Displaying items by tag: Thrash Metal

From a Soviet closed city to Los Angeles, John Ivan’s story with Tracy G is a testament to music’s power to break borders.
by John Ivan, guitarlinger / songwriter exclusively for SULÉY ERA

In this exclusive August 2025 sit-down at the legendary G Factory Studio, Ukrainian-American guitarist John Ivan GuitarSlinger meets former DIO axeman Tracy G for a rare, no-filters conversation. Best known for shaping the darker, experimental edge of Ronnie James Dio’s mid-’90s era, Tracy looks back on his years with the metal icon while opening up about the raw creative drive that has fueled every chapter of his career. 

From the ferocity of WWIII and Swift Kick to the cult energy of Love/Hate, Rags, Driven, Goad-ed, Pain Savior, and Dark Mile, he traces a path defined by reinvention. John dives into Tracy’s distinctive approach to tone—his gear, effects, and the unconventional techniques behind that unmistakable sound. The two also explore Tracy’s newest adventure: the fiery, genre-bending classical-guitar collaboration El Mariachi Sexorcismo with Gratz Arias

In a world where music and craftsmanship collide, few artists embody the fusion of culture, innovation, and raw sonic power like Demetrio Scopelliti and John Ivan. Scopelliti—a multifaceted guitarist, producer, and founder of Inspiria Guitars—has built his legacy across borders. Born in Italy and based in Norway since 2008, he blends the bold spirit of Viking culture with the elegance of Italian design. His music and instruments are reflections of that duality: fierce, expressive, and meticulously crafted. 

Joining the conversation is John Ivan, known to many as GuitarSlinger—a veteran of the international metal scene and a true force in progressive and thrash metal. As a key member of the Michael Vescera Project and co-founder of The Voices of Metal, John brings decades of stage and studio experience to the table. Together, these two music experts explore what it means to push boundaries, elevate the guitar craft, and stay authentic in an ever-evolving musical landscape.