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Mattias Eklundh | |
|---|---|
 Eklundh in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | IA |
| Born | (1969-10-06)6 October 1969 (age 55) Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Genres | Progressive metal,experimental,heavy metal,speed metal,power metal,hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Favored Nations, Thunderstruck |
| Member of | Art Metal,Freak Kitchen, Freak Guitar |
| Formerly of | Fate, Frozen Eyes |
| Website | freakguitar |
Mattias Bernt Johannes Eklundh (born 6 October 1969),[1] also known asIA, is a Swedish guitarist and vocalist. He is known for his work withFreak Kitchen,Jonas Hellborg andArt Metal, and he has also produced several noted solo Freak Guitar albums released bySteve Vai andFavored Nations, and holds his annual Freak Guitar Camp in the woods of Sweden every summer for dedicated guitar players from all over the world.[2] He was also prominently featured playing his trademark-style solos on the first fourSoilwork albums.
Eklundh began drumming at the age of six; when he was thirteen, he began playing guitar. He has namedFrank Zappa andAce Frehley ofKiss as his two major musical influences, but his record collection also includedgypsy jazz,Miles Davis, andSlayer among many others.[3][2]
In the mid-80's, Eklundh joined the band Frozen Eyes, a few years later he quit because their manager was holding their money, and they never had a good share of it, until Eklundh did the math. Frozen Eyes split up soon after their self-titled album was released in 1988 and Eklundh subsequently joined Danish metal bandFate as lead guitarist. Eklundh appears on their 1990 albumScratch 'n Sniff. He later returned to Sweden, forming his own band Freak Kitchen[4][5] in 1992 with former Frozen Eyes drummer Joakim Sjöberg and bassplayer Christian Grönlund.[2] The band played together for eight years, until Sjöberg and Grönlund left in 2000, only to be replaced by Christer Örtefors and Björn Fryklund.
Outside of Freak Kitchen, Eklundh has recorded several solo albums, and made appearances as a guest musician for Swedish heavy metal bands likeEvergrey andSoilwork. His twoFreak Guitar solo albums are released onSteve Vai'sFavored Nations label, and include drawings and other artwork by friend Anders Nyberg. In 2005, he grouped with Swedish bass guitarist and composerJonas Hellborg in the Jonas Hellborg Trio along with drummer Niclas Campagnol and played their first gig inMumbai, India and followed with a tour of India. His album,Freak Guitar – The Road Less Traveled, features a rock- and metal-like remix of not title theme, but the background theme from the 1985 filmFletch.
In 2006, Eklundh's song "Zoo Me", was contributed to the album project Artists for Charity –Guitarists 4 the Kids, produced by Slang Productions, to assist World Vision Canada in helping underprivileged kids in need.[6]
He also annually hosts and teaches at the Freak Guitar Camp.
Eklundh does not smoke and is avegetarian.[7] He lives inHärryda[1] with his family, two dogs and a cat.[8]
Eklundh playedCaparison Guitars from 1996 to 2024 and had a long standing signature guitar model called "Apple Horn".[9][10] In 2015 saw the release of an eight-string model "Apple Horn 8" bearing a factory set low E. Eklundh uses the True Temperament fret system on his guitars.[11] In March 2024 it was announced that Eklundh and True Temperament have collaborated on a new guitar brand called Freak Guitar Lab, manufactured at True Temperament's factory inTrollhättan, Sweden. Six and eight-string "Ulv" models are currently available.[12]
Eklundh exclusively usesLaney Ironheart amplifiers and cabinets. His signal chain includesDunlopvolume pedal before the amp andMXR Carbon Copydelay pedal in the amp'seffects loop.[13] Eklundh also usesLine 6 Helix guitar processors both standalone and with his Laney amps.[14]
Eklundh also endorses Toontrack products and has provided digital guitar amp and cabinet simulations for the "Metal Guitar Gods" expansion pack.[15] He also usesEZdrummer for the drum tracks of his Freak Guitar project.
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