Tino Hevia
Musical career
Tino began playing guitar in 1998, inspired by bands such as Rage, Dio, and Blind Guardian. He has said that hearing Blind Guardian’s Imaginations from the Other Side convinced him to dedicate himself to writing songs rather than simply becoming a lead guitarist. His emphasis has always been on strong songwriting, memorable riffs, and melodies.
He founded:
- Nörthwind (1999), a pioneering Spanish power metal band.
- Darksun (2002), which became one of Spain’s best-known melodic power metal acts.
- Reveal (2017), an international project featuring Swedish vocalist Rob Lundgren and guest appearances from musicians associated with bands such as Blind Guardian, Primal Fear, and Rage.
Throughout his career, he has shared stages with major metal acts including Bruce Dickinson, Angra, Rage, Savatage, Motörhead, and WarCry.
Playing style
Unlike many power metal guitarists, Tino describes himself primarily as a rhythm guitarist and composer. His philosophy is that great songs come before technical showmanship. His riffs are tight, melodic, and heavily influenced by classic European power metal while incorporating modern production techniques.
Production work
Besides performing, Tino produces, records, mixes, and masters music from his own studio. For later Reveal releases, he handled much of the production himself, collaborating remotely with musicians across several countries.
Guitar gear
Tino has been an endorser for several major guitar brands. His current setup includes:
- Charvel Pro-Mod guitars (his main instruments)
- Gibson Les Paul models
- ENGL amplifiers
- Kemper Profiler
- Suhr pickups
- Two Notes Torpedo Captor X
- Shure in-ear monitors
His rig is designed to deliver a powerful, articulate high-gain tone suited to melodic and power metal.
Why metal guitarists appreciate him
Tino Hevia is respected not only for his playing but also for his songwriting. His music combines memorable choruses, harmonized guitars, and polished production, and he has built a reputation for collaborating with internationally recognized musicians while remaining deeply involved in every aspect of creating his records—from composition to final mix. His philosophy, featured on Reveal’s official site, sums up his approach: “If you want something… fight for it!”