Chris Broderick

Christopher Alan Broderick (born March 6, 1970) is an American musician, best known as a former guitarist of the thrash metal band Megadeth. He is also formerly the lead guitarist for Jag Panzer, appearing on four albums between 1998 and 2004. He also served as a touring guitarist for Nevermore in the 2000s. Following his departure from Megadeth, Broderick formed Act of Defiance in 2014. He joined Swedish metal band In Flames in 2019 as a touring guitarist, before becoming the band's permanent guitarist in 2022.

Biography Early years Broderick started playing guitar when he was 11 years old, with one of his first guitar influences being Eddie Van Halen. His playing styles range from metal, classical, neoclassical, and jazz. As a teenager, Broderick took lessons in electric guitar, classical guitar, piano and violin several times a week and practiced each instrument for hours every day during the summer. Broderick has a degree in classical guitar music performance from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music and started teaching guitar lessons in the early 1990s. He played on four studio albums with the band, The Age of Mastery (1998) Thane to the Throne (2000), Mechanized Warfare (2001), Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat (2003) and Casting the Stones (2004), in addition to the video album The Era of Kings and Conflict (2002).

Nevermore (2001–2003, 2006–2007) During the time period of 2000 to 2003, Broderick performed live with heavy metal band Nevermore. He rejoined the band as a touring guitarist in 2006 and was part of the live lineup until the end of 2007. Following a meeting with Dave Mustaine, Broderick was officially announced as the new guitarist for Megadeth on January 14.

Due to extensive touring with Megadeth, Broderick was no longer be able to collaborate with Jag Panzer and Nevermore. On March 8, 2009, Mustaine commented that he thought Broderick was the greatest guitarist Megadeth had ever had. During his time with Megadeth, Broderick stopped playing his trademark seven-string guitar and switched to a six-string guitar. Broderick said that "Dave [Mustaine] felt a seven-string guitar wasn't an original thrash metal instrument. Therefore he felt it would be better if I used six strings."

On November 25, 2014, Broderick posted a message on his website stating that he was parting ways with Megadeth: "Due to artistic and musical differences, it is with great reluctance that I announce my departure from Megadeth to pursue my own musical direction. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate the amount that you the fans have accepted and respected me as a member of Megadeth for the last seven years, but it is time for me to move on. I wish Dave and everyone in Megadeth all the best. I am working on a few things of my own and hope that when they come out, you will all dig it."

Act of Defiance (2014–2019) After leaving Megadeth, Broderick and former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover formed Act of Defiance along with ex-Scar the Martyr frontman Henry Derek Bonner and former Shadows Fall guitarist Matt Bachand. The band released their debut album, Birth and the Burial, in 2015 and toured North America with Allegaeon in the fall of that year. Act of Defiance continued touring in support of the album throughout 2016 as a headliner and supporting act for Killswitch Engage and Hatebreed before starting work on their sophomore album. They released their second album, Old Scars, New Wounds, in 2017 and toured in support of the album the following year. Act of Defiance broke up in 2019 after Broderick joined In Flames as a touring guitarist. In January 2023, Broderick mentioned that the band was on hiatus as his main priority is In Flames.

In Flames (2019–present)

Broderick joined Swedish metal band In Flames in early 2019 as a touring rhythm guitarist. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Broderick taught online guitar lessons for students as touring stopped.

Equipment Broderick is currently endorsed by Jackson Guitars and has several six- and seven-string signature guitars with custom DiMarzio pickups, including a Pro Series Signature Soloist model, a USA Series Signature Soloist model and a custom shop signature CB2 Diabolic model. Broderick has a signature line of DiMarzio pickups and has previously used Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat pickups. Upon joining Megadeth in 2008, he switched from ENGL to Marshall Amps before returning to ENGL when joining In Flames in 2019. Broderick currently uses custom-made, 3D-printed thumb picks that holds the pick in place on the thumb. He has previously patented and sold a pick clip that converts picks into thumb picks.

Discography

Jag Panzer Studio albums The Age of Mastery (1998) Thane to the Throne (2000) Mechanized Warfare (2001) Decade of the Nail Spiked Bat (2003) Casting the Stones (2004) Video albums

The Era of Kings and Conflict (2002)

Megadeth Studio albums Endgame (2009) Thirteen (2011) Super Collider (2013) Live/video albums

Rust in Peace Live (2010) The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010) Countdown to Extinction: Live (2013) Compilation albums

Warheads on Foreheads (2019)

Nevermore Live/video albums The Year of the Voyager (2008) Compilation albums

Manifesto Of Nevermore (2009)

Act of Defiance Studio albums Birth and the Burial (2015) Old Scars, New Wounds (2017)

In Flames Studio albums Foregone (2023)

Production and instrumental credits