8. Graham 'Pin' Pinney And Leah Woodward (Aliases)
The world of modern metal is getting a lot more complicated and you only have to point the finger at Graham 'Pin' Pinney for that. His last band SikTh changed the landscape as far as technical metal bands were concerned. Their entirely unique and entirely insane sound consisted of complex time signatures, intertwining arrangements and some of the most complex yet catchy guitar work ever heard from a young band. Add in the dual assault of two singers and you had one of the most schizophrenic musical experiences you're likely to hear. When SikTh ended in 2008, no one could have predicted that Pin would return with a new band, let alone another guitarist that could match his particularly crackers style of playing. Come 2010, Aliases was formed and Pin was back, with Leah Woodward at his side. Aliases are more than SikTh 2.0, though. They're just as much of a Marmite band as SikTh ever were (you'll either love them, or hate them, there's no middle ground), but they do things slightly differently. The insane arrangements are still present, the superhuman guitar skills are still there, but Leah and Pin revel in synchronicity as they pound vicious riff after vicious riff while maintaining a hook that will keep you coming back for more again and again. Pin and Leah are two of the craziest, most creative guitarists to break out in the metal scene for years. They deserve to be held up on pedestals as an example of what can be done when you work hard at your playing.