Matt Heafy

Matt Heafy

Matthew Kiichi Heafy (born January 26, 1986 in Iwakuni, Japan) also known as Matt Heafy is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Trivium. Heafy is also the vocalist for the band Capharnaum, along with Trivium's old producer Jason Suecof. He is also the youngest member in his own band.

Biography

Main Biography

At the age of 22, Matt has had considerable success for a young artist. Trivium has garnered a large following in Europe and they are now trying to achieve the same success in North America.

His favorite bands include Metallica, Pantera, Queen, Megadeth, In Flames, Hate Eternal, Rammstein and Iron Maiden.

Matthew’s success did not come easily. He claims to have practiced eight hours a day to learn guitar when he was 12 years old, right through until present day. Matt currently plays a 7-string guitar Custom Dean Model. He uses 6-string guitars for Trivium's first two albums, Standard and Drop D Tuning on Ember to Inferno and drop D on Ascendancy. On their third record, The Crusade, he returns to standard tuning on his 6 and 7 string string guitars. Heafy confesses that his next project would be to start a black metal band, but not for some time.

Trivium

The previous vocalist of Trivium quit the band shortly after Heafy's joining and Matt assumed responsibility for vocals and the majority of the song writing. Matt's debut with Trivium included his compositions of "Fugue", "Demon", "Requiem", "Sworn" and "The Storm". He has also composed the songs and lyrics for their Ember to Inferno album and the Ascendancy album. Paolo, Corey and Matt had an equal involvement in the recording of The Crusade.

With the release of Trivium's 4th album, Shogun, Matt greatly expanded his vocal range; from very melodic singing to deep death growls Matt has brought back his share of screaming vocals to the live shows. In Trivium, Matt also shares lead guitar duties with Corey Beaulieu.

Tomorrow is Monday

After Ember to Inferno, Matt decided to experiment with post-hardcore music, and made a joke band called "Tomorrow Is Monday". They have released 1 song, called "Head on Collision with a Rosebush Catching Fire". As revealed in a recent interview in Rock sound, they wrote, recorded and edited the song in one hour.

Roadrunner United

In 2005, Roadrunner Records released Roadrunner United: The All-Star Sessions to celebrate the label's 25th birthday. Four "team captains" were chosen: Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Robert Flynn (Machine Head), and Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory) as well as Heafy. Heafy also wrote the lyrics and sang the lead vocals to "The End", captained by Dino Cazares. He and fellow band mate / guitarist Corey Beaulieu recorded the song "In The Fire" as well, featuring singer King Diamond, bassist Mike D'Antonio and drummer Dave Chavarri. He also wrote and played guitar on the tracks "Dawn Of A Golden Age" and "Blood And Flames", also contributing vocals to the latter.

Heafy won the "Golden God Award" at the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards 2006.

Equipment

Guitars

Heafy previously used Gibson guitars until Rita Haney, partner of 20 years to Dimebag Darrell gave him and Corey Beaulieu each one of Dimebag's famous Razorbacks and in 2005 were endorsed by Dean Guitars, Heafy currently using his signature Dean guitar which is the first Dean of its kind. It has Dean ML body shape is has a finish of the Japanese rising sun along with the Trivium circle logo placed along the 11th, 12th, and 13th frets and is also fitted with a Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo and has a specially carved neck heel designed by Matt Heafy himself to allow for supreme upper fret access. It is also the first ever Dean ML shape to have 24 frets.

Summary

• Dean Matt Heafy Signature 7 string MKH
• Dean Matt Heafy Signature MKH
• Dean Matt Heafy prototype MKH (White with Gold trim)
• Dean Dimebag Tribute Razorback (Rust)
• Dean Timecapsule
• Dean ML (Trans Black)
• Dean Razorback V
• Dean Hardtail
• Ernie Ball Petrucci 7 string
• Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar (Black)
• Gibson Custom Les Paul Supreme Electric Guitar (Alpine White) (Headstock was damaged in Irish 2008 show)
• Gibson Voodoo Explorer
• Washburn Stealth
• LTD ESP M-107
• Fender Stratocaster

Amplifiers

Throughout most of Heafy's professional career he has used Marshall 1960BV cabinets along with Peavey 6505+ or the standard 6505 heads.

Summary

Current Equipment-

• Peavey 6505+ Heads
• Marshall 1960BV Cabinets

Past Equipment-

• Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 Heads
• Peavey XXX
• Peavey 5150
• Kustom 72 Coupe
• Mesa Boogie Roadster head
• Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier cabs

Effects & Misc

• Dunlop MXR GT-OD Overdrive Pedal
• Dunlop MXR Smart Gate Noisegate Pedal
• Jim Dunlop Tortex Jazz III (purple with custom graphic)
• Dunlop Jazz 3 Picks
• Dunlop Grommet Straps
• Dunlop Strap Locks
• Dunlop .09 - .50 Strings (Dunlop .09 - .46 with an extra .50 Dunlop string for the 7th string)

Matt's guitar goes straight to the OD pedal, noisegate and then to the amp.

Pickups

• USA Dean Matt Heafy "MKH86" (bridge)
• USA "Nostalgia" (neck)
• Seymour Duncan '59 (neck)
• Seymour Duncan Alcino II (neck)
• Seymour Duncan Dimebucker (bridge)
• EMG 81 (bridge)
• EMG 85 (neck)
• EMG 89 (neck)

Discography

Trivium

• Trivium (EP) (2003)
• Ember to Inferno (2003)
• Ascendancy (2005)
• The Crusade (2006)
• Shogun (2008)

Capharnaum

• Fractured (2004)

MindScar

• Mindscar EP, (2001)

Tomorrow is Monday

• Lush Like an Antpile (2004)

1. Head on Collision with a Rosebush Catching Fire

Other

• Roadrunner United (2005)
• Master of Puppets: Remastered (2006)
• Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden (2008)

References

• For personal details and some equipment

External links

• Trivium's official web site
• Trivium at myspace
• Matt Heafy at Dean Guitars
• Trivium in France!