Michael McKnight is a Songwriter, Producer & Vocalist that loves music, video, and the overall magic of art. McKnight’s hooky writing style focuses on Rock, Pop, Dance, Gothic Alternative, Industrial, R&B, Soundtrack, and other Top 40 genres produced out of DEE-I Studios in Central Florida.
Michael has worked & recorded with some amazing talents like Danny Bernini, (The Notorious B.I.G, Mary J. Blige, Stryper), Lajon Witherspoon, (Sevendust), Jeff Bova, (Blondie, Iron Maiden, Eric Clapton), Bob Ludwig, (Nirvana, Queen, ), Toby Wright, (Metallica, Tool), ShawnGrove, (Dashboard Confessional, Matchbox 20), and DJ George Acosta, (History of Trance, Next Level).
Michael is best known for his work with Florida Rock/Metal band Soulidium. He’s toured and played with bands like Sevendust,Alter Bridge, Alice in Chains, Hellyeah, Nonpoint, Wes Borland, Apocalyptica, Taproot, Wednesday 13, and many other great artists.
Writing great multi-genre music for song, film & soundtrack out of DEE-I Studios is Michael’s main focus. Hispanic born & raised inMiami, Florida, Michael is the first born son of Cuban Trumpet Player/Latin Percussionist Michael Arias. Michael grew up between Hialeah and Miami Beachsurrounded by artists and musicians of excellence throughout his life.
Michael was born into a family of musicians and showed a natural talent & obsession for melodies and vocals thought his life. Michael met Billboard Songwriter of the Year, (1984),Lewis Martineé, (Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Pet Shop Boys, Celine Dion, Exposé), and Producer Mark Roofe, (Janet Jackson, R. Kelly, No Mercy, Pit Bull, Chaka Khan), which is where his career in music & studio production would begin.
Awaken Album Cover Designed by Artist David Bollt
Both recognized the strong melodic & lyrical ability Michael had and offered him an opportunity to develop his raw talent by writing & producing vocals for various recording artists in their Miami & Kendall studios over the next several years of his career.
Finally making a move to pursue his own career as a vocalist, Michael founded Soulidium in 2006 and began recording their debut album, Children of Chaos the same year which released on June 19, 2007.(AMG/Warner).
It was recorded entirely atLong View Recording Studio in North Brookfield, Massachusetts on a rare mixing board formerly owned by legendary rock band Queen.
Longview was a studio like no other, having produced over 150 gold & platinum records since their founding in 1974, (Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Alice in Chains, Three Days Grace, Sevendust, Kittie).
The Soulidium album was produced by Danny Bernini & Michael McKnight, (Vocal production by Bonnie Millner). The album featured string work by American Grammy Award-winning keyboardist, composer, arranger and record producer Jeff Bova, (Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Blondie, Eric Clapton), and mastering by the Grammy Award-winning Bob Ludwig, (Paul McCartney, Queen, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Nirvana). The album was well received by fans & critics alike and was considered an overall success.
Soulidium was featured on the SAW IV Directors Cut DVD, with their song Trapped from the SAW IV Motion Picture Soundtrack, (Lionsgate Films/Warner Brothers Records). The soundtrack included Drowning Pool, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Avenged Sevenfold, and Sixx AM and others.
Soulidium’s second album Awaken released, (October 30, 2015), and featured hard hitting metal duet Fly to the Sun that Michael McKnight and Sevendust vocalist Lajon Witherspoon, who had toured for 47 dates together. The track was recorded with Shawn Grove at Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta, (Music recorded in Tampa). With the balance of the album being recorded at RedRoom Recorders in Tampa, Florida, with Wes Dearth, (Porcupine Tree), and DEE-I Studios.
After releasing their 2nd album Awaken on Devil’s Night, (October 30, 2015), Soulidium would go on to disband after several months of major label endeavors.
McKnight would spent the next several years away from the music industry successfully developing the Tattoo Franchise Division of DEE-I alongside his wife VP/Head Tattoo Artist,Carolyn McKnight, (Tattoo & Inked Magazine, Best Ink, SFX), and CFO,Angelina McKnight, (3D Animation/SFX).
Soulidium’s gothic horror style and music evolves forward in 2025, redefining it’s musical landscape with an innovative twist with their newest single, “Scream.”
Check out the full track here on our Spotify along with the rest of our discography and the official music video below!
Embracing McKnight’s passion for the darker tones of Miami/Tampa electronica, gothic alternative, rock, and metal, the band is poised to produce what might be their most compelling work to date.
Soulidium’s forthcoming singles and album “Revolution,” slated for release in 2025 by Dark Empire Entertainment, will feature an array of guest artists and collaborators, promising a rich tapestry of sounds and an electrifying experience for new and old Soulidium fans alike. More announcements to come!