LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ M.A.C.E. Music) - As the former cutting-edge guitarist for the bands Nitro and Holland in the 1980's and 1990's, Michael
Angelo Batio remains an elite and undeniable influential part of the music scene today. Michael continues to carve his laser-guided, six-string path into radios, DVD players, magazines, iPods, and computers around the world as a solo performer and guest artist. Michael also continues to "spread the shred" as a top endorser for Dean Guitars using both his single and signature double-necked guitars live on stages worldwide.
Michael's medieval-inspired instrument, the Dean MAB-1 Armorflame, can now be purchased as a signature guitar model. The MAB-1, described as "...not just an instrument, it's a weapon" captures the look, feel, and sound that is the legacy of Michael Angelo Batio. Dean Guitars' CEO Elliott Rubinson recently announced the arrival of the first one hundred MAB-1 Armorflame guitars at Dean Guitar headquarters in Tampa, FL. Of the many MAB-1 Armorflame models that will reach Dean retailers starting this month, only the first one hundred will be personally autographed by Michael Angelo Batio. The MAB-1 features an ultra-slim, super fast 24 fret neck, an ebony fingerboard, active EMG 81, S, and 85 pickups, and a Floyd Rose tremolo system.
Michael's recently sold out performance on July 9, 2008 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center in CA was filmed for the upcoming DVD "The Neoclassical Power Approach" with a tentative 2008 release via M.A.C.E. Music and Metal Method Productions. Additionally, Michael has begun work on a second Metal Method DVD focusing on neoclassical guitar concepts, also with a tentative 2008 release date.
Throughout the first half of 2008, Michael has been featured in several publications highlighting his successful career in music. Guitar World Magazine released the ninety minute "Learn To Shred" DVD available at magazine displays worldwide. The DVD features a culmination of segments drawn from Michael's "Time To Burn" column published monthly by Guitar World Magazine and, until now, were only available to premium subscribers. The Guitar World Magazine film crew visited Michael at his "Monster Mix" studio in Chicago, IL on June 4, 2008 where they showcased and profiled Michael with his massive personal guitar collection, studio equipment, and much more. Michael's profile will be featured in the October 2008 issue of Guitar World as both part of the magazine and accompanying DVD.
Both Michael Angelo Batio's acclaimed works "Speed Kills" and "Speed Lives" DVD's have been revamped and updated for 2008. Both DVD's now contain "scorch files" so one can view, study, and play the tablature at any desired speed. Additionally, the enhanced video contains a downloadable PDF booklet.
Michael also performed a major guest guitarist segment on former "Creed" and now "Alter Bridge" guitarist Mark Tremonti's first, new instructional DVD "The Sound and The Story" due July 2008.
Michael was covered in the July 2008 issue of Guitar World Magazine including a feature article entitled "How To Improve Your Speed" along side guitar greats Joe Satriani and John Petrucci. Additionally, Michael received three honors in three major music publications in April 2008 including being named one of the "50 fastest Guitar Players of All Time" by Guitar World Magazine, one of the "20 Greatest Shredders" of all time by Total Guitar Magazine in the U. K. and one of the "20 Greatest Chicago Guitarists of All Time" by the Illinois Entertainer.
Michael Angelo Batio's "Hands Without Shadows" tour continues into 2008 with stops in Tahiti, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Russia and throughout the United States. Updates are available exclusively at https://www.angelo.com/html/current_shows.html
The Michael Angelo Batio Street Team "Rock & Awe" contest and giveaway continues through October 1, 2008. Included in the contest are giveaways including a free Dean ML Warbird with hardshell case. a T-Rex MAB signature overdrive pedal, and an MAB String Dampener. The MAB "Rock & Awe" contest and giveaway is open to members of the Michael Angelo Batio Street Team only. Registration is free at: www.fancorps.com/michaelangelobatio
MAB continues to be a contributing columnist for Guitar World Magazine offering guitar playing advice and technique via his "Time To Burn" section, also available on DVD.
Michael Angelo Batio's music, DVD's, and merchandise is available directly at https://shop-angelo.com/
Michael invented and was the world's first player of the twin-necked, left and right-handed Double-Guitar. He plays the guitar right or left-handed. He also plays both guitars together in harmonies or two separate parts together at the same time. Michael invented the "MAB String Dampeners" that he uses on the Double-Guitar. Michael has a patent on the MAB String Dampeners. Michael invented his signature stage move called the "MAB Over-Under" technique. Michael started his own record label, "M.A.C.E. Music" in 1993 and was one of the first music companies to go online in 1996. M.A.C.E Music is now an established, successful company. Guitar One Magazine voted Michael the "No. 1 Shredder of ALL TIME" in their April, 2003 issue. The November, 2003 issue of FHM Magazine named Michael Angelo Batio and his 'Quad' guitar https://www.angelo.com/html/the_quad_guitar.html one of the "Top 50 most outrageous moments in rock history". The January, 2004 issue of Guitar World Magazine named Michael Angelo Batio's "Speed Kills" DVD one of the "75 Essential Guitar DVD's". The March, 2004 issue of Guitar World Magazine named Michael Angelo Batio one of the "Top 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time".
Michael started playing piano and composing at age 5 and started playing guitar at age 10. Michael has had two major label record deals with both Atlantic Records with the band 'Holland' and Rhino/Warner Brothers Records with the band 'Nitro'. Michael started as a session guitarist when he was 19 years old. He has recorded TV, radio and industrial film music for: Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, United Airlines, United Way, McDonalds, Beatrice Corp., and the Chicago Wolves hockey team among others. At 14 MAB was playing Jazz and by 15 won the Chicago-based "All-State Jazz Solo Award" for outstanding Jazz soloist on guitar.
Michael Angelo Batio is from Chicago and has a B. A. in Music Theory and Composition from Northeastern Illinois University.
Michael Angelo Batio uses Dean guitars exclusively, T-Rex pedals, and Dunlop picks.
Hands Without Shadows is a registered trademark of Michael Angelo Batio and M.A.C.E. Music.
"HWS" is a trademark of Michael Angelo Batio and M.A.C.E. Music.
"Assume the Shred Position" is a trademark of Michael Angelo Batio and M.A.C.E. Music.
