GUITARIST OF 2023
HE CREATED THE MOST TALKED ABOUT GUITAR SOLO OF THE YEAR – INSPIRED BY HIS GREATEST HERO, EDDIE VAN HALEN. NOW, THE EXTREME V IRTUOSO REVEALS THE FULL STORY OF RISE. “THIS,” HE SAYS, “IS THE F IRST TIME I’VE BROKEN DOWN THE SOLO IN THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL…”
2023 was an exceptional year for guitar music, with no shortage of talent old and new dazzling us with world ‐conquering riffs, miraculous fretwork and life-affirming compositions. But no one ruled the roost quite like Nuno Bettencourt, whose work on Extreme’s album Six –notable for being their first in 15 years –left everyone speechless in its sense of bold ambition, indicative of a band who knew how to play to their strengths while also reinventing themselves in other ways for the modern age. Particularly, it was his solo on lead single Risethat got the guitar community talking in every corner of the globe, ultimately proving why Bettencourt remains one of the finest gunslingers of his era.
In this new interview, Nuno offers what he describes as “the most detailed analysis yet” of the Risesolo, and tells the full story of how it was created –from Edward Van Halen dropping by the studio while it was being recorded to Nuno’s unorthodox amp settings and the secret pedal used during the rapturous climax of its very final moments. As he’s told us in the past, his approach often boils down to how pentatonic-based blues lines and neoclassical shred runs coalesce into what he refers to ‘simplexity’.
So without further ado, we present our Guitarist Of 2023 and also the man responsible for delivering our Solo Of 2023 –in the process motivating everyone from devout guitar aficionados to more casual listeners to appreciate just how powerful the right solo at the right time can truly be…
Congratulations, Nuno. It’s been quite the year for you!
Thanks! It’s been a bit overwhelming. When I look back on this year, there are definitely a lot of different emotions there. The response has been crazy. You always go into an album doing the best you can, but we definitely did not expect this response at all, with a lot of sold-out shows and excitement about the new music. Being called guitarist of the year and being voted solo of the year at this age and time in my life is remarkable… it’s a miracle! I’m grateful for everything this year.
What better place to start than the Rise solo itself? It tells astory almost like different acts within aplay, using asmorgasbord of gravity-defying techniques, heartfelt blues and lyrical phrases…
Wow… can we just leave it at that? Because what I’m about to say probably won’t sound as good! When solos like this happen, or any leads for that matter, you never go in thinking all of those things you just said. You try your best but it’s never like, ‘This
