I am sitting in Cali, at the Hybrid Studio, watching the parts be assembled for the next Soufly record, and realizing this is the 8th record I have worked on with Marc Rizzo. The lead guitar crafter, one half of my Metal Lennon and McCartney...Max and Marc, my sold team! I am very grateful to have walked through the gates of Metal History with Marc Rizzo at our side.
I called Marc Rizzo on the suggestion of Monte Conner. I seriously did not know, at the time, what a killer guitarist and person he was. I didn't know a darn thing about him except that he had just finished his gig with Ill Nino. Soulfly was evolving momentarily and the crystals just fell together. We had two shows booked and I was slamming to find someone. At the time, Marc was wearing his signature backpack...the mysterious backpack. What the hell was in it, anyway? Mojo? Karma sauce? Magic tokens? Whatever it was, he sure kicked rigorously and damn, could he shred!!!
The Prophecy album was the first LP with Marc's participation and it's been cranking nonstop since the!! Marc has been a vital persona in nearly everything Max has been involved in. From Soulfly, to Cavalera Conspiracy, to Return to Roots and now, Soulfly's Point Blank tour, Marc is howling and riffing and reaching space, with his magic! I often say that his guitar is an extension of his soul!
I admit I have pushed the limits with Marc occasionally, sending him to far off places that no man will step into! It's all for the Tribe! He isn't a huge fan of flying and I have followed him in on more prop planes and sketchy airlines than most people imagine in their lifetime. He also isn't having a love affair with insects and I admit I sent him deep into South Africa, amidst warthogs in his cabin's front door and monster bugs trying to snuggle, and to the bowels of the Amazon, eating poisonous fish...very carefully! He never complains or gives me stress and would take a bullet for any one of us!!
Marc has a astounding humor. Being gullible, I believe him when he is spoofing, since he has this honest expression! If you spend time with Marc, it's for certain you will be laughing most of the time. That laughter will be WITH him and not AT him. I guess I can't go deep into a plane flight we all enjoyed with him, but I am pretty sure no one aboard the flight that night will ever forget it. I still remember Tony Campos sitting on the jet, next to Marc, holding his head in his hands and saying "They are going to kill us!" The good old days just never stop, do they?
The Return to Roots tour was spot on!! Marc knew the songs anyway! The minute I asked if he could play them, I knew his brain was looking for the lobe that stores the music! I never once quivered in worry or shame. He is 100% pro!!
And now as this yet unnamed artwork is finely chiseled, the 11th Soulfly will come out in the summer. All the fingerprints and follicles will be there...crunchy riffing and arm-hair-raising guitar work, slathered on with extra sauce! More cowbell, please!
Soon, you can catch Marc Rizzo with Soulfly on the next tours. First, we will be bringing the Soulfly playing Nailbomb's Point Blank record to Canada! It is the first time we will enter Canada in Vancouver and perform across the country, exiting on the east coast! I have wanted to do this often and now, I can cross it off my Wish List!
The Legend of Marc Rizzo continues........See you in the pit, Students!!