Ralph Santolla
Ralph Santolla ( born December 8, 1967) is an American guitarist, member of various metal and rock bands was or is, and released his first solo album in 2002.
Biography
Santolla started playing the guitar at age seven. He was in 1993 for a short period of time live guitarist of Death and was in the music video to the song The Philosopher at the side of Chuck Schuldiner, Steve DiGiorgio and Gene Hoglan to see, but took with the band ultimately no album. In 1997, he founded the band Millenium and published in 2002 his first solo album Shaolin Monks in the Temple of Metal. Santolla rose in 2003 in addition as lead guitarist of Iced Earth one, however, left the band a year later again and joined the solo band of former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach. This commitment took turn to only one year, as Santolla busy time looked after joining the death metal band Deicide. Santolla expressed in 2004 to further his career goals:
"My life goal is to ultimately deliver a great job. I have not yet been reached. I want to write an album that is as ingenious as Diary of a Madman [ ... ] Toys in the Attic [ ... ] Back in Black [ ... ], etc. Something perfect and inspiring in every way. "
He became in 2007 a member of Obituary, since their previous guitarist Allen West was serving a prison sentence and remained so even after West's dismissal. More bands and music projects in which Santolla was involved or are Hollow, Ex Cathedra and Reds Cream together with three musicians from the band Grave. In addition, he was to hear guest articles on the albums of various other artists such as warm, Holy Moses, Jon Oliva 's Pain and the Tardy Brothers.
Discography
Selection; only studio albums
- 2002: Shaolin Monks in the Temple of Metal ( Frontiers Records )
- 2006: The Stench of Redemption ( Earache Records)
- 2011: To Hell With God ( Century Media )
- 2007: Xecutioner 's Return ( Candlelight Records )
- 2009: Darkest Day ( Candlelight Records )
Guest appearances
- 2005: Warmen - Accept the Fact ( Spinefarm Records)
- 2008: Holy Moses - Agony of Death ( Wacken Records)
- 2008: Jon Oliva 's Pain - Global Warning (AFM Records)
- 2009: Tardy Brothers - Bloodline ( Candlelight Records )
Style
Santollas solos were at Obituary, particularly when compared to its predecessor, Allen West, referred to as " exquisite ". As his musical roots he called Dio, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne.