The Commander-In-Chief
The Commander-In-Chief | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Berit Hagen |
| Born | 1989 (age 34–35) Bergen, Norway |
| Genres | Metal, pop, classical-crossover |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter, writer, illustrator |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, piano, vocals |
| Labels | Commander Records |
| Website | commandermusic |
The Commander-In-Chief (born Berit Hagen in 1989) is a Norwegian female guitarist and singer. She plays metal-pop / classical-crossover.
Biography
Berit Hagen was born in Bergen, Norway in 1989. She has lived in several countries, including Norway, the United States and UK. She speaks several languages fluently, including Norwegian, English, Italian, and French. When she lived in Chicago she took lessons in visual art with the established artist Linda Cohn. She started playing the guitar in 2005, at the age of 16.[1]
Success / History
The world biggest metal magazine Metal Hammer has called her "The Queen Of Shred" and has proclaimed her one of the world's ten most exciting metal guitarists.[2] Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal in Guns N' Roses has said about her that "She is a great talent with proper metal spirit".[3] Total Guitar Magazine said this: It's a sad fact that when you think of shred guitarists, the majority of them will be men. Enter The Commander-In-Chief, a seven-string wielding uber shredding female who's ready to melt faces and shatter stereotypes. This Norwegian Metal maiden has her eyes set to command and conquer the masses.[4]
Her historic guitar recording and video together with Thomas Valeur of the composer Pablo de Sarasate "Zigeunerweisen Op. 20", never before recorded/played on guitar has received a lot of attention. It was also the first ever professional recording with cooperation between a metal and classical guitarist.
Equipment
She is an official Ibanez guitar artist. She has been using the Ibanez RG7620, but is currently playing the Ibanez S5527 Prestige guitar. She is, however, best known for playing the prototype Ibanez Falchion 7 string guitar,[5][6][7][8] the only instrument of its kind in the world. She uses Laney Amps, EMG pickups, Audix microphones, DR Strings, Levy´s Leathers, PreSonus, and Stonecastle equipment.
Trademarks
- When performing, she is always dressed in a uniform, reflecting her chosen artist name, "The Commander-In-Chief."
- Her prototype Ibanez Falchion 7 string guitar
Releases
- Single: Paranoid - (2011)
- EP: Evolution - (2012)
- Single: Dropout - (2013)
- Single: The Commander-in-chief feat. Thomas Valeur: Sarasate "Zigeunerweisen Op. 20" - (2013)
- Album: The Commander-in-chief & Craig Ogden: 2 Guitars - The Classical Crossover Album - (2014)
- Single: Om Jeg Aldri Ser Deg Igjen (Live) (2015) [9]
- Album: I Am (2016) [10]
Other work
She is also the author and illustrator of the children's book, "The Freezing Snowman," which is her first book.[11]
Awards
- Nominated for "Best Metal Song 2011" by Hollywood Music In Media Awards.
- Nominated for "Best Metal Song 2012" by Hollywood Music In Media Awards.
References
- ^ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-freezing-snowman-b-hagen/1118584229?ean=9781492885719
- ^ http://metalnewspowerofmetaldk.blogspot.no/2011/12/commander-in-chief-in-metal-hammer.html
- ^ http://www.nrk.no/hordaland/vil-bli-storst-og-best-pa-gitar-1.10862452
- ^ http://www.guitarz-for-ever.com/Guitarist-The-Commander-In-Chief-Interview.html
- ^ http://www.guitarworld.com/video-guitar-duel-featuring-classical-guitarist-and-female-seven-string-guitarist
- ^ http://www.reverbnation.com/thecommanderinchief
- ^ http://www.emgpickups.com/artist/index/view/id/744
- ^ http://www.guitarshoptv.com/best-2013-zigeunerweisen-guitar-dual/
- ^ http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thecommanderinchief6
- ^ http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thecommanderinchief1
- ^ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-freezing-snowman-b-hagen/1118584229?ean=9781492885719