The Latest Breaking News from Marty Friedman

Also starring Lamb of God & Mastodon, plus Marty Friedman, Bruce Kulick, Towa Bird, Eric Gales' pedalboard, Goo Goo Dolls, our EVH SA-126 review and more

Tucked away in the basement of an old mall lies gleaming Singapore's only heavy metal bar, where music fans brush shoulder-to-shoulder with international rockers who helped pioneer the genre.

Though still proud of his time in the celebrated thrashers, Friedman feels his music and theirs have become wildly different

The former Megadeth guitarist performed with the thrash metal favourites in his new home country of Japan last year

The US musician went from homelessness to multiplatinum success with the thrash metallers – and then became a pop cultural icon in Japan. He explains the weirdest portfolio career in rock

"These were songs that I took with me to that first band – didn’t get a chance to get them out in my second band – but my third one I did”

All-star reimaging of King Crimson's debut album, Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson King, to be released in April

We asked the Japan-based virtuoso to elaborate on his thoughts surrounding technique, self-indulgence and the future of solos. What we got was a manifesto for the guitar solo in the 21st century

In his first major interview since joining the metal juggernauts, the Finnish guitarist shares the unlikely coincidence that meant he’d inadvertently shaped the tone of Kiko Loureiro, the biggest lessons he’s learned from Dave Mustaine, and which of the band’s previous shredders he admires most

Eight songs guaranteed to make you feel better about life, the universe and everything

Championed by Nita Strauss, Some Assembly Required recruits Steve Vai, Lari Basilio, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde and countless other guitar greats for an epic 7-minute solo session