- Interview with Michael Angelo Batio Jammerzine Exclusive 31:43
At some point in a musician’s life, you come to a crossroads. Whether it be a musical direction or a stylistic change or maybe that musician just wants to ask if it’s all worth it. In times like those, I always found the best way to snap out of that rut is to seek advice from someone who is the best in the field and feed off of his or her energy. That is exactly the feeling I got as a musician after I talked to Michael Angelo Batio. And as I talked to Michael I realized why he is able to inspire so many aspiring musicians out there. Sure, he will always be able to inspire with his limitless talent but I found another reason to have Michael as a source of inspiration and that is that he is a fan himself and that is partly what drives him to be better every day (if that’s possible).
His self modesty towards himself combined with his enthusiasm for so many others in music both past and present is a very rare quality in anyone these days, much less a true virtuoso. Just listen to yourself in the audio interview above and take note that, as the interview continues, it becomes less of an interview and more of a conversation and to have someone at his musical level give that vibe is not only the sign of a musical genius but an exceptional human being.
Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio comes out tomorrow (April 14th) on Rat Pak Records. I highly recommend it not only for pure listening enjoyment but as a guide for all aspiring guitarists out there. You can purchase the album now using any of the buy links below.
Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio Tracklist:
- Hands Without Shadows (featuring Bobby Rock and William Kopecky)
- Burn (featuring Todd LaTorre and Mark Tremonti)
- Juggernaut (Featuring Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo)
- What You’re Doing (featuring Todd LaTorre, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Chuck Garric, Jeff Plate and Craig Blackwell)
- 8 Pillars of Steel (featuring Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli, Craig Goldy)
- Call To Arms (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
- 2X Again
- Slowhand (Featuring Warren Dunlevy Jr.)
- Diamond (featuring Michael Wilton, Elliott Dean Rubinson)
- Rainforest
- Gotta Run (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
- No Boundaries
- RRR (featuring Rudy Sarzo and Bobby Rock)
Where you can buy Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio:
http://www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/michaelangelobatio
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shred-force-1-essential-mab/id973562061
http://play.google.com/store/music/album/Michael_Angelo_Batio_Shred_Force_1_The_Essential_M?id=B3nhrqrwaeikehc76xkxlhzb2ru&hl=en
http://www.amazon.com/Shred-Force-Michael-Angelo-Batio/dp/B00UC3BZ40?tag=smarturl-20
Michael Angelo Batio LINKS:
http://angelo.com
http://www.facebook.com/michaelangelobatioofficial
http://www.ShredForce1.com
http://www.ratpakrecords.com/michaelangelobatio
http://www.youtube.com/user/MACEMusicInc
http://twitter.com/m_angelobatio
About Michael Angelo Batio:
Considered to be a pioneer of the “shred guitar” genre, Michael Angelo Batio is set to release his first-ever career retrospective entitled, Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio. The new album is slated for release TOMORROW via Rat Pak Records. Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio not only highlights Michael’s best work to date, but also brings together many nationally renowned musicians from the hard rock and heavy metal genres. The album features some of Michael’s most memorable performances including a dynamic version of Rush’s “What You’re Doing,” which features Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre, Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, Metal Church/TSO drummer Jeff Plate and guitarist Craig Blackwell. An official audio stream of “What You’re Doing” can be found in the video on YouTube here:
There is also a cover of Deep Purple’s ”Burn” with Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre and Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti. The album also consists of Michael’s tributes to Eric Clapton (“Slowhand”), Randy Rhodes (“RRR”) that features Rudy Sarzo on bass, and a new version of MAB’s unique tribute (“Diamond”) to the late great Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott of Pantera, that features guitarist Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche. The album also includes some of MAB’s most notable instrumental tracks such as, “8 Pillars of Steel” with guest appearances by Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli and Craig Goldy, “Juggernaut” showcases ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo. Michael Angelo Batio’s “Shred Force 1” is a must have for all fans of the shred guitar genre! Pre-order bundles are now available at http://www.ShredForce1.com or http://www.ratpakrecords.com/michaelangelobatio.
“I feel that Shred Force 1 is the culmination of my best musical work,” exclaims Batio. “These are some of my personal favorite performances along with an army of featured guest stars pulled together by an amazing record company to bring it all into focus!”
Michael Angelo Batio showcased his guitar techniques and innovations for the first time with his early instructional programs, as well as in his live performances, which are now considered “standard techniques” amongst guitarists worldwide. Michael not only invented, but was the world’s first player of the double-guitar, and was also voted one of the World’s Top 100 Guitarists Of All Time by Guitar World Magazine. He also holds the YouTube record for his instructional video “Speed Kills”, the highest views for a guitarist coming in at over 15 million! MAB has performed over 1,700 shows in 58 different countries since 1993 and continues his relentless touring and clinic schedule in 2015.
