PreSonus Blog

The Black Dahlia Murder guitarist and New Jersey native talks about taking his leap.

A life in music requires passion, creativity, dedication – and for many creators, their trajectory can be traced back to a defining moment that changed everything: the moment they took the leap.

New Jersey native Brandon Ellis is the lead guitarist for the legendary American melodic death metal band, The Black Dahlia Murder. Renowned for his technical prowess and blisteringly fast solos, Brandon’s virtuosic style is a rich sonic tapestry of classical influences, archetypal 80s shred, and mind-bendingly modern techniques that continue to push the boundaries of extreme metal into uncharted territory.

Watch as Brandon records and re-amps a scorching new riff through the all-new PreSonus Quantum HD 2 Audio Interface, and talks about his early experiences with music, the necessity of discipline, and paying tribute to the greats that came before him.

“Since before I can even remember, I’ve been doing whatever I could to experience rhythm and music.” These words from Brandon Ellis encapsulate the essence of his musical journey: an innate and indomitable passion for expression. As a child, he drummed beats around the house, even using his teeth as makeshift percussion instruments, all while immersing himself in classic rock that sparked his desire to pick up the guitar.

“I was using music to escape. To experience new emotions. I wanted to know why a certain chord or scale could make me feel the way it did.” Ellis’s curiosity and thirst for understanding ultimately led him to seek out the secrets of guitar virtuosos like Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Mattias Eklundh, and Blues Saraceno. He pursued music theory rigorously, jammed with fellow musicians who shared his passion, and sought mentorship from some of the greatest guitarists in the world.

In spite of his passion, Ellis wasn’t planning on pursuing it as a career. So he enrolled in college, initially studying business. But as time went on, Ellis couldn’t ignore his calling. “All I wanted to do was play music, so when I was a freshman in business school and got the call to go on tour, the decision was obvious. I took the leap.” The opportunity to tour catapulted him from academia to the stage, and he never looked back.

From his humble beginnings drumming beats on his teeth to commanding stages worldwide, Ellis’ journey is a testament to perseverance and passion. His path, paved with music theory and hard won wisdom from guitar legends, embodies the spirit of relentless pursuit. Whether shredding with The Black Dahlia Murder or creating exclusive guitar lessons via his Shred Light District Patreon, Ellis continues to mesmerize with his technical prowess and deeply emotive solos.

Brandon’s story reminds us that pursuing our passions often requires courage and determination. It’s a journey where each chord strummed and every note played becomes a part of a larger narrative—a narrative of rhythm, melody, and the unwavering pursuit of musical mastery.

PreSonus products used: PreSonus Quantum HD 2 USB-C Audio Interface.
Meet the all-new family of Quantum USB-C Recording Audio Interfaces, and get in-depth information about the entire product line here.