Born and raised in a small town on the east coast of Italy(Osimo), surrounded by castles, churches, and roman walls, from the time he could barely utter a word, he keenly observed the regular band rehearsals his father held in his 17th century house. The interest in music and instinct for rhythm had been apparent to his parents for some time. They began considering a musical path for him and one month prior to turning five, he started playing piano and studying music at the Giacomo Leopardi Music Conservatory. At the same time classical and rock music was inspiring him to compose and perform new ideas of music. Practice and devotion allowed him to win three piano contests under fourteen years old. His musical talent was going to be expanded when he decided to explore another instrument, the drums. With his classical and musical knowledge the approach with the drums was very quick and correct from the beginning. After a year of teaching himself he went to school to study drums and finish study composition at the Beniamino Gigli Music Academy. In two years he was the second teacher of the school at eighteen years old, but still learning from his main teacher, Alberto Severini. At the same time of school he joined into his first rock-metal band (Soundkiller) when he was sixteen, recorded an album with them under Copro Records (Uk label) with European distribution, and made an Italian tour with Unsane (New york city). At the age of seventeen, he turned pro to enable him to tour and focus on music, and has ever since devoted his whole life and soul to his art. His motivation has been his endless and restless pursuit to express himself through his playing. He formed another metal band Hydro writing all the music and the lyrics and starting to use his talent for composition. Still playing the piano, but focused on the drums he did many work as a session drummer for any kind of music, from pop to jazz to R&B. In 2007, he uprooted and relocated in the U.S.A., in an attempt to expand onto the world stage. He played and recorded 2 full live show on DVD with Johnnie Kaylor ,created, arranged and produced and recorded the full promo cd of Centurium , recorded the full album for the band Blood In The Water .Mike has recorded the new EP for Irrational, produced by Corey Lowery from Dark New Day and Stuck Mojo(Warner Bros).
Mike was also the drummer for Written In Blood which played many National Shows with Trough The Eyes of the Dead, White Chapel, Dying Fetus, Eluveite and Kataklysm, etc... Mike also recorded a 4 tracks demo with them which it was paid and produced by RoadRunner Records and managed by Trinity Management Group Inc.(NYC) The demo was recorded at Led Belly Studio in Atlanta,GA with producer Matt Washburn.
Due to band relocation Mike is not currently playing with Written In Blood anymore.
Mike is also available for lessons,session works and touring.
Unlike other drummers he creates the drum line within the inspiration of the song. Every stroke and every rhythm are important as a note. The drum is not the only instrument that keeps the tempo, but is the instrument that gives you the feeling of the songs. Without emotions and life experience its impossible be a good drummer and a good musician. The music is the expression of the life with both good and bad sides. Especially in this age the drummer is not anymore the accompaniment of the music, but it’s the new wave of the music. The most revolution in 21st century music is the change of rhythm in every genre.
His main influences come from the progressive metal style. He continues to push the limits of the instrument to astonishing new levels. Every day new creation of odd time signature and crazy tempo structure. He has consistently developed both the melodic and rhythmic sides of his musical personality. He is both a teacher and student. Still working on creating a book of a new personal concept of drumming. Technique and speed are very important and give you the opportunity to explore new styles, but they don’t always make a great drum line. Sometimes an easy beat gives you much more feeling that a crazy part. The natural instinct inside you is the right direction to follow. Discover yourself is more important than trying to copy somebody else.
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