Artist Feature, Solar Guitars: From Soundcheck To Slaughter

Solar Guitars: From Soundcheck To Slaughter Featuring Ezekiel Bernard

Tell us about your band and what you’re currently working on. Any new releases, tours, or studio projects fans should know about?

Ezekiel: I’m currently playing with Levites and Graves Beneath Us. Right now we’re focused on writing and recording new material, refining our sound, and preparing for upcoming releases. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, and we’re excited to share new music with listeners soon.

How did you first come across Solar Guitars, and what initially caught your attention?

Ezekiel: I was introduced to Solar guitars through a lot of influences online. But it was made possible by Sunny D’souza from Stockist. What immediately stood out was the combination of aggressive aesthetics, premium specifications, and the fact that these guitars were clearly designed by players who understand what modern musicians need.

Tell us about your Solar model.

Ezekiel: My main Solar guitars are the Solar A2.6QBRB-27 and the Solar Parallax Evertune. The A2.6QBRB-27 handles everything from crushing low-tuned riffs to articulate lead work, while the Parallax with Evertune gives me incredible tuning stability and consistency, especially during recording sessions and longer performances.

Metal players demand a lot from their instruments. How has your Solar held up under rehearsals, touring, and recording sessions?

Ezekiel: Exceptionally well. Both guitars have proven to be reliable workhorses. Whether it’s extended rehearsals, studio tracking, or live performances, they’ve consistently delivered without issues. That’s exactly what you want from a professional instrument.

Solar guitars are known for their modern metal appeal. Do you think they’re versatile beyond heavy music?

Ezekiel: Absolutely. While they’re clearly built with modern heavy music in mind, I’ve used them for clean passages, ambient textures, melodic leads, and even non-metal projects. The clarity and responsiveness make them far more versatile than people might expect.

How do the Solar pickups perform in a full band mix compared to other guitars you’ve owned?

Ezekiel: What impresses me most is how easily they find their space in the mix. They stay articulate under high gain, maintain clarity in dense arrangements, and don’t require excessive EQ adjustments to sit properly alongside bass, drums, and vocals. And the Stock pickups suit the sounds very well. Haven’t really got the idea of changing it.

What’s your go-to riff for testing a new guitar, and how did your Solar handle it?

Ezekiel: I usually test guitars with fast palm-muted passages and low-tuned syncopated riffs. If a guitar can stay tight and articulate through those, it’s doing its job. Both of my Solars handled that challenge effortlessly.

Have you used your Solar in the studio yet? How did it sit in the mix compared to your previous guitars?

Ezekiel: Yes, extensively. One thing I noticed immediately was how little processing was needed. The tracks naturally sat where they needed to in the mix, retaining clarity and impact without fighting other instruments.

The DIs from the instruments are crisp. No words

What’s the heaviest song or riff you’ve written using your Solar?

Ezekiel: Some of the heaviest material I’ve written for both Levites and Graves Beneath Us has been on the A2.6QBRB-27. The extended scale and low-tuning stability make it the perfect tool for writing massive, aggressive riffs while keeping every note defined.

If you had to describe your Solar guitars in three words, what would they be?

Ezekiel: Reliable. Precise. Brutal.

What’s next for you and your band, and where can fans follow your journey?

Ezekiel: The focus right now is writing, recording, and releasing new music with Levites and Graves Beneath Us. Fans can stay connected through our social media channels and streaming platforms, where we’ll be sharing updates, new releases, and behind-the-scenes content as we continue growing and creating.

Was there a specific moment when you realised, “This guitar is staying with me”?

Ezekiel: The first rehearsal. Everything felt familiar from the moment I plugged in. The neck felt effortless, the tuning stability was exceptional, and the guitar responded exactly the way I wanted it to. After that session, I knew it wasn’t leaving my collection.

How has your Solar influenced your songwriting or creative process?

Ezekiel: The extended scale length on the baritone opened up a lot of creative possibilities. 

It encourages me to experiment with lower tunings while maintaining clarity and tightness. The reliability of both guitars means I spend less time troubleshooting and more time writing.

Every guitarist chases a certain tone. What role does your Solar play in achieving yours?

Ezekiel: A huge one. My tone is built around clarity, punch, and note definition, especially in lower tunings. My Solars provide a solid foundation by delivering tight low-end response, articulate mids, and enough aggression to cut through any mix without becoming muddy.

What was your first live show with the guitar like? Did anything surprise you?

Ezekiel: The biggest surprise was how comfortable it felt on stage. The first live concert I used my Solar was at Ashes and Altar (Levites’s Debut EP concert) . It felt so amazing, there was no adjustment period. Everything from the neck profile to the balance of the instrument felt natural, which allowed me to focus entirely on the performance.

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