A legend of the electric guitar, a double one at that, with extraordinary speed and a reputation that extends far beyond metal: ten years after his last visit, American guitarist Michael Angelo Batio returns to the island this Sunday as part of his Speed Kills 2025 tour, for a one-off show at the Fabrik in Cagliari. Accompanied by his faithful trio and preceded by a spiritual follower, Lucio Manca, the evening will begin at 8 pm, celebrating the virtuosity of prog and speed.
Batio, a Chicago native with German and Italian roots, stood out at a young age for his talent on the guitar: a dream he pursued first by graduating with a degree in music theory and composition, and then by meeting former Steppenwolf vocalist Tommy Holland, who recruited him to his traditional heavy metal backing band. After his experience with Holland, however, Batio gravitated towards glam metal (then all the rage), first by backing singer Jim Gilette's solo work, and then finally founding Nitro, with Gilette on vocals, TJ Racer on bass, and Bobby Rock on drums. Their success was immediate, making them one of the leading bands of 1989 and receiving both criticism and praise for Batio's (intentionally exaggerated) display of his talent, even showcasing a quadruple-neck guitar in the "Freight Train" video. Building on the attention he'd received, in 1993 he dedicated himself to a solo career, founding his own label, MACE Records, which released numerous albums spanning neoclassical, progressive, and speed metal. In 2022, he joined Manowar, cementing his place in the heavy metal hall of fame.
For Sunday evening's concert, Batio promises a technical and visual spectacle centered on his famous double guitar, impeccably and admirably played both ways. A worthy opening act for such a technical giant will be the Lucio Manca Prog Trio, led by the eponymous Cagliari-born bassist and complemented by Eros Melis (guitar) and Gabriele D'Amico (drums). Manca, born in 1987, has already released three albums, the latest of which, "Camaleontico," appeared in our magazine earlier this year.
