HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Christopher Alan Broderick (born March 6, 1970) is an American musician, best known as a former guitarist of the
thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...
band
Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—alo ...
. He is also formerly the lead guitarist for Jag Panzer, appearing on four albums between 1998 and 2004. He also served as a touring guitarist for
Nevermore Nevermore is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1992. The band was formed after three of its members — vocalist Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard and guitarist Jeff Loomis — ended their prev ...
in the 2000s. Following his departure from Megadeth, Broderick formed Act of Defiance in 2014. He joined Swedish metal band
In Flames In Flames is a Swedish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990 out of the Swedish death metal, Swedish death metal scene. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Frid ...
in 2019 as a touring guitarist, before becoming the band's permanent guitarist in 2022.


Biography


Early years

Broderick started playing guitar when he was 11 years old, with one of his first guitar influences being
Eddie Van Halen Edward Lodewijk Van Halen ( , ; January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020) was an American musician. He was the guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen, which he founded with his brother Alex V ...
. His playing styles range from
metal A metal () is a material that, when polished or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electrical resistivity and conductivity, electricity and thermal conductivity, heat relatively well. These properties are all associated wit ...
, classical, neoclassical, and
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
. As a teenager, Broderick took lessons in electric guitar, classical guitar, piano and violin several times a week and practiced each instrument for hours every day during the summer. He was a notable musician in the
Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...
music scene from 1988 and on, as a guitarist in Grey Haven and Killing Time, and as a guitarist and vocalist in Industrial Eden. Broderick has a degree in classical guitar music performance from the
University of Denver The University of Denver (DU) is a private research university in Denver, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1864, it has an enrollment of approximately 5,700 undergraduate students and 7,200 graduate students. It is classified among "R1: D ...
's Lamont School of Music and started teaching guitar lessons in the early 1990s. He is heavily influenced by
flamenco Flamenco () is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Gitanos, gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Region of Murcia, ...
music and rates guitarists Paco de Lucia and
Paco Peña Francisco Peña Pérez (born 1 June 1942), known as Paco Peña, is a Spanish flamenco guitarist, composer and director of his Flamenco Dance Company. He is regarded as one of the world's foremost traditional flamenco players. Biography Born i ...
highly.


Jag Panzer (1997–2008)

In 1997, guitarist Joey Tafolla left Jag Panzer for the second time, citing a lack of interest in playing heavy metal. Broderick was brought in as a replacement due to his technical guitar skills and stayed with the band for a decade until joining Megadeth in 2008. He played on four studio albums with the band, '' The Age of Mastery'' (1998) ''Thane to the Throne'' (2000), '' Mechanized Warfare'' (2001), '' Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat'' (2003) and '' Casting the Stones'' (2004), in addition to the video album ''The Era of Kings and Conflict'' (2002).


Nevermore (2001–2003, 2006–2007)

During the time period of 2000 to 2003, Broderick performed live with heavy metal band
Nevermore Nevermore is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1992. The band was formed after three of its members — vocalist Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard and guitarist Jeff Loomis — ended their prev ...
. He rejoined the band as a touring guitarist in 2006 and was part of the live lineup until the end of 2007. Broderick appeared on the band's live and video album '' The Year of the Voyager'' released in 2008.


Megadeth (2008–2014)

In January 2008,
Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—alo ...
guitarist Glen Drover and his brother, then-Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover, suggested Broderick as a replacement for the former as his departure from the band was imminent. Following a meeting with
Dave Mustaine David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician. He is best known as the co-founder, frontman, primary songwriter and sole consistent member of the thrash metal band Megadeth and for his time as the lead guitarist of Met ...
, Broderick was officially announced as the new guitarist for Megadeth on January 14. He made his live debut with the band on February 4, 2008, in Finland and toured with them on Gigantour 2008. Broderick would go on to record three studio albums with the band, '' Endgame'' (2009), '' Thirteen'' (2011) and '' Super Collider'' (2013). He performed live with Megadeth as part of the Big Four of thrash metal along with
Metallica Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...
,
Slayer Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them ...
and
Anthrax Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...
. Due to extensive touring with Megadeth, Broderick was no longer be able to collaborate with Jag Panzer and Nevermore. Mustaine said that when he partnered up with Broderick, it reminded him of when "
Ozzy Osbourne John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born 3 December 1948) is an English singer, songwriter, and media personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead singer of the heavy metal music, heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which per ...
discovered Randy Rhoads." On March 8, 2009, Mustaine commented that he thought Broderick was the greatest guitarist Megadeth had ever had. In the then-current line up of the band, he was the youngest member in Megadeth. During his time with Megadeth, Broderick stopped playing his trademark
seven-string guitar The seven-string guitar adds one additional string to the more common six-string guitar, commonly used to extend the bass range (usually a low B) or also to extend the treble range. The additional string is added in one of two different ways: b ...
and switched to a six-string guitar. Broderick said that "Dave ustainefelt a seven-string guitar wasn't an original thrash metal instrument. Therefore he felt it would be better if I used six strings." On November 25, 2014, Broderick posted a message on his website stating that he was parting ways with Megadeth: "Due to artistic and musical differences, it is with great reluctance that I announce my departure from Megadeth to pursue my own musical direction. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate the amount that you the fans have accepted and respected me as a member of Megadeth for the last seven years, but it is time for me to move on. I wish Dave and everyone in Megadeth all the best. I am working on a few things of my own and hope that when they come out, you will all dig it."


Act of Defiance (2014–2019)

After leaving Megadeth, Broderick and former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover formed Act of Defiance along with ex- Scar the Martyr frontman Henry Derek Bonner and former Shadows Fall guitarist Matt Bachand. The band released their debut album, '' Birth and the Burial'', in 2015 and toured North America with Allegaeon in the fall of that year. Act of Defiance continued touring in support of the album throughout 2016 as a headliner and supporting act for
Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin ...
and
Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American metalcore/ hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album ''Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universa ...
before starting work on their sophomore album. They released their second album, '' Old Scars, New Wounds'', in 2017 and toured in support of the album the following year. Act of Defiance broke up in 2019 after Broderick joined
In Flames In Flames is a Swedish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990 out of the Swedish death metal, Swedish death metal scene. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Frid ...
as a touring guitarist. In January 2023, Broderick mentioned that the band was on hiatus as his main priority is In Flames.


In Flames (2019–present)

Broderick joined Swedish metal band
In Flames In Flames is a Swedish Heavy metal music, heavy metal band, formed by guitarist Jesper Strömblad in Gothenburg in 1990 out of the Swedish death metal, Swedish death metal scene. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Frid ...
in early 2019 as a touring rhythm guitarist. During the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, Broderick taught online guitar lessons for students as touring stopped. He resumed touring with In Flames once the pandemic restrictions were lifted. Broderick officially joined the band in 2022, replacing Niclas Engelin.


Equipment

Broderick is currently endorsed by
Jackson Guitars Jackson is a brand of guitars sold by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Jackson was originally an independent manufacturer of electric guitars and electric bass guitars named after its founder, the American luthier Grover Jackson. Th ...
and has several six- and seven-string signature guitars with custom DiMarzio pickups, including a Pro Series Signature Soloist model, a USA Series Signature Soloist model and a custom shop signature CB2 Diabolic model. He was previously endorsed by
Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki was one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United Stat ...
, and played RG and Prestige custom six- and seven-string guitar models with DiMarzio pickups until January 2011. Broderick has a signature line of DiMarzio pickups and has previously used Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat pickups. He is currently endorsed by ENGL Amps and Ernie Ball strings. Upon joining Megadeth in 2008, he switched from ENGL to Marshall Amps before returning to ENGL when joining In Flames in 2019. Broderick currently uses custom-made, 3D-printed thumb picks that holds the pick in place on the thumb. He has previously patented and sold a pick clip that converts picks into thumb picks.


Discography


Jag Panzer

Studio albums * '' The Age of Mastery'' (1998) * ''Thane to the Throne'' (2000) * '' Mechanized Warfare'' (2001) * '' Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat'' (2003) * '' Casting the Stones'' (2004) Video albums * ''The Era of Kings and Conflict'' (2002)


Megadeth

Studio albums * '' Endgame'' (2009) * '' Thirteen'' (2011) * '' Super Collider'' (2013) Live/video albums * '' Rust in Peace Live'' (2010) * '' The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria'' (2010) * '' Countdown to Extinction: Live'' (2013) Compilation albums * '' Warheads on Foreheads'' (2019)


Nevermore

Live/video albums * '' The Year of the Voyager'' (2008) Compilation albums * '' Manifesto Of Nevermore'' (2009)


Act of Defiance

Studio albums * '' Birth and the Burial'' (2015) * '' Old Scars, New Wounds'' (2017)


In Flames

Studio albums * '' Foregone'' (2023)


Production and instrumental credits


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Broderick, Chris 1970 births 20th-century American guitarists 21st-century American guitarists American heavy metal guitarists American male guitarists American rhythm guitarists Guitarists from Colorado In Flames members Living people Megadeth members American seven-string guitarists University of Denver alumni Thrash metal musicians