Tim Calvert
Encyclopedia
Tim Calvert is an American metal
guitarist. In the mid 1980s he began his career in a thrash metal
band called Militia. He then received wide attention throughout the thrash community when he joined Forbidden
in 1989, playing on their second album Twisted into Form
, co-writing much of the material, resulting in the album's darker and more progressive sound than its predecessor, Forbidden Evil
.
Calvert played on two more Forbidden albums, Distortion in 1994 and Green
in 1997. After the dissolution of Forbidden in the late 90's Calvert was asked to replace Pat O'Brien
in the progressive thrash metal band Nevermore
. Nevermore wanted Tim as their 2nd guitarist because they had toured together in the early 1990s, when lead singer of Nevermore Warrel Dane
and bassist Jim Sheppard
played with Sanctuary. According to an interview with Dane, they were amazed by Calvert's technique and were so happy when Tim accepted their invitation. Calvert joined the band and played on their classic concept album Dreaming Neon Black
, released in 1999.
Calvert left Nevermore in 2001. He has since pursued a full time, non-musical career as a pilot
in Seattle
before returning to San Luis Obispo, California. He did reunite with Forbidden for a performance at Thrash of the Titans in 2001, along with Paul Bostaph
, Glen Alvelais
, Russ Anderson and Matt Camacho.
Tim Calvert is known for his dark, moody style of songwriting created via his frequent usage of dissonant passages and diminished
chords. He is a very technically accomplished guitar player who plays in a neoclassical
style, featuring an abundance of arpeggios and sweep-picking. He started guitar lessons with Bob Marshall in Castro Valley
and eventually took lessons from Jim Bedford in Hayward, California
for about 10 years. He played Jackson Guitars
throughout his entire career.
Forbidden recently reunited. Though Calvert will not be a permanent fixture in Forbidden's reunited lineup, it is expected Calvert will return to play a few shows at least.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarist. In the mid 1980s he began his career in a thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band called Militia. He then received wide attention throughout the thrash community when he joined Forbidden
Forbidden (band)
Forbidden is a thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, the group was founded by Russ Anderson and Craig Locicero, who are both permanent members. Since their formation, Forbidden have broken up and reformed twice with numerous line-up changes...
in 1989, playing on their second album Twisted into Form
Twisted Into Form (album)
Twisted into Form is the second album from San Francisco, California thrash metal band, Forbidden. It features one line-up change from their debut – 1988's Forbidden Evil – with Tim Calvert replacing Glen Alvelais on guitar. The result is a more melodic and progressive affair with many acoustic...
, co-writing much of the material, resulting in the album's darker and more progressive sound than its predecessor, Forbidden Evil
Forbidden Evil (album)
Forbidden Evil is the debut album from San Francisco, California thrash metal band, Forbidden, released in 1988. The title of this album refers to their original name before shortening it to Forbidden in 1987...
.
Calvert played on two more Forbidden albums, Distortion in 1994 and Green
Green (Forbidden album)
Green is the fourth album by American thrash metal band Forbidden.-Track listing:# "What Is the Last Time?" – 2:34# "Green" – 3:17# "Phat" – 3:32# "Turns to Rage" – 5:48# "Face Down Heroes" – 3:44# "Over the Middle" – 3:19# "Kanaworms" – 3:23...
in 1997. After the dissolution of Forbidden in the late 90's Calvert was asked to replace Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (guitarist)
Pat O'Brien is the lead guitarist for the death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He was born in Northern Kentucky. He graduated from Conner High School in Hebron, Kentucky in 1983. He currently resides in Florida and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He owns a collection of guns...
in the progressive thrash metal band Nevermore
Nevermore
Nevermore is an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash, power, progressive, and neo-classical metal into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars and a wide range of vocal styles.-Early years...
. Nevermore wanted Tim as their 2nd guitarist because they had toured together in the early 1990s, when lead singer of Nevermore Warrel Dane
Warrel Dane
Warrel Dane is the lead singer of the progressive metal band Nevermore. He is also the singer of the metal band Sanctuary, who have recently reformed...
and bassist Jim Sheppard
Jim Sheppard
Jim Sheppard is an American musician.He is the bassist and founding member of the progressive metal band, Nevermore, and its predecessor, SanctuaryHe and singer Warrel Dane are certified chefs, and formerly owned a restaurant in Seattle....
played with Sanctuary. According to an interview with Dane, they were amazed by Calvert's technique and were so happy when Tim accepted their invitation. Calvert joined the band and played on their classic concept album Dreaming Neon Black
Dreaming Neon Black
-Credits:Nevermore* Warrel Dane - vocals* Jim Sheppard - bass* Jeff Loomis - guitars* Tim Calvert - guitars* Van Williams - drumsAdditional personnel* Christine Rhoades - additional vocalsProduction* Neil Kernon - production, mixing, mastering...
, released in 1999.
Calvert left Nevermore in 2001. He has since pursued a full time, non-musical career as a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
in Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
before returning to San Luis Obispo, California. He did reunite with Forbidden for a performance at Thrash of the Titans in 2001, along with Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph
Paul Bostaph is a heavy metal drummer. His drumming career began in 1984, when he was 20 years old, and he had since worked with bands like Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus and Systematic. He is from Newark, California and currently drums for Testament...
, Glen Alvelais
Glen Alvelais
Glen Alvelais is a heavy metal lead guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. Alvelais was the lead guitarist for Forbidden and has also played in Testament....
, Russ Anderson and Matt Camacho.
Tim Calvert is known for his dark, moody style of songwriting created via his frequent usage of dissonant passages and diminished
Diminished
Diminished is to make smaller or less or to cause to appear so.Diminished may also refer to:*Diminution in Music*Diminished: A song in alternative rock band R.E.M.'s 1998 album Up↑...
chords. He is a very technically accomplished guitar player who plays in a neoclassical
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
style, featuring an abundance of arpeggios and sweep-picking. He started guitar lessons with Bob Marshall in Castro Valley
Castro Valley, California
Castro Valley is a census-designated place in Alameda County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, it is the fifth most populous unincorporated area in California, and the twenty-third in the United States...
and eventually took lessons from Jim Bedford in Hayward, California
Hayward, California
Hayward is a city located in the East Bay in Alameda County, California. With a population of 144,186, Hayward is the sixth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and the third largest in Alameda County. Hayward was ranked as the 37th most populous municipality in California. It is included in...
for about 10 years. He played Jackson Guitars
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
throughout his entire career.
Forbidden recently reunited. Though Calvert will not be a permanent fixture in Forbidden's reunited lineup, it is expected Calvert will return to play a few shows at least.