Christi Gram
Cristi Gram is a highly respected Romanian rock and metal guitarist, composer, and producer. He is best known for his work with the legendary Romanian rock band Phoenix, as well as Talisman, Pasărea Rock, and his progressive metal project Awake.
Career highlights
- Born: June 7, 1973, in Petroșani, Romania.
- Started playing guitar as a teenager and quickly gained recognition, winning “Best Guitarist” awards at Romanian national music festivals while still young.
- Joined the rock band Talisman in the early 2000s.
- In 2004, he became the lead guitarist for Phoenix, one of Romania’s most influential rock bands, remaining with them for about a decade.
- After leaving Phoenix, he joined Pasărea Rock, a band formed by former Phoenix members.
- He also founded Awake, a progressive metal project inspired by bands such as Dream Theater.
Playing style
Cristi Gram combines:
- Melodic hard rock
- Progressive metal
- Blues-inspired phrasing
- Technical lead guitar
His solos are known for being expressive rather than simply fast, and he balances strong melody with modern rock and metal technique.
Solo work
In addition to his band work, Cristi has released instrumental solo music, including his album State of Mind, which showcases his versatility as both a guitarist and composer. More recently, he has continued releasing instrumental material, including the 2025 EP Milky Way.
Gear
Cristi has been an Ibanez endorsed artist and has been associated with guitars such as:
- Ibanez RG2228A
- Ibanez RG870QMZ
- Ibanez RG550LTD
His tone typically features high-gain lead sounds with clear articulation, making it well suited for progressive rock and melodic metal.
Why guitarists admire him
Cristi Gram is respected for combining technical ability with tasteful songwriting. While he is capable of complex solos, he focuses on creating memorable melodies and expressive phrasing, making him one of Romania’s most recognized modern rock guitarists.
