk Cervini Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nizar Osmani is a frequent Riffhard collaborator, mastermind guitarist, and ER doctor.

Chapters:

00:11:00 - Getting More Done in Less Time

00:27:34 - the Value of Music and Art Education

00:33:42 - Music Theory and Language Learning

00:41:58 - the Importance of Listening and Interpretation

00:44:03 - Breaking Out of Tendencies With Modal Interchange

00:50:05 - the Creative Process and Musical Influences

00:54:01 - Cover Versions and Licensing Songs

00:58:17 - Recreating Zakk Wylde's Signature Sounds

01:02:20 - Home Recording in Modern Music

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Mike Martin and Jason Richardson, guitarists of All The Remains, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

Chapters:

00:03:00 - Dealing with Intense Bands and Scheduling Issues

00:08:22 - Devin Townsend: A Crazy, Insane Genius

00:16:05 - The Fluctuating Value of Collectible Gear

00:21:43 - The False Importance of Vintage Gear

00:30:41 - The Mysterious Disappearance of the U87

00:36:54 - Guitar Damage and Tone Wood Debate

00:45:27 - The Importance of Endurance and Down Picking

00:53:54 - Learning and Adapting to Complex Guitar Parts

01:05:14 - The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

01:14:03 - Discussing Transpose Options and Guitar Tuning

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Acle Kahney is the guitarist, writer, and producer for Tesseract.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:27 - Recording at Middle Farm with Peter Miles

00:04:57 - Working with a Producer

00:09:45 - Mastering and CD Delivery

00:12:04 - Challenges of Mixing Metal Music in Atmos

00:17:02 - Troubleshooting Gear Issues

00:24:01 - Mixing and Recording with AirPods

00:26:42 - The Pursuit of perfection in music production

00:29:04 - Experiment with EverTune

00:36:18 - The Writing Process

00:38:46 - The Pitfalls of Demo-itis

00:41:36 - Adding Flaws to the Recording

00:45:59 - The Process of Writing and Recording

00:50:42 - The Birth of an Idea and Collaborative Jamming

00:53:09 - The Complexity of Song Structures

01:02:37 - Relearning Songs and Guitar Tricks

01:05:06 - Live Sound and MIDI Programming

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Olly Steele is a guitarist in Monuments. 3:07 - How Olly and Browne met 8:55 - Learning to play a 7-string 19:43 - Tour etiquette 40:57 - Olly’s guitar playing and lessons 57:08 - Traversing the neck 1:14:58 - Learning with modern technology 1:26:04 - Defining moments when writing songs 1:34:30 - Balance’s clean sound Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is a legendary guitarist. To call him an innovator would be to sell him short. He is currently the guitarist for Sons of Apollo and previously played in Guns N’ Roses, but his full credits are way too long to list here. Sponsored by: Sheet Happens Publishing (use code RIFFHARD for 15% off) 2:12 - Bumblefoot’s prolific childhood 17:48 - You shouldn’t need to be motivated to do something you love 25:57 - Time management strategy 53:10 - Creation vs. playing someone else’s song 1:09:27 - Being self-aware 1:21:32 - Getting his music licensed and playing huge gigs 1:50:13 - You can’t expect 100% return all of the time 1:58:25 - Bumblefoot’s hot sauce 2:19:18 - Using a fretless guitar Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Kelly is the guitarist in Alustrium and was the lead guitarist (Darth Vader) in Galactic Empire. 2:14 - The most annoying interview questions 18:06 - Spending too long on songs 35:54 - Confidence is required as a musician 51:32 - Handling the extra time during COVID 1:13:50 - Metal was more violent in the 90s 1:24:12 - Terrible tour bus stories 1:37:50 - Working on rhythm guitar playing 1:47:45 - Getting a better technique down 2:07:29 - Everyone goes back to the basics Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scottie Simpson, guitarist for Alpha Wolf, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

CHAPTERS:

00:01:46 - Ice-T's Love for Metal

00:03:52 - The Importance of Rhythm in Guitar Playing

00:08:08 - Finding Inspiration from Different Genres

00:14:39 - The Importance of Consistency in Songwriting

00:19:03 - The Value of Writing "Shitty" Songs

00:23:01 - The Process of Critiquing

00:26:53 - Letting Go of Ideas

00:31:01 - The Benefits of EverTune Guitars

00:40:43 - Making the Choice to Focus on Production

00:47:12 - The Importance of Trying Different Producers

00:49:31 - Avoiding Complacency and Staying Humble and Vigilant

00:51:38 - Writing Fun Songs and Listening to Our Own Music

00:55:33 - The Delusion of Perfect Work

00:57:19 - The Disconnect Between Hard Work and Audience Reception

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Buster Odeholm is a drummer, guitarist, producer and mixer. He is the drummer of Vildhjarta, guitarist for Humanity’s Last Breath, and the owner of Odeholm Audio. On this episode: How Buster plays guitar upside down Not all music needs to be playable live Why Buster doesn’t tour with an amp What to do when you don’t like the sound you’re getting And much more! Follow Buster on Instagram. Check out Odeholm Audio. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Sheridan is a guitarist in Fit For An Autopsy and a tattoo artist. 1:17 - Why musicians suck with time management 8:19 - Opening bands and tour managers 29:05 - Misconceptions about successful bands 36:38 - How long Pat was in local bands 54:37 - Running a band as a business 1:15:32 - The right hand is the most important thing 1:44:29 - Being a successful band and working with Will Putney 1:58:30 - Backing companies without endorsement deals Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fredrik Åkesson, guitarist of Opeth, joins Eyal on the Riffhard Podcast.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:05:27 Crafting Unique Solos for the New Album

00:10:51 Mastering Guitar Tricks and Techniques

00:16:07 Incorporating Vocal Techniques into Guitar Playing

00:22:30 Importance of BPM for Guitar Practice

00:28:02 Challenges of Playing Long Opeth Songs

00:32:43 Evolution of Live Acoustic and Lead Parts

00:43:22 Coping with Live Music Mishaps

00:54:11 The Evolution of Fly Rigs and Tour Equipment

01:10:00 Perfecting Guitar Solos: Tips and Techniques

01:15:36 Ideal Recording Process for Bands

01:20:56 Preparing for a Music Tour: Insights and Challenges

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Herman Li is a guitarist for DragonForce and a successful Twitch streamer.  On this episode: Do endorsements even matter? Live-streaming is hard!  Having fun while remaining professional  Why Herman continues to practice guitar And more! Follow Herman Li on Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rafael Trujillo is a guitarist and songwriter that is well known for his work in his band Obsidious and former band, Obscura. Spiro Dussias is a guitarist, engineer, and teacher with a quickly growing online presence. Both of them recently traded some mind-blowing solos on the latest single by DAATH, “No Rest No End.” These two guitarists brought their A-game to the table, showcasing their incredible technical skills and creativity. Rafael's guitar playing is known for its precision and speed, and he brings a unique perspective to the table with his background in jazz and classical music. Meanwhile, in addition to his staggering ability on guitar, Spiro's expertise in audio engineering allowed him to shape the sound of the solos in a way that perfectly complemented the rest of the track. On this episode: How Spiro balances writing, producing, and teaching Arranging symphonic metal Does theory help or hurt? How Rafael and Spiro decide on musical priorities Rafael’s writing process in Obsidious Is virtuosity and good writing mutually exclusive? Spiro’s theory on theory How Rafael and Spiro worked together on the new DAATH song, “No Rest No End” Riffs are the metal version of a pop-hook How Eyal designs solo sections to enable great solos The amazing new Bogren Digital amp sims Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doc Coyle is the guitarist of Bad Wolves and was previously in God Forbid. He also hosts The Ex-Man Podcast, where he talks to music industry professionals who leave major gigs and where they go from there. On this episode: 4:07 - You can’t have too many cooks in the kitchen 12:15 - How often does Doc write? 26:07 - Knowing when something is finished 34:15 - The first listen and discovering new bands 50:48 - Defining talent 1:00:23 - Guitar prep and tones 1:22:02 - Hands vs. gear 1:34:58 - Moving people emotionally with your music 1:41:02 - The challenges of adopting a new rhythm style 1:55:27 - Doc’s book idea 2:03:24 - Doc is a renaissance man Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Deiley of Northlane joins us to talk about why he uses Ableton, his writing process, what guitarists should focus on, programming insane light shows, and more.

Chapters:

00:01:42 - The Cutthroat Mindset in Songwriting

00:03:36 - Unleashing Creativity in Music and Sound

00:07:50 - Nurturing Authenticity in Songwriting

00:11:34 - Enhancing Flow and Cohesion in Songs

00:17:40 - Exploring Creative Possibilities in Ableton

00:29:58 - The Dynamic Energy of Live Shows

00:31:49 - Navigating Audience Reactions

00:33:50 - Shaping the Flow of a Setlist

00:39:54 - Exploring the World of Visuals and Animation

00:41:44 - Juggling Creativity and Time Constraints

00:45:59 - Enhancing Production Through Objective Evaluation

00:52:14 - The Optimal Guitar Configuration

00:54:11 - Diving into Alternative Tunings

00:58:20 - Crafting Music for Rainbow Six

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Kevin Thrasher is a guitarist in Escape the Fate. He is also a producer, mixer, and songwriter.  On this episode: Kevin’s deep dive into classical guitar Why outcome oriented practice makes a huge difference Having 75 versions of one song Choosing a different guitarist in the studio Working with Travis Barker And more! Follow Kevin Thrasher on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Vivaldi is a virtuoso guitarist as well as a songwriter and producer. 5:07 - Angel doesn’t miss being on the road 18:07 - Eddie Van Halen 28:10 - Finding what works best for your health 45:46 - Does Angel’s discipline with health and fitness transfer to guitar playing? 59:48 - Getting away from drugs and abuse 1:11:51 - How Angel recorded his first demo 1:33:00 - Working with Will Putney 1:53:40 - Angel’s writing process 1:58:42 - Angel’s practice regimen Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan J. Downey is a multi-talented journalist, producer, and host whose work has spanned major outlets like MTV News, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Riffhard is the world's best online school for metal guitarists, with hundreds of lessons from Animals As Leaders, Jason Richardson, Archspire, Revocation, Intervals and more. Learn more at https://riffhard.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00:00 Inside the Entertainment Industry with Ryan Downey

00:03:49 The Value of Podcasting for Meaningful Connections

00:12:27 How Annoying Contact Methods Destroy Opportunities

00:14:56 Crafting Effective Pitch Emails

00:18:45 The Evolution of LinkedIn as a Dominating Platform

00:22:21 Building Your Band Before Seeking Management

00:25:52 Importance of Spotify Metrics for Musicians

00:32:36 The Importance of Traditional Album Sales in Rock and Metal

00:36:09 Social Media Impact on Band Popularity

00:39:40 Misleading Headlines in Music News

00:43:27 Ghost's Heavy Metal Film Success

00:54:42 The Future of Ice Nine Kills

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Chase Wilson is a guitarist and songwriter for the band Ov Sulfur. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Sult and Neil Fallon are guitarists in Clutch. On this episode: How Clutch have kept the same lineup for 30 years Being on a major label and going the indie route The percentage of people who buy cassettes that actually own a cassette player How Tim goes about relearning old solos How Neil approaches singing and playing at the same time Adapting songs to a live setting The intense memorization involved in having a 75 song rotation Working with Tom Dalgety in the studio How Clutch approaches pre pro Sponsored by: Neural DSP Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick DePirro, guitarist of Night Verses, joins the Riffhard Podcast.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Nick DePirro and his unique style

00:02:00 - Influences and Genre Blend

00:04:43 - Use of Octave Settings in Guitar Playing

00:07:13 - Creative Use of Pitch Effects

00:11:07 - The Switch to Fractal and the Benefits of Modelers

00:16:50 - Pros and cons of recording experiences

00:19:47 - The Risk of Equipment Failure

00:23:46 - Why Are So Many Metal Bands Boring Live?

00:27:50 - Use of Visual Effects

00:33:12 - The Challenges of Recording Yourself

00:37:30 - The Benefits of Being Recorded by Someone Else

00:41:25 - Tips for Recording and Editing Music

00:43:25 - The Importance of Clean Playing in Metal

00:48:42 - Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places

00:56:39 - The Benefits of Group Collaboration and Starting Points in Songwriting

01:00:39 - The Formula of Song Structure

01:08:04 - Writing Chemistry and New Music

01:09:49 - Releasing Solo Music and Future Plans

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Travis Stever and Frank Iero are guitarists in L.S. Dunes. Travis is also in Coheed and Cambria and Frank is in My Chemical Romance. On this episode:  Why supergroups typically suck How they keep priorities straight Working with Will Yip Methods for preparing for tour Working on a projects that you truly love How LS Dunes communicate effectively What its like to work with Anthony Green How to pick a producer How Frank Iero learned an INSANE amount of songs in a very short period of time Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Hudson is a virtuoso guitarist who has played with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, and I Am Morbid among many many others. He is the founder and lead guitarist of NorthTale. On this episode: 2:45 - Guitar playing during the quarantine 17:40 - Perfect pitch 23:21 - Does language impact how Bill thinks about music? 38:13 - England and innovative rock 59:13 - Getting gigs 1:07:56 - Working out and having a healthy lifestyle 1:39:40 - How addictions can affect your performance 2:01:21 - Bill’s practice routine 2:21:12 - The importance of tempo Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Loomis plays guitar in Arch Enemy and is best known for his legendary work in Nevermore. 1:40 - How Jeff has spent his time during the pandemic 12:33 Grunge bands and the Seattle scene 21:11 - Not knowing theory doesn’t mean you can’t be good 28:35 - Pre-production is done differently today 41:55 - Jeff’s rhythm guitar playing 54:58 - The bands that blow up have a certain energy about them 1:06:17 - Endorsements and how they work 1:12:57 - Hands vs. gear 1:36:33 - How bands operate internally is everything 1:42:06 - Jeff’s plug-in 1:50:11 - Overcoming injuries Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Tremonti is the guitarist and founding member of Alter Bridge and Creed. He also releases solo music under the name Tremonti. On this episode: Being a metalhead and Creed’s guitarist Staying relevant Songwriting as the main focus Simplicity is the hardest thing to achieve And more! Follow Mark Tremonti on Twitter and check out his website. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Taranto is an innovative guitar virtuoso from Australia. 

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Stephen Taranto and his Guitar Skills

00:05:01 - Leaning into Your Strengths

00:10:06 - Deciding What to Focus On in Guitar Skills

00:15:02 - The Delusion of Talent and the Importance of Feedback

00:20:29 - Dealing with Risk and Perfectionism

00:25:15 - The Ups and Downs of Progress and Self-Perception

00:30:08 - Capturing Moments of Inspiration

00:35:11 - Allowing the Music to Flow Naturally

00:39:40 - The Challenges of Performing Live

00:44:31 - Embracing Imperfections in Performance

00:49:50 - The Live Experience vs Social Media Posts

00:54:35 - Alternate Picking Techniques and Hand Formation

00:59:10 - Learning Technique through Songs and Improvisation

01:03:39 - Targeting exact tempos and techniques

01:08:49 - The Mindset of a Guitar Player

01:14:02 - The Exciting Future of Music

Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard.

When you sign up, you'll get access to:

• Over 100 video tutorials with tabs
• A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest
• Livestream Q&As and other events
• Our private community

Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook.

Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.

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Josh Smith is the guitarist for Northlane and is the co-owner of Open Door Management. On this episode: 2:35 - Lockdown and cycling 14:55 - Focus and the inner bitch voice 22:48 - Having a disciplined approach 38:27 - Working with David Bendeth and Will Putney 58:18 - Northlane’s live stream 1:17:30 - Working on multiple things at once 1:34:45 - This is in fact a guitar podcast 1:40:30 - Going from a local band to national to international Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves, God Forbid) and Miles Dimitri Baker (Interloper) discuss playing for Ice Nine Kills during their Metallica Stadium Tour.

Chapters:

00:03:42 - Learning Ice Nine Kills Songs Under Pressure

00:07:06 - Burning the Candle at Both Ends

00:13:38 - Overcoming Fear and Taking Opportunities

00:24:28 - The Pressure of Learning Songs for Rehearsals

00:28:12 - Playing With Metallica in Stadiums

00:35:21 - Efficiently Arranging for Three Guitars

00:42:31 - the Importance of Attention to Detail in Music

00:49:58 - Balancing Work and Play

01:00:28 - Adjusting to Life After a Project or Tour

01:11:28 - Giving in to Your Brain's Desires

01:18:33 - the Sacrifices of Pursuing a Career in Music

01:32:30 - the Importance of Being a Team Player

01:40:00 - Navigating the "I Don't Know What I'm Doing" Scenario

01:47:40 - Owning Tough Conversations

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Steven Jones and Craig Gowans are guitarists in Bleed From Within.  On this episode: How Bleed From Within use voice memos for riff writing Eyal Levi’s dream state music composition Are you messing up your songs by writing to programmed drums? Working with a string quartet on the new record Making music and lyric videos though 12 Inch Media The RIGHT way to use Guitar Pro The genius of Sean Reinert Should you record drums first or last? Death metal bands that pocket their advance instead of investing in their production (big mistake) How Bleed From Within have managed to keep it together for 17 years! What record labels actually look for in 2022 That time that Devin Townsend and Chad Kroeger collaborated Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kurt Ballou the guitarist of Converge and a legendary producer who has worked with acts such as Nails, High On Fire, Dillinger Escape Plan, and many more.  On this episode: Starting your own guitar company How to balance a multi faceted career Respecting the audience Does a mic pre actually matter? Recording drums last in a session Follow Kurt Ballou on Instagram. Check out God City Instruments. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Gardiner is a guitarist with a very active and growing YouTube channel who also plays for Stu Hamm and China Crisis in addition to working on a solo project. 1:46 - Jack’s MasterClass and visualization 12:32 - 3 note per string scales can hold some people back 30:06 - Play with people who are better than you 49:53 - The typical trajectory in music 1:05:25 - Developing your own voice 1:17:51 - Plagiarism in music 1:43:43 - Vanity metrics exist to make you feel good Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francesco Artusato is the guitarist in Light the Torch and formerly for All Shall Perish. He’s also a freelance 3D animator and concept artist with an impressive list of corporate and television credits. On this episode: How injury led Francesco to guitar Becoming as good as you can, not as good as someone else The willingness to go all-in on new skills How to approach a new instrument And more! Follow Francesco on Instagram. Check out the track visualizer video for "More Than Dreaming" by Light the Torch. Want to level up your guitar game? Check out Riffhard. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Over 100 video tutorials with tabs A chance to enter our monthly King Of The Riff contest Livestream Q&As and other events Our private community Be sure to follow Riffhard on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices