As work continues on their fourth studio album, BEAST IN BLACK has officially welcomed Finnish guitarist Markus Venehsalo into the band’s ranks.
The group was deep into the recording sessions for the next release when the need arose for a second guitarist capable of handling guitar solos for the album. At that stage of production, the band was searching for a player who could contribute solos that would complement the album’s evolving sound while bringing something unique to the table.
Coincidentally, Venehsalo reached out to the band around the same time, sending a direct message along with videos showcasing his own original solo work. The material immediately caught the band’s attention. Venehsalo demonstrated a rare balance of speed, precision, melody, and expression, with a strong musical understanding evident throughout both fast and slow passages. The guitarist’s distinctly Eastern Finland sense of humour also struck a chord with the band, adding an unexpected layer of warmth and camaraderie to the collaboration. As a result, Venehsalo was selected to perform the lead guitar solos on the upcoming album.
At the same time, the band was conducting interviews with several candidates from both Finland and abroad as part of its search for a permanent guitarist to join the band. The process attracted numerous highly skilled musicians. Ultimately, however, Venehsalo had already demonstrated what the band describes as his ‘Beast mentality’. After extensive consideration, the decision was made to offer him the position.
“When I was 8 years old, my dad brought home a guitar he had bought from a work buddy. I plugged it into an amp, found the distortion channel, and said to my dad, ‘I’m going to be a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist!’ Being now part of the Beast In Black lineup feels like an almost impossible dream come true for me, and I’m excited about what the future holds for us. Thank you for trusting me on guitar duties. I promise to do my absolute best!”
says the new guitarist Markus Venehsalo.
Check out his skills here: https://youtu.be/QbTvGozkEWc
