“I cannot think of another guy that has been so tuned in with his instrument. I’m like, ‘How the hell is that even possible?’” Mike Stringer is one of the hottest metal guitar talents right now – and he has an unlikely hero

Mike Stringer, and a silhouetted picture of John Mayer.

Mike Stringer has cemented himself as one today’s brightest electric guitar talents, having helped Spiritbox ascend to become one of the most celebrated acts in modern progressive metal.

Anthemic finesse, sledgehammer riffs and lithe licks are just some of the facets of Stringer’s playing, but while his style is firmly rooted in the realm of metal, it turns out the guitarist often looks further afield for inspiration.