Extreme
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Nuno Bettencourt says Eddie Van Halen visited him while he was recording his Rise solo
By Matt Owen published
Van Halen swung by the studio as the Extreme virtuoso was piecing together Rise’s mind-bending solo – but Nuno wouldn’t let him hear it

Nuno Bettencourt reveals the most important pedal in his guitar rig: “I tried playing without one and f**kin’ hated it!”
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The unlikely stompbox is integral to the Extreme virtuoso’s searing distorted tone, even if he admits, “Other players think it’s not doing anything and would probably wonder if the battery is dead”

"Don't practice it for too long, because you're going to get tendonitis": Watch Rick Beato break down Nuno Bettencourt's jaw-dropping Rise solo
By Jackson Maxwell published
Go inside the inner workings of the volcanic lead break – the highlight of Extreme's recent comeback single – that has the guitar world abuzz

Nuno Bettencourt recalls two-hand tapping in front of Eddie Van Halen: “He stops me and goes, ‘Hey, none of that silly stuff!’”
By Richard Bienstock last updated
The Extreme virtuoso tells Guitar World about his first-ever meeting with EVH

From brutalizing extreme metal to Latin-flavored bubblegum shred: here are this week's essential guitar tracks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen published
Liven up your listening habits with new guitar-driven tunes from Extreme, Metallica, Momma, Cradle of Filth, Tigercub, Angel Vivaldi and more

Nuno Bettencourt vows to keep Eddie Van Halen's guitar fire burning on Extreme's first new single in 15 years, Rise
By Matt Owen published
Bettencourt dazzles with a breakneck guitar solo on the hard-riffing track – complete with a breakdown that nods to Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee

Eddie Van Halen used to play this Nuno Bettencourt riff at “every single soundcheck”
By Matt Owen published
The late guitar legend played the song so much that his guitar tech – then working with the Extreme guitarist – believed it to be a Van Halen riff that never got released

Nuno Bettencourt: "Kurt Cobain had more vibe, feel and atmosphere than half of the guitar players who were shredding"
By Mordechai Kleidermacher published
In this classic GW interview, the guitar hero opines on the rise of alt-rock, the excitement of creating his first solo album, and why Extreme were – in their heyday – "the most misinterpreted band of all time"
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