Italian guitarist/songwriter Marco Mattei releases his first solo album, entitled “Age of Fragility” on 7D Media/Third Star Records on May 16, 2025.
Marco Mattei, born and raised in Civitavecchia, Italy, has been deeply passionate about music from an early age. As a teenager, he studied jazz guitar with Max Rosati while developing a strong affinity for the creative complexity of progressive rock. He joined the local prog band De Blaise, contributing to their EP By Common Consent and performing live for several years. He also co-founded The Snowdogs, a tribute band dedicated to Rush.
Alongside his musical pursuits, Marco earned a Master’s degree in Electronics and an MBA, while also diving into sound engineering and music production, attending advanced audio programs to refine his craft.
In 2021, he released his debut solo album, Out of Control—a rich, multi-layered collection of emotionally intense songs featuring globally acclaimed musicians such as Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, XTC), Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth), and many more. The album blended various musical styles, unified by a distinctive sonic identity that combined electric and acoustic guitars with guitar loops, bouzouki, and resonator guitars. The soundscape was further enriched by ethnic and acoustic instruments such as Irish whistle, flute, fiddle, mandolin, pedal steel guitar, sitar, and tambura, creating a globally resonant musical experience. Out of Control delves into profound themes, reflecting on the aspects of life beyond our control such as where we are born, the color of our skin, and the people who shape our journey
In 2025, Marco released his second album, Age of Fragility, marking a new chapter in his artistic journey. Unlike its predecessor, which was recorded remotely across multiple locations, this album was recorded live in-studio with a core band featuring Jerry Marotta, Tony Levin, and Duilio Galioto, resulting in a more organic and cohesive sound. The album, further enriched by contributions from musicians worldwide—including Trey Gunn on Warr guitar—features strings, mandolin, cavaquinho, and harp, creating a deeply immersive listening experience.
Musically, Age of Fragility presents a more focused and coherent style, while still pushing boundaries by fusing electric and acoustic guitars with intricate loops and the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki. The compositions strike a delicate balance between simplicity and complexity, offering an intimate yet expansive sonic journey.
Lyrically, the album delves into themes of isolation, emotional dependency, fragile relationships, self-sabotage, and depression, using evocative storytelling to capture the complexities of the human experience. It is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking work that resonates on a profound emotional level.
Having lived in six different countries across three continents, Marco has embraced diverse cultures, absorbing musical influences and gaining a deep appreciation for artistic diversity. After sixteen years abroad, he has recently returned to Rome, Italy, where he continues his work as a composer, musician, and producer, pushing the boundaries of musical exploration.
