Whereas celebrating the brand new line of Jackson guitars, Suicide Silence shredder Mark Heylmun shares a phrase of recommendation to steel followers -- particularly these flocking to the style attributable to 'Stranger Issues.'
It’s protected to say that Mark Heylmun isn't any stranger to steel. Since 2006, he has been the sick six seven-string-slinger in Suicide Silence, shredding solos and faces equally along with his blistering riffs and neck-crunching breakdowns. And lengthy earlier than becoming a member of the band — and partnering with Jackson guitars for the 2022 launch of their American Collection Soloist SL3 — he was, most significantly, a fan. So, Mark is aware of that thrill Stranger Issues followers skilled after they first heard Eddie Munson play “Grasp of Puppets.” Whereas some have christened that second the start of a brand new technology of metalheads, Mark tells HollywoodLife that he’s been seeing these new followers at reveals for some time. “I believe it doesn't matter what steel is a distinct segment factor — and that’s what makes it cool,” he tells HollywoodLife.
“It’s not for everybody, not everybody will get it, they usually’re not imagined to,” he says in an EXCLUSIVE interview. “I believe I’ve been so engulfed within the steel world and the scene that I see folks gravitating to steel always. I additionally see folks being repulsed by it, and I actually love that too.” Mark notes that he “can’t actually say” that he’s seen extra folks gravitating to steel than regular, however he does see how the underground has made its technique to the highlight. “I do acknowledge that steel is a little more customary information lately,” he explains. “Everybody from Ozzy to Metallica and all the best way to Slipknot have form of made it widespread for there to be some form of floor stage consciousness of steel and what it’s about. It’s nearly like steel is part of the counterculture, however counterculture has change into part of the mainstream, to an extent.
That stated, Mark has observed a distinction within the new technology of followers. “I believe fashionable metalheads are a bit extra open-minded than they had been once I first began entering into it. As I’m doing the interview, I’m in Texas on tour, and I simply noticed an old-school dude I most likely met over 15 years in the past, and he was a younger child on the time, possibly 13 or 14. Now, I see him sporting a metal-looking Billie Eilish shirt, nonetheless rocking lengthy hair, and the usual steel look. For me, that may be the equal of somebody sporting a Backstreet Boys shirt or a Britney Spears shirt, and that may get you scoffed at by any metalhead.”
“My recommendation to the following technology of metalheads is maintain the open-minded attitudes and the inclusion that you simply guys and ladies deliver to the scene,” he provides. “This might not be for everybody, however everyone seems to be welcome in the event that they wanna be part of it.”
For individuals who wish to take their newfound (or their years-long) love of steel to the following step, there’s the brand new American Collection Soloist from Jackson Guitars. Marketed as being “Quick as F#*!,” the brand new line has been radically engineered for innovation and velocity. The high-performance Soloist is the following chapter of the Jackson model, and Mark has been proudly enjoying his Customized Rhoads for some time now. In an EXCLUSIVE interview, Mark discusses what makes Jackson the best guitar for steel, the primary time he fell in love with a Jackson guitar, and what he would play if caught in Eddie’s place within the Upside Down.
HollywoodLife: With the Jackson American Collection Soloist SL3, the model launched a high-end guitar that’s finely tuned for steel efficiency. Nonetheless, Jackson has all the time been synonymous with steel, from thrash to heavy to all kinds of shredding. What's it about Jackson guitars that makes them a match for steel?
Mark: I believe there are a variety of components that come into play on why Jackson’s have been synonymous with ripping and all genres of steel. The slicker neck radiuses come to thoughts at first. Previous to Jacksons, you’d seemingly choose up a Strat with a U contour neck or a Les Paul that was additionally a baseball bat. Jackson perfected the D contour shred necks and the addition of a compound radius. Sleeker necks result in simpler playability which implies shredders can play quicker and tougher and have extra command over the instrument. Now with that stated, I believe the necks are a given why metalheads select Jackson, however there’s an aesthetic to Jackson’s guitars — which it's important to deliver up the invention of the Rhoads V and the way steel that guitar seems to be and the impression Randy [Rhoads, the late guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne] had on the generations of steel guitar gamers to return.
Now, this was all earlier than my time, however I do know this stuff as a result of they had been part of the prerequisite information rising up as a younger metalhead. Jackson set a precedent way back and the reverberations of that also final to this present day. The American Soloist maintains that precedent with a basic, fashionable, and high-caliber steel guitar.
Judging by the boards I discovered, gear heads observed your shift for Jackson final yr. Since switching to the Customized Rhoads, has your enjoying modified in any respect? Has the instrument challenged you or enhanced your abilities?
I’m certain most guitar gamers know that it doesn't matter what gear you play, you’re gonna sound like your self. It doesn't matter what amp you employ, pedal you purchase, or new guitar you spend 1,000,000 dollars on… it’s nonetheless you enjoying it. If you happen to don’t know that, belief me — it’s true. However there’s a sure energy that lives inside sure guitars and Jacksons are as highly effective as they arrive. Doesn’t matter if it’s an import, one among these new American Collection or a made to your specs customized store… they obtained some severe rattling mojo residing in ’em and all of ’em maintain a special power.
The best way that I play once I choose up my Rhoads is unquestionably like an amplification of me — it’s like a stage up. My bandmates have stated it too, telling me “sounds such as you’re enjoying a Jackson.” I believe I’ve been such a fan of Jackson my entire life that enjoying a seven-string Jackson has simply helped me step into my very own a bit extra. I really feel at house, and honestly it helped me channel my favourite album we’ve written up to now that can come out subsequent yr referred to as Bear in mind… You Should Die.
Do you bear in mind the primary time you fell in love with a Jackson guitar? Like, you noticed a Jackson, and also you knew that both you wanted that guitar, or that you simply needed to seize that feeling that guitar gave you?
It’s form of an amalgamation of reminiscences to be trustworthy. Randy Rhoads photos within the Guitar World along with his Jacksons, previous Metallica photographs, and Marty Friedman… however one that stands out later was Alexi Laiho when he was nonetheless rocking Jacksons. I believe when you’re accustomed to his guitars, you may inform I gathered inspiration when designing my first customized with Jackson. This query kinda jogs my memory of why Jacksons are so synonymous with all types of steel, so many nice guitarists performed them and the present lineup of guitarists who play Jackson are top-tier innovators as is the group constructing the guitars. The legend of Jackson is robust, and it continues to this present day.
In April, you teamed with Jackson for Behind The Riff. You confirmed off Lux, your first Jackson customized — which you stated was “an ideal mix of basic Rhoads aesthetic with a contemporary twist.” Why does that proceed to endure?
Effectively, the Rhoads is an insanely metal-looking guitar, at first, so I believe because of this it has lasted to this present day. The story is etched in stone within the e book of heavy steel and proudly owning one is like holding onto a legacy. It requires you to play with a sure ferocity. Randy was such a powerhouse and wielding the guitar he drew on a serviette within the early days simply makes you're feeling nice; it doesn't matter what, it’ll make you seem like a badass. In relation to V’s it’s simply obtained a sure fashion identical to Randy had… distinctive and authentic.
What would a teenage Mark play along with his Jackson when you had been to tug your individual Eddie Munson within the Upside Down?
If I wasn’t enjoying “Grasp of Puppets” identical to Eddie… I’d be enjoying “Domination” by Pantera. I nonetheless suppose that’s probably the greatest steel songs ever written. The riff, the heart beat, the lyrics, the unique guitar solo, and what I take into account to be one of many first, if not the primary breakdowns.
For extra details about the Jackson American Collection Soloist, click on right here.