Ralph Santolla
Encyclopedia
Ralph Santolla is an Italian-American metal
guitarist. He has played in many bands in the past, most recently Deicide
, but also including Eyewitness, Death (he never recorded any of their albums, but toured with them in 1993 and appeared in "The Philosopher" video), Millennium
, Iced Earth
, and the Sebastian Bach
band. As of June 3, 2007, it was announced that Santolla would replace Allen West in Obituary
for their album Xecutioner's Return
. Ralph is very proud of his Italian
heritage and he plays guitars by Jackson
and Ibanez
with the Italian flag painted on them. At the moment he has recently been playing Jackson Guitars
, though he has also been associated with ESP Guitars
, Dean Guitars
and many others. He has also been using Randall Amplifiers
. He is well known for his shred guitar
playing style.
which was getting out of control, Ralph Santolla was arrested for allegedly throwing a Red Bull
can at an officer after Deicide was forced to stop playing. Santolla has always avidly proclaimed his innocence and stated that the allegations were wholesale created by the Laredo Police Department, which has been corroborated by many eyewitnesses on the scene. Charges were never filed and in fact the Webb County, Texas, District Attorney has confirmed and certified that the matter will not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
Santolla is a practicing Roman Catholic, which has caused controversy with Deicide fans, many of whom are against Christianity and are aware of frontman Glen Benton
's open Satanism
. Many were surprised that Benton even let Santolla join the band, due to his frequent criticism of the religion. However, Ralph stated that he is "not going to pretend to be some dark and evil person just so people think I'm metal" and also stated that he respects Benton, despite differences in their religion and beliefs, for not being afraid to be true to himself. In a recent interview on Australia
n radio, Benton stated that he had no problems working with Santolla because of his religion, saying, "Ralph's what I like to call a part-timer... I mean, his favourite song on the new album is "Death to Jesus".
He has frequently talked about starting his own band with Steve DiGiorgio
and Gene Hoglan
, both of whom he had worked with in Death. He is currently working on a new solo instrumental album, titled Requiem for Hope. This is his second solo album, his first was Shaolin Monks in the Temple of Metal. On May 24, 2007, it was announced that Santolla had left Deicide. The reasons were are not totally known, but many believe that numerous death threats involving his religious beliefs, those which greatly contradicted that of Deicide
frontman Glen Benton
. Recently though, Santolla has released statements citing that it is more of a business issue than a religious one, as he claims to want to "get as far away from Earache Records
as possible when the new album is done". Steve Asheim
has said in a recent interview that Ralph left because Deicide
was not touring much.
Also in 2007, Santolla was called in to fill the spot on Obituary
's newest album Xecutioner's Return
and the subsequent Left To Die
EP, replacing Allen West after he was incarcerated until 2008. It is unknown if Santolla will stay with Obituary after West returns to the band. In 2010 he rejoined Deicide
. In 2011, he departed Deicide.
Santolla is also a guitar instructor around Tampa
. His students have included Nocturnus
guitarist Mike Davis
and Order of Ennead
`s John Li.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarist. He has played in many bands in the past, most recently Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
, but also including Eyewitness, Death (he never recorded any of their albums, but toured with them in 1993 and appeared in "The Philosopher" video), Millennium
Millennium (band)
Millennium is an Indian metal band from Bangalore. The band was formed in 1988 as one of the first metal bands.-History:The band was created during 1988 with a line-up comprising lead vocalist Verhnon Ibrahim, guitarists Rio and Cecil, bass player Stanley with Roberto on the drums. Roberto left in...
, Iced Earth
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
, and the Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
band. As of June 3, 2007, it was announced that Santolla would replace Allen West in Obituary
Obituary (band)
Obituary is an American death metal band formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida under the name Executioner, then changed the name's spelling to Xecutioner, and later changed their name to Obituary in 1988. The band comprises vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, guitarists Trevor Peres and Ralph...
for their album Xecutioner's Return
Xecutioner's Return
Xecutioner's Return is the seventh studio album by the American death metal band Obituary. The name is derived from Obituary's original band name, which was Xecutioner. It was released on August 28, 2007...
. Ralph is very proud of his Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
heritage and he plays guitars by Jackson
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
and Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
with the Italian flag painted on them. At the moment he has recently been playing Jackson Guitars
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
, though he has also been associated with ESP Guitars
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
, Dean Guitars
Dean Guitars
Dean Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars. It was founded in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois and is currently under the ownership of Armadillo Enterprises in Tampa, Florida.- History :...
and many others. He has also been using Randall Amplifiers
Randall Amplifiers
Randall Amplifiers is a manufacturer of guitar amplifiers, a subsidiary of U.S. Music Corporation. Its products are/were used by artists such as Chuck Schuldiner, Dimebag Darrell, Metallica, King's X, Nirvana and Anthrax...
. He is well known for his shred guitar
Shred guitar
Shred guitar or shredding is lead electric guitar playing that relies heavily on fast guitar solos. While some critics argue that shred guitar is associated with "... sweep-picked arpeggios, diminished and harmonic minor scales, finger-tapping and ... whammy-bar abuse", several guitar...
playing style.
Biography
At a 2006 Deicide gig in Laredo, TexasLaredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
which was getting out of control, Ralph Santolla was arrested for allegedly throwing a Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
can at an officer after Deicide was forced to stop playing. Santolla has always avidly proclaimed his innocence and stated that the allegations were wholesale created by the Laredo Police Department, which has been corroborated by many eyewitnesses on the scene. Charges were never filed and in fact the Webb County, Texas, District Attorney has confirmed and certified that the matter will not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
Santolla is a practicing Roman Catholic, which has caused controversy with Deicide fans, many of whom are against Christianity and are aware of frontman Glen Benton
Glen Benton
Glen Benton is an American heavy metal musician best known as the vocalist and bassist for the death metal band Deicide, although he prefers not to use the 'death metal' terminology. He is also the studio vocalist for Vital Remains, and has performed live with them on a few occasions...
's open Satanism
Satanism
Satanism is a group of religions that is composed of a diverse number of ideological and philosophical beliefs and social phenomena. Their shared feature include symbolic association with, admiration for the character of, and even veneration of Satan or similar rebellious, promethean, and...
. Many were surprised that Benton even let Santolla join the band, due to his frequent criticism of the religion. However, Ralph stated that he is "not going to pretend to be some dark and evil person just so people think I'm metal" and also stated that he respects Benton, despite differences in their religion and beliefs, for not being afraid to be true to himself. In a recent interview on Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n radio, Benton stated that he had no problems working with Santolla because of his religion, saying, "Ralph's what I like to call a part-timer... I mean, his favourite song on the new album is "Death to Jesus".
He has frequently talked about starting his own band with Steve DiGiorgio
Steve DiGiorgio
Steve DiGiorgio is an American bassist and musician.DiGiorgio has played bass guitar in heavy metal bands such as Death, Autopsy, Control Denied, Testament, Vintersorg, Iced Earth, Sebastian Bach, Charred Walls of the Damned, Obituary, and is a founding member of Sadus. He is widely renowned for...
and Gene Hoglan
Gene Hoglan
Eugene "Gene" Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer. He is acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including usage of odd devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms...
, both of whom he had worked with in Death. He is currently working on a new solo instrumental album, titled Requiem for Hope. This is his second solo album, his first was Shaolin Monks in the Temple of Metal. On May 24, 2007, it was announced that Santolla had left Deicide. The reasons were are not totally known, but many believe that numerous death threats involving his religious beliefs, those which greatly contradicted that of Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
frontman Glen Benton
Glen Benton
Glen Benton is an American heavy metal musician best known as the vocalist and bassist for the death metal band Deicide, although he prefers not to use the 'death metal' terminology. He is also the studio vocalist for Vital Remains, and has performed live with them on a few occasions...
. Recently though, Santolla has released statements citing that it is more of a business issue than a religious one, as he claims to want to "get as far away from Earache Records
Earache Records
Earache Records is a heavy metal-oriented record label based in Nottingham, UK and New York, USA. It helped to pioneer extreme metal by releasing many of the earliest grindcore and death metal records in the period 1988-1994.-History:...
as possible when the new album is done". Steve Asheim
Steve Asheim
Steve Asheim and is the drummer and primary songwriter for the death metal band Deicide. Asheim is endorsed by Ddrum, and is known to collect guns, which can be seen in Deicide's DVD When London Burns. Asheim also plays guitar which he also played on the album Till Death Do Us Part. On November...
has said in a recent interview that Ralph left because Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
was not touring much.
Also in 2007, Santolla was called in to fill the spot on Obituary
Obituary (band)
Obituary is an American death metal band formed in 1984 in Tampa, Florida under the name Executioner, then changed the name's spelling to Xecutioner, and later changed their name to Obituary in 1988. The band comprises vocalist John Tardy, drummer Donald Tardy, guitarists Trevor Peres and Ralph...
's newest album Xecutioner's Return
Xecutioner's Return
Xecutioner's Return is the seventh studio album by the American death metal band Obituary. The name is derived from Obituary's original band name, which was Xecutioner. It was released on August 28, 2007...
and the subsequent Left To Die
Left to Die
Left to Die is an extended play by American death metal band Obituary.- Track listing :# "Forces Realign" - 4:37# "Dethroned Emperor" - 5:04# "Slowly We Rot" - 4:38# "Left to Die" - 6:18-Credits:* John Tardy - Vocals...
EP, replacing Allen West after he was incarcerated until 2008. It is unknown if Santolla will stay with Obituary after West returns to the band. In 2010 he rejoined Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
. In 2011, he departed Deicide.
Santolla is also a guitar instructor around Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. His students have included Nocturnus
Nocturnus
Nocturnus was an American progressive death metal band formed in Tampa, Florida in 1987 by drummer/vocalist Mike Browning . They were known for their science-fiction themed lyrics and use of keyboards, both of which were virtually unknown in extreme metal...
guitarist Mike Davis
Mike Davis (guitarist)
Mike Davis is an American metal guitarist. He is best known for his work in the progressive death metal band Nocturnus. He joined the band around 1988, and eventually became the bands' standout lead guitarist. He joined the band when he was just 18 years old and is widely regarded as an underrated...
and Order of Ennead
Order of Ennead
Order of Ennead are an American self described 'philosophical virtuoso death metal' band formed in Tampa, Florida. It includes two members of the death metal band Deicide, and the student of a former guitarist of the band...
`s John Li.
With Millenium
- Millenium (1997)
- Angelfire (1999)
- Hourglass (2000)
- The Best of... and More – CompilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
(2004) - Jericho (2004)
With Deicide
- The Stench of Redemption (2006)
- Till Death Do Us PartTill Death Do Us Part (Deicide album)-Personnel:*Glen Benton – bass guitar, vocals*Jack Owen – Lead & rhythm guitar*Ralph Santolla – Lead & rhythm guitar*Steve Asheim – drums, guitar*Produced By Steve Asheim*Engineered By Jim Morris*Mixed & Mastered By Steve Asheim & Jim Morris...
(2008) - To Hell with GodTo Hell with GodTo Hell with God is the tenth studio album by the American death metal band Deicide. The follow-up to Till Death Do Us Part , it was originally intended to be released in 2009 before being pushed back to a 2010 release, and was finally released on February 15, 2011 through Century Media Records.On...
(2011)
With Obituary
- Xecutioner's ReturnXecutioner's ReturnXecutioner's Return is the seventh studio album by the American death metal band Obituary. The name is derived from Obituary's original band name, which was Xecutioner. It was released on August 28, 2007...
(2007) - Left to DieLeft to DieLeft to Die is an extended play by American death metal band Obituary.- Track listing :# "Forces Realign" - 4:37# "Dethroned Emperor" - 5:04# "Slowly We Rot" - 4:38# "Left to Die" - 6:18-Credits:* John Tardy - Vocals...
(EP) (2008) - Darkest DayDarkest DayDarkest Day is the eighth studio album by the American death metal band Obituary. It was released on June 30, 2009 through Candlelight Records...
(2009)
Solo albums
- Shaolin Monks in the Temple of Metal (2002)
- Requiem for Hope (2007)
External links
- Ralph Santolla at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Interview with Ralph Santolla, Fourteen G, 2005-10-03