The Italian studio group Disarmonia Mundi has long been a favorite of mine. The band consists of only two members, Ettore Rigotti (all instruments) and Claudio Ravinale (vocals of the face-melting-acid type), yet has made a huge name for itself since its formation in 1999. Back in the days there were more members, but over time more dudes left than joined.
And so the band turned its shortcomings into virtues, by inviting musicians and vocalists from other bands. Most notably, Björn “Speed” Strid, who is often listed as a full member of the band – so let’s compromise and call him half a member – has been employing vocal chords on the band’s last three albums. But also Antony Hämäläinen and Olof Mörck of Nightrage have come to the band’s aid.
In the meantime, Ettore Rigotti founded Coroner Records through which the band has released its last album, The Isolation Game. Now, with Ettore CEO of his own record label, Claudio active in another band (called 5 Star Grave, and Strid obviously busy with all of his projects, it must be tough getting albums out. So, to keep their fans happy, the band recently re-released 2006’s Mind Tricks and stuck a bunch of goodies on it.