Alex Skolnick is both an original member of Bay Area thrashers Testament (which he joined at age sixteen) and a respected New York improviser of multiple styles.
Emerging as one of the original melodic thrash guitarists (alongside Marty Friedman), Alex later moved to New York and earned a BfA in Jazz from The New School, studying with such prestigious artists as George Garzone, Cecil McBee and Reggie Workman.
Now a longtime resident of Brooklyn New York, he has gone on to release several critically acclaimed albums with the Alex Skolnick Trio, described as thus by jazz journalist Bill Milkowski: “Skolnick runs the guitaristic gamut from lush chord melodies to Wes Montgomery-style octaves to screaming Sonny Sharrock-esque skronking” (Downbeat Jan 2017).
In 2005, he reunited with Testament, the impact of which has eclipsed the band’s initial run). When not supporting the likes of Slayer and Megadeth on tour with Testament, Alex can be found headlining The Blue Note in Milan, Agharta in Prague, New York’s Iridium or various elegant venues across the world.
He is also a first call player for jazz/rock projects including the Stu Hamm/Alex Skolnick/Chad Wackerman power trio, Jane Getter Premonition featuring alumni from Pat Metheny Group (Mark Egan) and Miles Davis (Adam Holzman), as well as “Celebrating Allan Holdsworth,” in which Alex is one of several guitarists with the prestigious position of filling in for the late, great innovator at a series of shows with his (Holdsworth’s) touring band.
Alex is also the leader of the critically acclaimed world acoustic project, Planetary Coalition (featuring various international artists from across the globe including Rodrigo Y Gabriela and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez).
In 2016, Joe Satriani chose Alex (his former pupil), to be a primary guest instructor at his annual G4 Experience, alongside Eric Johnson, Mike Keneally and Steve Vai, followed by by a stint as the sole guitarist on faculty at Warwick Bass Camp, in which he taught and played alongside Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report) and Dennis Chambers (John Scofield/John McLaughlin).
As an an educator and speaker, Alex has been invited to give keynote addresses at academic events such as Dayton University’s Metal and Cultural Impact conference as well as joining various PhDs at the International Society for Metal Studies in Helsinki.
As a writer, Alex is an editor and contributor to UNBUILT, a biannual lifestyle and cultural magazine that includes his friend and fellow “metal intellectual,” D Randall Blythe (vocalist of Lamb of God). He has also written for The Talkhouse, Guitar World, Guitar Player and other publications.
Alex has his own line of ESP signature guitars and is featured on the back cover of ESP’s 2017 catalogue (Metallica’s James Hetfield is on the front). Whether carefully listening and playing alongside the world’s top instrumentalists or loudly shredding with Testament or Metal Allegiance (the Nuclear Blast signed supergroup of which he’s a core writer and producer), it’s safe to say that Skolnick has found his own niche as a guitarist.
“Though he’s pretty much a household name in heavy metal, Alex defies categorization by musical genre.” (Making Music, Jan 2015).
An amazing guitarist with a diverse repertoire on the guitar. Alex Skolnick does a great job as a guitarist and instructor. He has the ability to do guitar solos that are worthy of recognition for their quality and technique, as well as create great licks and rhythms on acoustic guitar giving a series of information that can help you improve, making him a highly recommended guitarist for the great learning that you can get through the information he provides in his lessons.
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John
10/26/21
Really Cool!
Alex has all the techniques, skills, and riffs plus the incredible knowledge to teach. He lays out each lesson in a straightforward way that’s easy to follow. He has the ability to demonstrate in a way that really makes it easy to follow and understand what he’s showing you. I found Unbound Guitar to be a wealth of knowledge and if you put the time in, you will definitely improve. I highly recommend Alex’s courses no matter what level you are or your goals. You will definitely see results!
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Dazedandconfused
12/26/20
Great experience!
During the quarantine period I decided to be productive and learn a new instrument. Luckily I had my old guitar and found Truefire and their YouTube channel! Intially it was a little difficult but the lessons by Alex were so clear, articulate and easy to follow that I eventually progressed! From learning the basics and now reaching an intermediate level with a little songwriting! Looking forward for more lessons, Truefire has been really helpful especially during such tough time!
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ledzep25
12/18/20
Shred Master
Shredding was something that intrigued me but has been a difficult task. To make good use of my quarantine, I decided to learn again and I found Truefire and their YouTube channel extremely helpful with their lessons and tutors being so helpful, clear, articulate and easy to follow. I eventually showed progress and learnt to incorporate new concepts, rhythms, licks, legato and speed pickiny in my own playin. Looking forward for more lessons from Alex in the future!
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Wannabe
12/08/20
Surprised, but shouldn't be
I have always liked Alex as a player. Be it Savatage, Testament or the Trio. But I was really worried that he couldn't be one of the people that could play but not instruct. It took a little while to get used to his quirky nature, but as soon as I became accustomed to that, I loved it! I love the way he doesn't play the same lick the same way twice. He shows the patterns and why to play it. Note for note is great, but not the way he plays. I am really getting a ton from his few classes. I am really enjoying him as an instructor. Certainly worth grabbing the videos. Cuz these aren't metal lessons, or blues lessons, but root guitar understanding.
