Hailing from Southern Maryland and now residing in Northern Virginia, Neo-Classical Rock guitarist Matthew Mills began playing guitar at the age of fifteen after being mesmerized by Yngwie Malmsteen's "Trilogy" album. Taking guitar very seriously, Matthew began practicing as much as 6 to 8 hours a day while listening to Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine, Joe Stump and George Bellas. These guitarists were a huge impact on his playing style.
"Matt Mills is a guitarists dream. Unreal technique combined with a great sense of melody, which grabs your ear and bends it to painless delight. Soaring runs and arpeggio heaven, this guy is carrying the torch for the future of Neo-Classical guitar. It was a pleasure playing on Matt's upcoming masterpiece. Check out his recordings or see it live…you won't be disappointed." -Sean Baker (December 11, 2006)
Voted as one of the "50 Fastest Guitar Shredders of All Time" in the July 2008 issue of Guitar World Magazine, Mills has opened for guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Stump and George Lynch with his previous band "Forgotten Realm". Matthew is heavily involved with his instrumental band, "The Matthew Mills Band", and conducting clinics for Schecter Guitars as a Schecter endorsed artist. Mills is also an accomplished guitar instructor in the Northern Virginia area, teaching intermediate and advanced students. Some of Matthew's students are in touring bands and have released solo albums as well as winning numerous guitar competitions. One notable student is Jason Richardson of the band "All Shall Perish" and "Born of Osiris", currently touring the United States.
Matthew has released four solo albums including Matthew Mills "Neoclassical Rock Guitar", Matthew Mills "Neoclassical Rock Guitar Part 2", Matthew Mills "Neoclassical Spirit", and Matthew Mills "The Neoclassical Journey". Guest soloists on "Neoclassical Spirit" include Joe Stump and George Bellas. David Shankle (formerly of "Manowar") also contributed guitar solos to the album and to "The Neoclassical Journey". The album "Neoclassical Rock Guitar" was the number one top seller on the Neo-Classical Metal section of Guitar Nine Records for 2005 and the number two best Neo-Classical seller for 2006.
Mills also recorded an album with the band "Forgotten Realm" in 2009, (self-titled on Sonic Age Records), distributed through Century Media and The End Records. The "Forgotten Realm" members are vocalist David Fefolt (formerly of "Masi"), with drums done by Rhino of the band "Manowar" and drummer Reynold Carlson (Joey Tafolla, Jag Panzer), and Brian Sanders. Matthew also contributed guitar solos to "Pig Destroyers" 2004 album release "Terrifyer", sold worldwide through Relapse Records and also contributed solos to the band "Adversary" 2008 on Trustkill Records. Mills also contributed a song the compilation album "Shredding Across the World" on Shred Guy Records.
PRESS QUOTES
"Neo-Classical guitar has a new force - his name is Matthew Mills. Not since Malmsteen or Stump have we heard such a melodic assault of harmonized arpeggios combined with catchy melodies and awesome, jaw dropping technique. Mills can play and he showcases his ability on every composition that he creates. Matt draws heavily from the "School of YJM" but also strikes out on his own with some very nicely performed sweeps, that add a nice touch of dramatics to his music".
- Guitar Mania (Aug 3, 2003)
"The first clip/AVI video I saw and heard was some serious stuff!. Great job Matthew!"
- George Bellas (Jun 11, 2003)
"I remember meeting Matt, hanging with him and hearing him play a bit. He's a very nice guy and in an excellent player as well. Scary Arpeggio play combined with blazingly fast neo-classical runs, fans of over the top guitar work will have plenty to feast on while listening to Matt's playing."
- Joe Stump (Sep 15, 2004)
"2004's Terrifyer is generally considered the band's best work to date session guitarist Matthew Mills, Hull's former guitar teacher, recorded the lead guitar parts in the song "Towering Flesh." literally crashes into an immensely haunting arpeggio style solo done by Matthew Mills. It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it."
- Daniel Mergens (Jun 15, 2004)
"Fire up the arpeggiation cannons, and launch the shred torpedos - guitarist Matthew Mills is back with a musical version of 'shock and awe' entitled Neo-Classical Rock Guitar. NPMs (notes per minute) with the impact of RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) will destroy unfortified walls in your home, as passage after speaker-melting passage of sweeping sequences, diminished patterns and general harmonic mayhem are launched from Mills' guitaristic arsenal. Joe Stump, a big influence on Mills, guest solos on the album's closing track "Shattered Horizons", a demo version of a tune from MIlls' band, Forgotten Realm. "Solo of Shred" is a stand alone guitar shred fest of arpeggios and speed picking madness, while "Eternity" is a three-part epic that will remind you of a long and fast journey through space and time. The album is for strong and healthy guitar fanatics – Neo-Classical Rock Guitar is not recommended for the malnourished, faint-of-heart, or anyone taking the thousands of drugs advertised on prime time television."
- Guitar Nine Records (Feb 12, 2005)
"Your playing is top notch, keep on shreddin' all the best."
- Roger Staffelbach (Nov 5, 2006)
"Matt Mills is a guitarist dream. Unreal technique combined with a great sense of melody, which grabs your ear and bends it to painless delight. Soaring runs and arpeggio heaven, this guy is carrying the torch for the future of Neo-Classical guitar. It was a pleasure playing on Matt's upcoming masterpiece. Check out his recordings or see it liveyou won't be disappointed."
- Sean Baker (Dec 11, 2006)
"I listened to some of your clips and they sound great!!"
- Rusty Cooley (Dec 11, 2006)
"I first saw Matt on his myspace site. I thought he had great phrasing and great speed. Keep up the good work! DSG."
- David Shankle (Nov 6, 2006)
"I checked out your website and sound clips. Sounds like you've got a good thing going on! I especially liked the slow melodic elements of the songs."
- George Bellas (Feb 16, 2007)
This page is dedicated to the instrumental Music of Matthew Mills Neoclassical Rock and Shred Guitar Player. You can purchase Matthew Mills instrumental albums at:
www.cdbaby.com
www.guitar9.com
Apple Itunes
www.SonicEmpireMusic.com
You also contact Matthew Mills directly for Guitar lessons at mmills97@aol.com.
Matthew teachs privately and through studios in Northern VA.
