Marty Friedman (guitarist)

Martin Adam Friedman (born December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C.) has become recognized worldwide as a guitarist and composer of consummate skill and a unique style of playing that is instantly recognizable. Marty is a self-taught guitarist, famous for his natural improvisation abilities and for pioneering the fusion of exotic Eastern musical scales with Western musical styles such as neo-classical, thrash metal and later on into rock, pop, jazz, New Age, metal and the like. Going beyond traditional scales, Marty often arpeggiates the chords he is playing over, with an unconventional picking technique favouring up-strokes. He's also known for frequent use of melodic and wide vibrato.

He was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of almost ten years (from February 1990 to December 1999). During this period, perhaps its most successful, Megadeth released a string of gold and platinum albums.

Prior to joining Megadeth, he formed and played lead guitar in several bands that attained loyal and faithful followings, including Deuce, Hawaii, Vixen (not the all-female band of the same name), and notably Cacophony. Marty collaborated with Jason Becker on two albums, Go Off and Speed Metal Symphony that are considered masterpieces and works of reference for pure virtuoso and creative guitar playing. Cacophony is often recognized for its technically challenging, neoclassical metal elements featuring syncronised twin guitar harmonies and counterpoints.

His solo albums, including one in conjunction with Japanese maestro Kitaro, reveal the wide range of Marty's musical exploration, from the very melodic music of Scenes and Introduction to the hard driving rock of Music for Speeding and the variety of styles presented in True Obsessions. His solo albums seldom conform to a specific genre and often reminds the listener of Marty's creative exploration in music.

Currently living in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Marty travels the world giving eagerly anticipated clinics, performances and master classes in dozens of countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. He has become a major force in the Japanese music scene, playing lead guitar in the bands of the some of the country's most famous performers. He is also making his mark as a popular versatile and talented performer on several hit shows on Japanese television, and as a columnist for a major Japanese music magazine and a national daily newspaper.

Marty speaks fluent Japanese. He became a regular member of the cast of TXN's musical TV program "hebimeta-san (ヘビメタさん)" with Japanese idol Yoko Kumada before the show came to an end in 2005. Now, Marty is taking part in his own heavy metal TV program called Rock Fujiyama alongside Shelly, Kenny Guy, Rock Ninja Yorimasa and ex-Scanch member, Rolly.

Marty has recently appeared on the track "Born Of Anger" on the album All That Remains by Fozzy. Marty is a big fan of The Ramones, KISS (during its early years) and Frank Marino. He has also appeared on the latest album, "Where Moth and Rust Destroy," of the Christian Metal band Tourniquet. Marty is currently using an Ibanez MFM1, his signature model. He also previously used a Jackson Kelly, which he largely popularized.

Marty's latest album is titled Loudspeaker and was released in Japan on 26th June, 2006. It reached #33 in America (7th July 2006)

Discography

For a Megadeth discography, see Megadeth Discography.

For a Cacophony discography, see Cacophony Discography.

Album Cover	Date of Release	Title	Label
1988	Dragon's Kiss	Shrapnel Records
1992	Scenes	Shrapnel Records
1995	Introduction	Roadrunner Records
2002	True Obsessions	Shrapnel Records
2002	Music For Speeding
2006	Loudspeaker

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Discography

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