Extrema biography

The heavy Metal band, driven by the crunchingly abrasive guitars and energetic personality of Tommy Massara, came to light during the cold Milanese Winter of 86. However the definitive line-up (Mattia Bigi on Bass, Christiano Dalla Peligrino on Drums and GianLuca Perotti on Vocals) was not set in stone until 1989. There then came, after some initial hardships and a spell in the U.S, the forging of a united, solid and extremely tight unit. 1993 saw the release of their first studio album "Tension at the seams". The release hit the Italian Metal scene full frontal, which at the time was suffering an identity crises, and as a result started to look upon Extrema as their focal point. The album enjoyed world wide release and was closely followed by an Italian tour cumulating in opening slots for Mettalica as well as the huge Italian star ìVasco Rossiî who personally chose the band. Their video ìChild of Boogaowî caused interest outside the then rather closed and tight nit Italian Metal scene.
The end of 93' saw the release of the mini LP "Proud, powerful 'n' alive" which included the superb cover of the Dead Kennedy's "Too drunk to fuck".
In Jan 1994, Extrema were well and truly baptized, when after enthusiastic reviews they dominated the polls in the best new band category. The following year saw the recording of ìThe Positive Pressure of Injusticeî a solid and potent release instantly followed by a hardcore tour of over 100 mind-bending, energetic shows. In 1996, to then further enhance their ever growing fan base they collaborated with Italian Rap superstars Articolo 31 recording the single ìMollamiî which was to have been that years ëtrue eye of the stormí. Although a big hit, the "Metal kids" were still rather sceptic towards such hybrid forms, and therefore turned up their nose to what they saw as a heavy Metal scandal (they just werenít ready). During 1996 and 1999, the 'war machine' Extrema, paused a while to dedicate time towards various side projects and ëcollaborationsí which included the likes of J Ax and DJ Jad with the release of the classic "vai bello/qui non si scherza".
In 2001 the album "Better Mad than Dead" showed the world that they were back, with more energy, power and guts than ever, and once again ready to dominate. This slicing and modern release put them right back on top of the Italian scene. They toured constantly for the first half of the year and then blew their fans away at the ìTattoo the Planetî gig with Slayer. The second part of the year saw the fans treated to the heavy rotation of their new videos "Another Nite" and "Wannabe".
A new contract in 2003 treated the fans once again to another video "All Around" and the compilation of rare Extrema songs "And the best is yet to come". This included all their collaborations, remixes as well as 3 new songs. It was polished off with some spectacular artwork and the video "the world decline".
Since then Extrema have thrown themselves back on stage and into the festival scene with such shows as the 'Heineken Jammin Festival with Metallica' culminating with their success at 'Flippaut festival with Korn'.
December 2004 saw a slight line-up change with the departure after 15 years of Chris Dallapellegrina.



After a couple of months of auditions, a new name: Polo Crimi, formally drumming for 'Beerbong'.
The debut shows were received ecstatically by the fans, so much so that they were invited to participate at Europe's and Italy's most prestigious rock/Metal festival: Gods of Metal and the famous 'Summer day in Hell festival'.
The Fans were many and the reaction was wild, and as their trademark saying goes: It was "Un fottuto massacro collettivo" (A fucking collective massacre).
In June/July the band went into "Rodger music Studios" to record their latest offering using (The sound pusher) Mauro Androlli (www.mauroandreolli.com) and gave life to ìSet the World on Fireî. The release date is set for the 11th of November (Ammonia/V2/Edel)
The recording of the video "Nature" (first single) begins in October and then, once and for all, they really will Set the World on Fire. Source: Extrema

Extrema: Tommy Massara interview (B.C.Rich guitars)

How did you first get into the music business?
Back in 1982 when I joined my very first band Bright Lights, we were terrible, but who cares, it was the beginning, we did one demotape, than they fired me because of my enthusiasm. There’s one moral, today I’m still here...... funny eh!!!!!!!!

Who have been your main primary influences on your career to date?
The Beatles and Kiss back in the early ’70s.

Who is the one musician with which you would most like to play?
There are many: Stewart Copeland, Zakk Wilde, Dimebag Darrell R.I.P., Van Halen, Kerry King, Kiss.

What is your most memorable live performance?
We were a very underground band that people just knew through the buzz and fanzines, Than back in 1987, one night this promoter, that is still a friend of mine, gave me a call and asked me if we wanted to replace Malice, who had cancelled their gig, supporting SLAYER on their Milan date of their Reign in Blood tour, what can I say, I’ll never forget that moment, we arrived at the venue, did the soundcheck and then Dave Lombardo introduced us to the 6000 in attendance and then was HELLLLLLLL !!!!!

What do you enjoy most and least about being a guitarist/bassist?
To feel the vibration of the chords throught my skin, bones and nerves.

What has been your greatest opportunity provided to you because of your musical talent?
To travel and see the good and the bad of life. To learn something everyday.

What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
Travelling worldwide and being creative.

What have you been listening to lately?
To a lot of Heavy Heavy music, also Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Ennio Morricone’s Original Soundtracks, if the music is good is for me, I’ve no boundaries at all.

Describe yourself in four words.
Professional, Lucky, Loyal with a strange sense of Humor.

Message to your fans?
Many thank’s to give me the opportunity to be in the music business, without you, the fans, we’re nothing !!!!!!

Source: B.C. Rich

---

"Set the World on fire" (2005)
"And the best as yet to come" (2003)
"Better mad than dead" (2002)
"The Positive Pressure of Injustice" (1995)
"Proud, powerfull'n'alive" (1993)
"Tension at the Seams" (1992)

---

Listen to ... Extrema 'NATURE' from "Set the World on fire (Directed by: Paolo Doppieri ) (QT version) (Win version)

.Extrema photos