Game-changer Pt. 5: Matt Bellamy
- Apr 4, 2014
- 2 min read
...and so here we arrive at the fifth (and final) instalment of my 'Game-changer' series. I give you (without a hint of bias!) fellow Devonshire lad and Muse frontman extraordinaire, Matt Bellamy. I am not for one second putting myself in the same bracket as this multi-talented guitar slinger, but I admit to liking very much the fact that he is from Devon!
I have deliberately chosen a bass-heavy track to demonstrate some of his monstrous abilities as an all-round musician and guitar-hero type. That his primary instrument is arguably not the foremost instrument on this song speaks volumes about his skills. Then again, what is his primary instrument? Equally adept as a pianist and vocalist he may just be the ultimate culmination of all that went before him in Rock music - a true virtuoso. Over the course of these 4 minutes or so he plays with punkish abandon at times while still throwing Rock God shapes, powering through chunky riffs, spewing out dissonant yet hypnotic counter-melodies and firing off a hooky, synthetic lead break. He even elects to play nothing at times, too!
As Muse have become mainstream players - filling stadiums, selling millions and inspiring the next generation - some say Bellamy has lost what made him special on the 'early stuff' (yes, that ol' chesnut!) and that the band have become less relevant in Muso (!) circles. However, if you can truly step back and view the body of work I believe you will see a player of great invention. Not content with the status quo, Bellamy has always sought new technologies and techniques to help bring life to his musical visions. In turn he has been instrumental in bringing Rock guitar playing further forward.
Hendrix
Van Halen
Satriani
Morello
Bellamy
I'm not sure where the next leap is coming from or if it's coming at all but these guys sure are tough to follow.
Is it going to be you?
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