Guitarist METAL MIKE CHLASCIAK (HALFORD, PAINMUSEUM) recently returned from the Grand Opening ceremony for the new location of School Of Rock, Farmingdale, NY.

The grand opening, which took place Saturday, September 24th, offered attendees a close-up look at the school’s new facilities, instructors and curriculum. The day additionally featured clinics by Metal Mike, Billy Rymer (DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) and Joe Meyer (FOR THE TAKING). Everyone in attendance was treated to performances by bands consisting of school’s students with the final crescendo consisting of a one time only performance featuring Metal Mike, Billy and Joe.

School Of Rock, D’addario Strings and Evans Drumheads provided giveaways throughout the day.

Chlasciak: "I was very happy to be a part of the day. I feel strongly about adding my input in the development of the young rockers and metallers of tomorrow. It was awesome to see such young kids with so much talent. To have the facility and the guidance that will help promote their creative and personal growth is really important and positive. I would also like to thank all the great students and folks at School Of Rock, D’addario Strings and certainly Billy and Joe for tearing it up when we jammed later in the day. All in all – great time with a good cause!”

For the October 2011 issue (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS cover), as a part of his regular Metal For Life guitar column, Metal Mike has delivered a new topic which he feels is often overlooked on the music instructional side – death and black metal guitar styles.

In the column installment, simply called Tales From The North, Chlasciak shares simple but useful ideas behind riff structure found across death and black metal.

Asked about the column, Chlasciak commented: "Although I did grow up on traditional heavy metal (OZZY OSBOURNE, LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) and the late '80s thrash scene (early MEGADETH, OVERKILL, TESTAMENT), I do also love bands such as DEATH, CARCASS, DIMMU BORGIR, DARK FUNERAL, CYNIC and many more. I thought that it would be interesting to check out some stuff that they have going on and bring it to the readers.

Couple years back, I got together with Nergal from BEHEMOTH. He asked me to go over some shred and lead ideas with him and I in turn picked his brain on several things that he does in his music. I wanted to discover what could be done to make things sound more majestic, intense as found in that world. I think we got a few small, but good examples in the Tales From The North column. We also have an example that is a straight up death metal riff in the vein of MORBID ANGEL and a Dimmu / IMMORTAL inspired chord change as well. Well, I guess in the end, I hope some players will find something interesting and useful for their own playing within the column. Horns Up High.

The October 2011 issue of Guitar World is on newsstands now.