Joey Dizon

Guitarist

Primary Band(s):

Shepherds The Weak, In Ruin, Intolerant, Skychurch

Playstyle & Tone Profile:

Heavy metal and hardcore with a rhythm-focused, high-output attack

Musical Journey & Growth

  • From Acoustic Covers to Heavy Gigs: Joey first picked up the guitar in the sixth grade but got serious in high school, starting with simple acoustic covers. By college, his playing went into overdrive as he joined bands and powered through nerve-wracking early live shows, which only fueled his drive to improve.
  • A Staple in Heavy Music: Driven by the philosophy to "learn as much as you can, play live, then set bigger goals," he became heavily associated with the hard alternative, metal, and hardcore scenes. He currently plays for the Hong Kong-based metal/hardcore group Shepherds The Weak and runs a studio project called In Ruin, alongside a long history of playing crazy shows with bands like Intolerant and Skychurch.

Musical Influences &
Sonic Philosophy

  • The Rhythm Behind the Shred: While he initially gravitated toward classic guitar heroes like Eddie Van Halen, Paul Gilbert, and Joe Satriani, Joey grew to appreciate them even more for their fantastic rhythm playing. As he matured as a musician, his focus shifted heavily toward great rhythm musicianship.
  • Architects of Heavy Sound: His heavy music sensibilities were shaped by legends like Dimebag Darrell, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett. Additionally, he deeply admires players like Slash and Billy Corgan for their ability to coax unique, defining sounds from the instrument.

I would narrow it down to dependability and quality... as I've mentioned, as soon as I slapped on the M-Tone humbuckers, it simplified my rig even further; no pedals, no fancy mods or anything—for clean sound, I roll down the volume, and for that punchy distorted sound, I just roll it as far high as it can go. It's all about consistency: once I find what I like, I just need everything to work and sound properly every single time. As far as La Bella strings... well, they sound great, are always fresh and they last despite the fact I keep pushing them to their breaking point. I don't think anyone is reinventing the wheel or anything as far as gear is concerned, but the true battle is quality and consistency, and that's exactly why I have since become a fan and user of Montances.

Gear of Choice

La Bella HRS-D1 Drop Tune | Nickel Roundwound | 10-64 Heavy | Electric Guitar String Set

La Bella HRS-D1 Drop Tune | Nickel Roundwound | 10-64 Heavy | Electric Guitar String Set
La Bella HRS-D3 Drop Tune | Nickel Roundwound | 11-70 Heavy | Electric Guitar String Set

La Bella HRS-D3 Drop Tune | Nickel Roundwound | 11-70 Heavy | Electric Guitar String Set
La Bella HRS Nickel Rounds | 7-String Electric Guitar String Set | 10-64 or 11-70 | Drop-Tuning

La Bella HRS Nickel Rounds | 7-String Electric Guitar String Set | 10-64 or 11-70 | Drop-Tuning
La Bella HRS Nickel Rounds | 6-String Electric Guitar Set | 8-38 to 11-50 | Flexible, Bright

La Bella HRS Nickel Rounds | 6-String Electric Guitar Set | 8-38 to 11-50 | Flexible, Bright
Montances Vintage Humbucker | Alnico II | Full Set | Dimensional Modern-Vintage Warmth

Montances Vintage Humbucker | Alnico II | Full Set | Dimensional Modern-Vintage Warmth
Montances Jazz Rock Humbucker Pickup | Alnico V | Full Set | High-Output Fluid Sustain

Montances Jazz Rock Humbucker Pickup | Alnico V | Full Set | High-Output Fluid Sustain
Montances Silent Series Guitar Instrument Cable | Mute Feature | Low Capacitance | MS Plugs

Montances Silent Series Guitar Instrument Cable | Mute Feature | Low Capacitance | MS Plugs
Montances Tour Series Guitar Instrument Cable | Low Capacitance | Switchcraft® Plugs

Montances Tour Series Guitar Instrument Cable | Low Capacitance | Switchcraft® Plugs

Key Milestones

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Joey has built an impressive resume sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in heavy music. His notable milestones include opening for monumental acts like Hatebreed, Arch Enemy, August Burns Red, Death Angel, Darkest Hour, and At The Gates. Throughout his time with Intolerant and Shepherds The Weak, he has played major international shows across Singapore and Hong Kong, including a sold-out 2,000+ capacity venue in 2025, cementing his legacy in the regional metal and hardcore scene.