The Commander-In-Chief
Birth nameBerit Hagen
Born1989 (age 33–34)
Bergen, Norway
GenresMetal, pop, classical-crossover
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter, writer, illustrator
Instrument(s)Guitar, piano, vocals
Years active2008 - Present
LabelsCommander Records
Websitevirtuosomusicgroup.com

The Commander-In-Chief (born Berit Hagen in 1989) is a Norwegian guitarist and singer. She plays metal-pop / classical-crossover.

Biography

Berit Hagen was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1989. She has lived in several countries, including Italy, Norway, France and the United States. She speaks several languages fluently, including Norwegian, English, Italian, and French. When she lived in Chicago she took lessons in visual art with the established artist Linda Cohn. She started playing the guitar in 2005, at the age of 16.[1]

Her international childhood, moving abroad at the age of six, growing up in Verona (Italy) for all of her elementary school years, then moving to Vence (France), Merritt Island (Florida), Chicago and Los Angeles.

Critical reception

Metal Hammer magazine called her "The Queen of Shred" and has proclaimed her one of the world's ten most exciting metal guitarists.[2] Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal in Guns N' Roses has said about her that "She is a great talent with proper metal spirit".[3] Total Guitar Magazine said this: It's a sad fact that when you think of shred guitarists, the majority of them will be men. Enter The Commander-In-Chief, a seven-string wielding uber shredding female who's ready to melt faces and shatter stereotypes. This Norwegian Metal maiden has her eyes set to command and conquer the masses.[4]

Her historic guitar recording and video together with Thomas Valeur of the composer Pablo de Sarasate "Zigeunerweisen Op. 20", never before recorded/played on guitar has received a lot of attention.

Equipment

She is an official Ibanez guitar artist. She has been using the Ibanez RG7620, but is currently playing the Ibanez S5527 Prestige guitar. She is, however, best known for playing the prototype Ibanez Falchion 7 string guitar,[5][6][7][8] the only instrument of its kind in the world. She uses Laney Amps, EMG pickups, Audix microphones, DR Strings, Levy´s Leathers, PreSonus, and Stonecastle equipment.

Trademarks

  • When performing, she is always dressed in a uniform, reflecting her chosen artist name, "The Commander-In-Chief."
  • Her prototype Ibanez Falchion 7 string guitar

Releases

  • Demo: "Battle For The Mind" & "If The Dead Ones Could Talk" - (2008)[9]
  • Demo: State of The Union - (2009)[9]
  • Demo: Battle For The Mind - (2010)[9]
  • Single: Paranoid - (2011)[9]
  • EP: Evolution - (2012)[9]
  • Single: Dropout - (2013)[9]
  • Single: I Am The Commander In Chief - (2013)[9]
  • Single: The Commander-in-chief feat. Thomas Valeur: Sarasate "Zigeunerweisen Op. 20" - (2013)
  • Album: The Commander-in-chief & Craig Ogden: 2 Guitars - The Classical Crossover Album - (2014)
  • Single: Om Jeg Aldri Ser Deg Igjen (Live) (2015)[10]
  • Album: I Am (2016)[11]
  • Single: How Cheap Will You Sell Your Soul? - (2018)[9]
  • Single: Stay With Me - (2018)[9]
  • Single: Why So Hostile? - (2018)[9]
  • Album: Berit, Vol. 1 (2018)[9]
  • Album: The Virtuoso (2020)[9]
  • Single: Non Si Sa Mai - (2020)[9]
  • Single: The Manager - (2020)[9]
  • Album: Berit, Vol. 2 (2020)[9]
  • Single: Nordic Barbarian - (2021)[9]
  • Album: Berit, Vol. 3 (2021)[9]
  • Album: Berit, Vol. 4 (2022)[9]

Other work

She is also the author and illustrator of the children's book, "The Freezing Snowman," which is her first book.[1]

Author of the book "How To: Survive As A Musician In The Digital Age" [12]

Created a series of online courses with her manager Elisabeth. Some of her personal courses are:

  • Guitar Masterclass [13]
  • Guitar Rehab [14]

Awards

  • Nominated for "Best Metal Song 2011" by Hollywood Music In Media Awards.
  • Nominated for "Best Metal Song 2012" by Hollywood Music In Media Awards.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Freezing Snowman|Paperback".
  2. ↑ "Metalnews Power of Metal.dk: The Commander In Chief in Metal Hammer". metalnewspowerofmetaldk.blogspot.no. Archived from the original on 2014-12-28.
  3. ↑ "Vil bli størst og best på gitar". 13 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Guitarz Forever Blog". 15 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Video: "Guitar Duel" Featuring Classical Guitarist and Female Seven-String Guitarist | Guitar World". www.guitarworld.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-07.
  6. ↑ "The Commander in Chief™ | Classical from Cheltenham, UK".
  7. ↑ "EMG Pickups / Artist View / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups".
  8. ↑ http://www.guitarshoptv.com/best-2013-zigeunerweisen-guitar-dual/
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Virtuoso Music Group".
  10. ↑ "CD Baby Music Store".
  11. ↑ "CD Baby Music Store".
  12. ↑ "How To: Survive As A Musician In The Digital Age".
  13. ↑ "Guitar Masterclass".
  14. ↑ "Guitar Rehab".
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