Robert Hunecke-Rizzo

Robert Hunecke-Rizzo — German multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer — is a recurring figure behind the scenes of European symphonic metal, working as drummer, guitarist, bassist and recording engineer. His presence runs through several projects on the circuit: he recorded with Virgo, Aina, Trillium and Luca Turilli's solo project. On Aina specifically he took on drums, guitars, bass, choir, mixing and engineering — which describes less a guest musician than a professional who performs the entire record when needed. This kind of musician is indispensable in studio projects. Metal opera and symphonic metal depend on complex recordings with dozens of participants, many of them guests appearing only to record their parts; somebody has to play the foundation, assemble the layers and make the material sound like a band. It is work that rarely appears on the cover and that defines the final result. Without professionals like Hunecke-Rizzo, much of the genre's output would simply never get off the page.