Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Encyclopedia
Marty Friedman is a guitar
ist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal
band Megadeth
, which lasted almost a decade. He has resided in Shinjuku
, Tokyo
, Japan
since 2003, and has hosted his own television programs, Rock Fujiyama
and Jukebox English on Japanese television
.
and for fusing Eastern musical
with Western music
other styles, such as neo-classical
, thrash metal
and later progressive rock
. When playing, Friedman often uses arpeggiated
chord
s and various customized scales. He also occasionally uses sweep picking.
He has a very unorthodox right hand picking technique, namely the angle in which his hand is clenched goes against the conventional palm mute
. He also frequently uses the upstroke as opposed to the down stroke, especially on the high strings (strings B and E). These qualities make Friedman's solos unique and hard to duplicate using an alternate picking
approach.
During his early years as a musician, he formed and played lead guitar in several bands, including Deuce, Hawaii
(which had previously been called Vixen), and notably Cacophony
. Cacophony featured neoclassical metal elements and synchronized twin guitar harmonies
and counterpoint
s shared with guitarist Jason Becker
. He played guitar on the 1987 album "It Won't Be Long" by Christian rock band Shout
. In 1988, he recorded demos for Jet Red that eventually were released as bonus tracks on the 2009 Jet Red release "Flight Plan".
band Megadeth
after a tip from fellow guitarist Jeff Young
. Friedman was initially rejected by Megadeth
frontman Dave Mustaine
for having multicolored hair. However, after undergoing what Mustaine
called "Rock School 101", Friedman officially joined Megadeth in February 1990. Friedman's audition can be seen as an Easter egg on the Megadeth DVD Arsenal of Megadeth
. The first album he recorded with them was Rust in Peace
, now considered a classic thrash metal album, and sold platinum in the US. He further developed his style of playing exotic scale solos from the Cacophony era, and integrated it into the music of Megadeth. In July 1992, Megadeth released Countdown to Extinction
, which was a more commercial album, aimed at a wider audience, and sold double platinum. Friedman played on Megadeth's further releases Youthanasia
(1994), Cryptic Writings
(1997), Risk (1999). After a total of five studio album
s with Megadeth, in December 1999 Friedman announced his departure from Megadeth. His last show with them was on January 14, 2000. Later, he stated that he got tired of playing metal music and felt that he couldn't develop as a musician. In an interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com in March 2007, he claimed that Megadeth was not aggressive enough. During Friedman's time in the band, they sold over ten million albums worldwide.
. Friedman is a big fan of The Ramones (to whom he briefly paid tribute in the Arizona
based cover band Rocket to Russia ), Black Sabbath
, Kiss
and Queen
(during their early years). He also included the track 'Peace' from the fifth Weezer
studio album Make Believe on a list of his 'most listened to' songs on his official website. He has also appeared on Where Moth and Rust Destroy
, the latest album of the Christian thrash metal
band Tourniquet
where he performed all guitar solos except two (which were performed by Bruce Franklin). He has also appeared as a guest on the Firewind
album Forged by Fire
.
In 2004 Friedman joined psychedelic trance
musician Takeomi Matsuura (known by the alias Zeta) as a guitarist. Their full-length debut album was released January 4, 2007, also titled Zeta, and included remix
es by psychedelic trance musicians such as Astrix
.
In 2005, Friedman appeared on the soundtrack of the video game Heavy Metal Thunder
adapted from the Hebimeta-san TV show.
Friedman's album, Loudspeaker
, was released in Japan on June 26, 2006. It entered the Japanese national chart at #33. This marks the first Top 40 chart position for any of his solo albums.
Friedman's "Exhibit A-Live in Europe" CD and "Exhibit B-Live" in Tokyo DVD were released simultaneously in Japan on 8/22 by Avex. The CD and DVD feature different set lists, but with the same band members, Jeremy Colson (Steve Vai
, ex-Dali's Dilemma), Ron Jarzombek
(Blotted Science
, Watchtower
, Spastic Ink
) and Chris Catero (Razer, ex-Wardog).
The artwork was designed by legendary graphic artist Noritaka Sakai, who is responsible for Queen's most successful Japanese editions.
Friedman was interview in the 2008 documentary film Global Metal
, in which he showed his perspectives on heavy metal in Japan..
Friedman has collaborated with Mutsuhiko Izumi, a video game composer known for his contributions to Konami
's Guitar Freaks & DrumMania
series to produce "Model DD8", and "Liverty", two songs featured on Izumi's album Heaven Inside. A shorter version of "Model DD8" has appeared as the "Premium Encore" stage of the latest installment of the Guitar Freaks & DrumMania series, Guitar Freaks V4 & DrumMania V4 Rock×Rock as of October 28, 2007 in the e-Amusement
network.
Friedman also has contributed his voice to a character on the Cartoon Network
Adult Swim
show Metalocalypse
.
Friedman contributed to a tribute album to Luna Sea
, entitled Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-, covering their song "Shine".
Friedman has composed the song "Kirei na Senritsu
", for the anime Maria-sama ga Miteru
, which was sung by Kotoko in 2007.
Also in 2007, Friedman appeared on the title track of Living A Sick Dream, the debut album from Age of Evil.
On March 12, 2008, his eighth solo album, Future Addict, was released in Japan. The album features reworked, reconstructed, and remade versions of some of Friedman's past songs from his career, as well as three new songs.
Friedman has launched a new rock band entitled Lovefixer, with Shinichiro Suzuki on vocals. Lovefixer's first music video is for their song "Luminous" (夜光).
Friedman has worked with Nana Kitade
on some of her recent releases. Kitade is pop punk
"Gothic Lolita" artist, and he has worked with her on a cover of Daisy Chainsaw
's "Love Your Money", and he has reworked two of her songs with a heavier sound: "Alice: Smashed Berry Ver." and "Indelible Sin: I Scream Tenpura Ver." all of which come from her Berry Berry Singles
release in November 2007. He has also worked on a Nana Kitade side project in April 2008: Ruby Gloom
, and the first single's two tracks: "Siren" and "My Treasure".
Friedman has worked with Nami Tamaki
, a technopop singer/dancer. He worked on track #5 "HitchHiker" from her most recent album Don't Stay, released in April 2008.
Friedman collaborated with Nanase Aikawa
to perform as part of Crimson-Fang for the Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World theme song "Circle of Life".
Friedman contributed to the 2009 video game Sonic and the Black Knight
, playing lead guitar on the final boss theme, "With Me".
Friedman joined the band Sound Horizon
for their new single "Ido e Itaru Mori e Itaru Ido" (イドへ至る森へ至るイド) released on June 16, 2010.
Friedman released his brand new solo album Bad D.N.A. in Japan on August 25, 2010
The recording of Marty`s upcoming album, Tokyo Jukebox 2 is now complete and will be released on September 14, 2011
, Tokyo
, Japan
. He also appears on Japanese television
and as a columnist
for a major Japanese music magazine and a national daily newspaper.
Friedman speaks Japanese
fluently. He became a regular member of the cast of TXN
's musical TV program
Hebimeta-san (ヘビメタさん) (anglicized as "Mr. Heavy-Metal") with Japanese idol
Yoko Kumada
before the show came to an end in 2005. He had his own heavy metal TV program called Rock Fujiyama
alongside Shelly, Ken Ayugai (Kenny Guy), Yorimasa Hisatake (Rock Ninja Yorimasa) and ex-Scanch
member Rolly Teranishi
from April 2006 until March 2007. In November~December 2005 he toured with singer Ami Suzuki
on her "Suzuki Ami Around the World" live house tour, which took place in Tokyo, Osaka
and Nagoya.
He was featured on Jukebox, a television program in which Marty and two Japanese people translate the lyrics of various English songs into understandable Japanese. He has also made guest appearances on the television programs Eigo de Shabera Night
and Tamori Club
.
In 2008 Friedman played the role of Paul Weinberg, an English language teacher, in Isshin Inudou's Gou-Gou Datte Neko de Aru.
In February 2010, he made a guest appearance on guitar for the Ramones
' song "California Sun" when CJ Ramone toured Japan.
He also launched a record label
under Avex Group, Gokukara Records.
Shortly after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
, Friedman began auctioning off a great variety of his musical equipment and paraphernalia that he used as a member of Megadeth
. A message attached to each Ebay
item stated that all proceeds would go to the GlobalGiving
foundation, in an effort to help those whose livelihood had been wiped out by the disaster.
.
When Marty joined Megadeth in 1989, he switched over from Carvin to Jackson Guitars
. Primarily, he was responsible for popularizing the now highly acclaimed Jackson Kelly guitar, a sleeker and faster version of the Gibson Explorer Z style shape. The first line of KE1s, which were his signature models, had poplar bodies with maple neck through construction and a single Seymour Duncan JB pickup as well as a Kahler Fine-tuning fixed bridge. Later versions of the KE1 would have a Floyd Rose
double locking tremolo in place of the Kahler. He also used other Jacksons, such as the Rhoads
and the Roswell Rhoads.
Marty used Gibson and Fender guitars on the Risk tours as well. He used Jackson guitars up until 2000, when he started endorsing Ibanez
guitars. He has produced a signature model with Ibanez (based on the Ibanez SZ
line of guitars), but this model is as of now only available in Japan and not in the US. He currently has his own signature Ibanez in two colors (red and blue) named as the MFM1Ibanez
.
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, which lasted almost a decade. He has resided in Shinjuku
Shinjuku, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
since 2003, and has hosted his own television programs, Rock Fujiyama
Rock Fujiyama
is a Japanese music variety television show that was broadcast by TV Tokyo from April 3, 2006, to March 26, 2007. It is the substantial remake of "Mr. Heavy Metal" that was broadcast in 2005. Despite the title, the key genre in the program is heavy metal, just like "Mr...
and Jukebox English on Japanese television
Television in Japan
Television broadcasting in Japan started in 1939, making the country one of the first in the world with an experimental television service. In spite of that, because of the beginning of World War II in the Pacific region, this first experimentation lasted only a few months...
.
Early career (1982–1989)
Friedman is a largely self-taught guitarist known for his improvisationImprovisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
and for fusing Eastern musical
Asian music
Asian music encompasses numerous different musical styles originating from a large number of Asian countries.Musical traditions in Asia* Music of Central Asia** Music of Afghanistan** Music of Kazakhstan** Music of Mongolia** Music of Uzbekistan...
with Western music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
other styles, such as neo-classical
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
, thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
and later progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
. When playing, Friedman often uses arpeggiated
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
s and various customized scales. He also occasionally uses sweep picking.
He has a very unorthodox right hand picking technique, namely the angle in which his hand is clenched goes against the conventional palm mute
Palm mute
The palm mute is a playing technique for guitar and bass guitar executed by placing the side of the picking hand below the little finger across all of the strings very close to the bridge and then plucking the strings with the fingers while the damping is in effect. This produces a muted sound...
. He also frequently uses the upstroke as opposed to the down stroke, especially on the high strings (strings B and E). These qualities make Friedman's solos unique and hard to duplicate using an alternate picking
Alternate picking
Alternate picking is a guitar playing technique that employs strictly alternating downward and upward picking strokes in a continuous run, and is the most common method of plectrum playing...
approach.
During his early years as a musician, he formed and played lead guitar in several bands, including Deuce, Hawaii
Hawaii (band)
Hawaii was a heavy metal band formed in 1982 by guitarist Marty Friedman, originally formed as "Vixen" in 1981. Hawaii was one of the two notable heavy metal bands from Honolulu, Hawaii, the other being Sacred Rite...
(which had previously been called Vixen), and notably Cacophony
Cacophony (band)
Cacophony was an American Speed metal band formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker. Cacophony is often recognized for its technically challenging, neo-classical metal and speed metal elements, as well as featuring two shred guitarists...
. Cacophony featured neoclassical metal elements and synchronized twin guitar harmonies
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
s shared with guitarist Jason Becker
Jason Becker
Jason Eli Becker is an American virtuoso neo-classical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988...
. He played guitar on the 1987 album "It Won't Be Long" by Christian rock band Shout
Shout (band)
Shout was a Christian glam metal band formed in 1987 by Ken Tamplin. Musically the band was similar to Stryper, but the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music cites them as being "more competent than Stryper". Lyrically, their songs were generally more straightforward than other Christian...
. In 1988, he recorded demos for Jet Red that eventually were released as bonus tracks on the 2009 Jet Red release "Flight Plan".
Megadeth (1990–2000)
When Cacophony broke up in 1989, Friedman auditioned for the thrash metalThrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
after a tip from fellow guitarist Jeff Young
Jeff Young
Jeff Young is an American guitarist. He graduated from Musicians Institute in 1985, and is best known for his time with the thrash metal band Megadeth, appearing on the 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What!...
. Friedman was initially rejected by Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
frontman Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
for having multicolored hair. However, after undergoing what Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
called "Rock School 101", Friedman officially joined Megadeth in February 1990. Friedman's audition can be seen as an Easter egg on the Megadeth DVD Arsenal of Megadeth
Arsenal of Megadeth
Arsenal of Megadeth is an anthology of Megadeth's first 20 years. The 2-disc DVD set contains music videos, live performances, interviews, home videos and special appearances. Arsenal of Megadeth is an EMI/Capitol release...
. The first album he recorded with them was Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
, now considered a classic thrash metal album, and sold platinum in the US. He further developed his style of playing exotic scale solos from the Cacophony era, and integrated it into the music of Megadeth. In July 1992, Megadeth released Countdown to Extinction
Countdown to Extinction
Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status...
, which was a more commercial album, aimed at a wider audience, and sold double platinum. Friedman played on Megadeth's further releases Youthanasia
Youthanasia
Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994 through Capitol Records. A remixed and remastered version, featuring several bonus tracks, was released in 2004....
(1994), Cryptic Writings
Cryptic Writings
Cryptic Writings is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Megadeth. The album was released on June 17, 1997 and debuted at #10 on Billboard Top 200. This is the last Megadeth studio album to feature drummer Nick Menza. His departure would mark the end of the band's longest lasting lineup to...
(1997), Risk (1999). After a total of five studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s with Megadeth, in December 1999 Friedman announced his departure from Megadeth. His last show with them was on January 14, 2000. Later, he stated that he got tired of playing metal music and felt that he couldn't develop as a musician. In an interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com in March 2007, he claimed that Megadeth was not aggressive enough. During Friedman's time in the band, they sold over ten million albums worldwide.
Solo Career and Collaborations (2001–present)
Friedman appeared on the track "Born of Anger" on the album All That Remains by FozzyFozzy
Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Lead singer Chris Jericho , who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band lives in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment...
. Friedman is a big fan of The Ramones (to whom he briefly paid tribute in the Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
based cover band Rocket to Russia ), Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
(during their early years). He also included the track 'Peace' from the fifth Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
studio album Make Believe on a list of his 'most listened to' songs on his official website. He has also appeared on Where Moth and Rust Destroy
Where Moth and Rust Destroy
Where Moth and Rust Destroy is an album by Tourniquet. The title is a reference to Matthew 6:19. All guitar solos on this album were performed by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman except tracks 4 and 7 which were done by Bruce Franklin....
, the latest album of the Christian thrash metal
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band Tourniquet
Tourniquet (band)
Tourniquet is a Christian thrash / heavy metal band that was formed in 1989 by Ted Kirkpatrick, Guy Ritter and Gary Lenaire in Los Angeles, California, USA. They are known for incorporating elements of thrash, neo-classical and progressive metal into their music...
where he performed all guitar solos except two (which were performed by Bruce Franklin). He has also appeared as a guest on the Firewind
Firewind
Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
album Forged by Fire
Forged by Fire
This page is about the music group. For the novel see Forged by Fire Forged by Fire is the third full-length album by Greek power metal band Firewind and their first released through Century Media. From this album onwards, Gus G is the sole ever-present in their professional discography, following...
.
In 2004 Friedman joined psychedelic trance
Psychedelic trance
Psychedelic trance, psytrance or just psy is a form of electronic music characterized by hypnotic arrangements of synthetic rhythms and complex layered melodies created by high tempo riffs. It appeared in the mainstream in 1995 as with reporting of the trend of Goa trance. The genre offers variety...
musician Takeomi Matsuura (known by the alias Zeta) as a guitarist. Their full-length debut album was released January 4, 2007, also titled Zeta, and included remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es by psychedelic trance musicians such as Astrix
Astrix
Astrix is a Psychedelic trance DJ and producer specialising in the sub-genre of Full On Psychedelic Trance....
.
In 2005, Friedman appeared on the soundtrack of the video game Heavy Metal Thunder
Heavy Metal Thunder (video game)
- Reception :The game sold 3,367 copies the week of its release. It received a score of 30 out of 40 by the Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. American multimedia website IGN considered the gameplay simple, but praised the amount of animation used and called the theme song "catchy"...
adapted from the Hebimeta-san TV show.
Friedman's album, Loudspeaker
Loudspeaker (album)
Loudspeaker is an instrumental album by the guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 2006 in Japan, and 2007 in United States. It entered the Japanese national chart at #33...
, was released in Japan on June 26, 2006. It entered the Japanese national chart at #33. This marks the first Top 40 chart position for any of his solo albums.
Friedman's "Exhibit A-Live in Europe" CD and "Exhibit B-Live" in Tokyo DVD were released simultaneously in Japan on 8/22 by Avex. The CD and DVD feature different set lists, but with the same band members, Jeremy Colson (Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
, ex-Dali's Dilemma), Ron Jarzombek
Ron Jarzombek
Ron Jarzombek is an American guitarist best known for his work with Austin, Texas progressive metal trailblazers WatchTower, '90s madcap trio, Spastic Ink, technical extreme metal band Blotted Science, featuring Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster and Obscura drummer Hannes Grossmann, and most...
(Blotted Science
Blotted Science
Blotted Science is an instrumental technical death metal supergroup headed by Ron Jarzombek , bassist Alex Webster and drummer Hannes Grossmann...
, Watchtower
Watchtower (band)
WatchTower is an American progressive metal band based in Austin, Texas. The band were influenced by late 1970s progressive rock and acts such as Rush and UK as well as the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
, Spastic Ink
Spastic Ink
Spastic Ink is a progressive technical metal band from the United States.-History:Spastic Ink was formed in 1993 by guitarist Ron Jarzombek of Watchtower after recovering from multiple hand surgeries that had sidelined him, unable to play, for a couple of years. He would be joined by brother Bobby...
) and Chris Catero (Razer, ex-Wardog).
The artwork was designed by legendary graphic artist Noritaka Sakai, who is responsible for Queen's most successful Japanese editions.
Friedman was interview in the 2008 documentary film Global Metal
Global Metal
Global Metal is a 2008 documentary film directed by Scot McFadyen and Canadian anthropologist Sam Dunn. It is a followup to their successful 2005 documentary, Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. The film's international premiere took place at the Bergen International Film Festival on October 17th 2007...
, in which he showed his perspectives on heavy metal in Japan..
Friedman has collaborated with Mutsuhiko Izumi, a video game composer known for his contributions to Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
's Guitar Freaks & DrumMania
DrumMania
is a music video game series produced by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., where colored notes travel down the screen which correspond with color coded parts of an electronic drum set...
series to produce "Model DD8", and "Liverty", two songs featured on Izumi's album Heaven Inside. A shorter version of "Model DD8" has appeared as the "Premium Encore" stage of the latest installment of the Guitar Freaks & DrumMania series, Guitar Freaks V4 & DrumMania V4 Rock×Rock as of October 28, 2007 in the e-Amusement
E-AMUSEMENT
e-AMUSEMENT is an online service offered worldwide by Konami to enable exclusive online features in games, such as Internet Rankings and unlockable content. It is utilized by multiple Konami games as listed below, including the arcade and the PlayStation 2 platforms.- Magnetic Cards :Before 2006,...
network.
Friedman also has contributed his voice to a character on the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
show Metalocalypse
Metalocalypse
Metalocalypse is an American animated television series, created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha, which premiered on August 6, 2006 on Adult Swim...
.
Friedman contributed to a tribute album to Luna Sea
Luna Sea
Luna Sea is a rock band from Kanagawa, Japan, formed in 1989. The band was initially founded by bassist J and rhythm guitarist Inoran, when they were in high school. They soon recruited lead guitarist and violinist Sugizo, drummer Shinya and vocalist Ryuichi, a lineup that has remained the same...
, entitled Luna Sea Memorial Cover Album -Re:birth-, covering their song "Shine".
Friedman has composed the song "Kirei na Senritsu
Kirei na Senritsu
is the seventh single of singer Kotoko for Geneon Entertainment. The title track was used as the final ending theme for the OVA of Maria-sama ga Miteru...
", for the anime Maria-sama ga Miteru
Maria-sama ga Miteru
, often shortened to , is a series of Japanese light novels written by Oyuki Konno and illustrated by Reine Hibiki. The series focuses on a group of teenage girls attending Lillian Catholic school for girls in Tokyo, Japan. Its storyline largely revolves around the lives and close relationships of...
, which was sung by Kotoko in 2007.
Also in 2007, Friedman appeared on the title track of Living A Sick Dream, the debut album from Age of Evil.
On March 12, 2008, his eighth solo album, Future Addict, was released in Japan. The album features reworked, reconstructed, and remade versions of some of Friedman's past songs from his career, as well as three new songs.
Friedman has launched a new rock band entitled Lovefixer, with Shinichiro Suzuki on vocals. Lovefixer's first music video is for their song "Luminous" (夜光).
Friedman has worked with Nana Kitade
Nana Kitade
Nana Kitade , is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She has had success as a solo artist, model, actress, fashion designer, and the lead singer of the Germany based noise pop band, "Loveless"....
on some of her recent releases. Kitade is pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
"Gothic Lolita" artist, and he has worked with her on a cover of Daisy Chainsaw
Daisy Chainsaw
Daisy Chainsaw was an English alternative rock band, active between 1989 and 1995. It originally featured KatieJane Garside as lead vocalist and lyricist on the band's early EPs and debut album, Eleventeen , before her departure in 1993...
's "Love Your Money", and he has reworked two of her songs with a heavier sound: "Alice: Smashed Berry Ver." and "Indelible Sin: I Scream Tenpura Ver." all of which come from her Berry Berry Singles
Berry Berry Singles
Berry Berry Singles is an album by Nana Kitade, released in November of 2007.It is her first Compilation Album, and it features the singles "Kesenai Tsumi," "Kiss or Kiss," and the single "Antoinette Blue," and more for nine songs total...
release in November 2007. He has also worked on a Nana Kitade side project in April 2008: Ruby Gloom
Ruby Gloom
Ruby Gloom is an animated television show based on an apparel franchise. The show is produced by Nelvana and began airing on October 13, 2006 in Canada on the network YTV...
, and the first single's two tracks: "Siren" and "My Treasure".
Friedman has worked with Nami Tamaki
Nami Tamaki
is a Japanese pop singer. She has various commercial tie-ins with the anime and games industry, and has also performed in a stage musical and a movie. Her musical influences include American singers such as Britney Spears, Madonna, and Janet Jackson....
, a technopop singer/dancer. He worked on track #5 "HitchHiker" from her most recent album Don't Stay, released in April 2008.
Friedman collaborated with Nanase Aikawa
Nanase Aikawa
is a Japanese musician known for employing a variety of musical styles, most notably rock. She publishes her music under the Motorod label, a division of Avex Group.- Early life :Nanase Aikawa was born on February 16, 1975, in Osaka, Japan...
to perform as part of Crimson-Fang for the Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World theme song "Circle of Life".
Friedman contributed to the 2009 video game Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic and the Black Knight
is a title within the Sonic the Hedgehog series, released exclusively on Wii as the second entry in the Sonic Storybook series, following on from Sonic and the Secret Rings. The game is directed by Tetsu Katano, who was the lead programmer of the Sonic Adventure titles and Sonic Heroes...
, playing lead guitar on the final boss theme, "With Me".
Friedman joined the band Sound Horizon
Sound Horizon
Sound Horizon, abbreviated by fans as Sanhora , is a Japanese musical group with composer Revo as the leader. They call themselves the "fantasy band" and have released their works that closely resemble suites.-History:...
for their new single "Ido e Itaru Mori e Itaru Ido" (イドへ至る森へ至るイド) released on June 16, 2010.
Friedman released his brand new solo album Bad D.N.A. in Japan on August 25, 2010
The recording of Marty`s upcoming album, Tokyo Jukebox 2 is now complete and will be released on September 14, 2011
Japanese life
Friedman currently lives in ShinjukuShinjuku, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He also appears on Japanese television
Television in Japan
Television broadcasting in Japan started in 1939, making the country one of the first in the world with an experimental television service. In spite of that, because of the beginning of World War II in the Pacific region, this first experimentation lasted only a few months...
and as a columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for a major Japanese music magazine and a national daily newspaper.
Friedman speaks Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
fluently. He became a regular member of the cast of TXN
TXN
- TV Tokyo Network stations :-External links:*...
's musical TV program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Hebimeta-san (ヘビメタさん) (anglicized as "Mr. Heavy-Metal") with Japanese idol
Japanese idol
In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...
Yoko Kumada
Yoko Kumada
is a Japanese gravure idol and singer originally from Gifu city, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.- Variety :* London Hearts（TV Asahi network）* S.B.S.T（TV Tokyo network）* Akko ni Omakase!（Tokyo Broadcasting System network）* Go on（Kyoto Broadcasting System only）...
before the show came to an end in 2005. He had his own heavy metal TV program called Rock Fujiyama
Rock Fujiyama
is a Japanese music variety television show that was broadcast by TV Tokyo from April 3, 2006, to March 26, 2007. It is the substantial remake of "Mr. Heavy Metal" that was broadcast in 2005. Despite the title, the key genre in the program is heavy metal, just like "Mr...
alongside Shelly, Ken Ayugai (Kenny Guy), Yorimasa Hisatake (Rock Ninja Yorimasa) and ex-Scanch
Scanch
Scanch is a rock band that formed in Japan. The members of Scanch met and formed the band in 1982 - while they were still in high school. The band started with Rolly, Shima-chang, Obata Pump and Dr. Tanaka as members....
member Rolly Teranishi
Rolly Teranishi
more commonly known as Rolly, is a Japanese musician and music producer.- Personal background :Teranishi was born in Kyoto. He grew up in Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.- Professional background :...
from April 2006 until March 2007. In November~December 2005 he toured with singer Ami Suzuki
Ami Suzuki
is a female singer, songwriter, actress and DJ from Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.Having been discovered at the talent TV show Asayan, Suzuki was one of the most popular female singers as an idol in the late 1990s....
on her "Suzuki Ami Around the World" live house tour, which took place in Tokyo, Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
and Nagoya.
He was featured on Jukebox, a television program in which Marty and two Japanese people translate the lyrics of various English songs into understandable Japanese. He has also made guest appearances on the television programs Eigo de Shabera Night
Eigo de Shabera Night
is a Japanese talk show by NHK. The show began in 2003 and ended in 2009, however is ongoing as a special program. Contrary to the title, Japanese is the main language used in the show, although the Japanese hosts use English when interviewing British and American celebrities, such as Noel...
and Tamori Club
Tamori Club
is a late-night variety program hosted by comedian Kazuyoshi Morita, better known as Tamori. It is broadcast in Japan on the TV Asahi network. It started on 8 October 1982, and is one of the longest-running programs in Japan. This program deals with social phenomena from original, maniac viewpoints...
.
In 2008 Friedman played the role of Paul Weinberg, an English language teacher, in Isshin Inudou's Gou-Gou Datte Neko de Aru.
In February 2010, he made a guest appearance on guitar for the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
' song "California Sun" when CJ Ramone toured Japan.
He also launched a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
under Avex Group, Gokukara Records.
Shortly after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
, Friedman began auctioning off a great variety of his musical equipment and paraphernalia that he used as a member of Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. A message attached to each Ebay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
item stated that all proceeds would go to the GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving is an online marketplace that connects donors with grassroots projects in the developing world. Potential donors can browse and select from a wide offering of projects, organized by geography or by themes such as health care, the environment, and education...
foundation, in an effort to help those whose livelihood had been wiped out by the disaster.
Equipment
Friedman has played a variety of guitars throughout his career. In his days with Cacophony, Friedman played Hurricane guitars, then Carvin guitars, primarily a V220M model. He also used Hurricane and Carvin on his first solo recording, Dragon's KissDragon's Kiss (album)
Dragon's Kiss is the first studio album by guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 1988 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Marty Friedman – guitar, bass, production*Jason Becker – additional guitar solos...
.
When Marty joined Megadeth in 1989, he switched over from Carvin to Jackson Guitars
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
. Primarily, he was responsible for popularizing the now highly acclaimed Jackson Kelly guitar, a sleeker and faster version of the Gibson Explorer Z style shape. The first line of KE1s, which were his signature models, had poplar bodies with maple neck through construction and a single Seymour Duncan JB pickup as well as a Kahler Fine-tuning fixed bridge. Later versions of the KE1 would have a Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose
The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, or simply Floyd Rose, is a type of locking vibrato arm for a guitar. The first of its kind, Floyd D. Rose invented the locking vibrato in 1977, and it is now manufactured by a company of the same name...
double locking tremolo in place of the Kahler. He also used other Jacksons, such as the Rhoads
Jackson Randy Rhoads
The Jackson Randy Rhoads is an iconic model of electric guitar, originally commissioned by guitarist Randy Rhoads and produced by Jackson Guitars....
and the Roswell Rhoads.
Marty used Gibson and Fender guitars on the Risk tours as well. He used Jackson guitars up until 2000, when he started endorsing Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
guitars. He has produced a signature model with Ibanez (based on the Ibanez SZ
Ibanez SZ
The Ibanez SZ is a modern 6-string electric guitar made by Ibanez, and is an offshoot of the Ibanez S family. Like the S, the SZ features a mahogany body. The SZ has a 25.1" scale. All SZ are hardtail...
line of guitars), but this model is as of now only available in Japan and not in the US. He currently has his own signature Ibanez in two colors (red and blue) named as the MFM1Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
.
Pedals
- Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra
- Boss GS-10
- Boss GT-6
- Boss GT-8
- MAXON Auto Filter
- Tech 21 SansAmp GT-2
- Boss MT-2 Metal Zone
- Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator
- Boss DD-5 Digital Delay
Megadeth
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
| September 24, 1990 | Rust in Peace Rust in Peace Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to... |
Capitol Records |
| July 14, 1992 | Countdown to Extinction Countdown to Extinction Countdown to Extinction is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth. It was released on July 14, 1992 through Capitol Records. Countdown to Extinction is Megadeth's best-selling album, eventually achieving double platinum status... |
Capitol Records |
| October 31, 1994 | Youthanasia Youthanasia Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released on November 1, 1994 through Capitol Records. A remixed and remastered version, featuring several bonus tracks, was released in 2004.... |
Capitol Records |
| June 17, 1997 | Cryptic Writings Cryptic Writings Cryptic Writings is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Megadeth. The album was released on June 17, 1997 and debuted at #10 on Billboard Top 200. This is the last Megadeth studio album to feature drummer Nick Menza. His departure would mark the end of the band's longest lasting lineup to... |
Capitol Records |
| August 31, 1999 | Risk | Capitol Records |
Solo
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
| 1988 | Dragon's Kiss Dragon's Kiss (album) Dragon's Kiss is the first studio album by guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 1988 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Marty Friedman – guitar, bass, production*Jason Becker – additional guitar solos... |
Shrapnel Records Shrapnel Records Shrapnel Records is a guitar-oriented record label started in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney. Guitarist Marty Friedman , one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album Unsung Guitar Heroes II in 1980 with the band Vixen. Vixen would later change their name to Hawaii... |
| 1992 | Scenes Scenes (album) Scenes is the second studio album by guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 1992 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Marty Friedman – guitar, bass, production*Brian BecVar – keyboard, percussion*Nick Menza – drums... |
Shrapnel Records |
| 1994 | Introduction Introduction (Marty Friedman album) Introduction is the third studio album by guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 1994 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Marty Friedman – guitar, bass, production*Brian BecVar – keyboard, piano, additional sound replacement... |
Shrapnel Records |
| 1996 | True Obsessions True Obsessions True Obsessions is a music album by Marty Friedman, released in 1996 .-Track listing:# "Rio" – 4:33# "Espionage" – 4:30# "Last September" – 4:22# "Rock Box" – 2:38# "The Yearning" – 3:48# "Live and Learn" – 4:03... |
Shrapnel Records |
| 2002 | Music For Speeding Music For Speeding Music for Speeding is an instrumental album by the American guitarist Marty Friedman. It was produced by Marty in 2003, and he wrote all the songs... |
MF Music |
| 2006 | Loudspeaker Loudspeaker (album) Loudspeaker is an instrumental album by the guitarist Marty Friedman, released in 2006 in Japan, and 2007 in United States. It entered the Japanese national chart at #33... |
Avex Trax Avex Trax , listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan... |
| 2008 | Future Addict Future Addict Future Addict is the eight studio album by the American guitarist Marty Friedman. The album is a collection of reworked, reconstructed and completely remade versions of songs spanning Marty's entire career, from his first band Deuce to his current J-pop themed metal, including a few songs from his... |
Avex Trax Avex Trax , listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan... |
| 2009 | Tokyo Jukebox Tokyo Jukebox Tokyo Jukebox is a studio album by the American guitarist Marty Friedman. The album is a collection of his cover of 11 J-pop songs and 1 J-Rock song, produced and arranged by Marty Friedman himself. The songs were chosen in part by the readers of Nikkei Entertainment! and in part by Marty Friedman... |
Avex Trax Avex Trax , listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan... |
| 2010 | Bad D.N.A. | Avex Trax Avex Trax , listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan... |
| 2011 | Tokyo Jukebox 2 | Avex Trax Avex Trax , listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan... |