Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
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| Page added in October, 2008 | More [Interviews] |
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Guglielmo Malusardi: Introduce yourself to the readers - where you were born and raised?
Marc Rizzo: I was born and raised in New Jersey, U.S.A. Guglielmo Malusardi: And how about your roots? Rizzo sounds undoubtedly Italian... Marc Rizzo: Yes I am italian. My grandparents were born in a town called Trentinara, in Italy, and I have family in Salerno. Guglielmo Malusardi: The metal army knows you already for your work in Ill Nino, and your partnership with Alex Cavalera, first in Soulfly and late in Cavalera Conspiracy. Marc Rizzo: Ill Nino was the first band I was in that got signed. Soon after I quit and joined Soulfly, made three records and two solo records, then Cavalera Conspiracy. Guglielmo Malusardi: When did you get the idea to release your first CD and get the, in my opinion great, idea to put together metal and Latin/flamenco parts? Marc Rizzo: Solo records were something I always wanted to do, and during my time in Ill Nino I started recording my first solo record. I love flamenco and metal, so it was natural for me to combine it on a record. Guglielmo Malusardi: If I'm not mistaken, on "Colossal Myopia", you mentioned that Mike Varney suggested you open the CD with two metal (not as much flamenco/metal) shred tunes... Marc Rizzo: Yes, when i put out my first solo record it was mostly acoustic. Then when Mike Varney got a copy and signed me he suggested doing more metal. I was thrilled because at that point in time it seemed nobody cared for metal solos. Guglielmo Malusardi: On your second CD, those elements seem to co-exist in a happy marriage from the first few bars... Marc Rizzo: Yes, on the second record I embellished on it more. Guglielmo Malusardi: One other difference is the tracks' running time - much longer on the second CD. Was that a conscious choice or a consequence of the composing process? Marc Rizzo: I think going into "The Ultimate Devotion", I wanted to make a record that was just all around ridiculously musical and progressive. Guglielmo Malusardi: There are two vocal tracks included.on "The Ultimate Devotion". At some point will you do a full length, vocal-oriented project? Marc Rizzo: Yes, my next album will feature a new singer I'm working with, who is amazing. It wiill have more vocals, but I'll still have instrumentals too. Guglielmo Malusardi: What guitars did you use for your two records? Marc Rizzo: For "The Ultimate Devotion", I used my Peavey HP special and a Yamaha nylon acoustic. 
Guglielmo Malusardi: How about amps and effects?
Marc Rizzo: I use Peavey JSX amps, Zoom pedals and GHS strings. Guglielmo Malusardi: What software do you use? Marc Rizzo: We use a Pro Tools rig for "The Ultimate Devotion" and a small Roland machine for "Colossal Myopia" but I prefer using tape. Guglielmo Malusardi: Shrapnel Records released both of your solo projects. The label is owned by that legend named Mike Varney. Would you like to to portray him from a label artist point of view? Marc Rizzo: I have a high respect for Mike, and doing two Shrapnel records with him is one of my biggest accomplishments. Guglielmo Malusardi: Who are some of your favorite guitarists? Marc Rizzo: I have so many favorites: Eddie Van Halen, Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, Dimebag Darrel and Joe Satriani. I could go on forever. Guglielmo Malusardi: How did you develop the flamenco style you use on guitar? Marc Rizzo: Mostly on my own through books, but I also studied with Dennis Koster, a popular flamenco guitarist out of New York City. Guglielmo Malusardi: About your right hand; are you an integralist/orthodox nail fingered technique, an "Al Di Meola-ized" one or a cross between the two? Marc Rizzo: I do both picking styles. Guglielmo Malusardi: Do you know any Italian guitarists? Marc Rizzo: Yes, Italy has some of the best musicians. I really like Alessandro Benvenuti's playing. I met him at the NAMM show a couple of years ago where he gave me his CD "Sonic Design", which is amazing. Guglielmo Malusardi: Are you currently performing your own music live? Marc Rizzo: Yes, in between Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy tours I have done four solo U.S. tours that were amazing. I'm hoping to come to Europe soon. Guglielmo Malusardi: Finally, what are your future plans? Marc Rizzo: Keep recording and touring with all three bands - and maybe some new projects!
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