New Twitter account explores the creation of Steve Vai’s insane triple-neck Ibanez Hydra guitar
From the internal wiring to the absurdly large case it resides in, the new social media channel documents the Hydra’s journey from prototype to final product
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Gibson Announces the Dave Mustaine Flying V EXP
Founder of the Grammy Award-winning Megadeth teams up with Gibson for the Dave Mustaine Flying V.The Dave Mustaine Flying V EXP guitars are part of the Dave Mustaine Collection. The 25.5” scale mahogany neck has an ebony fretboard with a compound fretboard radius, 24 medium jumbo frets, mother of pearl “teeth” inlays, an Explorer-style headstock with Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners with Kidney buttons, and a Graph Tech nut. The mahogany Flying V-style body is equipped with a Tune-O-Matic bridge, a Stop Bar tailpiece, and a set of Dave Mustaine Signature Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups. The Flying V’s are available in both an Antique Natural and a Silver Metallic nitrocellulose lacquer finish which are complemented by black chrome hardware. A hardshell case is also included. Renowned worldwide and synonymous with metal guitar, Dave Mustaine founded Megadeth in 1984 and less than a year a later debuted with the release of Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! in 1985. Megadeth has gone on to sell more than 50 million albums worldwide, earning many accolades along the way, including a GRAMMY Award for the title track from their most recent album Dystopia, along with 12 additional GRAMMY nominations, as well as five consecutive platinum/multi-platinum albums. Megadeth has headlined many of the biggest stages in the world and recently played their most successful tour ever, closing every night on the North American amphitheater “Metal Tour of the Year”. Also, a New York Times bestselling author and sought after speaker, host, and commentator, Mustaine has remained a standard bearer for metal and heavy guitar rock, combining a musical and technical standard with the punk and rock n’ roll ethos and attitude. Dave Mustaine Flying V™ EXPEXP are now available in Antique Natural and Silver Metallic finishes at select global dealers and on Gibson.com.
Read more » Guitar shopping with Slash, Glenn Tipton unleashed, Robert Fripp's best and more – only in the new Guitar World
Also in this issue: At the Gates, an overdrive-pedal overload, PRS Guitars’ new SE Silver Sky, those dashing new Maestro pedals and more
Read more » How Lemmy Kilmister found his terrifying bass tones: “I just turn it up really loud and hit it really hard!”
We remember the Motörhead leader and unpack the gear and playing secrets behind the most fearsome low-end sound in rock
Read more » Turnstile’s Brady Ebert and Pat McCrory on why huge guitar groove is front and center of their hardcore punk sound
Glow On sees the Baltimore quintet take their metal-influenced punk into new, thrilling directions and is animated by a fierce rhythm guitar tone
Read more » Watch Eric Gales and Carlos Santana share the stage at the 1994 Woodstock Festival
A young Gales featured alongside his godfather for a blistering five-minute performance, which included all the hallmarks of what would become his own brand of blues
Read more » The D'Addario Foundation launches the Bridge Fund, a new initiative to provide funding for music education in Black communities
“The damaging consequences of Covid have only exacerbated the need to address the enormous gap in educational resources and opportunities,” says Executive Director, Suzanne D’Addario Brouder
Read more » 15 times Mark Lanegan conjured dark magic with alternative music's greatest guitarists
The late Screaming Trees frontman was a prolific musician with a voice for the ages. We chart the legendary singer’s collaborations with celebrated guitar players, including Josh Homme, Kurt Cobain, Slash and many more
Read more » A New Heartbeat – TYGERS OF PAN TANG
TYGERS OF PAN TANG will forever be revered for being a part of the NWOBHM movement. In spite of a few periods of hiatus, including one that lasted 12 years, the English act has been carrying the torch since they formed in 1978. Tenacity is a core facet that binds and propels any band that stands the test of time, and it served the Whitley Bay band well during the pandemic and related lockdown. The collective made the most of its downtime by recruiting new guitarist Francesco Marras and bassist Huw Holding. They also wrote and demoed their next album, in addition to creating this new, four-track EP, “A New Heartbeat”. Perhaps not essential for longtime devotees, it’s certainly one that’s enjoyable for fans of the style and who value the old ways while appreciating modern hard rock and metal sensibilities.
The new EP includes two re-recorded tracks from their 1980 debut album, “Wild Cat”, in addition to two new songs. The two tracks that overtly look to the past — “Killers” and “Fireclown” — somewhat capture the primitive and feral quality that ran through the band’s veins so many years ago; however, the production aesthetic and execution are much more modern. With that said, the delivery doesn’t seem robotic, and the sound isn’t overly polished.
TYGERS OF PAN TANG aren’t as wild as they were in the early days, and, unfortunately, a part of what made the unit so charming long ago has been lost. The EP starts off with the title track, a robust and energetic fistful of melodic, guitar-driven power that straddles the fence between classic heavy metal and a more contemporary take on hard rock. It’s the kind of song that might appeal to fans of bands as varied as JUDAS PRIEST, RATT and DOKKEN. The other new song, “Red Mist”, maintains that feel-good energy while introducing a slightly more grimacing quality.
Sure, some purists may scoff since Robb Weir is the band’s only remaining original member. But the makeup of long-running bands obviously changes more often than not. Incorporating the spirit of their earliest of days, “A New Heartbeat” proves that this classic band isn’t scared of infusing new blood and new ideas in to keep their signature style of heavy metal / hard rock exciting and challenging. The new EP is pleasing and suggests that the next album has plenty of fat that’s worth chewing upon.
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