Hi, my name is Matt Crawford, the author and creator of this website and the Burning Metal series.

 

Music has always been a huge part of my life, as I’m sure it has yours, but let me tell you something;

 

Hell hath no fury like a 13 year old that just heard Pantera for the first time.

 

That crunch, the grinding, bone-crushingly tight tone, the pounding, punishing drums and thunderous bass, all topped off with the guttural throat-wrenching vocals. It was enough to make me have to stop it, take a breath, and press play again!

 

As clear as a bell I can remember standing by my brand new stereo, not moving a muscle as this overwhelming feeling of “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS AND WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD IT BEFORE!?” streamed through the utter core of me.

 

I had two friends who were guitarists beyond my experience, and I remember asking both of them to make their amp get that sound. They were baffled to say the least, especially when you consider that at the time this style of music wasn’t even 1% of how commercial it is today. So, with this newfound intrigue I pondered the possibilities of ever making a guitar sound that aggressive. Well, it’s taken me over a decade, but I think I’ve got the hang of it!

 

Immersed in a world of magazines, CDs, books, and anything else I could get my hands on, I set off on a voyage to conquer the guitar! The first real stepping stone for me was jamming along to CDs of my favourite bands. I worked out the entire black album by Metallica at one point, which rocketed my playing (and confidence) to a whole new level. Shortly after I started forming bands with school friends, playing covers mainly but trying our hardest to write our own music, which just ended up sounding like an amalgamation of the bands we listened to!

 

It wasn’t until I was at college that my playing really took off, shortly after getting into bands such as Dream Theater and Meshuggah. By this point I’d become quite the metal historian and connoisseur too! My playing found a whole new direction, and I became almost obsessed with shredding and progressive playing styles. Many years of practice (and many failed bands!) later I became a teacher, where I found my true love – spreading the knowledge of metal guitar playing.

I’d teach anyone! Friends, work colleagues, family members, passers by who just happened to be wearing a Pantera t-shirt (no joke!), anyone.

 

So, here I am today, selling products that I’ve created to teach people further a field. I look forward to helping you on your journey through metal guitar!

 

If you'd like to visit my blog where I have interviews, gear & guitar reviews, and articles about all things guitar related, then please visit My Sound Clinic