"After experiencing the rigorous intensity of Jared Dines' 'instant band' documentary, Musician Mansion, Chena is poised to showcase her complex, melodious style to a global audience."
Unleashing Chena's Guitar Magic:
Chena's shredding skills were put to the ultimate test in Musician Mansion, cranking out tunes in a matter of hours with new pals. Her preparedness and talent lit up a room full of seasoned guitarists. With a mix of Plini-style riffs, melodic runs, and an edgy attitude reminiscent of Marty Friedman, she stood out like a spark in the night.
While she's often labelled as a metal guitarist, Chena admits, "I love dark synth, too. I'm bringing a lot of those elements to my music." Experimentation is her middle name. "I've always been like that, I like to explore different styles," she says unabashedly.
That love for music started back in her teenage years.
"I was around 12 when I got into alternative music like Bullet For My Valentine. I wanted to write my own songs - I needed an outlet for my musical expressions and found singing alone limiting."
Guitar seemed the most accessible instrument, and it promised her the chance to rock out just like her heroes. "Truth be told, I sometimes wish I had learned piano first, but it's too late for regrets!" she laughs.
Over the years, Chena has been seen strumming a Strandberg, Jackson, and Schecter. Here's what she says about her go-to guitars:
"My main guitar is a 7-string Jackson Josh Smith Soloist. It's a versatile bad boy, fitted with an Evertune bridge, ebony neck, bare-knuckle impulse pickups with a humbucker in the bridge and single coil in the neck. I use it for recording heavy sounds and clean bright tones alike."
Chena likes to stick with what works for her. Whether it's learning new songs or creating her own music, she's all about simplicity. "I use a Neural DSP Quad Cortex to simplify everything. I have different presets for recording and live performances, making it a breeze to go straight to FOH with it."
Don't let her chill demeanor fool you; Chena is a solo queen who drops some killer solos. "I love tasteful solos. They're my voice when I don't have a mic," she says. Her lead guitar work on Prisoner of Conformity is a testament to her passion for melodic and hum-worthy solos.
"The song is an anthem about forging my own path in life and making conscious decisions about who I want to be. It's a socially and politically charged tune that reflects who I am as an artist," she explains about the track.
Away from her solo work, Chena was part of Musician Mansion, the 'instant band' documentary experience led by Jared Dines. "Being part of the show was exhilarating, challenging, and fun. It was a boot camp that tested our mettle," she shares.
Despite the time constraints, Chena found her fellow musicians to be humble and talented, with no room for egos. "We bonded over our shared tastes and our experiences during filming and after. It was an unforgettable journey that made me a better musician," she reflects.
Chena's musical inspirations are diverse, from Marty Friedman's unique phrasing and out-of-the-box soloing style to Melodic players like Per Nilsson, Mikael Akerfeldt, Plini, Petrucci, and Sam Vallen. She admires Eric Johnson, Nili Brosh, and Nita Strauss, finding inspiration in their stylish guitar work.
With new solo projects in the pipeline, Chena promises that her listeners can expect some exciting releases this year, including an album with Catalyst Crime and an EP from Soulfire, the band she joined during Musician Mansion.
So, keep your ears peeled for more of Chena's guitar magic in the coming months!
- Prisoner of Conformity is available now.
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Overall:
Based on the available information, there's a likelihood that the musician named Chena discussed in the article is CHENA (@_goldie_lockss), a singer-songwriter who describes herself as a "SOUND BENDER" on Instagram. However, specific details regarding her upcoming projects might be found on music platforms or official announcements from the artist directly.
There's also another mention of a song by Chena, titled "Prisoner of Conformity," which is associated with a black woman metal singer on TikTok. This suggests the possibility of another musician named Chena involved in the metal scene, but details about her musical background or upcoming projects are not provided in the search results.
- Chena's music style encompasses a diverse range of influences, including dark synth and melodic guitar elements akin to Marty Friedman, showcasing her interest in experimentation and versatility.
- Armed with a Jackson Josh Smith Soloist 7-string guitar equipped with Evertune bridge, ebony neck, and bare-knuckle impulse pickups, Chena excels at delivering hum-worthy solos, reflecting her passion for melodic lead work.
