Artist description Completely over-the-top at times, but very structured and song oriented progressive neo-classical/power metal. The track (METATRON) is from 'James Byrd's Atlantis Rising-Crimes of Virtuosity', released on JVC in Asian territories in late 1997, and in Europe in early 1998 on Mascot Records. Until now, the album has been only available as an import, and it was difficult to aquire.

Music Style HARD MELODIC NEO-CLASSICAL METAL

Musical Influences D'Jango Reinhardt, Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Roth, Al DiMiola, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Marino, Paco DeLucia, Brian May, and many many more

Similar Artists RAINBOW/CLASSIC PERIOD DEEP-PURPLE/JUST GREAT METAL MUSIC UNLESS THE LIST GOES ON SO LONG IT'S SILLY.

Artist History JAMES BYRD first came into the guitar virtuoso spotlight in 1985 when he formed the band "FIFTH ANGEL" and they signed to a large California independent label specializing in heavy metal acts with astounding guitar playing. As founder/lead guitarist/writer of FIFTH ANGEL, James Byrd was featured in too many magazines to list, but a partial list includes Circus, Hit Parader, Pulse, and he was featured in an international ad campaign for Ibanez guitars in 1990. Leaving FIFTH ANGEL (signed to Epic/CBS in 1988) in late 1989, Byrd recorded five more albums for various labels, including the titles ("James Byrd's ATLANTIS RISING")("James Byrd -OCTOGLOMERATE" (His first instrumental),("James Byrd -Son of Man" (second instrumental, 4th album),("The James Byrd Group -The Apocalypse Chime" (Featuring Lynch-Mob vocalist Robert Mason), and ("James Byrd's Atlantis Rising-Crimes of Virtuosity").

Group Members The line-up for Crimes of Virtuosity is: (Randy Mattheisson Bass), (Chase Culp Drums), (Kendall Torrey Vocals), (James Byrd Guitars)

Instruments James Byrd is also an inventor and multiple patent holder and plays his own company's guitars, the Byrd Super Avianti (R).

Albums FIFTH ANGEL/JAMES BYRD'S ATLANTIS RISING/JAMES BYRD -OCTOGLOMERATE/JAMES BYRD -SON OF MAN/THE JAMES BYRD GROUP -THE APOCALYPSE CHIME/JAMES BYRD'S ATLANTIS RISING -CRIMES OF VIRTUOSITY/CURRENTLY FINISHING 7th ALBUM YET TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Press Reviews Featured in 'Guitar Shop', 'Guitar for the Practicing Musician', and was featured in 'Guitar Magazine' in 1996 as one of "The Ten Best Guitarists You've Never heard Of". Featured in the Japanese guitar publication 'Young Guitar' three times in full coverage articals, and featured in 'Burrn!Magazine' (Japan). Polled top 10 in European readers poll in 1988, and charted #14 in Japan with 'James Byrd'sAtlantis Rising' in 1990. Featured artist on the Masa Itoh syndicated radio hour in Japan several times over the last 10 years. Reviews have been consistantly stellar, but distribution problems in the U.S. have limited Byrd's exposure to a narrow audience of other noted musicians. Byrd counts some of the best guitarists in the world as his fans and supporters, and this is evidenced by the following statement by Yngwie Malmsteen: "James Byrd is the most exciting, European sounding guitarist I've heard in years" -YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN (speaking for the permanent record in an uncompensated endorsement of Byrd's playing in 1995).There are currently (7-11-00) about 20 web pages pertainent to James Byrd on the internet (not including jamesbyrd.com), and further mentions of him as a true (butlittle known in America) great in his field by Malmsteen and other prominent artists. He was also nominated for "Guitarist of the millenium" in the smallest catagory (Shared only by four other artists, including Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, and Uli Roth) and although far from winning, he is getting a small percentage of the vote.

Location Kirkland, Washington - USA

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