Marc Rizzo (born August 2, 1977) is an American musician, best known as the former lead guitarist of metal band
Soulfly
Soulfly is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera, who formed the band after he left the Brazilian group in 1996. To date the band has release ...
. He has featured on eight Soulfly albums: ''
Prophecy
In religion, mythology, and fiction, a prophecy is a message that has been communicated to a person (typically called a ''prophet'') by a supernatural entity. Prophecies are a feature of many cultures and belief systems and usually contain di ...
'', ''
Dark Ages'', ''
Conquer
Conquer may refer to:
* Conquer (Soulfly album), 2008
* Conquer (Carl Thomas album), 2011
* "Conquer" (''The Walking Dead''), an episode of the television series ''The Walking Dead''
See also
*
*Conquistador (disambiguation)
Conquistador is a ...
'', ''
Omen
An omen (also called ''portent'') is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change. It was commonly believed in ancient history, and still believed by some today, that omens bring divine messages ...
'', ''
Enslaved'', ''
Savages'', ''
Archangel
Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the Catholic hierarchy of angels, based on and put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book ''De Coelesti Hierarchia'' (''On the Celestial Hierarchy'') ...
'', and ''
Ritual
A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally ...
''. He has also released five solo instrumental albums: ''Marc Rizzo'', ''Colossal Myopia'', ''The Ultimate Devotion'', ''Legionnaire'', and ''Rotation''. Rizzo is also a member of
Cavalera Conspiracy, a side project with the co-founders of
Sepultura
Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. They were a major force in the groove metal, thrash met ...
, Max and
Igor Cavalera
Igor Graziano Cavalera (born 4 September 1970) is a Brazilian musician, best known as the former drummer for the heavy metal band Sepultura, which he co-founded with his brother Max in 1984. Max left the band in 1997, and Igor himself would ...
. The band released their debut album ''
Inflikted'' in 2008, ''
Blunt Force Trauma
A blunt trauma, also known as a blunt force trauma or non-penetrating trauma, is a physical trauma due to a forceful impact without penetration of the body's surface. Blunt trauma stands in contrast with penetrating trauma, which occurs when an ...
'' in 2011 and ''
Pandemonium'' in 2014. In March 2015, it was announced that Rizzo was playing guitar for
Misfits. His only show with the band took place at Dutch Comic Con. Early in his career, he was known to wear a backpack on stage during the shows.
While primarily regarded as a metal guitarist, Rizzo's solo work demonstrates an interest in a wide range of styles, combining elements of hard rock, metal, jazz, classical and flamenco guitar. 2007 saw him headline his first US tour to sell out venues across the country. In 2008, Rizzo's two solo records were released under Shrapnel Records and are available on iTunes (iTunes.com).
Rizzo was endorsed by
Peavey and
Yamaha, and traveled the world undertaking clinics for Peavey when his tour schedule allowed. Rizzo, as of 2009, is endorsed by
B.C. Rich. A signature seven-string Stealth model has been built for him and made available for to the public as an import model in 2010. He has been using PRS SE Custom 24 seven-string guitars. He currently uses a Washburn seven-string single-cut guitar.
In 2004, Rizzo created the indie Phlamencore Records with younger brother Luke. Since has released two sampler CD's (international distro) and three full-lengths.
Rizzo grew up in
Carlstadt, New Jersey
Carlstadt is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,372, an increase of 245 (+4.0%) from the 2010 United S ...
, where he attended
Henry P. Becton Regional High School.
In 2020, Rizzo started his new death metal side project Revenge Beast.
In August 2021, Rizzo departed Soulfly after 18 years with the band. Rizzo said in an interview that he got no support from Soulfly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rizzo went further saying “I was doing home renovations, working very hard, 10 hours a day,” he explained. “A Soulfly live record came out
ast year, Live Ritual NYC MMXIX I never saw a dime of that. So basically, within the
irstsix
rseven months of Covid, I just said, ‘You know, man, I don't want this anymore. I gave you guys 18 years of my life, “And it was a great time. Back in the good years, it was great. But the last eight to 10 years have not been very good".
In October 2021, Marc Rizzo returned to
Ill Niño
Ill Niño (Spanish for "ill child"; stylized as ill niño) is an American nu metal band formed in Union City, New Jersey, in 1998 by drummer Dave Chavarri, who remains the band's sole original member. They have released seven studio albums, two ...
, where he performed as their original guitarist from 1998 until his departure in 2003. He quietly left the band in late 2024.
Discography
Solo
*''Marc Rizzo'' (2004) (Phlamencore Records)
*''Colossal Myopia'' (2006) (Shrapnel Records)
*''The Ultimate Devotion'' (2007) (Shrapnel Records)
*''Legionnaire'' (2010) (Phlamencore Records)
*''Singles Collection'' (2015) (Phlamencore Records) (split with ''Inpsychobleedia'')
*''Rotation'' (2018) (Combat Records)
*''Living Shred Vol. 1'' (2021) (Godsize Records)
Cavalera Conspiracy
*''
Inflikted'' (2008) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Blunt Force Trauma
A blunt trauma, also known as a blunt force trauma or non-penetrating trauma, is a physical trauma due to a forceful impact without penetration of the body's surface. Blunt trauma stands in contrast with penetrating trauma, which occurs when an ...
'' (2011) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Pandemonium'' (2014) (Napalm Records)
*''
Psychosis
In psychopathology, psychosis is a condition in which a person is unable to distinguish, in their experience of life, between what is and is not real. Examples of psychotic symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized or inco ...
'' (2017) (Napalm Records)
Committee of Thirteen
*''Self Titled'' (2004) (Phlamencore Records)
Coretez
*''Coretez EP'' (2003) (re-released in 2011 on iTunes through Phlamencore Records)
Ill Niño
*''
Ill Niño EP
''Ill Niño EP'' is a 2000 Extended play, EP by American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Ill Niño. It was produced by the band's drummer, Dave Chavarri, and distributed by C.I.A. Recordings. Following the EP's release, the band were signed t ...
'' (2000) (C.I.A. Records)
*''
Revolution Revolución'' (2001) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
The Best of Ill Niño'' (2006) (Roadrunner Records)
*''IllMortals'' (TBA)
Misfits
* ''Vampire Girl / Zombie Girl'' (2015) (Misfits Records)
Revenge Beast
* ''Revenge Beast'' (2021) (Phlamencore Records) (split with ''Inpsychobleedia'')
* ''Revenge Beast'' (2023) (Upstate Records)
Soulfly
*''
Prophecy
In religion, mythology, and fiction, a prophecy is a message that has been communicated to a person (typically called a ''prophet'') by a supernatural entity. Prophecies are a feature of many cultures and belief systems and usually contain di ...
'' (2004) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Dark Ages'' (2005) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Conquer
Conquer may refer to:
* Conquer (Soulfly album), 2008
* Conquer (Carl Thomas album), 2011
* "Conquer" (''The Walking Dead''), an episode of the television series ''The Walking Dead''
See also
*
*Conquistador (disambiguation)
Conquistador is a ...
'' (2008) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Omen
An omen (also called ''portent'') is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change. It was commonly believed in ancient history, and still believed by some today, that omens bring divine messages ...
'' (2010) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Enslaved'' (2012) (Roadrunner Records)
*''
Savages'' (2013) (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
*''
Archangel
Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the Catholic hierarchy of angels, based on and put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book ''De Coelesti Hierarchia'' (''On the Celestial Hierarchy'') ...
'' (2015) (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
*''
Ritual
A ritual is a repeated, structured sequence of actions or behaviors that alters the internal or external state of an individual, group, or environment, regardless of conscious understanding, emotional context, or symbolic meaning. Traditionally ...
'' (2018) (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
The Monarch
*''A Moment to Lose Your Breath'' (2023) (Art Is War/Godsize Records)
Instructional DVDs with Rock House
Metal Guitar- Modern, Speed & Shred, level 1 & 2 (2007)
Guest appearances
*2003 –
Violent Delight – ''
Transmission'' (WEA) (guitar on ''Shattered'' and ''All You Ever Do'')
*2007 –
Divine Heresy – ''
Bleed the Fifth'' (Roadrunner Records) (guitar in the intro of ''Rise of the Scorned'')
*2010 – Cloak Dagger – ''Argila'' (Phlamencore Records) – digital single available on iTunes
*2011 – Benjamin Woods – ''Vision'' (Flametal Records) (guitar on ''Quicksilver'' and ''Pistolero'')
*2011 – Cloak Dagger – ''Cascañata'' (Phlamencore Records) – digital single available on iTunes
*2011 – Practice To Deceive – ''Dysfunctional Interdependence'' (Self released)
*2012 – Cloak Dagger – ''Ale' Sofi'' (Phlamencore Records) – digital single available on iTunes
*2012 –
Strife – ''Witness A Rebirth'' (6131 Records) (guitar on ''In This Defiance'')
*2012 – Practice To Deceive – ''Dysorder & Dysease'' (Self released)
*2014 – Flametal – ''Flametal'' (Self released)
*2015 – Sean Baker Orchestra – ''Game On!!'' (Shredguy Records) (guitar on ''Shrapnel in Your Ear'')
*2016 –
Dead by Wednesday – ''The Darkest of Angels'' (EMP Label Group) (guitar on ''The Surgeon'')
*2016 – Pulse8 – ''Follow Me to Hell'' (lead guitar on ''Follow Me to Hell'')
*2022 –
Claustrofobia – ''Unleeched'' (lead guitar on ''Corrupted Self'')
*2024 – Kaosis - ''We are the Future'' (lead guitar on ''Human Tumour'' and ''See! See! I Told You Baby!'')
*2025 - Branch Dividian - Division Era (guitar on In the Shadows with)
References
External links
* http://www.marcrizzo.net/
Marc Rizzo's Myspace page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rizzo, Marc
American heavy metal guitarists
American people of Italian descent
Ill Niño members
American lead guitarists
Living people
Guitarists from New Jersey
People from Carlstadt, New Jersey
American seven-string guitarists
Cavalera Conspiracy members
Soulfly members
1977 births
Musicians from Bergen County, New Jersey