MAGNITUDE 9 is a melodic five piece guitar
oriented metal band based out of Ohio.
History :
Ohio native, ROB JOHNSON is no stranger to the music scene. An established guitar player, with three solo albums to his credit, had generated quite a name for himself in the underground scene with his impressive style and technique. However, not content with just catering exclusively to the instrumental market, he set about putting a band together. And so in the spring of 1997, Magnitude 9 was born. Joining forces with Rob was Psyco Drama frontman COREY BROWN who was introduced to Rob through mutual friend, David Chastain of Leviathan Records. The two hit it off immediately and began writing songs together. In the meantime the band expanded with the addition of keyboardist JOSEPH GLEAN, drummer JOHN HOMAN and bassist KEVIN CHOWN (of Artension) completing a stellar line up which would result in an excellent collaboration of talents.
The band’s debut album “Chaos to Control†was written over a 7 to 8 month period toward the end of 1997 and then released in Europe the following year. The album was released to critical acclaim both in Japan and Europe and won praise from fans for its unique blend of hooks and melodies combined with virtuoso musicianship. Comparisons to bands such as Fates Warning, Iron Maiden and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force ensued as Rob Johnson stepped into the spotlight as one of a new breed of guitar heroes. “Chaos to Control†was an accomplished debut from this bright new talent and put the band firmly on the map of the resurgent progressive metal scene.
Magnitude 9 returned with their long awaited follow up, entitled “Reality in Focus†in 2001. A fine successor to their debut, the album marked an improvement in the band’s overall approach and sound. Having refined their skills and honed their songwriting, they had delivered a collection of melodic metal at its finest with progressive roots and neo-classical overtones that the fans embraced. More importantly they had not compromised their songs for the sake of technique or flashy playing but rather focused on keeping the music full of pounding melodies that are constantly interspersed between amazing instrumental passages. The new album also included a superb cover of the iron Maiden classic “Flight of Icarus†upon which they had put their own stamp, making it sit quite comfortably between their own compositions.
A few years have passed again and now Magnitude 9 have returned with a stellar new offering entitled “Decoding the Soul.†Co-produced by Michael Vescera, (who sang for Obsession, Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), this time the band took a heavier approach to their rhythms without compromising Johnson’s shredding guitar solos. “Decoding the Soul†also introduces new bassist IAN RINGLER (SECTION 16, PSYCO DRAMA) into the fold after original member Kevin Chown left to join the national pop star, Uncle Kracker’s band.
Additional Information :
Keyboardist Joseph Anastacio Glean can also be heard with the group VALEDICTION
Both vocalist Corey Brown and bassist Ian Ringler can also be heard
with the Colorado based Prog group SECTION 16
In 2003, singer Corey Brown also filled in for vocal duties for the band
REDEMPTION for their live performance at the
PROG POWER IV festival in Atlanta.
Recently, in mid 2005. Corey was also recruited into the London Power Metal band BALANCE OF POWER
For more information please visit these Websites:
ROB JOHNSON CD'S FOR SALE - GUITAR 9
ROB JOHNSON'S GUITAR LESSON VIDEO "SHRED TACTICS"
Available on VHS, DVD or CD Rom