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Guitar World
Guitar World
Entertainment
Jamie Hunt

Their ingeniously arranged rhythm guitars fueled one of prog metal's most pioneering bands and gave them an orchestral edge – how Queensrÿche's Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo became two of metal's most cerebral riff-masters

Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo of Queensrÿche play ESP S-styles live onstage during the 1991 Monsters of Rock Tour in Belgium. Check out the Britney-style mics.

One of the landmark features that sets Queensrÿche’s music apart from other rock and metal bands is the cleverly orchestrated rhythm guitars. Their classic sound is largely due to the interplay between Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo’s parts.

Often one guitar will focus on low, driven, sustaining chords as the other creates high melodic motifs. Or they’ll explore harmonic movement against the open strings, while integrating crystal clean tones to elevate the tension and drama.

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