Black Pie, the prog power trio that was forged on stage
THE Black Pie I’m a power trio of progressive rock extraction that bases its roots on a musical heritage of the highest level. Far from being a fledgling project, the band represents a “supergroup” born from the convergence of three professionals from the Italian music scene, each bringing a profoundly different but complementary artistic background.
Black Pie’s sonic identity feeds precisely on this heterogeneity: the alternative and singer-songwriter attitude blends with the majestic architecture of prog and the primordial energy of classic heavy metal. To further embellish the project, both live and during studio recordings, the band makes use of the collaboration of session men and exceptional guests, among which the name of Stefano Genti (keyboardist and vocalist of the band) stands out Of New Trolls).
As evidence of the international caliber and artistic depth of the project, Black Pie have been included in the line-up of the 2026 edition of 2Days Prog +1 Festival (Revislate, Novara), one of the most important and complex prog rock events on the European calendar of which Rockol is the media partner. The band will perform on Friday September 4, 2026 in the guise of opening act of the first evening, sharing the stage with leading names from the global prog metal scene such as the Swedish Soen. This live achievement, combined with the creative drive of their debut album Angelsis a consecration for the trio in the contemporary rock scene.
The power trio
The vocal and rhythmic soul of Black Pie is a musician who has made versatility her strong point. Composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Elena Villa he has successfully crossed multiple musical genres, from pop to folk, up to alternative rock. He has signed texts for prominent names on the Italian scene such as Matia Bazar And Gazosa; between folk and experimentation, he played as a singer and instrumentalist in Myrdin Quartettaking his music beyond national borders with a tour of Scotland.
She was the frontwoman and bassist of Batteredan alt rock band with which he released three albums and performed on prestigious stages such as the Pistoia Blues Festival and Arezzo Wave. He also won the 2001 edition of Sanremo Rock & Trend with Malcondita and collaborated with Dolcenera and Matia Bazar themselves. “Hellen” brings a mature vocality and a bass groove that acts as a glue between the complex guitar textures and the tight rhythms of the drums, combining the singer-songwriter melody with the rock impact.
Arranger and guitarist, Claudio Cinquegrana he is the harmonic engine of the band. His artistic journey is a journey through the excellence of progressive rock and international hard rock, pushing himself to the most extreme sounds. Already a guitarist with the historic Ut New Trolls, he currently holds the same role for Of New Trollsconfirming himself as a key figure in the panorama of contemporary Italian prog.
He boasts live collaborations with the “royal family” of world hard rock, having played with historical icons such as Deep Purple and Whitesnake as Ian Paice, Glenn Hughes, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner And Bernie Marsden. He explored dark and aggressive sounds as a previous guitarist for Dark Lunacy (melodic death metal) and has participated in events of global importance such as the Eye Scream Metal Festival in Mexico City, the Agglutination Metal Festival in Potenza and the Prog Exhibition in Rome. In Black Pie, “Clode” pours all his technical and compositional experience, building granite riffs and solos with a classic flavor but with a modern twist, typical of those who have mastered the entire spectrum of heavy and progressive rock.
The rhythm section is entrusted to a pioneer of extreme music in Italy, capable of adapting naturally even to pop and author contexts. Silvano “Syl” Bottari He is a founding member and drummer of Vanexacult band of the tricolor NWOBHM. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1983, is considered by critics to be “the first heavy metal album released in Italy”. In the same year he played at the first Italian heavy metal festival in Certaldo.
His drumming is not limited to metal. Throughout his career he has collaborated with names ranging from the British and Italian rock and punk scenes (Dennis Stratton of Iron Maiden, the 2003 European tour with i Klasse KriminaleThe Skiantos, Maurizio Solieri) to Italian auteur pop and prog (Alfio Vitanza of Milk and Honey, Ivan Cattaneo, Mariella Nava, Irene Fornaciari And Roberto Tiranti).
The debut album
The fruit of this synergy is Angelsthe debut album. A profound concept, described by the band itself as the alchemical journey of a soul which, gliding on our planet, chooses the body in which to incarnate. Musically it escapes a single genre definition, fully embracing the versatility of prog. It blends hard rock and blues, enriched with funky, jazz nuances and an unmistakable Mediterranean touch.
Elena Villa’s stamp adapts to every scenario: from the dreamy ballad “Off The Radar“to the heaviest climates of “Kaos Night“up to the elegance of “Little Lady Bright“. Songs with a strong rhythmic attitude, almost danceable, like “From The Ashes“ And “Blanket Tide“are driven by the bass and the guitars, supported by the decisive, reliable and never banal drumming of Silvano Bottari. “Lift It” sports a straight-up rock attitude, enhanced by a stunning solo from Clode Cinquegrana and a fiery finale enhanced by Hellen’s vocal range.
