Martin "Ace" Kent is the guitarist in UK rock band Skunk Anansie and has been playing guitar and recording music for over 40 years. He has earned a reputation as being one of the top creative guitarists in the rock world as well as an author, educator, session player, label owner and musical entrepreneur. He also holds an MA based in Music Education and has worked in top music colleges such as ICMP, BIMM as well as ACM and is an Associate Professor of Music Industry. Formed in 1994, Skunk Anansie have become one of the biggest alternative rock bands in Britain and Europe now with over 5 million physical sales to date and millions streams per year becoming winners of numerous awards. Known for headlining Glastonbury festival to playing for Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Pavarotti, their achievements are as diverse as the music they make. Ace has toured the world for the last 30 years playing with such bands as Metallica, Rammstein, Muse, U2, The Rod Hot Chili Peppers, Lenny Kravitz, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Bon Jovi, David Bowie and the Sex Pistols.

skunkanansie.com

Bold edge

Ace's guitar style is rooted in heavy, riff‑driven alternative rock with a bold, expressive edge. Influenced early on by punk bands and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, he built a signature sound grounded in distorted tones and powerful chordal textures. He is known as an effects-pedal fanatic – famously once playing "Smoke on the Water" using 100 pedals simultaneously, showcasing his flair for sonic experimentation and layering. His playing blends raw aggression with melodic dynamics – ranging from staccato power chords to atmospheric, processed tones – making him a defining voice of 90s rock and beyond.