Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Like many other people, Hardcore Superstar guitarist Vic Zino faced professional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to study at Malmö Academy Of Music (“Musikhögskolan i Malmö”):
“I haven’t posted in a while so this is going to be a long one. What a ride it has been. Six years ago, shit hit the fan. Covid spread like wildfire, and as a touring musician, my world came to a total stop. Out of a job from one day to the next. Talk about a wake-up call! To survive, I started giving guitar lessons. And guess what? I actually loved it. It was incredibly rewarding. So, a friend suggested: ‘Why don’t you apply to the university and get a proper teaching degree?’ My initial thought: I mean, how hard can it be? It was HARD. I had to completely rebuild my musical foundation from scratch. For six months, I roamed YouTube like a madman to brush up on music theory, singing, and everything in between just to pass the auditions. Against all odds (and to my own absolute surprise), I got in! The last five years have been a wild masterclass in juggling school, family, and touring. When shit needs to be done, the only way through hell is straight ahead. * I’ve done exams from Australia in full stage outfit and makeup 30 minutes before showtime. * I’ve spent countless hours studying in a cramped tour bus. * I’ve been sending homework videos of myself singing scales from Germany. * I’ve worked on my thesis from a Caribbean cruise (okay, that part actually didn’t suck). For the first two years, I didn’t even know the names of the people in my class. While everyone else was socializing in the cafeteria, I was locked in the basement rehearsal rooms trying to survive. I was out of my comfort zone 90% of the time, constantly wondering: Is it really supposed to be this damn hard?! But here we are. 5 years later. Degree in hand.”
– Vic Zino
The former guitarist and co-founder of Crazy Lixx goes on to say:
“Throughout this journey, I have evolved as a person, an educator, and a guitarist far beyond all my expectations. As the great Les Paul once said: ‘The more you dig into the fantastic world of the guitar, the more you realize how little you know.’ The feeling in my body right now? I’ve only just begun. A massive THANK YOU to my incredible teachers for your patience, understanding, and for allowing all kinds of chaotic solutions just so I could pass. You are absolute legends! Cheers to the next chapter!”
– Vic Zino
In autumn 2026, the Swedish street metallers Hardcore Superstar will embark on a tour through Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
