WHAT'S ON MY PLAYLIST

TOM S. ENGLUND & HENRIK DANHAGE OF EVERGREY

(Tom, left) “Comfortably Numb” Pink Floyd

The first notes after that last chorus just speak to me. Gilmour’s playing sounds like singing; it did when I first heard it, and it still does. It has influenced my playing in more ways than I understand, I think, mostly in terms of the value of a great melody. Of course, his whammy bar vibrato hits me in the feels!

(Henrik, right) “Blue Powder” Steve Vai

This song sums up this amazing guitar player perfectly. It’s wild and crazy yet with very controlled playing, and the chops are on 11. The perfect “guitar hero” song!

(both) “Far Beyond the Sun” Yngwie Malmsteen

The first time we heard it, it was like an alien was playing; we couldn’t understand or visualize some of the techniques Yngwie was using. The volume-knob swells with the delay, the sense of melody, the vibrato, the bends, the intonation, the speed, the harmonies, the clean perfection with that small amount of distortion. Still mind blowing!

(Tom) “Wasted Years” Iron Maiden

This is such a well-composed solo. I know it by heart and can sing it out loud — every single vibrato and every bend. What a quality that is in terms of playing a solo. I could mention so many more of his, but this is a great example. Memorable, singalong-friendly and well-structured!

(Henrik) “Eruption” Van Halen

The biggest chapter for high-energy rock guitar — and such an influence. The sound is massive and the playing is fantastic. EVH changed rock guitar forever.

EVERGREY’S NEW ALBUM, A HEARTLESS PORTRAIT (THE ORPHEAN TESTAMENT), IS OUT NOW VIA NAPALM RECORDS.