History & Biography Christian singer Rob Rock is best known as the singer for Impellitteri until 2000 and his solo work this century. Having said that, he has been available to many projects and heard often elsewhere as well.
His work on the scene goes back to 1983 when he and guitarist Chris Impellitteri mostly played cover versions in an act called Vice. He also played drums in a band called Tangram prior. Rock then went on to rock in M.A.R.S. with Tony MacAlpine (guitar), Rudy Sarzo (bass) and drummer Tommy Aldridge. Like most projects the reviews were great and the act went nowhere. Then came Joshua, Driver and more. After rejoining Impellitteri in the guitarist’s solo capacity, Rock too founded his own solo endeavour and issued an album called Rage Of Creation, which featured a guest spot by Jake E. Lee. His collaborator was producer and guitarist Roy Z., but Rock has employed a diverse set of characters ever since. These included guitarist Joe Floyd (Warrior, for whom Rob contributed vocals in 2001), guitarist Rick Renstrom (whose solo band was fronted by Rob Rock), bassist Andreas Olsson and drummer Andreas Johansson (both of Royal Hunt). Rock became an in-demand vocalist by then and became a guest singer of many groups such as Avantasia or Destinia. Vice had a reunion in 2005. Rob Rock was part of the Flying Aces Tour with Masterplan, Circle II Circle and Pure Inc in 2005. 2006 had the act tour South America with Mortification and Narnia. The Voice Of Melodic Metal - Live In Atlanta was recorded at Progpower USA IX in 2008. The singer rejoined Impellitteri in 2007. A reformed Driver, featuring singer Rob Rock and guitarist Roy Z, was issuing an album in early 2012. Rob Rock opened Narnia’s Latin American Tour 2023.
Rock’s Christianity impacts his lyrics and titles.
Reviews ROB ROCK - HOLY HELL - AFM
Listen to Slayer Of Souls the opening song on Rob Rock's new album and you will hear many comparisons to newer Iron Maiden. Throughout Holy Hell one hears a lot of traditional and trustworthy heavy metal and influences from the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and bands they influenced like Primal Fear and Sinner. Aside from the album opener, I'm A Warrior (which is an older song and has guitars a la George Lynch) and When Darkness Reigns are good songs. The latter begins with a drum roll that promises a progressive stance and a Rush influence without actually delivering on it and the former has the advantage of one of the album's more exciting riffs. Otherwise, brilliant or amazing moments are rare. Rob Rock simply plods its heavy metal in a workmanlike and efficient manner. The slow song I'll Be Waiting For You is pure cheese, for instance. If anyone knows why bands cannot match the style, power and innovation of the masters then he should write me. In the meanwhile, albums like Holy Hell are certainly preferred over the thousands of defiled and impure sub-genres which have sprung into action in recent years. - Ali "The Metallian"
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