JASON HYDE

GUITAR, BACKING VOCALS

Jason also uses the following:

Since the age of 11, Jason has been enthralled with heavy music. Growing up with an older brother, he was exposed early on to many 80’s rock and metal bands like Motley Crue, Ratt, Van Halen, and Guns N Roses. Later on, he gravitated more toward 80’s thrash metal bands such as Anthrax, Metallica, and Overkill, and those bands paved the way for the wave of death metal bands that gained popularity in the late 80’s and into the early 90’s. As he began playing guitar at the age of 16, bands like Death, Carcass, Obituary, and Suffocation began to take hold, and would have a major influence on his playing style going forward.

Jason joined his first band in 1995, a local death metal band called Distobia, and has since played for several other bands including Torn Veil and Program the Masses. The range of styles covers the spectrum from heavy rock to extreme metal. However, Divine Martyr is his first foray into symphonic metal.

Some of Jason’s early musical influences, in addition to those mentioned above, include Dream Theater, Cynic, My Dying Bride, Believer, Testament, and Pantera.

A number of guitarists have made an impact on his playing over the years. As far as rhythm guitarists, James Hetfield (Metallica) and Scott Ian (Anthrax) are both powerhouses, and probably had the biggest direct impact on his rhythm playing. From a lead guitar perspective, James Murphy (Death/Disincarnate/Testament), Alex Skolnick (Testament/Alex Skolnick Trio), Paul Masvidal (Cynic/Portal/Aeon Spoke), and John Petrucci (Dream Theater) are his biggest inspirations. Other favorite guitarists include Yvette Young, Tosin Abasi, Chris Letchford, and Chuck Schuldiner.

Current favorite artists include Illumishade, Eluveitie, Seven Spires, Epica, Kamelot, & Ne Obliviscarus, as well as a number of non-rock artists like Glenn Miller and Yanni, and modern composers like Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, and John Williams.

Jason started on 6 string guitar as many do. However, being a fan of lower tunings he gravitated toward 7 string guitars in 1998 (various Jackson & Ibanez models), and has been playing them almost exclusively ever since. Currently he utilizes several custom Custom GOC Illumina 7 strings as his main instruments, but his collection also includes several other GOC guitars including a custom 8 string, a prototype 6 string, and has yet another custom 7 build soon on the way. He is also endorsed by GOC Guitars.

Jason would like to thank his wife Rebecca for her endless support, encouragement, and inspiration, as well as his other family and friends for their support and words of encouragement, and most of all his Savior, Jesus Christ, for the ability to play and create music, and the opportunity to share hope with the world.