About Me
Considered by many, to be the best guitarrist in the Argentinian heavy metal scene, and often compared with world-class players, Martin Knye broke into the professional musical world with only 18 years old.
Under the influence of guitar greats like Yngwie Malmsteen and Eddie Van Halen among others, he rapidly becamed one of the youngest and talented players that Argentina remembered. Renowed and admired he becamed, even though his youth, in the master of a whole Argentinian guitarrists´ generation. Between 1986 and 1989 he fronted his own band L Z 2, recording and releasing an instrumental album "El Fuego Sagrado" ("The Sacred Fire") [1989], being the first Argentinian guitar player to develop the so-called "Neo Classical" guitar style in the country, shocking the audience with his style and explosive chops.Kamikaze, one of the most popular Heavy Metal bands of Argentina during the 80's proposed him to join in, and Knye, with only 21 years old at the time, accepted the offer, learning all the band's songs within a single day, and recording two albums: "Victima Del Rock" ("Rock Victim") (1989) and "Kamikaze III" (1991).After Kamikaze's disolution in 1992, he devoted himself to studying and exploring different styles, including Classical, Flamenco, Blues and Jazz, playing live only sporadically. From this period are most important his gigs with the band Kristine, in wich he played arrangements and excerpts of virtuoso classical pieces like "Flight Of The Bumble Bee", "Czardas", "Aranjuez Concerto", "The Barber From Seville" and Beethoven's "5th Symphony", among others.1999 brings him back to heavy metal, unifying all his influences and experience in his proyect Martin Knye-Magiar.
With Alejandro Fernandez (vocals), Germain Leth (bass) and Alejandro Vassallo (drums), Martin Knye-Magiar recorded his first album "Twister" in August 2000. Under the composition and production of Martin Knye, the record explodes song after song, with all the energy, power, virtuosity and subtlety of a classic, but personal style.During the recording sessions for "Twister", Martin started to suffer the deterioration of some unexplainable coordination problems in his left hand, that had started more than a year before. Even though of this condition, Martin kept on playing during 2001 and early 2002. "TWISTER" first edition copies were sold out.In May 2002 Martin was finally diagnosed with "Focal Hand Dystonia", a neurologic condition that affects the movement and coordination of the hands of highly trained musicians, for wich there is no known cure.
Knye was forced to stop playing, and try a rehabilitation program.
In August, and without being in better shape, Martin decided to get back on stage, playing as a guest in an Ozzy Osbourne tribute with some friends, playing the songs "Mama I'm Coming Home", "Bark At The Moon" and "MrCrowley". In September he was back, playing with Magiar.
"Twister" was released in Mexico, under the independient label "Misha Records", and was also re-released in Argentina. Knye kept on giging till the end of the year, for a total of four shows with Magiar and two Yngwie Malmsteen´s tribute concert, including 16 songs of the Swedish Master. In all these concerts Martin played allmost inconseivably with his little finger practically inutilazed, and his ring finger in very bad shape.
Magiar did his last concert in January 10/2003. At the present moment Martin Knye is disabled to keep on playing guitar, because the condition of his left hand has deteriorated, but he keeps on trying to find his way out of this extremelly difficult situation, looking for new therapies and possibilities to cure himself. Only time will tell...
