Steve Smyth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Steve Smyth | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 28, 1970 (37 years) Northern California, USA |
| Genre(s) | Power metal, Thrash metal |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, Songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1988 - present |
| Associated acts | The EssenEss Project, Nevermore, Testament, Dragonlord, Vicious Rumors, Ariah |
| Website | http://www.stevesmyth.com |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| B.C. Rich guitars | |
Steve Smyth (November 28, 1970) is the former guitarist for the metal bands Nevermore, Testament, Dragonlord and Vicious Rumors.
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[edit] Biography
Smyth was born in Northern California and started his carrier in the female-fronted melodic progressive metal band Ariah after graduation in 1988. Ariah never released an official studio album, but they recorded a few songs and played local shows with bands like Vicious Rumors and King Diamond. Ariah disbanded in 1992.
After a three-year hiatus, he joined the power metal band Vicious Rumors to replace guitarist Mark McGee who had left the band after the death of Vicious Rumors vocalist Carl Albert. Something Burning (1996) was the first album which Smyth played on. It was followed by Cyberchrist in 1998, and now he participated in songwriting too.
In 1999 Smyth left Vicious Rumors and joined Testament. The Bay Area thrash legend had just released The Gathering album, but lead guitarist James Murphy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, so Testament were in want of a new guitarist for the forthcoming tour. In the next 5 years Smyth toured with Testament all around the globe and played uncountable shows as a member of the band. He wanted to make a studio album with Testament but that remained a dream for him.
On the other hand, Smyth formed the band Dragonlord as a side project with guitarist Eric Peterson and bassist Steve DiGiorgio of Testament in 2000. This symphonic black metal outfit have released two albums: Rapture (2001) and Black Wings of Destiny (2005).
Seattle-based Nevermore had been friends with Smyth prior to his joining of the band. Initially jokingly, he asked if he could join Nevermore. This became a reality in 2004, when Smyth officially joined the band after helping them tour in Europe (according to Smyth, Nevermore's style was more of his liking than Testament's and his decision was nothing personal to the band). He played guitar in the band along with Jeff Loomis and co-wrote the critically acclaimed album This Godless Endeavor (2005).
On April 30, 2006, Smyth released a message explaining to fans that he has been diagnosed with kidney failure due to a congenital birth defect. Updates followed on May 30, June 3, and August 9, 2006 on his official website.[1] On December 12, 2006, Smyth had a successful kidney transplantation.[2]
In the summer of 2007 Smyth left Nevermore due to "personal and business differences". At that time he was working on an all-instrumental album in the vein of progressive rock with his former Ariah bandmate and bassist Steve Hoffman. This side project was named "EssenEss" after their same first names, as a transctiption of S'n'S (Steve and Steve). Self-titled The EssenEss Project debut album released on November 5th, 2007.
[edit] Equipment
Smyth plays B.C. Rich 7-String Warlock, 7-String Ignitor, Assassin, and Assassin PX3T guitars.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
The EssenEss Project
- 2007 - The EssenEss Project (Two Louder Music)
[edit] Nevermore
- 2005 - This Godless Endeavor (Century Media)
[edit] Dragonlord
- 2005 - Black Wings of Destiny (Escapi)
- 2001 - Rapture (Spitfire)
[edit] Vicious Rumors
- 1998 - Cyberchrist (Massacre)
- 1996 - Something Burning (Massacre)
[edit] Videos
[edit] Testament
- 2003 - Live in Tilburg, The Nederlands DVD (official bootleg)
- 1999 - Live in Osaka, Japan DVD (official bootleg)
- 1999 - Live in Tokyo, Japan DVD (official bootleg)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Official forum
- Steve Smyth at MySpace
- The EssenEss Project, Smyth's project with Steven A. Hoffman and Atma Anur
- Steve Smyth interview on Maximum Threshold 10/2007
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