Terry Philip Balsamo II (born October 8, 1972) is an American guitarist who is best known as the former guitarist of the rock bands Cold and Evanescence. Balsamo is noted for his onstage expression of his fondness for Michael Myers of the Halloween film franchise.
Biography
Early projects and Cold
After a brief run with the early lineup of Limp Bizkit in 1995, Balsamo joined fellow Jacksonville rockers Scooter Ward, Sam McCandless, Jeremy Marshall and Kelly Hayes of the band Cold in 1999.
Balsamo wrote and recorded with Cold for their albums 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage (2000) and Year of the Spider (2003). He also appeared alongside Staind in Staind's 2001 MTV Unplugged performance. Near the end of his stint with Cold, the band joined Evanescence as an opening act on the 2003 Nintendo Fusion Tour.
Balsamo briefly re-joined Cold for their early 2009 reunion tour. According to a post on Cold's Facebook page on July 8, 2016, Balsamo was returning to the band for the recording of new music. However, he had departed the group again by January 2018, when Cold announced a new album with a new lineup.
Evanescence
When Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody left the band during the European tour of their debut album Fallen (2003), Balsamo replaced him as lead guitarist on tour and soon joined as Evanescence's permanent guitarist. Balsamo featured on Evanescence's 2004 live album and concert DVD Anywhere but Home, and became singer and pianist Amy Lee's musical collaborator on their second album, The Open Door (2006). Balsamo continued with the band, playing and co-writing on their 2011 self-titled third album. In August 2015, it was announced on the band's Facebook page that Balsamo had parted ways with the band. He performed with the band again in 2019 for the song "Sweet Sacrifice".
Health issues
In October 2005, two days after having finished recording all of his guitar tracks for Evanescence's album The Open Door, Balsamo suffered a stroke from a torn neck artery, leaving the left side of his body paralyzed. The doctors showed him that it was caused by a blood clot in his neck, possibly a result of headbanging on-stage and likely formation of an aneurysm, allowing for pooling of static blood and a thrombus. His doctors did not think he would ever be able to play guitar again. Balsamo however was determined to overcome the paralysis, and began physical therapy and the process of re-training his hand to play.
Equipment
Guitars
Ibanez LA Custom Shop
Ibanez RG3120 Prestige
Ibanez RG920
Ibanez RG 2570 VSL Prestige
Ibanez RG 2570 VSL Prestige Custom
Ibanez RG570
Ibanez RG1570 Prestige
Ibanez Acoustic
Takamine Acoustic
Larrivée Acoustic
Yamaha Silent/Travel Acoustic
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson Explorer 7 Strings (Studio) Gibson Explorer Dethklok "Thunderhorse" Charvel Warren DeMartini Signature San Dimas®, Maple Neck, Cross Swords Charvel Warren DeMartini Signature San Dimas®, Maple Neck, Skulls Charvel Custom Shop San Dimas Charvel San Dimas® Style I HH (Snow White & Gray) Charvel Desolation™ Skatecaster SK-1 FR Charvel Desolation™ Skatecaster SK-1 ST Charvel Desolation™ Skatecaster SK-3 ST PRS SE Baritone Mike Mushok
Amplifiers
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier Solo Head (LIVE & STUDIO) Mesa 4x12 Traditional Rectifier Cabs Diezel VH4 Head (STUDIO) Bogner Uberschall Head (STUDIO) Line 6 4x12 Cabs (LIVE in 2004)
Effects
TC Electronic G-System
Furman PL-Pro C Power Conditioner
BOSS TU-2: Chromatic Tuner
BOSS NS-2: Noise Suppressor
Dunlop MC401 Boost/Line Driver
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix™ Signature Wah JH1D
BOSS Ph-2 Phaser or BOSS Ph-3 Phase Shifter
Band projects
Evanescence – guitar (2003–2015; 2019 tour performance) Cold – guitar (1999–2004, 2009 tour only, 2016–2018) Shaft – guitar (1996–1999) Limp Bizkit – guitar (1995)
Discography
Cold
13 Ways to Bleed on Stage (September 12, 2000) Year of the Spider (May 13, 2003)
Evanescence
The Open Door (October 3, 2006) Evanescence (October 11, 2011)