Marc Rizzo

Marc Rizzo was born on August 2, 1977, in Carlstadt, New Jersey. He grew up in Carlstadt and attended Henry P. Becton Regional High School. Rizzo established himself early in his career within the metal genre, gaining recognition as a founding member and lead guitarist of the band Ill Niño from 1998 to 2003. After his initial departure from Ill Niño, he joined Soulfly in 2004, serving as their lead guitarist for 18 years and contributing to eight of their albums, including “Prophecy” (2004) and “Ritual” (2018).

Rizzo’s career has demonstrated a progression beyond traditional metal, exploring various instrumental rock genres. In 2004, he co-founded Phlamencore Records with his younger brother Luke, releasing sampler CDs and full-length albums. He embarked on his first U.S. solo tour in 2007 and released two solo records under Shrapnel Records in 2008. His solo discography, including “Colossal Myopia,” “The Ultimate Devotion,” “Legionnaire,” and “Rotation,” highlights his command of metal, classical, and flamenco guitar, reflecting a broad artistic range. In addition to his primary band affiliations, Rizzo was a member of Cavalera Conspiracy, a project with Max and Igor Cavalera, and briefly played guitar for Misfits in 2015. He also co-founded the death metal side project Revenge Beast in 2020. Rizzo rejoined Ill Niño in October 2021 before quietly leaving in late 2024.

Throughout his career, Rizzo has been involved in instructional projects with Rock House, producing DVDs such as “Metal Guitar- Modern, Speed & Shred, level 1 & 2” (2007). His equipment endorsements have included Peavey and Yamaha, where he conducted clinics, and later B.C. Rich, which produced a signature seven-string Stealth model. He currently uses Washburn seven-string single-cut guitars. Rizzo’s contributions as a guest musician are featured on albums by artists including Violent Delight, Divine Heresy, Strife, Dead by Wednesday, and Kaosis.