Todd Seitz: stygian empire

News:
10-07-2008:
Todd Seitz's band Stygia is on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stygiaband

Stygia is a world class guest project/band created by Todd Seitz. The project is intended to capture the epic brutality of several dark fantasy themes. An all star lineup collaborates to make this fantasy come to life in the form of Progressive Power Metal. The band's initial demo was released in November 2007. An over the top album will be recorded this summer with an all star lineup of Vocalist Michael Vescera (Obsession, Ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, Loudness), Keyboardist Michael Pinella (Symphony X), Bassist Michael LePond (Symphony X), Guitarist Todd Seitz (Stygia Mainman) and Drummer John Macaluso (Ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, Ark, TNT). Additionally Hank Shermann of Mercyful Fate will record a guest guitar solo.

Background:
Todd Seitz was born in Pittsburgh, PA April 27, 1985. He became serious about playing the guitar around age sixteen. At this time Todd signed up for guitar lessons with the great guitarist John Evosevic at Pianos N' Stuff in Blawnox, PA.

He learned more than enough from John in the time he took lessons with him. Around this time, the guitar playing of Yngwie Malmsteen had become a main influence. Todd was also taking interest to power metal bands like Symphony X, Stratovarius, Helloween, King Diamond, Iron Maiden, etc...

Todd is currently attending Berklee College of Music for a Music Business Degree. From 2004-2005 he studied guitar with Shred Master Joe Stump. In the Spring 2005 Semester Joe nominated Todd for the Berklee Outstanding Student Award. Todd also had classes with guitarists David Tronzo, Don Lappin, Jon Finn, Scott Tarulli and Norm Zocher.

He has collected the influences of many great guitarists such as Joe Stump, Akira Takasaki, Yngwie Malmsteen, Andy La Rocque, Michael Romeo, Greg Howe, Timo Tolkki, Hank Shermann, Michael Denner, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker and some others to form his own unique style of guitar playing. Todd also very much admires the work of Keyboardists Richard Andersson, Vitalij Kuprij and Jens Johansson. With musical innovation and superb musicianship Todd plans on taking his project band Stygia to the top of the metal genre.