Michael Keene is a guitarist, producer, and the creative force behind the progressive death metal band The Faceless. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Keene picked up the guitar at just five years old and has since carved out a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in modern metal.

Through The Faceless, Keene released four albums that pushed the genre forward: Akeldama (2006), Planetary Duality (2008), Autotheism (2012), and In Becoming a Ghost (2017). Each record reflected a clear evolution, moving from raw technical death metal into more progressive, conceptual territory — sometimes weaving in vocoder effects, orchestral layers, and clean singing long before it was common in the genre. Planetary Duality in particular has earned legendary status, debuting on the Billboard 200 and influencing a generation of metal musicians who followed. Along the way, Keene produced the band’s records himself, further shaping their signature sound with his hands-on approach in the studio.

Keene and The Faceless have toured extensively around the world, sharing stages with giants like Meshuggah, In Flames, Lamb of God, Necrophagist, Between the Buried and Me, and Decapitated. They’ve played major festivals including Summer Slaughter Tour (multiple years), California Metalfest, and Hellfest in France. Notable tours include supporting Meshuggah on their North American tour in 2009, and co-headlining the “Deconsecrate the Nation” tour alongside Suffocation. Through it all, Keene’s technical precision and tone have remained a cornerstone of the band’s live identity — delivering complex arrangements night after night without relying on studio trickery.

When it came time to design a guitar that could match the demands of his playing, Keene teamed up with Vola to create the OZ “Keene Machine” — a signature model built from the ground up around his sound. Designed for perfect note separation, fast response, and tonal flexibility, the Keene Machine makes it possible to move seamlessly between crushing rhythm work and crystal-clear melodic lines. The Fishman Fluence Modern pickups, smooth fretwork, and carefully tuned construction allow Keene to execute the full range of his playing style without compromise. For him, the guitar isn’t just a signature model — it’s a critical piece of the creative process.