Ill Nino

Ill Nino was established in Union City, New Jersey, in May 1998 by drummer Dave Chavarri, initially under the name El Niño. The original lineup included Jorge Rosado on vocals, Daniel Gomez on guitar, and Christian Machado on bass, with Chavarri handling drums and percussion. The band released a self-titled EP shortly after formation. Following Gomez’s departure, various guitarists contributed, including Marc Rizzo and Scott Roberts. By April 1999, the band had rebranded to Ill Nino. After Chavarri’s temporary stint with Soulfly, the band reformed with Machado transitioning to lead vocals, joined by guitarists Marc Rizzo and Jardel Paisante, bassist Lazaro Pina, and percussionist Roger Vasquez. This lineup gained exposure through radio, performed at the World Series of Metal festival, and opened for bands such as Kittie and Soulfly. They released a self-titled EP and secured a contract with Roadrunner Records in June 2000, leading to the recording of their debut album.

Ill Nino released their debut album, “Revolution Revolución,” on September 18, 2001, which sold over 350,000 copies globally within two years. In 2003, Marc Rizzo and Roger Vasquez departed, and the band released “Confession” on September 30, 2003. This album entered the Billboard 200 at No. 37 with first-week sales of 27,863 units. The single “How Can I Live” reached No. 26 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their third album, “One Nation Underground,” released on September 27, 2005, debuted at No. 101 on the Billboard 200. The band signed with Cement Shoes Records in 2006, releasing “The Under Cover Sessions” EP and their fourth studio album, “Enigma,” in 2008. “Enigma” sold 5,000 copies in its first week, peaking at No. 145 on the Billboard 200. Ill Nino signed with Victory Records in March 2010, releasing “Dead New World” in October 2010 and “Epidemia” in October 2012. “Till Death, La Familia” followed on July 22, 2014, supported by a ’15 Years Of Revolution’ tour celebrating their debut album.

In 2019, a lineup change involving Dave Chavarri and Lazaro Pina led to a legal dispute over the band’s name. A settlement in March 2020 allowed Chavarri and Pina to continue as Ill Nino, while former members formed Lions at the Gate. The band announced the Album “IllMortals” and released singles “Sangre” and “Máscara.” Marc Rizzo rejoined in October 2021 as lead guitarist. After multiple delays, the album “IllMortals” remains unreleased. In 2023, the band re-recorded “Numb” from their “Confession” album. In 2024, Tommy Vext filled in for Marcos Leal during a European tour. Leal and Rizzo later departed the band. Tommy Roulette III was introduced as the new vocalist in 2025, with plans for new and re-recorded music.