There are times when an artist is deadly serious about their music and rightly so. But there is also space for some off-the-wall moments. Alberto Rigoni is an Italian progressive rock composer & bass player. He is also well known for his other band efforts in TwinSpirits Lady & THE BASS and co-producer of the Vivaldi Metal Project. He has gained recognition in the international progressive rock fusion scene for his genre-crossing compositions.
BadAss is comprised of Alberto Rigoni, Stefano “Stex” Sbrignadello (vocals), Albert “Marshall” Biason (guitar) and Denis Novello (drums). The purpose of the band is to cover famous pop songs (Tina Turner, Roxette, Michael Jackson, REM etc.) in a power rock key and to play stunning live shows.
This is one of those moments when you will either love or loath it. My first attempt at listening wasn’t successful. Then I had to rearrange my headspace and latch onto my comic sense of humour for this tongue-in-cheek approach. After all there are far too many serious moments in life and we all need to let our hair down sometimes.
As you would expect from anything that Alberto Rigoni is involved in, the musicianship and production is great. Stefano ‘Stex’ Sbrignadello is an accomplished hard rock singer and musical theatre performer and is gloriously hamming it up here. The ‘Pop in Power Rock’ EP is available as a free download.
So why not let yourself go and rock out.
Rating: 7.5/10
Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby
Tracks:
1. Black – Wonderful Life (remake by BADASS)
2. Tina Turner – The Best (remake by BADASS)
3. E. Inglesias – Rhythm Divine (remake by BADASS)
4. R.E.M. – Losing my religion (remake by BADASS)
Line-up
Alberto Rigoni (bass)
Stefano “Stex” Sbrignadello (vocals)
Albert “Marshall” Biason (guitar)
Denis Novello (drums)
Mix and mastering by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio
Record label: Independent, Dec. 2014