Bolero: “Voyaging From Vinland”

Morgan Rider has done more in the world of Metal than most people could ever dream of. He has released several albums, played in more bands then one can count on their fingers, has managed himself as well as past bands, and has mastered a few instruments. And all of this has been done before his 21st birthday.

The vocalist and bassist of Bolero is excited to see the release of their debut album Voyage to Vinland. Rider has played in a staggering amount of bands, so many that he can’t remember all of them. The most notable are Mastery and Bolero. “I got nominated as one of the biggest band whores in Durham,” says Rider. He defines his greatest accomplishment as getting to open for one of his musical idols, Moonsorrow, one of Finland’s most successful bands.

Nearly a decade ago Rider started to get interested in music. “I’ve always been into the arts,” says Rider. He then started to play guitar, taking lessons for four years before branching off on his own to learn his instrument at a higher level. Rider prides himself in his musical ability, he can play the piano, drums, guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, and violin, and he also has a hell of a voice.

“He’s got fingers like a God,” says Casey Elliott, guitarist of Bolero. Also, he writes all of the music for his current band Bolero. Not only is Rider an accomplished musician, he is well liked by several other musicians from the area. “I met Morgan around 2008, when we played with Bolero in a club called Wiegetz Amigo,” says Brian Stephenson, guitarist and lead vocalist of AGGRESSOR. “He really struck a chord with myself and the rest of the band because he’s just got this larger than life persona to him. He’s an amazing dude and a great musician!”

Stephenson says he can feel the pride Rider takes in his music. “He really drives himself and his band to take absolute pride in themselves and go for nothing short of astounding,” says Stephenson. “You can hear it and feel it just talking to him and listening to anything he’s done musically.”

Rider’s band-mates think highly of him as a musician, and as a person. “Morgan is probably one of the most dedicated musicians I know,” says Alex Woods, keyboardist. “I’m very grateful that I ended up in a band with him.”

Elliott has known Rider for six years. In that time he has seen Rider mature into the musician that he is today. “If you listen to the old stuff and the new stuff you can tell he’s changed considerably from then until now,” says Elliott. Elliott says his playing has gotten tighter, his writing has gotten better, and his voice has matured.

Rider’s career has had several bumps along the way. He’s had trouble in the recording studio, troubles at shows, and troubles with band members. Despite those troubles he fought through and has developed his talent. He advises aspiring musician to ignore the problems and “just keep plugging away.”

Check out the song: “When The Legends Die (live)”