The Faceless Michael Keene at NAMM 2009

Michael Keene at NAMM 2009

[@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 🔥🔥🔥

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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?

[@SingSkateScream]

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

[@nagalora]

2020 still listening. 👍

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@ubiozmiec]

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

[@95dank]

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

[@ProjectDubby]

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

[@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

[@MrKronos747]

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

[@ichalmeong7071]

2:38 bass goals

[@silentjav]

That lick was always so badass 🔥

[@Wallriss]

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

[@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

[@ismelljello]

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

[@abr7man]

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

[@ThiefOfTheSwell666]

I agree, if you don't dig the music or don't respect the musician then just don't listen to it, don't go comment on a video so that you can feel better about yourself

[@YouNoob93]

Seen this video so many times

[@dylanvalorfall]

Based on the way he ended that, I would say he's probably actually a very humble person. He seemed almost embarrassed to be in the spotlight.

[@gehythren]

Saw this guys play in Milwaukee on 8/17, and yes michael was freaking amazing!

[@THESLOWDEATHHOOKS]

i've been watching this video since like 2010 lol

[@JullarMusic]

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

[@chrisbDTM]

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

[@Heisenberg_Zordon]

It's not demonic possession, it's just talent.

[@bluunttrauma3762]

He finishes the last solo spot on 🔥

[@sillyness3456]

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

[@svbassist]

This guy is my idol.

[@TropianTV]

It was really ONE specific song. He was playing little parts from each song from the Planetary Duality album, with the exception of Ancient Covenant, Shape Shifters, Legions Of The Serpant, and Planetary Duality 1

[@LucioGarciaCarluccio2007]

amazing!!!!

[@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.

[@snackpack2191]

I love this video

[@onlydeathmetal8329]

still drooling over this guitar

[@Fuckenzio007]

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

[@calebfoster1832]

lol right?!

[@Barbro247]

That is one seriously good guitarist and songwriter. So unique

[@richardreney2846]

He's great!

[@CursedInEternity92]

at first those japaneze guys werent feeling it, then as it got more interesting they walked over lol thats how you know the riffs are good

[@Gelar93]

I love him sooo bad

[@skywlker1763]

I like how he barely uses his pinky

[@nafismrahman7380]

The mistake he made at 0:59 where he muted instead of pulling off sounded SO good. He should play it like that going forward lol

[@MegadethMiller]

Holy shit, the PILE of Randall amps in the background.

[@symmetricon1982]

the dude is a brilliant composer for sure

[@alexproboi]

I don't know who wrote this song\album, but he is a genius. Best death metal song-writing ever

[@ryanschindler923]

he writes 99% of all Faceless stuff, he is the band

[@NealHXC]

Coldly Calculated Design.

[@nagalora]

2022 still listening

[@thejman4257]

11 years! Wow! Still amazing... and still no pinky haha

[@withfire4921]

This album is otherworldy, like i dont even think of it as a "metal" album though it obviously is, its just planetery duality, its own realm

[@hipsterkitty619]

Amazing

[@666hells666angel666]

Not only can he smoke on the water, this man can walk on water.

[@Metallikakka]

the asian dudes in the back are like "dude we are way faster than this guy" hahahaha

[@musicshorts_]

To those interested about yhe pinky thing:the famous gypsy guitar player django reinhardt was in an accident that caused him limited use of his fret hands pinky and ring finger. He still played solos and everything! You don't need to use all your fingers lol

[@2Chaoslord]

That guitar model is so beautiful

[@viscant1477]

0:58 🤣 the face, we've all been there

[@djeloteskarateka]

The best.

[@whitestripesftw]

whats the song at 2:23? or he just messing around with faceless stuff without the lead guitar part?

[@JayJapanB]

Better than I remember. I saw them once years a ago. I'm bigger on Necrophagist.

[@AbyssionMusic]

but the thing is, the people that say that are people that dont like "loud guitars"... it wouldnt matter what he was playing, theyd still dislike it cos its "too loud"

[@fromthethronefl]

I bet if I had a guitar that fucking rad I could shred like that too! GIVE MEEEEE THATTTTT GUITFIDDLE!

[@derunsterblich6]

Coldly calculated design!!!

[@GuitarnScythes]

@MarcusAllanMunn It's a Washburn but I've never seen this model, so I'm guessing it's a custom shop guitar

[@nicholasmahoney7242]

I didn't mean to say they labeled themselves that, but when they were talking about Colors in an interview they said it could be described as "Adult Contemporary Progressive Death Metal". Since they've carried on with the style they formed on that album, I think it is the most accurate way categorize them. I understand they started out as metalcore but they've changed. Metalcore itself is too broad now a days, it used to just mean stuff like At the Gates and now its bands like August Burns Red

[@kelbyricci]

It's a Washburn. A Badass one at that.

[@Niallphillips]

whats this song called again?

[@dickhandler5336]

this is so sick

[@itsybitsyzombie]

Washburn. Beautiful guitars.

[@NabilKarsheh]

John Myung was amazed in the background

[@Burntout422]

What kinda guitar is that??

[@Cr0wnedAAM]

His playing is so brutal it ruins cell phone reception

[@PBAudio91]

@stringslayer97 It's a Washburn of some kind, probably a custom

[@candisciano1116]

This dude has some chops!

[@mayox1234567]

what kind of guitar is that one?? or is it a Jackson?? lol?

[@douglasquaid4411]

Is this before all the heroin?

[@Prognosisnegative90]

Pretty sure.

[@Skkitzzo86]

Mexican Hulk Hogan needed to snap a picture,HE DOES AS HE PLEASES

[@satanicschizo06]

Also, metalcore in itself is a rather diverse genre. Atreyu sound nothing like Glass Casket, and then there's everything in between.

[@ZachBelcher94]

that epic flop at 1:12

[@evilcore2301]

He used his pinky to hammer on at 2.25

[@SixStringSlaughter37]

Not necessarily. It was just my thought. I'm not saying that sweeps and such are completely void of feeling, I just think it depends who's playing it, ya know?

[@Xenocovers]

What amp is that? Anyone know?

[@ReckDemon]

They should put some backing tracks of their songs, not only give them to Keene : /

[@sergore]

he is and he was a great guitarist by the time this video was recorded, but if you've listened to their music long enough, you'd realize he made a couple mistakes here and there, for instance, @1:00. It's nothing serious, but if you watch newer videos of him playing, you'd notice he's more fluid in his playing and interprets more complicated compositions.

[@lightspeedproject]

whel will he tab out this album????

[@weoweoteo]

DAMN that bend at 2:07...

[@735TER]

what's the song?

[@samuraisokolata]

There are also parts from Xenochrist and Prison Born

[@chrisbDTM]

"Coldly Calculated Design" from Planetary Duality

[@MrBrutaldeath95]

whats the song

[@SomeRandomVidz]

o lawd, a shredder that plays a washburn w00p, love renegades!

[@nagmalitongyawa]

@14rerun i bet this is the first time you have heard this song.

[@spartan487]

Id like a mix like tht of akeldama like an album mix with the solo ... Would be epic stuff

[@jesperkatsimpas]

i fucking love this man, and i am a man, man

[@nicholasmahoney7242]

Your description of his play style doesn't fit how he's actually playing. You say Keene is a generic deathcore guitarist who just focuses on senseless show-off shredding. But I love Keene because he is more about composing really tasteful solos that complement the songs in interesting ways unlike most technical metal guitarists. But you're criticizer his riffing more than the solos.The sweep with the little tap for dissonance is pretty creative and you can't find that in "generic deathcore".

[@rb3302]

I will find you, somewhere, and when I do, I will know you.

[@timmystoner7219]

Yeah well his playing is unreal

[@evilthecat13]

Planetary Duality medley FTW!

[@MrCiNiC]

Guys in background: HORY SHET

[@ArtifactUnknown]

lmfao his face @ 1:00 "uhhhh, ok"