Mike Chlasciak
"Metal" Mike Chlasciak (born December 24, 1971) is a Polish-American musician. Best known as the guitarist for Halford, led by Rob Halford. With well over a million records sold, Chlasciak and Halford have toured the world several times over with the likes of Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe. Chlasciak has additionally toured with Bay Area thrash metal band Testament, Saturday Night Live's comedian Jim Breuer and recorded / toured with Sebastian Bach. Chlasciak's touring has taken him to sold-out concerts at NYC’s Madison Square Garden and the Playboy Mansion.
Mike Chlasciak | |
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"Metal" Mike Chlasciak live with Sebastian Bach on July 11, 2008 at the Moondance Jam | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Michael Chlasciak |
Also known as | "Metal" Mike Chlasciak Metal Mike |
Born | Warsaw, Poland | December 24, 1971
Genres | Heavy metal |
Instruments | Guitar |
Years active | 1988[1]-present |
Labels | Legacy Recordings, Sony, Metal-is, Sanctuary, Metal God Records |
Associated acts | Halford, Sebastian Bach, Testament, Jim Breuer, Painmuseum |
Website | Official website |
Chlasciak has additionally shared stages or recordings with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses and Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche.
Chlasciak is a scholarship graduate of Berklee College of Music. He has released several records as a solo artist and with Painmuseum. Chlasciak also writes his own monthly "Metal For Life" column in Guitar World and often contributes career and music related blogs for guitarworld.com and other publications. Chlasciak released several metal guitar instructional books and DVDs.
As a solo artist Chlasciak supported Steve Morse, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ronnie Montrose, Savatage, Primal Fear, Sebastian Bach and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. Chlasciak's solo band PainmuseuM has toured with Halford, Testament, Amon Amarth and others.
Chlasciak additionally leads Metal Heroes Academy - a learning portal for metal guitarists and musicians. Metal Heroes's crown jewel is the annual Metal Heroes Summer Camp that takes place annually in the Catskill Mountains of up-state New York. Chlasciak continues to lead workshops and clinics across the US spotlighting heavy metal guitar playing.
Chlasciak's has contributed songs to the Songs from the Garage album from Saturday Night Live alumnus Jim Breuer and has provided lead guitar duties for his band, Jim Breuer and The Loud & Rowdy.
In 2017, Chlasciak put together a new solo band with musicians Marc Lopes (Ross The Boss, Let Us Prey), Mike LePond (Symphony X, Silent Assassins) and Ronnie Lipnicki (Overkill). The group headlined its own shows, small festivals and has supported melodic rockers Dokken at 2019 US East Coast dates.
In 2018, Chlasciak was inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame alongside Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Billy Sheehan (Talas, Mr. Big, Sons of Apollo) and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath.
Chlasciak continues his solo work and adds his unique, no-frills guitar playing to other heavy metal luminaries.
Discography
As Mike Chlasciak
- Territory: Guitar Kill!!! (2000)
As Metal Mike Chlasciak
- The Spilling (2001)
- This Is War (EP) (2012)
- The Metalworker (2013)
- The Metalworker Demos + 6 (2019)
With Isolation Chamber
- Grind Textural Abstractions (1996)
With Halford
- Resurrection (2000)
- Live Insurrection (2001)
- Crucible (2002)
- Fourging the Furnace (2003)
- Silent Screams (2006)
- Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1 (2007)
- Halford III - Winter Songs (2009)
- Live In Anaheim - Original Soundtrack (2010)
- Halford IV: Made of Metal (2010)
- Live At Saitama Super Arena - Original Soundtrack (2011)
- Live In London (2012)
- The Essential Rob Halford (2015)
- Extended Versions (2015)
- The Complete Albums Collection (2017)
With John West
- Earthmaker (2002)
With Joacim Cans
- Beyond the Gates (2004)
With Painmuseum
- Metal For Life (2005)
- You Have the Right to Remain Violent (2006)
With Sebastian Bach
- Angel Down (2007)
Bibliography
- Ridiculous Riffs for the Terrifying Guitarist (2007)
- Monster Coordination – Guitar Boot Camp (2007)
- This River Shall Burn (2011)
- Classic Metal Essentials - Download Pack (2012)
Filmography
With Halford
- Live At Rock In Rio (2008)
- Live In Anaheim (2010)
- Live At Saitama Super Arena (2011)
With Sebastian Bach
- Road Rage (2007)
Solo
- Metal For Life! (2013)
- 20 Essential Metal Licks (2013)
Guest Appearances
Recordings
- Mike LePond - Silent Assassins (2014)
- Iceland - Iceland (2013)
- Sylencer - A Lethal Dose Of Truth (2012)
- Ralf Scheepers - Scheepers (2010)
- Michael Vescera - A Sign Of Things To Come (2008)
- Delta - Crashbreaker (2008)
- Primal Fear - Metal Is Forever (2006)
- Doctor Butcher - Doctor Butcher (2005)
- Dream Evil - The Book Of Heavy Metal (2004)
- Consortium Project III - Terra Incognita (2003)
- Michael Vescera Project - The Altar (2003)
- Primal Fear - Black Sun (2002)
- Tribute To The Priest (2002)
- Tribute To Led Zeppelin - The Music Remains The Same (2002)
- Heavy Metal Geomatrix - Game Soundtrack (2001)
- Tribute To Joe Satriani - Crushing Days (2001)
- Tribute To Jason Becker - Warmth In The Wilderness (2001)
- Tribute To Yngwie Malmsteen - A Guitar Oddysey (2000)
- Metro Playoff Fever (2003)[2]
Filmography
- Bang Your Head Festival - 10th Anniversary (2006)
- Primal Fear - The History Of Fear (2006)
References
- "Metal Mike Chlasciak - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Archived from the original on 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- "Everyone's Catching Metro Playoff Fever!". www.metrofanatic.com. MetroStars.com.