Michael Harris (guitar)
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| Michael Harris | ||
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 Michael Harris
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| Background information | ||
| Born | January 18, 1960 | |
| Origin | Dayton, Ohio | |
| Genre(s) | progressive metal, neoclassical | |
| Occupation(s) | musician, educator | |
| Instrument(s) | guitar, singing | |
| Years active | 1986 - Present | |
| Label(s) | Imminent Music Force | |
| Website | michaelharrisguitar.com | |
Michael Harris (born January 18, 1960, in Dayton, Ohio) is an American musician. He is most noted for his work as founder and guitarist for heavy metal band Arch Rival and for his primarily instrumental progressive guitar work. His later music is a fusion of progressive metal and a hint of classical music. He cites the influence of his father (a jazz musician) and mother (a classical musician) for his unique style.
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[edit] Arch Rival
Harris formed the band in 1986 with Gary Rigmaiden (bass), Greg Martin (drums), and Steve Snyder (vocals). The group found a measure of commercial success, particularly in Europe and Japan. After producing an EP and several demo records, the band produced its first full-length album, 'In the Face of Danger' (1991). The band went on to release two more albums: 'Wake Up Your Mind' (1993) and 'Third Degree Burns' (1997).
[edit] Solo work
As Arch Rival's first album was released, Harris began to become more heavily involved in personal explorations of neoclassical and progressive metal instrumental work. These were primarily solo works although sometimes backed with additional talent. His first solo album, 'Defense Mechanizms' (1991), was released to critical acclaim. Later albums include 'Ego Decimation Profile' (1996), 'Distorted Views' (1999), 'Sketches from the Thought Chamber' (2001), 'Words Collide' (2003) and 'Orchestrate' (2006). 'Orchestrate' is an exploration of a more purely neoclassical style than on previous albums.
[edit] Additional projects
Progressive metal guitar heavyweight David T. Chastain partnered with Harris in 1992 to create a live guitar duo album, 'Live! Wild and Truly Diminished!!'. More recently Harris was guitarist in Chastain's progressive metal band, Zanister. Zanister created two albums, 'Symphonica Millennia' (1999) and 'Fear No Man' (2001).
Harris formed a heavy metal band, Surgeon in 1995 to perform extreme heavy metal. Surgeon released its sole album, 'Encyclopedia of the Insane' (1996).
Currently Harris continues to develop his neoclassical and progressive metal career in solo projects. Harris has also lent his guitar skills to Ukrainian keyboard virtuoso, Vitalij Kuprij. He performs on Kuprij's album 'Forward and Beyond' (2004) and on Kuprij's latest instrumental effort due in 2007, 'Glacial Inferno'. Harris currently plays guitar in Kuprij's new band, Vitalij Kuprij's Revenge (band). The band released a self-titled album, 'Vitalij Kuprij's Revenge' (2005) and is expected to perform at the Expo Rock Festival in Mexico City in the summer of 2007.
Harris has recently formed a new group, Thought Chamber, and the band's debut release 'Angular Perceptions' will be out in April 2007.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo Albums
- 1991 Defense Mechanizms
- 1996 Ego Decimation Profile
- 1999 Distorted Views
- 2001 Sketches from the Thought Chamber
- 2003 Words Collide
- 2006 Orchestrate
[edit] Albums with Arch Rival
[edit] Albums with Surgeon
- 1996 Encyclopedia of the Insane
[edit] Albums with Thought Chamber
- 2007 Angular Perceptions (release April 3rd, 2007)
