alex once took the time to answer an email i sent him. he wrote me back 3 pages. one of my favorite guitarists. awesome guy. thanks alex!

That silver streak is a badass

It is incredible that Alex Skolnick has no ego what so ever . He is a very humble and respectful guy. There are guitar players that are amazing ,but they are arrogant and have huge egos. Alex Skolnick in my opinion is one of the greatest lead guitar players ever. It is so awesome that he is a really laid back kind of guy. The grey hair streak looks very cool on Alex. He has always had it ever since I can remember. He had so so much wisdom for guitar playing already in his early 20's that his hair turned grey.

If you really pay attention many metal musicians are super smart and intellectually inclined. Makes me appreciate metal even more.

13:53 That is the best damn handshake i've ever seen.

Alex has such a chill, cool guy vibe

What Alex doesn't realize is that the grey streak is indicative of his ability to adapt other mutants' powers. Or drain the life out of normal folks.

I'm glad Skolnick is with Testament where he belongs, and not with Ozzy.

Some of the best guitar solos of all time were on practice what you preach and souls of black. Alex has a unique mix of phrasing feel and technique that only a handful of guitarists can accomplish.

One of the greatest guitarists to ever live. Listen to his leads on The New Order immediately.

I got to meet Alex after a show in October 2008 on a small club tour. He hung out with us, played pool at a local pub and openly talked with us.Really sweet, down to earth guy. One of the nicest human beings you'll meet anywhere.

How can you not like this guy!? Sounds like he a came from a very good, intelligent, almost "proper" family (if that makes sense) but he followed his passion which was thrash metal and guitar playing haha! Then he grows up to be a world class musician who crosses over from metal to jazz and everything in between and does it in a super humble down to earth manner! Definitely a great musician to model not only as a player but how he handles himself! Big fan!

i remember a FEW years back when in the space of 1 year i saw Alex at a festival with Testament, with TSO, and with his jazz trio in a tiny bar, where we had the honor of having a post gig beer with him and chat for about 10-20 min (time just kinda passed as i remember) but the point is...3 completely different gigs and he held his own in each, plus he is a really nice guy

His hair streak is so badass. And he looks like the most genuine dude in life.

But does he practice what he preaches?

Alex Skolnick is one of the best guitarists in metal. He is amazing to see playing live. Has to be seen to be believed.

One of the fastest metal guitarists out there right now. His riffs in Testament are killer.

talented gem, sadly underrated, one of the best guitarists even Beyond Metal genre

Its awesome to see how genuinely into the convo Alex is. He seems like such a lively and fun dude to chill with. He's also definitely up there with the top shredders

"I looked like I was in Motley Crue..." LOL, love it!

this guy is like the ray romano of metal here....great people great interview \m/

One of my fave of all times,i am lucky that he played after Criss Oliva.I was already a fan of him before he joined.Handful of Rain is an underrated masterpiece.Note that he had a car accident while listening to Sirens loudly in early 80s.A decade later he replaced the composer of that song after a fatal car accident.RIP Criss Oliva,long live Alex🤘🏻

not only is he one of the greatest guitarists in metal, the grip on that handshake was immaculate

Many people don't know this, but Alex is one of the fastest guitar players in the world as i heard, but instead of being a show off he is focused on making an playing good music which makes me appreciate him even more.

He's my idol since I was 12. He's a great guy we met through a student of mine & he talked a lot to me about playing,performing and all kinds of music. I'll always love and admire him.

One of the best thrash guitarists ever and all around guitar players period.

Seeing them live with him rocking guitar was one of the best shows I have ever witnessed

dude, please do one with eric patterson? its such a shame, most folks doesn't even recognized his work & contribution..

such a nice guy. one of many reasons hes my role model

No doubt about it Alex is one of the best guitarist out there & i have never met him but would love too because i am hearing lot of people say that he is really a nice guy, he is one of my favorite guitarists. Alex just has that original sound.

This guy proves that metalheads Are the best people

YES YOU'RE BACK!! Now for Jason Newsted?? Geezer Butler??

One of my favorite guitarist, I've met him a couple times and been to a jazz show of his, holy fkn shit he is truly a brilliant guitarist. And one of the nicest guys around and such a class act.

Thought his silver streak was dyed, didn't realise they happened naturally

Brotherhood of the Snake....another great Testament thrash album they are always on a roll!

Alex Skolnick looks like he could be Adam Jones's father

I was a drum tech at a show Testament played in Chicago area many years ago and early in the day when everyone was getting things rolling (literally) there was Alex just getting his stuff together and I approached him and had the coolest chill conversation. Such a class act!

anyone else ever notice that killer bands like Testament who have some of the best musicians usually go thru band members quite often...its because when you have that much talent under one roof heads and egos are bound to clash

While working for an arena in South Carolina Trans Siberian came through several times. Alex was very cool and when i mentioned to him that he had given me a guitar pick the year before...he said "here have some more" and gave me a handful of picks. Very nice guy.

What a nice guy, one of the guys that you'd want to just listen to tell road stories.

Alex is one of my top 5 favorite guitar players of all time, right up there with Steve Howe and Ritchie Blackmore.

These rock greats for the most part are very humble and self effacing. I always find that amazing.

Great interview with a great guy/great musician/great guitarist/heavily influential player.

I've met Alex once in the Netherlands. Very cool humble guy!

Good work Gruhamed, your interviewing has come a long way 👍🏼👍🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

Skolnick is a beast.

Fantastic guitarist and he's so humble! What a legend!

Metalheads are the most laid back people

Just an amazing guitarist. I already loved him for his testament shit but after listening to Alex skolnick trio, I was able to really appreciate his ability. Such an underrated player. Very excited to see him play in person this October

Do fact or fiction with Annihilator!!

I had an Ampeg guitar amp!! Stereo, twin chorus and reverb! Fairly rare amp !

one of the best shredder in rock n roll

The solos on Souls Of Black are absolutely amazing!!!

Finally, the one thing that i've been waiting for.

Alex is amazing! Great guitar player and great human being! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

alex and graham having a good laugh warms my heart aw

Alex Skolnick - one of my favourite guitarists of all time. Top bloke and a top player!

Love Alex, great player.

i got lucky enough to meet him when i was in high school many times as he was at the time playing locally with his jazz trio and living in the city at the time. he actually had a great price at the time actually an unbelievable $50 an hour or half hour for private lessons at his apartment. my friend Vinny and several others of us would make it an almost weekly event to go see him at this local venue/ restaurant in Belleville NJ called the Grapevine bistro. of course being teenage metalheads and completely obsessed with his solos we'd always try to discuss metal and if hed teach us and in true jazz master form he'd say he didnt do that stuff anymore and "didnt remember even the technique behind it. regardless Alex must be the most laid back humble and friendly m usician I've ever met and at the time Testament was about to play at Birch Hill night club in Old Bridge NJ. After alot of pleading on many peoples part He decided to come to the show and during the show enough yelling at Chuck and Eric got the band to realize it was Alex in the crowd and they called him up to join the show and we quickly realized all that stuff about "not having the technique anymore etcwas an exaggeration. soon after i took my younger sister to see him play at Izod center with Trans-siberian Orchestra and he recognized us and was cool enough to come down off the stage and put one leg up on the arm of the chair and started and started playing one of his solos from the track they were playing and said hi. Years later some contact mustve grown from that night at the Birch Hill as He's now several albums back and as amazing as ever although I'd love to see him with TSO again. the way he is able to shift the use of Mixolydian mode away from clasic rock and give it such an incredible amount of creativity in thrash and heavy metal as well as his amazing jazz and improv skills overall schoarly mastery of theory and the guitar in general as well as a love for teaching is beautiful. Alex Skolnick is a gift to music in general but for me especially to metal where his knowledge and creativity is up there with a select few like Marty Friedman. Alex is just an overall great personable and friendly guy

Alex looks like if Chuck Schuldiner would reach that age. Very down to earth guy though, and an excellent guitar player.

Met him back in 2013 really great guy!

One of my favorite guitarist been listening to testament since new order days. Alex inspired me to play guitar for now 30 some years of playing. Testament was way underrated metallica to me was second class to these guys.

'been waiting for that one in a long time :D

I love this guy. When I was a teenager, Alex thought me greatness, what it means to invest quality in things and find your own way. Testament was at the peak of their creativity on Souls of Black and Ritual which are my fav albums. It's a shame what fallowed it's actually way behind them. Even after Skolnick's return, I have to say.

Apart from his musicianship, he's an extraordinary gentleman.

The silver streak question was totally Spinal Tap.

God I'm so glad to see Alex do this hopefully we can get the rest of the Testament guys in this.

Great player. Great humble guy.

He wrote return to serenity.. he's the best guitarist in the world

More humble than many in the thrash community even despite his upbringing. Awesome.

I didn’t know much about Alex but the more I learn the more I like and respect him. Dude is a badass

💕❤️Alex❤️💕 an amazing guitarist and sweet humble guy:)

Alex is a great guitar player and a nice guy!!!!

Alex is such a phenomenal player! ...and he's a fan or Saint Rhoads too!

Alex Skolnick RULES!!!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!

-Graham: *delicately presents the show and extends hand to Alex* -Alex: *slaps Graham's hand* My pleasure!!!

Alex looks like such a fun dude! and he is a great guitarist

I could listen to Alex for hours.

She wanted me to be Zakk Wydle more or less lol such a classy dude didnt mention her name but we all know who it was ;) skolnick is 1 of the last guitar gods left

How have I not heard of this guy?!

Wow... Alex is Easily one of the coolest and most interesting Wikipedia fact or fiction guest

1988, The New Order, "Alex When are you going to law school". Shreds then bails to study jazz guitar. Dog show ? Compositionally, an achievement. Great interview.

Alex you have brought much joy to my life I love Testament I loved it when it was Legacy you guys are awesome you never sold out you never caved you never gave in to the pressure I'm making some lame-ass album just to press a vinyl

Lol that fuckin' handshake man! *SSSSSSSSSMACK!* lol talk about nerve damage.

His voice is so warm and round

Great interview...nice to see someone call out Sharon when it's due...

Skolnick and Friedman are now my best guitar players

Such a great guy!

Skolnick is awesome

Amazing guitarist!

I jsut fucking loved how neither one of the two dared to say Sharon's name!! XD

So I think imma start learning some Testament riffs they sounds like fire

What a cool dude...one of my favorites \m/

About time, wish it was a longer interview! Testament is probably more deserving than Slayer or Anthrax to be in the Big 4, or they should at least make it the Big 5 and put these guys in there. Burnt Offerings is the pinnacle of thrash metal!

I like how he's both cool and nerdy at the same time.

Like Alex, cool guy. Great guitarist. Love Testament.

You think Jeff Loomis is a nice genuine guy until you hear Alex start talking and realize He's the kid of guy that would not only give you a ride to the airport but also help you buy the ticket too.. good for him being such a nice human being.

Alex is so talented, it is unbelievable that he is as good playing both metal and jazz, sort of Steve Lukather

Saw testament August 4th on Slayers farewell tour.....out of 5 bands this man was without a doubt the best guitarist on the stage that night

He's my biggest influence to play guitar