Fred Brum was studying to be a classical pianist, but when at the age of 15, he heard Zakk Wylde for the first time. Months later, obsessing about getting those raw, visceral sounds out of a guitar himself, he picked up the guitar for the first time, not knowing he’d be setting foot on a stage professionally one short year after and working as hired gun for many artists by the time he was 19.

A very busy session musician, he favours 7-strings and other extended range guitars, such as 8-strings and 36-fret monsters to perform his work and has developed his style and approach around such instruments. Currently, he’s endorsed by Jaden Rose Guitars, DiMarzio pickups, Sik Pik picks and Spectraflex cables.

Fred is scheduled to record with two of his bands this year and finish his own first solo record, amidst a heavy gigging schedule, and has been the lead guitarist for, among others, prog/goth metal band Ethereal.

Fred Brum

Seven and eight string guitars are quite a staple in today's metal music, being used by bands like Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Scar Symetry, Periphery and many others. From progressive, rhythmic and technically challenging pieces to unashamed down tuned brutality, these guitars seem to have been carved to cater for the heavy riff hungry hordes of the heavier side of rock ever since Steve Vai's Universe first appeared on the scene. Their true origin and applications, however, go far beyond such a restrictive set of musical genres.