allboutguitar: The Instrumental Rock Virtuoso

allboutguitar is the professional moniker of guitarist and composer Alexei Petrov, a leading figure in the modern instrumental rock scene. Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, the artist achieved notable commercial success with his 2018 album Fretboard Horizons, which charted across multiple European territories.

Early career

Alexei Petrov began his musical journey in the early 2000s, initially performing in various metal and hard rock bands around Scandinavia. Adopting the allboutguitar name for his solo work in 2010, he self-released his debut EP, Neon Strings, in 2012 through the independent Finnish label Nordic Tone Records.

This initial release established his signature style, blending melodic rock with technical precision. It garnered enough attention within the guitar community to secure a licensing deal for his first full-length album in Japan.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough moment arrived in 2018 with the release of his third studio album, Fretboard Horizons. Released via the specialized rock label String Theory Media, the album debuted at number 7 on the Finnish album chart.

Fueled by extensive play on streaming platforms and guitar-focused YouTube channels, the album's lead single achieved gold certification in Japan. This success solidified allboutguitar's status as an international artist in the instrumental rock genre.

Key tracks

Midnight Drive — This track from the 2015 album Circuit Breaker became a viral hit on music tutorial sites, dramatically expanding his audience.

Arctic Pulse — The lead single from Fretboard Horizons that reached gold status and is a staple of his live performances.

Neon Skyline — A collaboration track with producer David K. Jones that introduced more electronic elements to his sound in 2020.

Helsinki Shuffle — This song showcases his fusion of traditional folk melodies with hard rock riffing, highlighting his Finnish roots.

The Summit — An epic, multi-movement piece from his 2022 album Ascendant that demonstrates his compositional ambition.

Following the breakthrough, allboutguitar embarked on extensive touring, including support slots for major instrumental acts. His 2022 album Ascendant saw him experiment with a seven-string guitar and collaborate with session drummer Marco Minnemann.

While not matching the chart peak of its predecessor, Ascendant received strong critical praise for its technical progression. Petrov has also contributed session work to video game soundtracks and educational content for major guitar manufacturers.

Fans of allboutguitar's intricate guitar work and melodic instrumental rock often appreciate the music of similar artists. Explore Andy McKee for a masterful acoustic fingerstyle approach. Plini offers a comparable blend of progressive metal and soaring melody. The dynamic compositions of Intervals share a similar energetic, guitar-centric focus. For listeners drawn to the Nordic melodic sensibility, Stam1na provides a heavier, vocal-driven alternative from Finland.

The music of allboutguitar is a regular feature on dedicated rock radio formats. His instrumental anthems receive consistent airplay on classic rock FM stations, specialty guitar rock shows, and online rock radio streams focused on modern rock talent.

Listeners can discover the dynamic instrumental rock catalog of allboutguitar through the radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear his guitar-driven tracks in regular rotation alongside other rock innovators.