Michael Angelo Batio
| Michael Angelo Batio | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Mike Batio, MAB |
| Born |
February 23, 1956 Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Genres | Neoclassical metal, heavy metal, glam metal, speed metal, progressive metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer, columnist |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, drums |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | M.A.C.E. |
| Associated acts | Nitro, Holland, Jim Gillette, C4, The Michael Angelo Band, Katrina Johansson, Bill Peck, Dave Reffett |
| Website | www |
| Notable instruments | |
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Dean MAB1 Armor Flame Dean MAB1 Lazer Dean MAB2 Aviator Dean Dean MAB 3 Dean Dean MAB 4 Gauntlet Dean Speed Of Light Dean Dean MAB 7 Warrior Double-Guitar Quad Guitar |
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Michael Angelo Batio (/ˈbeɪti.oʊ/; born February 23, 1956) also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is an American heavy metal guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. He was the lead guitarist for the Los Angeles-based glam metal band Nitro in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Batio's work has encompassed many genres, but he is best known for playing heavy metal and its subgenres such as neoclassical metal, and speed metal. Batio is known for his technical mastery of the fretboard and his extremely fast picking and sweep picked arpeggios. He is also known for his showmanship during performances, particularly his use of the "Over-Under" technique, and for his ability to play a double and quad guitar, using both hands to play. Batio is also noted for his guitar instruction DVDs in the "Speed Kills" series which teach shred guitar techniques and how to "master the art of playing lightning fast". Batio was voted the "No. 1 Fastest Guitar Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003.
Batio was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois to an Italian father and a German mother. He started playing the piano and composing music at the age of five, and first played guitar at the age of ten. By twelve he was playing in bands in youth clubs, churches, and shows, playing for 10–12 hours on the weekends. By the age of thirteen his guitar teacher told him, "I can't teach you any more. You're faster at thirteen than I was at 22." He started listening to and watching professionals and sitting down and trying to work out riffs and tunes.
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