Christian Münzner

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Christian Münzner
Background information
Origin Germany
Genres Death metal, technical death metal, progressive metal, power metal, neoclassical metal
Instruments Guitar
Associated acts Obscura
Spawn of Possession
Necrophagist
Defeated Sanity
Paradox

Christian Münzner (born 21 August 1981) is a German guitarist who plays for the bands Obscura and Spawn of Possession. He is also known for playing for technical death metal band Necrophagist from 2002 until 2006, appearing on their 2004 release Epitaph. In addition to being a prolific solo artist, Münzner is also also a member of Ron Jarzombek's musical venture Terrestrial Exiled, and was featured on Hannes Grossmann's solo album.

In recent years he has suffered from focal dystonia in his left hand.

Münzner is known for drawing huge influences from classical music, particularly Johann Sebastian Bach.

Early life

Münzner began playing guitar aged 11, and began playing his first live shows when he was just 12 - and soon thereafter was introduced to the work of Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Dream Theater and Paul Gilbert. He then developed a habit of practicing rigorously for 6–8 hours a day.[1] In 2001 he attended the Munich Guitar Institute and studied with Wolfgang Zenk and Uli Wiedenhorn, before graduating in 2002.

Influences & Style

His playing style is largely based on neo-classical scales, such as diminished, phrygian, harmonic minor. He cites many neoclassical guitar players as major influences, such as Tony MacAlpine, Jason Becker who inspired his sweep picking technique, Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci who also inspired his alternate picking technique.[2]

In regards to guitar technique, he says "Phrasing is what makes the big difference between just mindless noodling and a great guitar solo in my opinion. Think more about which notes you play and when you play them, and then just use your chops to play the notes you wanna play. Don't think now I sweep, now I pick, now I tap, etc. Think of musical phrases and use speed to add intensity. Intensity is essential for good music in general to me". He wrote half the leads on Necrophagist's Epitaph, although he believes that "his phrasing wasn't as good as now as I tended to overplay".

Necrophagist

Christian joined Necrophagist in 2002, and wrote the solos to the Epitaph album when he was just 23 years old, including songs like 'Stabwound' and the title track. The album garnered critical acclaim amongst fans and critics alike for the complexity of the music and in particular for the substantive neoclassical influences in the music.[3] Münzner's tenure at Necrophagist lasted only four years, and in 2006 he left the band. However, upon joining Obscura, Münzner later stated that there was a lot of tension within the band, "which sucked out the fun of guitar playing", which prompted him to leave.[4] In regards to his relationship with Muhammed and the contribution he made to the record, Münzner states:

"I know nothing about what this guy is up to. Last time I spoke to him was more than 5 and a half years ago. We met briefly at a festival where both Necro and Obscura played 2 years ago, but we didn’t speak apart from a brief hello. We didn’t really part ways on the best terms...It kinda pisses me off though that so many people think that he wrote my leads on Epitaph, which is just bullshit."[5]

Necrophagist announced Christian Muenzners departure was due to scheduling conflicts.

Equipment

Guitars;

  • Ibanez RGT6EXFX
  • Ibanez JEM77BFP
  • Ibanez XPT707 seven string
  • Ibanez JEM77V
  • Ibanez RGD2127Z 7 string
  • Ibanez RGA7 7 string

Amplifiers;

  • ENGL E 530 preamp
  • ENGL 840/50 poweramp

Guitar Picks:;

  • Dunlop Jazz III

Effects;

  • T. C. Electronics G Major multi-effects unit[6]
  • Fractal Audio Axe FX II

Discography

References

  1. ↑ http://christianmuenzner.com/bio/
  2. ↑ http://www.guitar9.com/interview163.html
  3. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/epitaph-mw0000150000
  4. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHdSRzPiFtU
  5. ↑ http://christianmuenzner.com/interviews/
  6. ↑ http://www.skullsnbones.com/profiles/blogs/obscura-answers-your-questions-1
Necrophagist
  • Jan-Paul Herm
  • Raphael Kempermann
  • Daniel Silva
  • Mario Petrovic
  • Slavek Foltyn
  • Björn Vollmer
  • Julien Laroche
  • Christian Müenzner
  • Heiko Linzert
  • Hannes Grossmann
  • Marco Minnemann
  • Hudson Cole
Studio Albums
Labels
Obscura
Studio albums
Compilations


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