My name is Francisco Arana; I’m a 16 year old shredder from Santiago, Chile. I’ve been playing guitar for a year. I’m self taught, and decided to play by my own will. I’m currently coursing 11th grade (In Chile high school is up to 12th). My playing style has been inspired by several artists, as Randy Rhoads, Dave Mustaine, Joe Satiani, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Glenn Tipton, and of course the legend Dimebag Darrel. As for the music I like to hear, my biggest preference is for Metal, especially Trash, including different bands, as Megadeth, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and of course Pantera. But metal is not the only music I like, as classical and rock are and have been very important for my musical development. As for the solo I have created, what I wanted with it was in a way to return to the old school metal, mixing different techniques and sounds, not just privileging arpeggios or fast licks, but also using melodic, creative and dynamic structures. Through this contest I’m not specifically interested in the material prizes (still can’t deny they are a good incentive) but also in the possibility for me and all the shredders in the world, to show what we are made of, and to release all that powerful energy in ourselves through music. Also, as noble as it may sound, I want to try and revive the old school metal.