Beyond Technique: Matt Walters of Freedom of Fear Blends Chaos, Clarity, and Craft

When you speak with Matt Walters, lead guitarist of Australian extreme metal band Freedom of Fear, you’re not just chatting with a shredder — you’re diving into the mind of a composer who treats his instrument like a living extension of thought and feeling. Known for his ferocious precision and deep musical intellect, Matt’s journey through metal is anything but conventional.

Matt’s gateway to heavy music wasn’t a single flashpoint, but a gradual immersion — from the swagger of ‘70s rock to the darkness and discipline of technical death metal. “I started out with 70s rock and gradually got into heavier music,” he recalls. Along the way, guitar legends like Jimmy Page, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Marty Friedman became sonic north stars, showing him how technique and storytelling can coexist in a single note.

His first guitar was a gift — one that didn’t stay stock for long. “I later scalloped the neck and gave it to someone else,” Matt says, hinting at the experimental curiosity that’s shaped his entire career. Today, that evolution is clear in every aspect of his sound. “For metal lead tones, I’d describe my tone as vocal, clear, woody — I hope,” he laughs.

Matt's playing has matured into a fusion of classical, jazz, and even non-guitar influences. “I’ve gained the experience to incorporate classical and jazz techniques into my metal playing and songwriting,” he explains. “I’ve also drawn inspiration from other instruments — like piano or sax lines.” That cross-pollination defines Freedom of Fear’s nuanced brutality, which has earned the band a cult following.

At the center of it all is his 2016 Ormsby Customshop Hypemachine in Copper Top, which he calls “exactly what I needed in a guitar spec-wise for Freedom of Fear.” The angled bridge, in particular, is key: “The bridge angle is great for sweep picking — no other guitars feel quite right to me now.” If he were to design a signature model, it would proudly feature an angled floating bridge, tying in seamlessly with Ormsby’s ethos of handcrafted individuality.

Live, Matt's presence is both calculated and cathartic. From the massive Hammersonic Festival in Jakarta to Europe’s dusty truck stops, touring has tested him mentally and physically. “You need to be able to push through when you’re really tired,” he admits. “It’s rare to play fully rested.” His onstage ritual? “I play guitar slowly” — a moment of zen before unleashing fire.

Beyond technique, Matt sees himself as a composer first. “I only keep the musical ideas that I emotionally resonate with,” he says. “Technique is just about creating what I want to hear without any restrictions.” He believes metal doesn’t need to rely solely on melancholy or aggression — there’s emotional range in a riff’s raw power.

Asked what metal means to him, his answer is simple and powerful: “Freedom.”

With a third Freedom of Fear album completed and on the horizon, Matt stands poised at a new chapter — one shaped by authenticity, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of tone that speaks louder than words.Gear Rundown:

Guitars:

• 2016 Ormsby Customshop Hypemachine (Copper Top)
• 7-string, B Standard / Drop A tuning