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Rob Marcello
Rob Marcello
Rob Marcello
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Key Information

Robert Marcello (born Robert Wendelstam; 9 September 1977) is a Swedish guitarist who has been a member of the hard rock band Danger Danger since 2003. He has also played for Ironhorse, Obsession, Twenty 4 Seven, and Marcello-Vestry.[1] In late 2009, he was also a stand-in guitarist in the 1980s band House of Lords.

Marcello plays Caparison Guitars and is sponsored by Boss Corporation, he is featured as the guitarist for many of their pedal demonstration videos.

Discography

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With Iron Horse

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  • Iron Horse (2001)

With Twenty 4 Seven

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  • Destination Everywhere (2002)

With Danger Danger

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With Marcello-Vestry

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  • Marcello-Vestry (2008)

With Laney's Legion

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  • Laney's Legion (2014)

With Shotgun

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  • Live at decadencia drive (2016) (Shotgun Messiah's first record played almost entirely live with half the original band- Zinny Zan and Stixx)

With The Defiants

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  • Self titled (2016)
  • Zokusho (2019)
  • Drive (2023)

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rob Marcello

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Rob Marcello (born Robert Wendelstam Lovbom; September 9, 1977) is a Swedish guitarist specializing in , , and , best known as the lead guitarist of the American band since 2003. Born in , , Marcello began playing guitar at age 11 and drew early influences from artists including , , , and , whom he later replaced in . His career gained momentum in the early 2000s through stints with bands like and , before joining , with whom he has contributed to albums such as Revolve (2009). Marcello's technical prowess, characterized by blazing speed, melodic phrasing, and tonal clarity, has also led him to lead the supergroup Laney's Legion—featuring vocalist/guitarist Chris Laney—on their 2014 self-titled album. In addition to his band work, Marcello co-founded the melodic outfit The Defiants in 2015 alongside vocalist and bassist Bruno Ravel, releasing acclaimed albums including The Defiants (2015), Zok (2019), and Drive (2023), which highlight his fusion of shredding solos with anthemic hooks. He has further collaborated on projects like Marcello-Vestry and served as a and , touring internationally and endorsing gear such as the Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister for its versatile gain and effects. Marcello's brother, , is also a noted formerly of the band , underscoring a family legacy in .

Early life

Birth and family

Robert Marcello was born Robert Wendelstam Lövbom on September 9, 1977, in , . He is the younger brother of Kjell Hilding Lövbom, professionally known as , a prominent Swedish best recognized for his tenure with the band from 1986 to 1992. The brothers share the same family surname, Lövbom. Marcello spent his childhood in amid Sweden's broader cultural shift toward popularity in the and . This environment, combined with national radio broadcasts and the success of Swedish acts like , fostered his initial exposure to without formal training at the time. He later adopted the stage name Rob Marcello to align with his professional music career.

Introduction to music

Rob Marcello, born in , , discovered his passion for music early on, beginning to play the guitar at the age of 11. This initial foray into the instrument occurred during his childhood in , where he first explored the basics of guitar playing.

Career

Early bands (1990s–early 2000s)

Marcello's professional career began in the late when he joined as lead guitarist, performing local gigs in and contributing to the band's lineup alongside vocalist Ronnie . The group, formed in 1999, focused on energetic live shows in the Örebro region, where Marcello honed his stage presence amid a tight-knit local scene. In the early 2000s, he expanded his involvement with , a supergroup featuring former Mötley Crüe and members and , emphasizing collaborative dynamics in a high-energy metal environment. Around the same period, Marcello contributed guitar tracks to M.V.P., a metal project that blended elements, allowing him to engage in session-based work and explore varied band interactions. From 1994 to 1999, Marcello undertook a brief stint with Infestdead, primarily as a session , which helped develop his technical proficiency in heavier metal styles through studio recordings and occasional live support. His role in Infestdead included guitar contributions to early demos recorded in 1993 at Moneymaker Studios in , showcasing his adaptability in death and contexts. The 1990s Swedish music scene posed significant challenges for hard rock and traditional metal acts, as the explosive growth of extreme genres like death metal dominated local attention and resources, limiting opportunities for broader exposure. This environment pushed Marcello toward international networks, culminating in his successful audition for the American band in 2003.

Danger Danger (2003–present)

In 2003, Rob Marcello joined as lead guitarist amid the band's efforts to revive its classic lineup with the return of original vocalist in 2004, stepping into a role previously held by , who had departed the group a decade earlier in 1993 to focus on his solo career and session work in . Marcello, a Swedish musician with prior experience in bands like and Obsession, quickly integrated into the ensemble through initial support performances, including a tour that year, before becoming a permanent member. As lead guitarist, Marcello adapted seamlessly to Danger Danger's signature sound, characterized by catchy hooks and high-energy riffs, while incorporating neoclassical elements drawn from his influences in shred and fusion guitar techniques. His playing added technical flair to the band's live sets and studio output, blending melodic with intricate solos that echoed the neoclassical style of artists like . This fusion helped maintain the band's appeal to longtime fans while attracting new listeners appreciative of his virtuosic contributions. Since 2004, has undertaken extensive tours across the , , , , and , with Marcello's dynamic stage presence elevating performances through extended guitar solos and audience engagement. Notable milestones include their appearance at the in 2004, marking Poley's return and the band's renewed momentum, as well as subsequent festival slots and headline shows that solidified their enduring draw in the circuit. The saw a resurgence for , fueled by the 2009 album Revolve, which featured Poley's vocals alongside Marcello's songwriting input on several tracks and his prominent guitar work, reinvigorating the band's catalog with fresh material. Marcello's impact extended to enhancing the group's live energy, where his neoclassical-infused solos became a highlight, contributing to sold-out shows and a strengthened fanbase in the melodic rock scene. He has occasionally overlapped this tenure with side projects like The Defiants, featuring bandmates Bruno Ravel and former vocalist .

Later projects (2010s–present)

In the late 2000s, Rob Marcello co-founded the melodic project Marcello-Vestry alongside vocalist Frank Vestry, assuming primary creative control over guitar work, keyboards, and songwriting to explore polished, hook-driven compositions beyond his commitments elsewhere. The duo's self-titled debut emphasized Marcello's shred-infused leads and rhythmic precision, drawing from AOR influences while allowing him greater artistic autonomy in production and arrangement. In late 2009, Marcello served as a stand-in guitarist for House of Lords. He later contributed to the reformed Shotgun (formerly Shotgun Messiah) starting around 2013, including tours and the 2016 live album Live: Down Decadencia Drive. He joined Chris Laney's Laney's Legion in 2014 as lead guitarist, contributing to the project's origins as a hard rock outfit blending aggressive riffs with subtle jazz-inflected phrasing in tracks like "Assassin of Love." This lineup, featuring Laney on vocals and guitars, highlighted Marcello's versatility in layering neoclassical solos over groove-heavy foundations, marking a shift toward international Swedish-American rock ensembles. By the mid-2010s, Marcello became a founding member of The Defiants with vocalist and bassist Bruno Ravel, taking a central role in songwriting and co-producing material that fused arena-ready melodies with technical guitar flair. The band's albums, including their self-titled debut (2016) and subsequent releases like Zokusho (2019), showcased Marcello's contributions to riff construction and harmonic progressions, supporting extensive European and U.S. tours that solidified their presence in the melodic rock circuit. Marcello's recent endeavors through the 2020s have included session guitar duties, such as providing lead tracks for the Swedish power metal band Mad Hatter's self-titled 2018 album, where his solos added dynamic intensity to the group's symphonic elements. He has also maintained an active schedule as a guitar , international workshops and demonstrations for brands like Hughes & Kettner, emphasizing tone crafting and improvisational techniques up to 2025. These pursuits complement his ongoing role in without overshadowing his diversification into leadership-driven projects. He contributed guitars to Obsession's 2006 Carnival of Lies.

Musical style and influences

Guitar technique and genre influences

Rob Marcello's guitar technique is rooted in , characterized by advanced shredding methods such as , , and intricate patterns. His exercises and demonstrations frequently feature fluid sequences inspired by neoclassical pioneers, allowing for rapid execution of scalar and arpeggiated runs that emphasize precision and speed. Marcello integrates elements of and fusion into his framework, drawing on phrasing techniques reminiscent of Larry Carlton's smooth, vocal-like lines to add emotional depth and subtlety to otherwise high-speed passages. This fusion of genres is evident in his ability to transition seamlessly between aggressive shred runs and more lyrical, note-bent expressions, enhancing the melodic contour within contexts like those in Danger Danger's catalog. Over time, Marcello's style has evolved from an emphasis on raw speed and technical prowess in his early career to a greater focus on melodic sensibility in his recordings and beyond, prioritizing passion and tonal expression alongside . A hallmark of his playing is the use of emotional phrasing in solos, where he employs dynamic control and to convey feeling, particularly in live performances where allows for extended, narrative-driven explorations.

Key inspirations

Rob Marcello's guitar style draws from a diverse array of rock, fusion, and influences that have shaped his technical prowess, melodic sensibility, and stage presence. Among his early rock inspirations, of stands out for his charismatic showmanship, which encouraged Marcello to blend theatrical elements with guitar performance from a young age. Similarly, profoundly impacted Marcello through his groundbreaking two-handed technique and signature warm, saturated tone, elements that Marcello has incorporated into his own high-energy solos. In the realm of fusion and , Larry Carlton's elegant, smooth phrasing has been a key influence on Marcello, teaching him to prioritize and fluid lines over sheer speed, allowing for more nuanced songwriting in his context. Marcello has also cited as his biggest influence, particularly for neoclassical techniques like advanced arpeggios and . As a peer, has served as both a predecessor and ongoing inspiration for Marcello, particularly after replacing him in in 2003; Timmons' blend of technical virtuosity and soulful phrasing resonated with Marcello, influencing his approach to balancing shred with accessible hooks.

Equipment and endorsements

Guitars and amplifiers

Throughout his career, Rob Marcello has favored high-performance guitars equipped with features suited to shred and neoclassical playing, including locking systems for tuning stability during aggressive techniques. He is an official artist with , utilizing their models for their precise construction and tonal clarity in live and recording contexts. In the early , Marcello collaborated with FGN (Fujigen), demonstrating their instruments at events like Musikmesse and endorsing a model featuring an body with a 3A top, neck, H/S/H pickup configuration with s for rich sustain, and a for reliable pitch modulation. The pickups in this setup provide the thick, sustaining tone essential for neoclassical phrasing, while the ensures intonation holds up under heavy use. Marcello's amplifier setup centers on the Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister series, particularly the 36-watt model, chosen for its four-channel versatility spanning clean articulation to high-gain with exceptional clarity and built-in effects loop for pedal integration. He has praised it as "the best out there" for delivering reliable, professional tones in both studio recordings and live performances, including tours. Additionally, he has showcased the Hughes & Kettner TriAmp , a 150-watt tube head valued for its dynamic response and ability to maintain note separation at high volumes. To complement his rig, Marcello incorporates Boss multi-effects pedals, such as the GT-100 and ME-70 processors, for their COSM amp modeling and comprehensive effects palette, enabling seamless transitions between tones without multiple amps during gigs. These pedals support his preference for humbucker-driven sustain by adding modulation and delay options tailored to neoclassical leads.

Notable collaborations with gear brands

Rob Marcello has maintained a long-standing with amplifier manufacturer Hughes & Kettner since the mid-2000s, serving as an endorsed who frequently demonstrates their products in promotional content. This collaboration includes his role as a , where he has conducted gear demos and workshops at major events such as the 2013 Musikmesse in , , showcasing the TubeMeister 36 for recording applications during a live clinic session. In the United States, Marcello appeared at the in 2012 and 2013, performing guitar highlights and demos that highlighted Hughes & Kettner amplification alongside other brands like Boss effects. A key element of his work with Hughes & Kettner involves video content production, including the 2015 "Couch Session" interview where he discussed his early guitar influences and practice routines while demonstrating amps at their headquarters in St. Wendel, Germany. Additional promotional videos, such as his 2015 shred demo on the TriAmp Mark 3 and 2016 showcase of favorite GrandMeister 36 tones, have been featured on the company's YouTube channel, emphasizing his reliance on their gear for live and studio performances with Danger Danger and solo projects. These efforts extended to international appearances, including a 2017 performance at Germany's Guitar Summit alongside other artists, demonstrating Hughes & Kettner Era 1 amps in a live setting. Marcello also holds an endorsement with Japanese guitar builder , listed among their active artists for models like the , which he has used in performances and recordings. This partnership underscores his recognition in the high-end guitar market, with occasional dual-brand affiliations noted in industry discussions from the late onward, though Caparison remains a primary association. Through social media and video platforms, Marcello's collaborations have boosted brand visibility into 2025, with ongoing posts on and featuring gear demos that attract shred guitar enthusiasts globally. For instance, his 2025 appearances in online content, such as Wild West Guitars sessions promoting , continue to highlight his associations in the rock and gear community.

Discography

With Danger Danger

Rob Marcello served as lead guitarist on Danger Danger's live album Live and Nude (2005), performing on all tracks during recordings captured from performances in 2003 and 2004. On the studio album Revolve (2009), Marcello provided and solos on multiple tracks, including "That's What I'm Talkin' About," "Killin' Love," "Fugitive," and "Beautiful Regret," while contributing throughout. No further studio or live albums with Marcello's contributions were released by the band through 2025.

With other bands and projects

In addition to his primary work with , Rob Marcello has contributed to several other bands and projects, showcasing his guitar skills across and melodic metal genres. His involvement often includes lead and duties, along with co-writing and backing vocals in collaborative efforts. The duo Marcello-Vestry, formed by Marcello and vocalist Frank Vestry, released a self-titled album in 2008 through Melting Pot Music. Marcello provided lead and rhythm guitars throughout the record, which features 11 tracks of melodic , including co-production credits alongside Bruno Ravel. Laney's Legion, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Laney, issued their self-titled debut album in 2014 via Perris . Marcello contributed lead and rhythm guitars, as well as backing vocals, on all 11 songs, blending high-energy with AOR elements in a lineup that also included Mats Vassfjord and Patrik Jansson. The Defiants, comprising vocalist , bassist Bruno Ravel, and Marcello on guitars, debuted with a self-titled album in 2016 on Srl. Marcello handled lead and rhythm guitars and co-wrote several tracks on the 11-song release, which emphasizes catchy, anthemic . The band followed with Zokusho in 2019, where Marcello again delivered guitar work and co-writing contributions across 10 tracks, maintaining a polished melodic rock sound. Their third album, Drive, arrived in 2023, featuring Marcello's guitar performances and songwriting input on 10 new compositions. Earlier in his career, Marcello played and provided backing vocals on Iron Horse's self-titled album, released in 2001 by Metal Mayhem Music, though the project originated in the late with vocalist Ron Keel. The record includes 10 tracks of Southern-influenced . Marcello served as on Twenty 4 Seven's Destination Everywhere, a 2002 release from Melodic Mayhem Music featuring vocalist and drummer . The 11-track album highlights Marcello's contributions to straightforward anthems. A reissue appeared in 2021 via Eonian Records. For Obsession, Marcello recorded lead guitars on the 2006 album Carnival of Lies (Frontiers Music Srl), contributing to five of its tracks (2–5, 12) in a revival of the band's heavy metal style. He also appeared on guitar for one track on the 2008 compilation Obsession. joined a reunion lineup of (formerly ) for live performances, culminating in the 2016 live album Live: Down Decadencia Drive on Gain Records. As lead guitarist alongside vocalist Zinny J. Zan, drummer Stixx, and bassist Chris Laney, he performed on the 13-track set capturing the band's roots from shows in . In session work, Marcello provided lead guitars on multiple tracks for Mad Hatter's self-titled debut album in 2018, released by Black Lodge Records. The power metal record, led by vocalist Ronny Milianowicz, features Marcello's solos across its eight songs.

References

  1. https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Robert_Marcello/138038
  2. https://www.discogs.com/artist/2404261-Rob-Marcello
  3. https://top40-charts.com/artist.php?aid=16545
  4. https://hughes-and-kettner.com/?artist=rob-marcello
  5. https://metal-temple.com/review/laneys-legion-laneys-legion/
  6. https://www.frontiers.it/artist/1884
  7. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/rob_marcello
  8. https://www.truthinshredding.com/2012/07/kee-marcello-talks-about-his-epic.html
  9. https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Kee_Marcello/26810
  10. https://www.last.fm/music/Rob%2BMarcello/%2Bwiki
  11. https://www.spirit-of-rock.com/en/band/Iron_Horse
  12. https://www.eonianrecords.com/new-products-g-i/ironhorse-self-titled
  13. https://www.eonianrecords.com/twenty-four-7
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/3647505-MVP-The-Altar
  15. https://www.moviemars.com/products/satanic-serenades
  16. https://www.loudersound.com/features/15-of-the-best-metal-bands-from-sweden
  17. https://www.rocknews.co.uk/blog/2025/05/09/the-swedish-rock-revolution-how-one-nation-took-over-the-world-of-music/
  18. https://andytimmons.com/bio/
  19. https://metallian.com/dangerdanger.php
  20. http://www.d2stationjapan.com/uktour2003.html
  21. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159481472837017&id=222164092016&set=a.416437817016
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38gnoBOLAig
  23. https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/danger-danger-revolve-2/
  24. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/rob_marcello/credits/
  25. https://sleazeroxx.com/danger-danger-members-unite-with-former-frontman-to-form-the-defiants/
  26. https://rockeyez.com/reviews/cd/marcello-vestry/rev-marcello-vestry.html
  27. https://dangerdog.com/reviews_2008/marcello-vestry.php
  28. https://www.truthinshredding.com/2013/01/rob-marcello-shotgun-with-zinny-j-zan.html
  29. https://www.amazon.com/Live-Down-Decadencia-Drive-SHOTGUN/dp/B01DKTOM1A
  30. https://www.eonianrecords.com/new-products-j-l/laneys-legion-self-titled
  31. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-defiants-drive-interview
  32. https://blabbermouth.net/news/the-defiants-feat-danger-danger-members-debut-album-due-in-april
  33. https://www.discogs.com/master/1605149-The-Defiants-Zokusho
  34. https://www.truthinshredding.com/2016/02/rob-marcello-serrana-sweep-picking.html
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5uMc0cG9WQ
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edbz4ep70jA
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q-d5h1VBnY
  38. https://www.caparisonguitars.com/pages/artists
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXy50A2-x6M
  40. https://reverb.com/item/1622218-fgn-fujigen-rob-marcello-signature-guitars-made-in-japan-different-colors-available
  41. https://equipboard.com/pros/rob-marcello
  42. https://www.boss.info/us/products/gt-100/
  43. https://www.boss.info/us/products/me-70/
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCWscNz8HGQ
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPQPsvgtT_8
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc-ht3Pq_aQ
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctYd0_GRkyc
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jdhEWe2pc0
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wTPBqn6y8s
  50. https://www.guitarsummit.de/history/?lang=en
  51. https://sevenstring.org/threads/rob-marcello.59443/
  52. https://www.instagram.com/therobmarcello
  53. https://www.facebook.com/shredmusictv/videos/rob-marcello-wild-west-guitars-guitar-robmarcello-suhrguitars-guitarist/692692676728021/
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/6190696-Danger-Danger-Live-And-Nude
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/3089843-Danger-Danger-Revolve
  56. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1320514-Danger-Danger
  57. https://www.discogs.com/master/976107-Marcello-Vestry-Marcello-Vestry
  58. https://www.discogs.com/release/7902619-Laneys-Legion-Laneys-Legion
  59. https://www.discogs.com/master/1007063-The-Defiants-The-Defiants
  60. https://www.frontiers.it/news/11514
  61. https://www.discogs.com/release/8493731-Shotgun-Live-Down-Decadencia-Drive
  62. https://www.discogs.com/release/11863841-Mad-Hatter-Mad-Hatter
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