Axes & Anchors Cruise 2016 – Day 2: Yngwie Malmsteen, Alex Skolnick, Music Clinics + More

Rock fans aboard the massive Carnival Victory woke up in sunny Key West, Fla., on the second day of this year's Axes & Anchors Cruise. The morning began with a variety of workshops and clinics led by artists. “Good morning class,” said Act of Defiance / ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Broderick as he took the stage in front of his guitar students, some with guitars in hand while others just soaking up tips on guitar practicing, fragmentation and ways to overlay harmonies and tones in soloing.

Breaking Benjamin’s drummer Shaun Foist also had a percussion clinic where he played and took fan questions. Outside on the pool deck, former Guns N' Roses axeman Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal emphasized on the strings of your guitar and really knowing them. “The fret board is more of a guide,” he said as he went on to teach ways to dissect and play challenging tunes.

The day was filled with workshops but if you didn’t hang out in Key West there was a massive photo opportunity for fans to strike a pose with Zakk Wylde and Dario Lorina, Motionless in White, Adelitas Way, Marty Friedman and his crew, Gilby Clarke, Alex Skolnick and his jazz band, as well as Halcyon’s Way.

If that wasn’t enough, bands like Act of Defiance, Demon Hunter and Thousand Foot Krutch held Q&A sessions for fans. Performance highlights included the legendary Yngwie Malmsteen in the Caribbean Theater for his first and only performance. Testament shredder Alex Skolnick jazzed it up with his band in the Adriatic Lounge. Aranda put on an incredible show out on the deck stage, playing guitar with a dusty boot and all!

Check out photos of some of the artists who played on the second day as well as some shots of the workshops and photo ops with fans in our gallery above! Stay tuned for our coverage of day three of the Axes & Anchors Cruise!

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