The Faceless Michael Keene at NAMM 2009

[@carstentilsgren2079]

This dude has got two eyes, a mouth and a nose.. That's a face, where I come from..

[@Invayda]

The faceless is the name of his band not his nickname

[@ceeyiyayenessay4497]

?! Turn your hearing aid up.. if that's all you have to say about this, you are definitely missing out.

[@carstentilsgren2079]

Yes, he is quite talented. I was just making a lame joke. But he is no Billy Gibbons..

[@dents725]

Holy shit, how can anyone not see this is an obvious joke..

[@CoDisafishy]

+Carsten Tilsgren Billy Gibbons? Was that another joke? You can't really compare the two.

[@williamanderson406]

0:08 Prison born riffs and solo 0:59 Coldly calculated design solo 1:51 Xenochrist solo 3:04 Planetary duality II: A prophecies fruition riffs and solo 3:39 Son of belial riffs and solo

[@BambiRory]

Vix alexa i like you.

[@twittertxnn_r6660]

Thank you

[@TrevzTv]

00:55 Weird dude shows up

[@captainconvulsion]

​@@TrevzTv 3:13 weird dude meanders off with a cool video on his flip phone

[@420247milo]

Goat timestamp

[@drifter61]

To this day this band is the biggest inspiration to my guitar playing. Discovered them at 16. I’m now 33

[@NogGonnaMakeIt]

Lol same story for me too

[@torch357]

same man, silent circus btbam got me into metal, this guy set me on my path

[@drifter61]

@@torch357 fucking yessss dude! Silent circus was just top notch, and we can’t forget The Red Chord, and Animosity we’re so unique and bad ass as well

[@torch357]

@@drifter61 hell yea! saw TRC shortly after clients in a small club, still one of my favorite shows. Animosity had my still favorite drummer too! (navene)

[@Prognosisnegative90]

Not a musician but also discovered em in middle school / high school and would blast the faceless everyday driving out of school on my buddy’s pos Pontiac 😂. Good times.

[@JasonLuther1]

I miss The Faceless. They were just as impactful as Necrophagist. Such a distinct sound it influenced so many Tech Death bands shortly after their era

[@thecrypticstench]

100% bro, such a shame he hasn’t been able to kick the addiction. We could’ve gotten a PD2 for all we know had Derek and co not left the band. At least we’re gonna get something similar with Zenith Passage soon.

[@robertlovins2201]

Epitaph is such an amazing album. Muhammed suiçmez was definitely another pioneer in the tech death scene.

[@JasonLuther1]

@@thecrypticstench oh yeah Zenith Passage slaps always. Entheos as well

[@SixStringFiasco]

They were like the Steely Dan of tech-death. Deadly vices included unfortunately

[@NicholasDRUMS]

@@thecrypticstench as of Five hours ago 🔥🔥🔥

[@rajonbrendo9569]

Good to see the the entire faceless lineup together for this video

[@drifter61]

@@rajonbrendo9569 top tier comment man lmao 🤣

[@tonykratos]

The pinkyless.

[@vimalmus6317]

LOL

[@evolagenda]

Tony Echeverría. That is fucking hilarious I can't stop laughing

[@krispynachos9980]

Still a shred demon

[@lordPix3lUK]

He's still awesome though

[@brandonTHEshiados]

Yes!!!

[@dylanedwards2056]

I would be so nervous playing at a place like NAMM where everyone there plays guitar and EVERYONE is listening to you and can hear your mistakes

[@breeebeast8056]

Dylan Edwards he only missed like 3 notes lol

[@dylanedwards2056]

Breee Beast Oh yeah I know he did extremely well, I can just feel the pressure when I watch these videos though that's all I'm saying

[@barkbox3931]

Dylan Edwards seriously lol

[@garysmith7263]

Bro drop those nuts n dont give a Fuck. They r called mistakes not plans man.

[@bt1927]

Something berried alive would never do , perform live

[@nikkc4398]

Came back this video after not having seen it for 10 years. I hope Mike's recovery is going well. Stay strong dude.

[@wylde678]

It's sad because from what I've heard, recent live shows have been less than stellar, with Keene looking strung out and barely able to play. Wish him all the best, hopefully he beats it and can continue to make amazing music for years to come.

[@dennywise153]

i dont know what happened to him. whats the problem?

[@dennywise153]

oh shit

[@cremejockey8636]

The dope made “In becoming a Ghost” so fucking good tho. Jk I’ve been thru it too. I hope he is good and gonna write something even better sober

[@CVholik]

@@wylde678 isn't he sober now? Meaning 7 months ago when you made this comment

[@tl_nik0n353]

I really hope this dude finds his way and gets off the fucking dope. He's such a beautiful player.

[@NoNo-sv2fo]

Me too dude! Hes definitely influenced me cause the last two albums and I love the arpeggio stuff and melody lines or whatever he does. Sorry dont know music theory or the correct terminology.

[@IROCK80551]

He doing coke? It seems like it

[@mattgoldsworthy3278]

@@Pleadingforriffs Probably why he's so good haha!

[@TheSadistNat1on]

@@mattgoldsworthy3278 well, its why he was so bad..exact opposite truly. he'd be a monster if he didn't go to it for personal numbing medicine that turned into addiction

[@mattgoldsworthy3278]

@@TheSadistNat1on I was only kidding around man. Take a chill pill.

[@pnh666]

Love how even after messing up he keeps composure. He is a pure prodigy . I enjoy every single note he plays. Thank you Michael Keene for the amazing guitar work!

[@withthemates9233]

Tech death that actually sounds like something and not just a bunch of weedling sweep picking. Fantastic.

[@mrdeathamore]

+BornOfDalek There are many tech death like this if you are looking carefully

[@HorridFcknCvvnnt]

+Leonid Isachenko There are plenty of non-weedling sweep picking Technical Death bands that are much, much better than The Faceless

[@mrdeathamore]

***** Yes, of course, I just meant that there are bands that plays technical and stay musical, not just wankery.

[@HorridFcknCvvnnt]

I was meant to be replying to the comment you were replying to....

[@HorridFcknCvvnnt]

+OldCryptopsy Obscura, Anata, Psycroptic, Nile, Decrepit Birth, A Loathing Requiem, Irreversible Mechanism...

[@saschamarr495]

Seriously one of my biggest inspirations and criminally underrated, his leads sound freaking alien and are instantly recognizable. Hope he his doing well!

[@BrendonGillespie]

He's been struggling with Heroin addiction for many years, I hope he recovers and comes back soon!

[@crookedgamer7183]

@@BrendonGillespie Yeah, and also with homosexuality.

[@jacobpennnell5139]

older guy taking selfie with the stone aged flip phone... Pioneer lol

[@SonSukka]

+Jacob pennnell Just because you weren't born when flip phones were a thing doesn't mean they're stone aged :P

[@jacobpennnell5139]

+Smilecythe lol touche'

[@veetya92]

he made emphasis on selfie, which weren't common then

[@SonSukka]

***** People have taken selfies as long as cameras have existed. Sharing them is what's different now though and well they weren't probably called "selfies" back in the day.

[@syaifulbahriab]

Ahahahahahahaha

[@maxwelld23]

Wish this dude could get his shit together because he's obviously a talented dude. It's a shame

[@taylorshred]

Dude

[@jbardugon]

Agreed. Drugs fucking suck

[@ALEXANDERSTOEV]

I think he has it together now ))

[@rb3302]

Bro monotony is his killer. Mine as well, you may say, or might, or could, perhaps, for sure, certainly, mainly, all I got.

[@ReTr093]

After all these years I still love this. I saw this in 2009.

[@chrisbruchak4519]

Kenne has been a generational talent for so long now. Its insane how well a video this old holds up.

[@flavortownchef1695]

That last solo makes me feel real nostalgic. Thanks for all the great tunes Keene Machine!

[@red240red2]

One of my favorite guitar videos of all time on KZbin!! Best tech album ,sickest guitar for that genre and dope playing even with the mess ups.

[@TheManglerPolishDeathMetal]

still coming back to this vid ...great playing and composing

[@spaal6115]

Looking back at this makes me feel kinda sad for Keene's current state. He's a troubled genius but I feel like he's going to fade into obscurity if he doesn't get himself together soon.

[@acidrain812]

I don’t wanna jinx anything but 5 months later things look like they’re slowly turning around. There hasn’t been any incidents & they’ve been playing all their dates without canceling

[@MaestroJericho]

yeah, can't stop Necrophagist from retiring but Faceless headlining with Archspire, Beyond Creation, etc. with guys like Wes Hauch, Alex Rudinger, etc. in good terms still.

[@TacoCrisma]

I chatted with Mike when I opened for them at the summer slaughter date in Syracuse. Their trailer had burst open and they lost equipment, a laptop, and other valuables on the highway. He was in good spirits and was really welcoming. I think he’s doing well now. I told him it was great to see them out and I hope they continue doing it and he seemed very appreciative. Maybe he sucks to be in a band with but he was definitely the opposite of what the internet would paint him to be. Aaron doesn’t hold a candle to Lyle though, not even slightly.

[@Qliphirot]

that guitar is beatiful sadly they discontinued this model

[@angelespinoza9760]

***** yea i was lucky enough to find a washburn mercury 2 at sam ash for $300 not only that but they miss priced it the actual price was supposed to be $700-$900

[@mememetal666]

Same as a solar guitar ola copied it apparently

[@costasa2401]

@@mememetal666 can you post a link/ name that solar guitar?

[@thespoon476]

I like him because he doesn't have to use a 7 or 8 string to try to be heavy. And his riffs are killer.

[@rookiem8]

Always loved the faceless guitars sound/tone and his freakin green guitar.. remember seeing them back in 2007-2008ish and first seeing that guitar.. instantly fell in love with the look and color

[@SingSkateScream]

2022.. stil llove his melodic chord choices.. solid asf playing. miss ya hope you're doing good michael!

[@carlmarker9257]

jesus 2009 was 45 years ago

[@Nino.ElectricSoul]

1:11 happens to the best of us all

[@Zwellop]

It was in the middle of a shred run at least. The worst is when you go in for a big bend, you're ready to play a tasty bend and... nope its a dead note

[@desertfox7924]

I first watched this video in 2008 when I was in my second year of highschool and when Planetary Duality was released. I still come back to this album at 32 years old, it is a masterpiece. Michael's guitar playing is both emotional and precise awesomeness. I love what he does with his style of using the whammy bar ....sounds so cool, respect.

[@phylazen5649]

it still breaks my heart when he misses those notes towards the beginning cuz that asian dude just... walks away... and Mike totally saw him out the corner of his eye. Dude should have stuck around cuz Mike was just warming up

[@dyingempireband]

I watched this that often I can´t understand how this has not 1.000.000 views. But yeha. I realy love his guitar playing. very inspiring.

[@vimalmus6317]

Dying Empire it does now ;D

[@menaceP875]

An absolutely iconic video. I remember first hearing this and my mind being totally blown.

[@wilfredhadone6435]

that flip phone

[@andrewcharles6197]

I also didn't realize that this was NAMM 2009.

[@shadowkid124]

No ones gotten a hand job using a flip phone since Namm...wait

[@coryleblanc]

how do you feel about people who dont own a smart phone?

[@Gatitasecsii]

Have you ever thought whenever you see a guitar from this angle "how delicious the fretwire looks"?

[@tylorcaruth]

Im not alone! thank god.... its so shiny lol

[@Diogolindir]

Nasty-looking Navi dude, Its so beautiful.

[@I_Will_Just_Be_Honest]

Stainless steel, baby!

[@heyitsgiggle]

I'll forever be searching for one of these washburn guitars..... They took them out of production so quickly :(

[@ryanschindler923]

same here man, wanted one of those the instant i seen this video years and years ago. i recently found a old washburn 7 string in a pawnshop marked stupid low and it plays really nicely, would love to get a killer 6 string so i could play some faceless lol

[@ryanschindler923]

@Reflexez Not sure why i put that last part, i already have a killer 6 string to play The Faceless on lol.

[@alexbancroft9665]

It's not all about 'shredding' and having a pissing contest on a fretboard. This guy proves you can have technicalities working in conjunction with slower paced melodic breaks. One of the best guitarists I've seen in a long time.

[@arrestedshrimp]

Here there is no pinky,,, only MICHAEL KEENE!!!

[@DKStudiosful]

+arrestedshrimp hahahaha . never noticed that til you said something

[@jeffc4461]

The weird thing is that he actually uses it a lot for chords but never for soloing. Maybe he just learned licks abd scales that way

[@krispynachos9980]

Keene Machine!

[@maxwellholmes594]

this comment aged so well

[@MichaelTaylor-tg7wj]

that line 6 pod is the true star of the show

[@nagalora]

2020 still listening. 👍

[@Rockonmankind]

Until 0:58 Michael's playing Prison Born, then he plays Coldy Calculated Design until 1:51. After that he plays Xeno Christ until he starts playing Planetary Duality II: A Prophecies Fruition at 03:04 and at 3:38 he plays Sons of Belial concluding his amazing performance In my opinion he's a very good guitar player and definitively one of my inspirations

[@martinlambeyy2713]

I can't stop watch this video,it blown me away...

[@eskimomadness]

How is no one talking about how this man DOESNT EVEN USE HIS PINKY FINGER 90% OF THE TIME. What a badass, 3 fingers is all he needs to play like this

[@wallthemart]

Looks like hes getting away with it because he has pretty big fingers

[@AleArzMusic]

Extremely talented.

[@AleArzMusic]

Still one of my favorite videos on KZbin

[@ryan_isnotwhatheseems]

When I first heard The Faceless it really blew me away. Add it to my favorite list alongside Necrophagist and Fleshgod Apocalypse. :D

[@djenttyrant]

I love the fuck up at 0:58 and how he just shrugs it off after he realizes lol

[@ProjectDubby]

Oh man thank you for posting about that video. Made my day. Funniest thing I've seen in quite some time.

[@RichardGarcia93]

God 2009 was such a magical time. This video has to have at least 200 views from only me haha.

[@ETAxOfficial]

I miss these days

[@MrKronos747]

im so glad this video is almost at a million views. it deserves some attention...

[@ubiozmiec]

you can tell by his fingering and hand positioning that he is self-taught. Great job!

[@Hera_91]

1:12 damm bend!!! Love ya michael!!

[@erwinyawoga6301]

+Tony Soprano :D

[@Renzo8375867]

loool dat bend

[@lostbrethren2826]

Amazing guitarist and such an inspiration. I'm proud to say that this guy featured on my bands album

[@Mrcoolrunin]

why no pinkie?

[@Moose_Hawkins]

I love how in the beginning there's this blues playing in the background...and then it''s like SUDDENLY, METAL

[@harimauvortex]

and when the metal ends, the BLUES prevails lol

[@Morbidfilthz]

His style and solo's are amazingly incredible.I really like his band as well!

[@bass1134]

Excited for their new album

[@dumithegreat3892]

manuel barajas kek, albumless

[@RustyGonzo]

Oof. This comment hurts to read now. Newer shit is nowhere near as good as Planetary Duality

[@Beer_George]

Old Dude with no cell reception owns this video!

[@silverspork86]

This guy is awesome. I just discovered this faceless this year, I've been missing out. Opeth is my favorite band of all time but these guys are damn close. Their music is so heavy and haunting.

[@MasterofWisdom]

dude listen his entire discography, there is no waste! i feel like every single note is placed at the correct place, i fcking love the faceless, sadly i lost their track, i also love opeth also check out the zenith passage its really cool too, have a nice day bro

[@silverspork86]

@@MasterofWisdom thanks man

[@trevorandis7409]

He needs to make this mashup an actual song. It's amazing. The highlights of Planetary Duality all slammed together, though the whole album is a highlight

[@trevorandis7409]

Found my own comment 3 years later, I approve my previous comment still

[@Lewis---]

Report back in an other three years man and keep us updated.

[@peesnlav]

Found your approval comment after 2 years. I approve your approval

[@glitchhhhhhhh]

@@trevorandis7409 Hey man it's time

[@trevorandis7409]

AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN FELLAS, now commences the 3 year later approval of the 3 year later initial comment. I approve this comment as well and shall return in another 3 years for reapproval. Stay approved! Thanks @naps

[@TheInfernalwing]

Well, I can see his face..

[@fountane]

You see A face. You don't know if that's his face. Could be someone he killed in the past.

[@95dank]

I always come back to this video every few months, love watching this. I saw the faceless live as well :_

[@darrenaranha4093]

even got Jet Li curious at 0:44

[@breeebeast8056]

Darren Aranha thats fucking hilarious lmao

[@buckfuttler2877]

Jet Ri

[@choctawbigguns3193]

I'm came here for the lack of pinky. I too am pinkyless and this makes me happy

[@midnightstreetfighter2129]

Sooo sick thank you for uploading this

[@natenewtown3662]

One of the best songwriters in all of music

[@griffinwile9026]

Their next album art should just be a close up of his guitar claw.

[@brownmoney27]

Genius songwriter and player. Hope to hear more from him soon. I still bum planetary duality as hard as I did when it came out

[@eddiem4868]

damn carlos santana should be able to afford a smartphone by now. This dude can shred!

[@stevicerated]

Hope he finds it in him to overcome the drug abuse

[@dawsonbeattie1577]

ok I've been listening to faceless for years and seeing this up-close and volumized just made my day. I fucking HATE when people say metal doesn't have melody or tune.. DO YOU HEAR the fucking beautiful music this man is playing? It's insane how hes so metal and yet the guitar melodies he comes up with are nothing but GORGEOUS musical pieces

[@WoWaddictDon]

who is the guy with the white hair?

[@Wrathofkala]

Chinese RIC FLAIR

[@richarddantz4256]

Rican GuitarGod WOOO!

[@commacents4052]

long live the flip phone

[@spoonerluv]

That bloos dad rippin' licks right before he starts, it's seared into my brain.

[@JullarMusic]

my mom walked in and i reacted as if i was watching porn

[@ericjustinvalerio9103]

1:15 is that guy taking a selfie? hahaha

[@Qcn0xa]

He's looking up there after taking it, so I guess there's something up there that he took a picture of. :P

[@thefachriabdilah]

2017 and still amazed with michael

[@pacificgeorgejohnsen7676]

His picking tech looks so funky. Like when he tremolo picks, he uses pretty much his whole ass arm

[@bryancabrera2702]

I've tried playing those super quick tremolo picked sections (like the one heard at around 1:07 in A Prophecies Fruition) using only my wrist but it feels damn near impossible. Much like Michael Keene I end up using my elbow because only then can I play it that quickly.

[@Max_Payn3]

@@bryancabrera2702 I truly believe at those speeds you almost have to incorporate your arm. There are videos of dudes playing that fast that use just the wrist. Can you do the 16th notes in Xeno at 245 bpm? I can play up to about 210 cleanly, after that I just get so sloppy they turn into triplets. Man I’d love to see a lesson on how he built up to that speed

[@Mr.Skeleton.]

1:17 snapchat selfie

[@knazmuelhossain2140]

Even after all these years this still makes me happy. :) Also, so glad to see that it's nearly there to 1m views!

[@sifatrahbarkhan9059]

woah fuck you

[@knazmuelhossain2140]

no, fuck you

[@sifatrahbarkhan9059]

Remember when The Faceless released a single off their new album? A year ago? :'|

[@knazmuelhossain2140]

Keene following the footsteps of Suicmez. He's just 12 years shy.

[@confucamus3536]

I too dabble in copious amounts of heroin.

[@bunnyvesper6824]

confucamus I’m a very casual user of boatloads of cocaine

[@Catuca99]

loooks like nobody taught him to use his pinky!

[@rickhxc]

he doesnt need it, fuck pinky

[@HumamBahoo]

this video never gets old

[@PaulOuzounov]

RING FINGER GAME SO STRONK HOO LEEE SHIT

[@givemeajackson]

Paul Ozz it almost hurts me to watch it. he's incredible, a lot better than i am, but that neglect of the pinky completely disturbs me. especially when you had wes hauch's ultimately efficient and perfect technique on the same stage right next to him.

[@TrueRattlehead]

givemeajackson hahaha true

[@krokodilejaw5431]

+Paul Ozz If I remember correctly, it's because he broke his pinky in an accident and had to learn how to play without it. He use it nowadays tho.

[@Fuckenzio007]

You know you did as a musician when you pay attention Asians LOL

[@calebfoster1832]

lol right?!

[@stephenresponts2935]

I could watch this everyday.

[@wy837]

Truly unbelievable. You can see he just wanted to ve recognized for his immense skill. Dude is a killer on guitar

[@metalband]

Still watching this video 13 years later, and still making deathmetal too!!!!!!

[@abr7man]

the song is "Coldly Calculated Design" from the Album "Planetary Duality"

[@AtanasovPetar]

The faceless have that sophisticated harmony in their music that is missing in 99.99% of all metal bands.From what i read Keene's father is a jazz guitarist so there you go.

[@Hertsman50]

thanks dude, you help is greatly appreciated. If I get any joy I will let you know. It truly is an awesome guitar, I would want it in that exact same colour.

[@puredisgust]

2019...I wish Keene would do a mashup like this for the other albums they have released, could u imagine like 35 minutes of solos and sick ass riffs on one track, LETS GOOOOO!!!!!!

[@ismelljello]

I remember watching this in high school and wanting that Washburn so badly.

[@sillyness3456]

@GuitarnScythes Washburn HM24.... The green colour is a standard one, it´s availiable in black, red and green....

[@FLOURISHFAMILYENT]

2021 i still love this video like it was 2009

[@anthonynichols9224]

Love that tune so much

[@F3RN6NDO]

love this video!

[@Continuedcontinuation]

it's a mix of songs off the album 'Planetary Duality' by The Faceless. The Order is Prison Born, Coldly Calculated Design, Xenochrist, Planetary Duality II, Sons of Belial

[@aaactive8]

Poor dude, he was so damn nervous haha. Awesome as always

[@ZoomManagement]

There is one of these guitars (in black) currently available on eBay.

[@omarmetal1]

What guitar is?

[@ZoomManagement]

Washburn-WI526-HM-Series, USA made. That is what the guy is playing in this video....

[@Wallriss]

I bought tickets and went to see these guys before and they never showed. Perfect name for his band.

[@ferociouspokemachine]

Thanks! :D