Paul Wardingham

Paul Wardingham is an English-born Australian heavy metal musician. Self-described as "instrumental cyber metal"^[1] his style can be categorized as a hybrid mix of melodic death metal, progressive metal and math metal with electronic elements.^[2] He is currently signed to Enigmatic Records^[3] and managed by Johnny Cheng.^[4]

Biography

Paul Wardingham was born in the UK where he learned guitar and became exposed to blues and jazz fusion. He currently resides in Brisbane, Australia^[5] where he performed in "The Collins/Wardingham Project", a progressive metal fusion band. In 2006, the group released the album Interactive.

Paul later contributed guitar instrumentals for "Aeon Displacement" in the 2011 Mortuus Machina album by the Australian melodic death metal band Universum.^[6]

As of 2010, Paul has operated as a solo artist,^[7] releasing two albums as of July 2015: Assimilate Regenerate and The Human Affliction.

Assimilate Regenerate (2011)

Released in 2011, the instrumental concept album was inspired by "science fiction, future technology and the effect it has on society".^[8]

Sputnikmusic awarded the album a rating of 4.5, noting that the "album is extremely solid from beginning to end, and is definitely one of the best records of 2011 so far."^[9]

The Human Affliction (2015)

Released during July 2015, The Human Affliction is an instrumental cyber metal concept album, based on a story Wardingham wrote.

"The Human Affliction is a continuation of the themes that inspired Assimilate Regenerate: The future, technology and it’s effect on humanity. More than that, it’s a soundtrack to a dystopian future. Set in a high-tech low-life world, where humanity is blissfully unaware of the dangers of technological progress and the rise of artificial intelligence…..until it is too late. The Human Affliction is my vision of this cyberpunk inspired landscape and post-apocalyptic digital age where the listener can escape reality, amongst cybermetal grooves, cold atmospheric synths, futuristic electronica, emotional melodies and of course…..hi-tech shred guitar solos!” -Paul Wardingham ^[10]

The album features guest solos by Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) on the track ‘Burning Chrome’, Stephan Forte (Adagio) on ‘Digital Apocalypse’ and Andy James (Wearing Scars) & Christian Muenzner (Necrophagist) on the a bonus track ‘Day Of The Droids.^[11]

Spiritual Machines (2016)

On 14 March 2016, it was announced on Wardingham's website that he had begun work on a third solo album titled Spiritual Machines.^[12]

Discography

The Collins/Wardingham Project

• 2006: Interactive

Solo

• 2011: Assimilate Regenerate
• 2015: The Human Affliction

References