Well I Initially went into the studio to record one track. A guitar instrumental to showcase my playing for a school assembly I am creating to help promote a children's picture book I wrote a few years back (A Journey to Guitarland with Maestro Armadillo, Black Rose Writing). There was no intention of publically releasing a recording. This instrumental (Nightmusic MCX) was to accompany the assembly program to promote the benefits of guitar playing to school aged children. Let's just say I was sidetracked regarding the school assembly and 7 tracks later….
As far as a band goes, it is officially only me as the consistent member for the AMORIELLO LP, as this is a studio project. There was tremendous help from Luke DeMuro of Underground Sound NJ who produced and mixed the recording. Michael Troy (ex-Yngwie) was there for most of the tracks on keyboards and also lent his feedback during the creative process. James Amelio Pulli of Frontiers recording artist Impellitteri) played bass on two tracks and I must say that some of the greatest drummers on the planet are on this thing! John Macaluso, Atma Anur, Shane Gaalaas, Kenny Stavropoulos and Vinny Appice are some of the best in the business. Where are you at Modern Drummer Magazine?
What’s the origin of the band’s name?
My girlfriend talked me out of using some ridiculous name I came up with (Karmic Flame) and convinced me to use my last name. She said, “Why would you use any other than name than your own? Your name is beautiful, strong, yet simple and unmistakably identifies you as the creative force behind this project.” It was a good argument, so I ran with it. What do I know, I am just a guitar player!
Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
I am fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful river towns in New Jersey. A town called Lambertville. So many great things in the nature department. You can walk over a bridge into Pennsylvania to a place called John & Peter's in New Hope and every Wednesday night Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton, formerly of Parliament Funkadelic hosts a cool jam called the The Invitational, A Rock n Roll Jam. The dude is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and jams on a double neck BC Rich Bich guitar and welcomes you on the stage to trade riffs. It doesn't get better than that!!!
How would you describe your style?
Traditional neo-classical metal or hard rock with some unpredictable twists. Neo-classical metal has traditionally been synonymous with the name Yngwie but there is much more to it than just the Swedish legend. There are many great players in this genrepre and post Malmsteen including Uli Jon Roth, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Joe Stump, Vinnie Moore, Toby Knapp and many more. Obviously this style is a fusion of classical music and heavy rock. The music has an orchestral feel to it with busy drumming and operatic like vocals, and guitar solos that sound more like a violin. As blues music is a genre that has its traditions, expectations, and musical scale language there are also "guidelines" for groups in the neo-classical word. I feel that the AMORIELLO LP fits perfectly into this category.
What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
I released a 7 inch vinyl single from H42 Records earlier in the year thanks to Juergen Berndt. Also had an instrumental track appear on a compilation from Mexico City called Guitarratónica 2018 produced by Sebastian Salinas. Both Juergen and Sebastian have been my biggest advocates so far as getting my music out formally out to a larger audience.
You can expect Tony Iommi and Yngwie styled riffs, long keyboard intros, acapella voice cadenzas, two handed tapping and fretless bass solos, classical guitar interludes but somehow catchy with attention to song quality. There are power ballads, Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, a power metal chorus, esoteric progressive rock lyrics with a pop sensibility. I jokingly refer to it as Diet Yngwie or Yngwie Lite.
Do you have any new music in the works?
I am working on two new tracks for a 7 inch vinyl release in 2020. Getting ready to record a tune called Dear Dark that I put a significant amount of energy into the guitars and lyrics this past summer. Of course it will have some heavy hitters on it.
What plans do you have for the future as a band and how about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
I have just enlisted a fantastic singer to help me perform this music live. His name is Jeff Rose and he formerly sang with a group out of the Philadelphia area called Power Theory. They released a single on Pure Steel Records called Brace for Impact which I admired. He will be covering the vocal parts recorded by Mark Boals, Mike Vescera, Goran Edman and Nick Z. Marino so he is totally full of positive energy and is pumped! We will probably start with some shows opening for others in the metal clubs of Northern NJ and NYC. We really hope we can grab a date or two at a summer metal festival in 2019. The live drummer, bassist and keyboardist will be announced shortly.
Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
The music will be available on 12 inch with black, clear and clear-orange vinyl from www.h42records.com starting December 7th with European distribution from High Roller Records, Distro Clear Spot and Code 7. It was also be available digitally from all of the usual places (iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc) starting September 28th
What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
I hope that they would feel and remember the AMORIELLO recording full powerful music that is dynamic with a sing along vibe! Give us a listen!
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