Dan Mongrain

About

Dan "Chewy" Mongrain is a Canadian guitarist, composer, music educator, arranger, producer, and musical director whose vision has helped shape progressive and technical metal for over three decades. He is widely recognized as a member and/or session musician for influential bands such as Voivod, Martyr, Gorguts, Forbidden, Cryptopsy, DBC, and many others.

Alongside his artistic career, Dan holds a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Interpretation from Université de Montréal (2007) and teaches music theory and jazz/pop electric guitar at the collegiate level at Cégep de Joliette. He is also an in-demand session musician, working across a broad range of musical settings—including studio, television, and live performance—throughout Quebec and Canada.

Born in Quebec in 1976, Dan picked up the guitar at age 12. By 14, he was already performing live and teaching music. In 1989, at just 13 years old, he co-founded Martyr with his brother François Mongrain, helping pioneer what would later be known as technical death metal.

His Voivod nickname, "Chewy," originated from a friend who noticed his habit of shouting in an intentionally irritating voice. Combined with his long hair and six-foot stature, the Chewbacca comparison was unavoidable.

In 2008, Dan joined the legendary band Voivod, stepping in for the late Denis "Piggy" D'Amour. In a moment that came full circle, he reflected on seeing Voivod live on the Nothingface tour in 1990—at age 13, his very first metal show—before eventually becoming a member and active composer of the band himself.

Honors & Recognitions

Doctorate Honoris Causa
Médaille du Député
Ambassadeur Ville de Saguenay

35+

Years Playing Guitar

JUNO Awards

20+

Album Credits

1989

Year Martyr Founded

Projects

Voivod

Lead Guitarist

2008 – Present

Canadian progressive thrash metal pioneers. Dan joined as the replacement for legendary guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, carrying forward the band's innovative sci-fi metal vision.

Voivod Symphonique: performed with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and the Orchestre symphonique de Québec (OSQ) in 2025, with the Saguenay Orchestra to follow in 2027. The live album is out June 5, 2026.

JUNO 2019 - The Wake JUNO 2022 - Synchro Anarchy Doctorate Honoris Causa 2025

Martyr

Co-Founder / Guitarist / Vocalist

1989 – 2012, 2023 – Present

Quebec technical death metal band co-founded with brother François. Known for intricate compositions and virtuosic performances. Reunited in 2023 for Trois-Rivières Metalfest.

Forbidden

Touring / Recording Guitarist

2024 – 2025

Bay Area thrash metal legends. Dan joined in 2024 after Steve Smyth's departure, touring Europe and contributing to 3 new songs. Parted ways amicably due to scheduling conflicts with Voivod commitments.

Gorguts

Session / Touring Guitarist

2000

Contributed to compositions and arrangements on all songs, and performed all the solos on the critically acclaimed album "From Wisdom To Hate" – a landmark release in technical death metal.

Cryptopsy

Session / Touring Guitarist

2005

Session and touring guitarist for the Montreal-based extreme metal institution.

Capharnaum

Session Guitarist

2003

Technical death metal project founded by producer, composer, and guitarist Jason Suecof and his brother Jordan (drums). Featured Matt Heafy of Trivium on vocals and Mike Poggione (ex-Monstrosity) on bass.

Other Projects

Session / Live / Teaching

Various

In 2013, Dan was hired by Cirque du Soleil to coach guitarist Gina Gleason (now in Baroness) for the Las Vegas Michael Jackson show “ONE,” and was re-hired in 2017 and 2019 to coach other guitar players for various shows.

Beyond metal, Dan has performed with Quebec artists including Dan Bigras, Breen Leboeuf, Bruno Pelletier's "Dracula – Entre l'amour et la mort" musical, Jurassik Rock, Justin Boulet, and many cover and tribute bands across a wide array of genres. Studio sessions for pop albums, films, TV shows, and corporate events—as session player and/or musical director and arranger.