Toby Knapp has been a cult figure in the metal scene for quite some time. At the age of 18 he was profiled by Guitar World Magazine and was soon signed to Mike Varney's legendary shred label Shrapnel Records. By the age of 20 Knapp was collaborating with virtuosos such as Tony Fredianelli( guitarist for APOCRYPHA and THIRD EYE BLIND) as well as drum god, Ray Luzier(DAVID LEE ROTH AND BILLY SHEEHAN). Knapp's debut album "Guitar Distortion" was released in 1993 and was issued worldwide; Shrapnel in the States, Sony in Japan and in Europe by Roadrunner Records. The album helped to set new standards in odd-meter progressive rock, melding death metal and prog years before it became commonplace. The album still sells 15 years after it's release inspiring a new generation of musicians. He kept busy throughout the nineties receiving endorsements from S.I.T strings and ADA amplification, releasing material on various indie labels, teaching guitar and giving guitar clinics. In the late nineties he formed the traditional metal band 'Onward'. Onward's demos circulated and the band was approached by some of the genres most formidable labels. In 2001 Knapp signed with Century Media records resulting in the albums 'Evermoving' and 'Reawaken'. Again, guitarists across the globe took serious inspiration from the fiery, raw yet progressive style Knapp showcased on these landmark records. Knapp toured the U.S supporting bands such as Exodus, Blind Guardian, Metal Church's David Wayne, Agent Steel, Symphony X and Angra as well as playing high profile shows; ProgPower in Chicago, Seattle's Abrasive Rock Fest, November to Dismember, Ultrasound and the Milwaukee Metalfest to name a few. Knapp was hailed by metal publications including Guitar World, Metal Maniacs and Hit Parader as being one of the hottest traditional metal guitarists on the scene. Toby also contributed to several tribute albums including those paying homage to Michael Schenker, Uriah Heep and Savatage. In late 2006 Knapp returned to the metal world after recording and releasing two albums back to back. Knapp's instrumental guitar album 'Polarizing Lines' and his Black Metal masterpiece Waxen's "Fumaroth". "On 'Polarizing' Knapp gets diabolical and tears up dark, eerie Black Metal solos in fine fashion, cool album and certainly worth the price"(excerpt from HARDROCKHAVEN review). METAL RULES .COM described Polarizing Lines as a "tour de force from a phoenomenal guitarist, Toby is a true musician made in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS". Polarizing Lines also received heavy rotation on New York's "The Academy of Shred" 88.5 FM WRUR. Waxen's "Fumaroth" followed suit by setting new standards, establishing Knapp as a master of whatever genre he wishes to explore; An excerpt from Vampire Magazine states "Just when you think BM is exhausted, Toby Knapp comes along and twists the formula, viewing it through the filter of his own musical history". The buzz created from these albums made Knapp the first runner up for the lead guitar slot in the legendary death metal act Vital Remains when guitarist Dave Suzuki suffered hand injuries in 2006. However it was not meant to be, Dave healed and Vital Remains carried on with the Dechristianize line-up(minus Benton). In 2007 Knapp remastered several previously unreleased Onward tracks for an official release of "The Neverending Sun" and announced plans for a progressive metal collaboration with former Into Eternity vocalist Dean Sternberg resulting in the highly anticipated "Misanthropy Divine"(more to come on this highly sought after project!). Onward also made it to DVD 4 years after the fact with the inclusion of their video for the track "Night" on the Century Media DVD compilation "The Visual Experience". In September of 2007 Knapp enjoyed a large write up in METAL STORM MONTHLY, sharing the cover with the legendary Candlemass. After the re-issue of Knapp's back catalog he embarked on a series of regional shows supporting such bands as Psyopus(Metal Blade Records) Despised Icon(Century Media) and Light This City(Prosthetic Records) among others. In an ironic twist of fate, Knapp recently joined forces with Vital Remains co-founder Jeff Gruslin and Godless Rising (Moribund Records) and has begun work writing and recording music for the follow up to the their highly acclaimed album "Battle Lords". 2008 will have Knapp touring with Godless Rising in support of "Trumpets of Triumph." Having stood the test of time, interest in this enigmatic musician (recently dubbed "The Fastest Gun In The West" by Stratoblogster.blogspot.com) continues to grow.
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