Cacophony (band)

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Cacophony
Image:CacophonySpeedMetalSymphony.jpg
Background information
Origin	USA
Genre(s)	Speed metal Heavy metal Shred metal Neo-classical metal
Years active	1986–1989
Label(s)	Shrapnel
Associated acts	Megadeth David Lee Roth Marty Friedman Jason Becker
Members
Marty Friedman Jason Becker Jimmy O'Shea Kenny Stavropoulos Peter Marrino

Cacophony is an American neoclassical speed metal/shred band formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker. Cacophony is often recognized for its technically challenging, neo-classical metal elements, as well as featuring two shred guitarists. The band broke up in 1989, with Friedman joining the successful thrash metal band Megadeth and Becker joining David Lee Roth's solo band.

1 History
2 Breakup
3 Band Members
4 Discography
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Their first album, the predominantly instrumental Speed Metal Symphony, fused classical and hard rock styles with Friedman's preference of exotic scales (especially obvious in the song "The Ninja"). It featured exceptionally fast, melodic and technical music.

Their second release Go Off! was a more song-oriented album, while still displaying the virtuosity of the two guitarists. Besides Becker, Friedman and Marrino, it featured a new bassist and a new drummer. The drums were played by Deen Castronovo, however the picture of new drummer Kenny Stavropoulos was included on the back cover. The guitar playing is more technical and the harmonization of the lead lines and solos is different from the common twin-guitar harmonies made common in heavy metal by such bands as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

[edit] Breakup

Though the second album was a commercial failure, it spawned cult followings around the band. Cacophony broke up with Jason Becker joining David Lee Roth and Marty Friedman joining Megadeth. Friedman and Becker have since left Megadeth and David Lee Roth's band respectively (in Becker's case due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Both released several solo albums that include a wide variety of music.

[edit] Band Members

Peter Marrino - Vocals
Marty Friedman - Guitar
Jason Becker - Guitar
Jimmy O'Shea - Bass
Atma Anur - Drums
Craig Swain - Bass
Deen Castronovo - Drums
Kenny Stavropoulos - Drums

[edit] Discography

Speed Metal Symphony (1987)
Go Off! (1988)

[edit] References

Hale, Mark (1993). "0481 Cacophony", Headbangers, First edition, second printing, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink, 59. ISBN 1-56075-029-4.