RALPH SANTOLLA: Former DEATH, ICED EARTH, DEICIDE And OBITUARY Guitarist Dies Aged 51
June 6th, 2018
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Ralph Santolla, former guitarist of Death, Iced Earth, Deicide, and Obituary, died on June 6th, 2018 at the age of 51.
Ralph’s mother Sue Santolla-Rocha commented: “My heart is broken. My son Ralph Santolla passed away last night. There are no words that can express that could tell you how I feel. Ralph was my life, my soul, my everything. I am so blessed to have my loving husband, John Rocha and my grandson, Dorian Angelo Santolla to hold me up until I can survive on my own. Just thank you to all… you know who you are. I will thank everyone individually soon. To Ralph, I love you until we meet again.”
Santolla handled touring commitments for Tampa, Florida-based death metal group Death during 1993, taking part in a spring European tour as well as a United States trek. The dates were in support of June 1993 jaunt Individual Thought Patterns, Andy LaRocque having ongoing commitments with Danish metal combo King Diamond. Santolla was featured in the music video for the track ‘The Philosopher’.
In June 2003, it was revealed that Santolla had joined the ranks of Tampa, Florida-based metal band Iced Earth. Larry Tarnowski had exited the outfit earlier that year to resume his studies. At that time, Iced Earth were also bereft of a singer, the entry of former Judas Priest frontman Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens being disclosed in August. January 2004 outing The Glorious Burden proved to be Iced Earth’s lone affair to feature Santolla on guitar duties.
By July 2004, Santolla left Iced Earth, and subsequently became part of Sebastian Bach’s solo line-up, Bach being formerly of Skid Row. His involvement discontinued by July 2005, due to commitments with Tampa, Florida-based death metal concern Deicide. The track ‘You Bring Me Down’, included on November 2007 foray Angel Down, was penned by Santolla.
Santolla revealed news of occupying the guitar position within Deicide in late April 2005, having been telephoned by then Deicide guitarist Jack Owen about the role. Overall, Santolla would experience three short stints within Deicide, covering 2005-2007, 2008-2009, and 2010-2011. Albums number eight through to ten included Santolla’s guitar contributions, namely; The Stench Of Redemption (August 2006), Till Death Do Us Part (April 2008), and To Hell With God (February 2011).
In June 2007, Tampa, Florida-based death metal assortment Obituary announced the addition of Santolla, taking the place of previous axeman Allen West. The stint spanned from 2007 until 2011, spanning two full-lengths as well as an EP; Xecutioner’s Return (August 2007), Darkest Day (June 2009), and Left To Die EP (September 2008). Darkest Day was also the final Obituary outing to feature bassist Frank Watkins, who succumbed to cancer in October 2015.
Santolla suffered a heart attack on May 29th, and was in a coma at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He was taken off life support at roughly 11pm local time.
