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It’s protected to say that Mark Heylmun is not any stranger to metallic. 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 Series Soloist SL3 — he was, most significantly, a fan. So, Mark is aware of that thrill Stranger Things followers skilled after they first heard Eddie Munson play “Master of Puppets.” Whereas some have christened that second the delivery of a brand new era of metalheads, Mark tells HollywoodLife that he’s been seeing these new followers at exhibits for some time. “I believe it doesn’t matter what metallic 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, and so they’re not presupposed to,” he says in an EXCLUSIVE interview. “I believe I’ve been so engulfed within the metallic world and the scene that I see individuals gravitating to metallic always. I additionally see individuals being repulsed by it, and I actually love that too.” Mark notes that he “can’t actually say” that he’s seen extra individuals gravitating to metallic than regular, however he does see how the underground has made its technique to the highlight. “I do acknowledge that metallic is a little more commonplace information nowadays,” he explains. “Everybody from Ozzy to Metallica and all the way in which to Slipknot have sort of made it widespread for there to be some form of floor stage consciousness of metallic and what it’s about. It’s nearly like metallic is part of the counterculture, however counterculture has develop into part of the mainstream, to an extent.
That stated, Mark has seen a distinction within the new era 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 in all probability met over 15 years in the past, and he was a younger child on the time, perhaps 13 or 14. Now, I see him sporting a metal-looking Billie Eilish shirt, nonetheless rocking lengthy hair, and the usual metallic look. For me, that might be the equal of somebody sporting a Backstreet Boys shirt or a Britney Spears shirt, and that might get you scoffed at by any metalhead.”
“My recommendation to the subsequent era of metalheads is preserve the open-minded attitudes and the inclusion that you simply guys and women deliver to the scene,” he provides. “This is probably not for everybody, however everyone seems to be welcome in the event that they wanna be part of it.”
For many who wish to take their newfound (or their years-long) love of metallic to the subsequent 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 subsequent chapter of the Jackson model, and Mark has been proudly taking part in his Customized Rhoads for some time now. In an EXCLUSIVE interview, Mark discusses what makes Jackson the best guitar for metallic, 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 metallic efficiency. Nevertheless, Jackson has at all times been synonymous with metallic, from thrash to heavy to all kinds of shredding. What’s it about Jackson guitars that makes them a match for metallic?
Mark: I believe there are lots of components that come into play on why Jackson’s have been synonymous with ripping and all genres of metallic. The slicker neck radiuses come to thoughts at the start. Previous to Jacksons, you’d seemingly decide 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 suggests 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 metallic that guitar seems to be and the affect Randy [Rhoads, the late guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne] had on the generations of metallic guitar gamers to return.
Now, this was all earlier than my time, however I do know these items 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 at the present time. The American Soloist maintains that precedent with a basic, fashionable, and high-caliber metallic guitar.
Judging by the boards I discovered, gear heads seen your shift for Jackson final 12 months. Since switching to the Customized Rhoads, has your taking part in modified in any respect? Has the instrument challenged you or enhanced your expertise?
I’m positive 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 utilize, pedal you purchase, or new guitar you spend 1,000,000 {dollars} on… it’s nonetheless you taking part in it. Should you 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 in all these new American Collection or a made to your specs customized store… they acquired some severe rattling mojo residing in ’em and all of ’em maintain a distinct vitality.
The best way that I play once I decide 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 taking part in a Jackson.” I believe I’ve been such a fan of Jackson my complete life that taking part in 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 to this point that can come out subsequent 12 months referred to as Keep in mind… You Should Die.
Do you keep 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 sort of an amalgamation of recollections to be trustworthy. Randy Rhoads photos within the Guitar World along with his Jacksons, outdated Metallica pictures, and Marty Friedman… however one that stands proud later was Alexi Laiho when he was nonetheless rocking Jacksons. I believe if you happen to’re accustomed to his guitars, you possibly can 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 metallic, so many nice guitarists performed them and the present lineup of guitarists who play Jackson are top-tier innovators as is the staff constructing the guitars. The legend of Jackson is powerful, and it continues to at the present time.
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?
Nicely, the Rhoads is an insanely metal-looking guitar, at the start, so I believe because of this it has lasted to at the present time. The story is etched in stone within the ebook of heavy metallic 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 are feeling nice; it doesn’t matter what, it’ll make you appear like a badass. In terms of V’s it’s simply acquired a sure model identical to Randy had… distinctive and authentic.
What would a teenage Mark play along with his Jackson if you happen to had been to tug your personal Eddie Munson within the Upside Down?
If I wasn’t taking part in “Grasp of Puppets” identical to Eddie… I’d be taking part in “Domination” by Pantera. I nonetheless suppose that’s probably the greatest metallic 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 Series Soloist, click on right here.