Profession: Full-Time Musician | Guitarist | Composer | Producer

Genres: Nu Metal, Technical Metal, Progressive Metal

Location: West Bengal, India

Current Band: Guitarist at Shiverwood Shade

Profile Summary

Monish Paul is a dedicated guitarist and composer based in West Bengal, India, known for his intense playing style, exceptional technical skills, and innovative approach to sound design. As the lead guitarist for the progressive nu-metal band Shiverwood Shade, Monish combines powerful riffs with melodic intricacy, producing a sound that is both emotionally engaging and sonically intense.

Musical Influences

His playing and creative vision are significantly influenced by renowned modern guitarists, including:

John Petrucci – for progressive expertise and precise picking

Mark Holcomb (Periphery) – for deep djent grooves and ambient textures

Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold) – for dramatic solos and intricate arpeggios

Playing Style & Strengths

Primary Styles: Nu Metal, Technical Metal, Progressive Fusion

Signature Traits:

Complex rhythmic patterns and swift tempo changes

Fast, intricate arpeggios utilizing sweep picking and tapping

Ambient layers with atmospheric transitions

Combining melodic storytelling with aggressive sounds

Gear & Setup

Guitars: ESP LTD (customized for technical metal tuning and comfort)

DAWs: Cubase, Logic Pro

Preferred Plugins/VSTs:

Neural DSP (Archetype Plini, Gojira, Fortin)

Bias FX 2 (for layering and tone shaping)

STL Tones (for heavy rhythm tracking)

Studio Gear: Focusrite Scarlett Interface, KRK Rokit Monitors, Midi Controllers

Current Band – Shiverwood Shade

Role: Guitarist & Co-composer

Genre: Progressive Nu Metal | Experimental Metalcore

Renowned for their blend of technical metal riffs, ambient interludes, and conceptual songwriting

Currently working on a debut EP/album featuring guitar-centric tracks