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Angel Vivaldi | |
|---|---|
 Angel Vivaldi atEuroblast Festival 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1985-06-13)June 13, 1985 (age 39) New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | Instrumental rock,progressive metal,neoclassical metal,hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, bass |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | angelvivaldiofficial |
Angel Vivaldi (born June 13, 1985) is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He began his solo career in 2003. Vivaldi has self-released five records,Revelations,The Speed of Dark, Universal Language, Away with Words: Part 1, andSynapse. In 2015, he released a cover ofJoe Satriani's "Crystal Planet" single. Vivaldi is known for hisvirtuoso guitar playing style and cinematic music videos.
Born inNew Jersey to a Puerto Rican family, Vivaldi grew up ondance music,freestyle music and Spanish music.[1] He started playing guitar at 15 and is self-taught. He citesNirvana,Megadeth,Yngwie Malmsteen andEric Johnson as early influences.[2] Vivaldi was strongly discouraged from becoming a musician by his family and had little support from them.[3]
Vivaldi performed live regionally for four years before recording any music (other than demos). After releasing his debut album, "Revelations", in 2008 (which since then has been removed from all outlets), he joinedBlack Market Hero. He released his second EP titledThe Speed of Dark in 2009 (which saw a re-recording/re-release in August 2016) and uploaded his first play-through of Acid Reign onYouTube shortly thereafter.
He competed inGuitar Player magazine's "Guitar Superstar Competition" in 2010 with judgesGeorge Lynch andGary Hoey.[4]
Released in May 2011, Vivaldi recorded Universal Language with producerWill Putney. It became a viral success following the release of two music videos for "A Mercurian Summer" and "A Martian Winter". Despite critical acclaim and success, it would be four years before any extensive touring was done.
Shortly after the release of Universal Language,Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy, ex-Snot, ex-Bad Wolves) approached Vivaldi about joining his supergroup Vext which featured members ofMutiny Within. Vivaldi recorded and performed on the band's debut EP titledImpermanence. Vext was offered record deals however Vivaldi left due to not being ready to sign a contract.[5]
2014 would see the release ofAway with Words: Part 1 which was also produced by Will Putney. The songs are titled from 1 to 5 inMorse Code. This album cycle also saw two music video releases for the songs " ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ " (One) and " ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ " (Two). Vivaldi began touring in 2015 with a headlining US/Canada tour withThe Algorithm. He continued to tour extensively throughout 2016, ending with co-headlining US tour withGus G (Ozzy Osbourne,Firewind).
It was announced in 2015 thatAway with Words: Part 2, a primarily acoustic release, would be put on hold to focus instead on a full album calledSynapse.[6] Though the album was slated to be released in 2016, its eventual release date was October 6, 2017.
In 2017, he released the albumSynapse.
Vivaldi participated in the annual Jemfest event held in Orlando, Florida. Its aim was to raise money forSteve Vai's Make A Noise Foundation. Vivaldi performed in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 which featured a masterclass fromSteve Vai.
Following the events of the 2016Orlando nightclub shooting, Vivaldi broadcast a six-hour live stream to raise funds for the victims and their families.[7]
After losing his friend toALS in 2014, Vivaldi launched a live broadcast withChris Letchford ofScale the Summit called "Shred for ALS", raising money for ALS research at theALS Therapy Development Institute.
Angel organized the "Shred for Australia" Livestream to raise money for the 2020 fires featuring musicians such asHerman Li,Tosin Abasi,Nita Strauss,Michael Angelo Batio,Matt Heafy ofTrivium,Cole Rolland,Gus G and more.
He practices meditation stating that it helps with getting focused while on tour or in the studio.[8][9]
Vivaldi holdsKurt Cobain as one of his biggest inspirations to picking up the guitar.[10] Today his influences includeCarmen Miranda,Kaki King,Jean-Luc Ponty,Evergrey,Misery Signals,Parkway Drive andMattias Eklundh.[11]
Vivaldi had been a long-time user of seven stringIbanez guitars, primarily an RG7CT called "Dorothy".[12] He can be seen using various Ibanez 7-strings throughout his videos, but he records and performs mainly with "Dorothy".
He usesMesa Boogieamps, Fractal Audio Axe FX 2 XL andDiMarzio pickups.[13]
In 2018 Vivaldi was endorsed by guitar manufacturerCharvel, which made him a seven string variant of their "DK-24" as a signature model.[14][15][16]
