Introduction
"Metal" Mike Chlasciak (born December 24, 1971) is a Polish-American musician. Best known as the guitarist for Halford, led by Rob Halford. With well over a million records sold, Chlasciak and Halford have toured the world several times over with the likes of Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe. Mike has additionally toured with Bay Area thrash metal band Testament,Saturday Night Live's comedian Jim Breuer and recorded / toured with Sebastian Bach. Chlasciak's touring has taken him to sold-out concerts at NYC’s Madison Square Garden and the Playboy Mansion.
Mike has additionally shared stages or recordings with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses and Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche.
Mike is a scholarship graduate of Berklee College Of Music. He has released several records as a solo artist and with Painmuseum. Chlasciak also writes his own monthly "Metal For Life" column in Guitar World and often contributes career and music related blogs for guitarworld.com and other publications. Mike released several metal guitar instructional books and DVDs.
As a solo artist Mike Mike supported Steve Morse, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ronnie Montrose, Savatage, Primal Fear, Sebastian Bach and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. Mike's solo band PainmuseuM has toured with Halford, Testament, Amon Amarth and others.
Mike additionally leads Metal Heroes Academy - a learning portal for metal guitarists and musicians. Metal Heroes's crown jewel is the annual Metal Heroes Summer Camp that takes place annually in the Catskill Mountains of up-state New York. Mike continues to lead workshops and clinics across the US spotlighting Heavy Metal guitar playing.
Mike's has contributed songs to "Songs From The Garage" album from Saturday Night Live alumni Jim Breuer and has provided lead guitar duties for Jim's Band, Jim Breuer and The Loud & Rowdy.
In 2017, Metal Mike put together a new solo band with musicians Marc Lopes (Ross The Boss, Let Us Prey), Mike LePond (Symphony X, Silent Assassins) and Ronnie Lipnicki (Overkill). The group headlined its own shows, small festivals and has supported melodic rockers Dokken at 2019 US East Coast dates.
In 2018, Metal Mike was inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall Of Fame along Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Billy Sheehan (Talas, Mr. Big, Sons Of Appolo) and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath.
Metal Mike continues his solo work and adds his unique, no-frills guitar playing to other Heavy Metal luminaries.
Discography
As Mike Chlasciak
- Territory: Guitar Kill!!! (2000)
As Metal Mike Chlasciak
- The Spilling (2001)
- This Is War (EP) (2012)
- The Metalworker (2013)
- The Metalworker Demos + 6 (2019)
With Isolation Chamber
- Grind Textural Abstractions (1996)
With Halford
- Resurrection (2000)
- Live Insurrection (2001)
- Crucible (2002)
- Fourging the Furnace (2003)
- Silent Screams (2006)
- Metal God Essentials, Vol. 1 (2007)
- Halford III - Winter Songs (2009)
- Live In Anaheim - Original Soundtrack (2010)
- Halford IV: Made of Metal (2010)
- Live At Saitama Super Arena - OriginalSoundtrack (2011)
- Live In London (2012)
- The Essential Rob Halford (2015)
- Extended Versions (2015)
- The Complete Albums Collection (2017)
With John West
- Earthmaker (2002)
With Joacim Cans
- Beyond the Gates (2004)
With Painmuseum
- Metal For Life (2005)
- You Have the Right to Remain Violent (2006)
With Sebastian Bach
- Angel Down (2007)
Guest Appearances
Recordings
- Mike LePond - Silent Assassins (2014)
- Iceland - Iceland (2013)
- Sylencer - A Lethal Dose Of Truth (2012)
- Ralf Scheepers - Scheepers (2010)
- Michael Vescera - A Sign Of Things To Come (2008)
- Delta - Crashbreaker (2008)
- Primal Fear - Metal Is Forever (2006)
- Doctor Butcher - Doctor Butcher (2005)
- Dream Evil - The Book Of Heavy Metal (2004)
- Consortium Project III - Terra Incognita (2003)
- Michael Vescera Project - The Altar (2003)
- Primal Fear - Black Sun (2002)
- Tribute To The Priest (2002)
- Tribute To Led Zeppelin - The Music Remains The Same (2002)
- Heavy Metal Geomatrix - Game Soundtrack (2001)
- Tribute To Joe Satriani - Crushing Days (2001)
- Tribute To Jason Becker - Warmth In The Wilderness (2001)
- Tribute To Yngwie Malmsteen - A Guitar Oddysey (2000)
- Metro Playoff Fever (2003)
Filmography
- Bang Your Head Festival - 10th Anniversary (2006)
- Primal Fear - The History Of Fear (2006)