Christopher Vizcarra

Christopher Vizcarra, is an American guitarist, bassist, pianist, singer, songwriter, music producer and audio engineer of world renowned Full Sail University. Vizcarra started his solo music career at the age of 15 performing song covers of his favorite bands such as Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Marty Friedman, & StratovariuS for public festivals. His natural ability to perform intricate melodic songs while alternating between both rhythm and solo work has shown incredible stamina and talent attracting thousands of people. Chris’ meticulous passion, talent and skill has helped him resurrect the Power Metal music of the 1980’s and has is described as a “Diamond among ashes” the “Steve Vai of Power Metal” and a “Virtuoso” resurrected to bring back Metal music of the early 1970’s and late 1980’s. 

 

Early Life

Christopher Vizcarra, is a descendant of a long Spaniard and French bloodline, born in Toppenish, Washington State. He is the only son of Alonso Machado Vizcarra a Farm laborer, and Concepcion Lerma Vizcarra a Licensed Practical Nurse and Philanthropist of the Lower Yakima Valley. He recalls his first experience and calling in music was “At the age of 5 my parents noticed I would hit my feet up against the washing machine to mimic the tempo as I sat on top of it, so as a result I always had to sing for something even a glass of water. I would sing the Sonic the Hedgehog theme song in tempo and pitch perfect.” By the age of 7 Chris learned to play Star Spangled banner on an old 1980’s casiotone keyboard. He often played on a friends abandoned guitar alone and was eventually discovered. His friends father approached his parents describing his talent but resources wouldn’t allow Chris to afford a guitar at that time. 

 

With child starlets and models becoming greatly popular in the 1990’s, Chris’ mother registered him to become a model. Chris modeled tuxedo’s and sports blazers with success. During Chris’ first year of middle school he took music and played the flute. On Chris’ freshman year in High school his parents gave him a surprise birthday gift. It was a Wildfire guitar starter pack in which, “I carried it with me everywhere and I even remember buying 5 Albums with my allowance and they all truly changed my life forever. In order they were the Randy Rhoads Tribute for his Melodic Music crafted from music theory, Marty Friedman & Jason Becker for their fast paced melodic tone from the 80’s & 90’s, Ville Valo for his deep yet soft melodic voice, StratovariuS for Timo Tolkki’s amazing guitar work. Every album resonated with Chris internally on an unbelievable level when he played his favorite songs for local public festivals and charity drives. “That was the first time I got to understand what passion felt like and to be given this gift that millions of people often spend a lifetime to try and find, made me feel amazing beyond words could describe. To also play at such an advanced degree in little time at such a young age made me feel and know that I was in a league of my own.”

 

Since the age of 15, Chris was a self taught solo guitarist and has been learning complex and intricate songs of his most favorite bands aurally through youtube. With Chris' newfound passion, determination, and enthusiasm, it has lead him to volunteer for local school events and headline local public festivals around the lower yakima valley every year. On his senior year at Mabton Jr/Sr High School, he played ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ at a talent show and was given the opportunity to headline at the halftime for the WIAA Hardwood Classic Tournament for 2500 people. His successes has also lead him to his second great opportunity to headline for the National Night Out, a local festival that attracted 4000 people earning him a letter of recommendation from the event coordinator and congressman runner Teodora Martinez Chavez, and event promotor Geronimo Martinez whom was head of the entertainment for the Lower Yakima Valley. A month right after his high school graduation his parents gave him front and center concert tickets to the Rockstar Mayhem Festival. Vizcarra recalls “I remember that day so clearly, seeing various bands up onstage gave me the greatest determination & motivation I could ever ask for. I vowed that no matter how long it took, I too one day would be up on stage having fun just like them or even along side them. My parents gave me the greatest gift I could ever ask for and that was to multiply my empowerment of achieving my dreams in anything I wanted to be and do”

 

Career Breakthrough - Bentley Records

Chris' sleepless nights from drawing his own album artwork and festival posters, to arranging and recording every instrument part by part, piece by piece and performing his favorite covers for 15 years hasn't gone in vain. His passions have caused him to attract other major artist' attention such as Marty Friedman to follow him. Marty Friedman is known for his tenure as the lead guitarist of Megadeth in the 1990's. As a result this small town kid has attracted the attention of talent scouts from across the world. On the first day of the new year of 2019, The team over at Bentley Records, including R&B Award Winning CEO, Artist, Producer, and Entrepreneur Luca Dayz has spotted Christophers passion, talent, and determination to be an artist and brought him aboard. Michael Jacksons guitarist Tommy O, Ukrainian Model & Superstar Tina Karol, and Grammy Award Winning Team The Jackie Boyz whom have contributed to David Guetta's One Love Club Mix of Madonna's "Revolver"  as well as other artists such as Justin Bieber, Flo-Rida, Sean Kingston, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Mars, and Chris Brown are only several examples of high caliber artists under the international record label. Chris' first single 'A Dragons Heart" has released worldwide March 20th, 2019 along with his debut album 'Reins of Victory' in every major retailer and air on radio stations. He continues to work on music right from his home studio. Chris has created a nice shockwave and has been in various articles and reviews in small and large when asked how he felt he happily replied "It's amazing, I just love to play music especially onstage. I'm inspired by many genres If the music sounds great it's great!" 

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Baroque Metal 

Along with his love for Power Metal, Glam Metal, & Neoclassical Metal, Chris boldly takes it back even further. He's developed his own genre of music known as Baroque Metal. The Baroque era is well known across the globe for the importance of details to produce, tension, exuberance, and grandeur; this is key and is only derived from those with a strong sensual & emotional connection with their craft coupled with an intricate skillset. Combined with the heavy and uplifting sought after organic sounds of his favorite metal genres of the 70's & 80's. You get a genre that is truly a one of a kind masterpiece. Prominent instruments for the genre includes: Harpsichords, Choirs, Synthesizers, Guitars, and Vocals. Aside from his own genre, he say’s Stratovarius, Power Quest, Poison, Dream Theater, Road Runners United, Poison, Galnerus, Randy Rhoads, Marty Friedman Jason Becker, & Van Halen, have heavily inspired him to shape and create his own sound. 

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Video Game Music

With a passion for retro video games and a background of video game sound design, Chris’ creativity has pulled some amazing sound effects right from his guitar. Chris has recently done some guitar covers of his favorite video games such as Sonic 3D Blast, and Congo's Capers. Whether It's music, intricate melodies to the creative sound effects, Chris' creativity clearly has no boundaries.

 

Playing Style (Gear Picking)

Chris’ exceptional technical skills derive from the Baroque era of his 3 favorite composers: Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico Scarlatti, & George Frideric Handel. He came with up with a unique alternate picking style known as Gear Picking (Referring to cars changing gears) Gear picking is a a cross between Alternate & Sweeping with the addition that the pick strikes inverts direction while moving from string to string, phrase to phrase, and articulations based on how slow or fast he plays. When moving across multiple strings at once a partial or whole sweep is often added. As a result his complex technique greatly increases his agility to astounding levels allowing him to glide across the strings with minimal effort while eliminating fatigue.

 

Full Sail University

Chris knew to be onstage he had to continue his education, with his letters of recommendations from those witnessing his skills as a prodigy he was invited to attend Full Sail. An accelerated university that is known worldwide for their contributions in every facet of the entertainment industry from major films to video games, and from music to sound tracks. Full Sail’s degree programs were rated the best around the world where students like Chris were beyond skilled and passionate in their fields came together to learn from the best, hands on, and collaborate. Vizcarra learned the art of the recording and mixing process under the wing of Derrick Harvin, a renowned multiplatinum music producer whom has written, produced, and engineered contemporary projects for stars of various genres including 50 Cent, Hillary Duff, Chaka Khan, Natasha Bedingfield, Betty Wright, and Kevin Cossom to name few. Chris has also worked under the wing of Veit Renn, another multiplatinum music producer whom has written, cowritten, produced and engineered music for stars including NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Take 5 and Aaron Carter. Improvisation, Ear training, & Music Theory may be the foundation of his talent but the pinnacle of it derives from his passion.

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Charts Top 10 on Reverbnation 2019

 

Fireworks Rock & Metal Magazine (UK, CA. USA, E.U.) – Hall of Fame Band KISS, Ozzy Osbourne Michael Angelo Batio, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Cream, Paul Gilbert, Devin Townsend, and much more Triple-A Artists are regularly featured.

 

Power Play Rock & Metal Magazine (UK, CA. USA, E.U.) – Grammy Band DragonForce, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Steel Panther, Dream Theater, ChickenFoot, Marty Friedman, Joe Satriani, Yngwie malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Gus G, Ted Nugget, Lamb of God, Guns  & Roses, & Disturbed are only some Triple-A Artists featured regularly.

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Metal Temple Magazine (UK, CA. USA, E.U.) 

Reins Of Victory Reviewed Scoring 6 out of 10 (Has Potential)

Metal Temple an international magazine faithfully serving the Metal & Hard Rock community for over 20 years covering everything from Melodic AOR and Hard Rock to the deepest fiercest of Death Metal and Grindcore as well as everything in between. 30 talented writers lead the way in reviewing, critiquing, and writing for Grammy Nominated Artists to Era Defining and Hall of Fame artists. Some examples include: Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads, King Diamond, DragonForce, Periphery, Trivium, Anthrax, Slayer, Slipknot, Galneryus, Children of Bodom, StratovariuS, Symphony X, Rhapsody of Fire, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Michael Angelo Batio. Metal Temple Magazine brings the best of artists to the fans. Metal Temple has reached out to a potential gem and gave Christopher’s Debut Album, Reins of Victory a spin and proudly reviewed it. 

 

http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/c_2/christopher-vizcarra.htm

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World of Metal (Portugal) – Reins of Victory scores a 9 out of 10 of the International Magazine of Portugal.

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World of Metal Magazine (International) – 3rd Edition, Selects the Best Artists from around the World from Hard Rock,

Heavy Metal, to Power Metal. From Iron Maiden, Twisted Sisters, to Sabaton and everything in Between!

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Guitarrista, Guitarist Magazine, & Mundo Das Guitarras - August/September 2021 Edition #9

Review, Interview, & Exclusive guitar gear breakdown.

https://guitarrista.jumpseller.com/09

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                                      **************************** More To Come **************************** 

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