{{Short description|British guitarist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Lee Malia | image = Bring me the Horizon - 2019159205329 2019-06-08 Rock am Ring - 2044 - AK8I9943 (cropped).jpg | caption = Malia in 2019 | birth_name = Lee David Malia<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Post Human: Survival Horror|others=Bring Me the Horizon|year=2020|publisher=Sony Music and RCA Records}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1984|6|4}}<ref name="Issuu"/> | birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England | occupation = Musician | instrument = Guitar | years_active = 2004–present | genre = {{flatlist| * Metalcore * alternative metal * alternative rock * pop rock * {{nowrap|electronic rock}} * deathcore (early) }} | current_member_of = Bring Me the Horizon | spouse = {{Marriage|Deni Marie McGonigle|June 2017}} | website = }}
'''Lee David Malia''' (born 4 June 1984) is a British musician, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Bring Me the Horizon. With the band, he has released seven studio albums. He cites influences from Gary Moore, Bon Iver, and Metallica among many more.
==Early life== Malia was born and raised in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.<ref name="Paoletti Guitar">{{cite web|url=https://www.paolettiguitars.com/artists/lee-malia/|title=Lee Malia - Paoletti Guitar|website=Paoletti Guitars|access-date=14 March 2024}}</ref> He started learning guitar at a young age with the help of his parents who were also musicians.<ref name="Paoletti Guitar"/> His dad, who used to play guitar, left one in Malia's room but he never bothered to play it.<ref name="MusicRadar 2014"/> However, three months after his dad got rid of the guitar, he began picking up an interest in playing music, so he bought his first guitar, a Falcon Strat, at Fox's Music after spending his Christmas money on Boxing Day.<ref name="MusicRadar 2014"/><ref name="LM87 Guitar">{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/features/interviews/lee-malia-bring-me-the-horizon-interview-jackson-pro-series-signature-lm-87/|title=Lee Malia on how Bring Me The Horizon became metal's most ambitious band|website=Guitar.com|author=Josh Gardner|date=8 May 2025|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> He attended Stocksbridge High School where he met Oliver Sykes.<ref name="Paoletti Guitar"/> Malia played in a cover band where the first song they covered was "All the Small Things" by Blink-182.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-playlist-lee-malia-bring-me-the-horizon|title=The playlist: Lee Malia (Bring Me The Horizon)|website=MusicRadar|date=21 July 2017|access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref> He also played in a Metallica tribute band before joining Bring Me the Horizon.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Patterson|first= Dayal|date=April 2011|title=The Devil's Rejects|journal=Metal Hammer|issue=216|publisher=Future Publishing|editor=Alexander Milas|location=London, United Kingdom |issn=1422-9048}}</ref>
==Career== thumb|right|Malia performing in 2014 Malia joined Bring Me the Horizon in 2004, and they released their debut EP, ''This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For'', later that year.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Patashnik|first=Ben|date=October 2012|title=We Were So Clueless|journal=Rock Sound|issue=166|publisher=Freeway Press|editor=Patashnik, B.|location= London, United Kingdom|issn=1465-0185}}</ref> The group released their debut studio album ''Count Your Blessings'', on 30 October 2006.<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Ben|title=Bring Me the Horizon: Heavy Sounds from the Steel City|date=6 April 2016|publisher=John Blake Publishing|isbn=978-1784189860}}</ref> The album peaked at number 93 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="OCC">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5240/bring-me-the-horizon/|title=Bring Me the Horizon - Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> Their second studio album, ''Suicide Season'', was released in September 2008 and reached number 47 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/bring-me-the-horizon-to-release-new-album-on-epitaph-launch-full-scale-us-a|title=Bring Me The Horizon Signs With Epitaph|publisher=Epitaph Records|date=11 September 2008|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="OCC"/> On 4 October 2010, the group released their third studio album, ''There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Bring Me the Horizon: New Album Details Revealed |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bring-me-the-horizon-new-album-details-revealed/ |website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=16 March 2024|date=12 August 2010}}</ref> The album debuted at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="OCC"/> Their fourth studio album, ''Sempiternal'' was released on 1 April 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/uncategorized/bring-me-the-horizon-hear-sempiternal-now/|title=Hear The Whole New Bring Me The Horizon Album Sempiternal|author=Martin Kielty|website=Metal Hammer|date=1 March 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306012343/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/uncategorized/bring-me-the-horizon-hear-sempiternal-now/|archivedate=6 March 2013|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> with the album peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="OCC"/> The group's fifth studio album, ''That's the Spirit'' was released on 11 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bring Me the Horizon To Release 'That's The Spirit' Album In September|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bring-me-the-horizon-to-release-thats-the-spirit-album/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="OCC"/> It also landed the band's first top ten in the US on the ''Billboard'' 200, reaching number two.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/the-weeknd-billboard-200-third-week-no-1/|title=The Weeknd Earns Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|author=Keith Caulfield|date=20 September 2015|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Their sixth studio album, ''Amo'' was released on 25 January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/bring-me-the-horizon-new-album-six-release-date-tour-dates-2368776|title=Bring Me The Horizon's new album – release date, tour dates and everything we know so far|website=NME|last=Connick|first=Tom|date=22 August 2018|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> The album topped the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/bring-me-the-horizon-no-1-amo-uk/|title=Bring Me The Horizon score first No. 1 album with 'amo'|magazine=Alternative Press|date=1 February 2019|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Their seventh studio album, ''Post Human: Nex Gen'' was released on 24 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web|first=Liberty|last=Dunworth|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bring-me-the-horizon-to-release-post-human-nex-gen-at-midnight-3758879|title=Bring Me The Horizon to release 'Post Human: Nex Gen ' at midnight|work=NME|date=23 May 2024|access-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523123818/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bring-me-the-horizon-to-release-post-human-nex-gen-at-midnight-3758879|archive-date=23 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
Outside from the band, Malia scored music for the 2017 horror thriller film ''Pyewacket'', written and directed by Adam MacDonald.<ref name="Film Score">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/bmth-lee-malia-horror-score/|title=BMTH guitarist created horror film score, you may have already heard it|magazine=Alternative Press|date=21 February 2019|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Malia was asked by MacDonald if he wanted to write the music for the film in which he did. Malia also felt that "writing a score was a lot less nerve-wracking than contributing to an album."<ref name="Film Score"/> Malia worked with MacDonald again in 2023, scoring music for the 2024 film, ''Out Come the Wolves''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/survival-thriller-out-come-the-wolves-canada-shoot-cannes-market-1235609486/|title=Survival Thriller 'Out Come the Wolves' Starts Canada Shoot, Altitude to Launch Sales at Cannes Film Market|magazine=Variety|date=11 May 2023|author=Naman Ramachandran|access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>
==Equipment== Malia played an Ibanez that had thin and flat necks during the group's earlier years. However, as the band "started playing riffy stuff," he switched to Epiphone with a thicker neck because it fit the style he was writing in.<ref name="MusicRadar 2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia-we-realised-that-songs-dont-have-to-have-100-parts-with-every-single-sound-you-could-make|title=Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia: 'We realised that songs don't have to have 100 parts, with every single sound you could make'|website=MusicRadar|author=Jonathan Horsley|date=20 February 2019|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> In the studio, he plays a Les Paul Standard, the First Act Sheena and a semihollow Rickenbacker, while on stage, he uses his Les Paul Standard and a Les Paul Supreme.<ref name="GuitarWorld"/> His Les Paul Standard is used for drop-A# tuning, whereas his Les Paul Traditional is used for C-standard tuning.<ref name="Guitar World 2011">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/bring-me-horizon-tour-blog-week-2-lee-malias-gear|title=Bring Me the Horizon Tour Blog: Week 2 - Lee Malia's Gear|magazine=Guitar World|author=Lee Malia|date=6 April 2011|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> His setup also includes a 1982 Gibson Victory MVX and a 1979 Gibson The Paul.<ref name="Premier Guitar">{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/rig-rundown-bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia|title=Rig Rundown - Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia|website=Premier Guitar|author=Perry Bean|date=27 March 2014|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Epiphone has created three signature guitars for Malia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/bring-me-the-horizon-lee-malia-signature-guitar/|title=Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia: My Signature Guitar|website=Loudwire|author=Chad Childers|date=18 June 2019|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> In 2014, Epiphone introduced Malia's Les Paul Custom, which was inspired by the Gibson Artisan from the '70s with changes to the pickups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/lee_malia_i_stopped_listening_to_as_much_metal_because_im_touring_with_a_metal_band.html|title=Lee Malia: 'I Stopped Listening to as Much Metal Because I'm Touring With a Metal Band'|website=Ultimate Guitar|date=31 March 2014|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="Epiphone Custom 2014">{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/reviews/epiphone-malia-les-paul-review/|title=Epiphone Lee Malia Les Paul Custom Review|website=Guitar.com|author=Richard Purvis|date=3 February 2015|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> Malia revealed that a worker of Gibson made a suggestion to Epiphone to create the custom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/lee-malia-on-his-epiphone-signature-guitar-610047|title=Lee Malia on his Epiphone signature guitar|website=MusicRadar|author=Matt Parker|date=14 November 2014|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> In 2017, Epiphone launched Malia's Custom Explorer Artisan, which was inspired by James Hetfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/me-and-my-guitar-bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia|title=Me and my guitar: Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia|website=MusicRadar|date=6 December 2017|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> Epiphone also released Malia's Custom RD Artisan Outfit.<ref name="MusicRadar 2019"/> On their latest record, ''Post Human: Survival Horror'', Malia used a PRS baritone and an Ibanez.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia-i-wanted-to-go-as-slayer-as-i-possibly-could|title=Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia: 'I wanted to go as Slayer as I possibly could...'|magazine=Guitar World|author=Ellie Robinson|date=26 January 2021|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> In September 2022, Jackson Guitars launched an American Series Soloist custom for Malia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guitar.com/features/interviews/bring-me-horizons-lee-malia-on-new-jackson-old-epiphone/|title='If I designed a metal guitar, this would be it': Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia on his new Jackson, his old Epiphone, and the band's recent headline shows|website=Guitar.com|author=Emma Wilkes|date=16 September 2022|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> In April 2025, Jackson Guitars released Malia's signature LM-87 guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/artists/jackson-and-bring-me-the-horizon-lee-malia-unveil-the-pro-series-lm-87-signature-guitar|title=Jackson and Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia team up for the Pro Series LM-87|website=MusicRadar|date=9 April 2025|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref> Malia originally wanted to base his model off a Gibson Firebird. However, worried that him and Jackson Guitars would get sued by the company, he decided base his guitar off an old Charvel Surfcaster.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/lee-malia-jackson-signature-lm-87-guitar|title=Lee Malia's Jackson signature completes a full circle 20 years in the making – and it redefines what a Jackson can be|magazine=Guitar World|author=Phil Weller|date=15 April 2025|access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref>
thumb|right|Malia with his signature Les Paul Custom.<ref name="Epiphone Custom 2014"/>
Malia uses a variety of Marshall amplifiers. Malia uses a JCM800 with a Marshall speaker cabinet.<ref name="GuitarWorld">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/dear-guitar-hero-lee-malia-bring-me-horizon-talks-gear-inspiration-gary-moore-and-more|title=Dear Guitar Hero: Lee Malia of Bring Me the Horizon Talks Gear, Inspiration, Gary Moore and More|magazine=Guitar World|author=Kory Grow|date=19 June 2013|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> He also owns a Marshall DSL1C, 1960AV and 1960BV, and a Marshall 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marshall.com/amps/endorsers/lee-malia-bring-me-the-horizon|title=Lee Malia - Marshall|publisher=Marshall|access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref> Additionally, he has used an Orange Rockerverb 100 and Rockerverb 50 amp.<ref name="Guitar World 2011"/> In the past, he used the JCM800 for both clean and distortion<ref name="MusicRadar 2014"/> but as of 2019, Malia uses the Marshall JTM45 for cleans and the JCM800 for distortion.<ref name="MusicRadar 2019"/> His pedalboard consists of a Boss Boss DD-7 Delay, an RV-5 Reverb, an Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Reverb and a Tube Screamer.<ref name="MusicRadar 2014"/> Along with that, he has two Strymon pedals for delay and reverb.<ref name="MusicRadar 2019"/> On the band's records after ''Suicide Season'', Malia uses a Klon Centaur overdrive pedal, but when performing live, he uses a Fulltone OCD Overdrive, due to the Klon Centaur being "hard to get a hold of," according to Malia.<ref name="GuitarWorld"/> He uses an Ernie Ball custom .080-gauge guitar strings.<ref name="GuitarWorld"/> On recording ''There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret.'', he used his First Act Custom Sheena guitar, a 5150 rig for distortion and an Orange Rockerverb 100 for cleans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/bring_me_the_horizon_interview_with_the_guitarist_lee_malia.html|title=Bring Me The Horizon: Interview With The Guitarist Lee Malia|website=Ultimate Guitar|author=Joe Matera|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>
==Musical styles and influences== Malia listened to a lot of classic rock and metal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/youre-infiltrating-their-passion-bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia-discusses-gatekeeping-in-metal|title="You're Infiltrating Their Passion": Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia Discusses Gatekeeping In Metal|website=Metal Injection|author=Greg Kennelty|date=25 September 2022|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> growing up because of his dad, from the Eagles to Dire Straits and Metallica, which inspired him to start playing guitar.<ref name="Loudwire 2019">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/bring-me-the-horizon-lee-malia-favorite-riffs/|title=Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia Plays His Favorite Riffs|website=Loudwire|author=Chad Childers|date=21 May 2019|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> He credits "Enter Sandman" and "Master of Puppets" as the first few songs he wanted to learn when he first started out.<ref name="Loudwire 2019"/> He also credited Metallica on how he utilized his picking technique.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/hooked-bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia-on-metallica|title=Hooked: Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia on Metallica|website=Premier Guitar|date=19 January 2021|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> When the band began playing heavier stuff, his style of playing was influenced by Cannibal Corpse, whose influence can be heard on their early albums such as ''Count Your Blessings'' and ''Suicide Season''.<ref name="Marshall">{{cite web|url=https://marshall.com/live-for-music/guitar-heroes/100-for-100/part-6|title=100 For 100 - Part 6|publisher=Marshall|date=22 August 2023|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>
Malia cites early influences from Metallica and Pantera, before drawing heavier influences from Cannibal Corpse.<ref name="Marshall"/> Other influences he has noted include Gary Moore, Bon Iver, Justin Vernon, Sigur Rós<ref name="MusicRadar 2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/lee-malia-talks-wembley-gear-and-his-guitar-roots-610054|title=Lee Malia talks Wembley, gear and his guitar roots|website=MusicRadar|author=Matt Parker|date=17 November 2014|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> and Rage Against the Machine.<ref name="Paoletti Guitar"/>
==Personal life== In June 2017, he married long-time partner Deni Marie McGonigle.<ref name="Issuu">{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/tonybanh1201/docs/final_page_|title=Bring Me The Horizon Brochure|website=Issuu|author=Tony Banh|page=12-13|date=25 March 2023|access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bring-me-the-horizons-lee-malia-lifts-the-veil-on-amo-their-genre-jumping-new-album|title=Bring Me the Horizon's Lee Malia Lifts the Veil on 'Amo,' Their Genre-Jumping New Album|magazine=Guitar World|author=Jon Wiederhorn|date=28 May 2019|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Film score=== * ''Pyewacket'' (2017) * ''Out Come the Wolves'' (2024) * ''This Is Not a Test'' (2025)
===Bring Me the Horizon=== {{Main|Bring Me the Horizon discography}} '''Studio albums''' * ''Count Your Blessings'' (2006) * ''Suicide Season'' (2008) * ''There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret.'' (2010) * ''Sempiternal'' (2013) * ''That's the Spirit'' (2015) * ''Amo'' (2019) * ''Post Human: Nex Gen'' (2024)
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! Publication ! Accolade ! Year ! Rank ! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | MusicRadar | 14 Best Metal Guitarists | 2018 | 6 | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-14-best-metal-guitarists-in-the-world-right-now|title=The 14 best metal guitarists in the world right now|website=MusicRadar|date=3 December 2018|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Bring Me the Horizon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:malia, Lee}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Bring Me the Horizon members Category:English male guitarists Category:English heavy metal guitarists Category:Musicians from Sheffield