Jeff Loomis

Originally hailing from Wisconsin, guitarist Jeff Loomis took to his preferred instrument at a young age. Self-taught and serious, 16-year-old Loomis left his home state in 1987 to try out for Megadeth when Jeff Young left the band. Though he didn't get the gig because of his young age, he astounded Dave Mustaine. Loomis first played in Sanctuary, and though that group was short-lived, from there he and vocalist Warrel Dane went on to form Seattle-based prog metal band Nevermore. In Nevermore, Loomis' complex progressive-thrash hybrid style garnered the attention of many guitar fans, landing him a monthly column in Guitar World magazine -- where he would explain how to play his intense riffs -- and later landing him his own signature Schecter. Mustaine also included Nevermore in his travelling metalfest Gigantour. In 2005, Loomis announced his wish to do a solo album in the vein of his personal guitar heroes, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman. In 2008, Loomis' solo album, Zero Order Phase, was released on Century Media.