blackmonarch + Musician in Tempe, AZ

ABOUT

Inspired by the diversity and theatricality of acts like Queen, Black Sabbath and Mercyful Fate, Black Monarch is meant to defy expectations while simultaneously paying tribute to the great hard rock and metal bands of the 1970s and 1980s.

Black Monarch is the brainchild of Alec Damiano, a.k.a Black Queen, who has an impressive musical resume. She learned to play the violin at the tender age of 3. She opened for renowned Mexican acts like Juan Gabriel and Los Temerarios when she was part of Mariachi Sombra de Nogales. During her elementary and middle school years, she taught herself how to play percussion, the piano and electric guitar. She built a 7-string electric violin called The Banshee as her high school senior project and learned how to play the bass guitar in her freshman year of college. She has also performed with Mark Wood, a founding member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The project that would eventually become Black Monarch had its roots in 2007, when Damiano began writing songs on the guitar and piano. After being in and out of bands that did not suit her vision, she took matters into her own hands and gave birth to this one-woman project. She is the sole member of Black Monarch.

Monarch’s influences are an eclectic mix, ranging from classical music to extreme metal. But the band owes its name to Queen.

“Queen changed my life,” Damiano says. “Freddie Mercury was essentially my vocal coach and piano teacher because I’d play and sing along to Queen songs to the point where I memorized their albums. But the person who inspired me to pursue a career in heavy metal was (Ozzy Osbourne guitarist) Randy Rhoads. I remember the first time I heard ‘Mr. Crowley’ as if it were yesterday. The solos literally made my jaw drop. Then eventually I got into the heavier stuff like thrash and death metal, and everything progressed from there.”

Black Monarch draws from this wide range of influences to produce an unforgettable concoction of powerful music.

Damiano is also the singer and bassist of experimental thrash metal band Varkan. :///varkanofficial

Screen name:

blackmonarch

Member since:

Nov 20 2011

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

15

Available to gig:

2-3 nights a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

70s & 80s hard rock/metal & all its subgenres, plus some classical & soul music.

In no particular order:
Megadeth, Queen, KISS, Ghost (B.C.), Children of Bodom, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Skid Row, Overkill, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Slayer, Dio, Volbeat, Apocalyptica, King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, Dethklok, W.A.S.P., Black Sabbath, Avenged Sevenfold, Motley Crue, Anthrax, Rob Zombie, Flotsam and Jetsam, The Doors, Pantera, Iced Earth, Holy Grail, Havok, Suicidal Tendencies, Municipal Waste, Wendy O. Williams/The Plasmatics, Sister Sin, Huntress, Joan Jett, X Japan, Yngwie Malmsteen, Cacophony, Rata Blanca, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Scorpions, Twisted Sister, Styx, Testament, Nervosa, Supertramp, In Flames, Bathory, Diamanda Galas, Vivaldi, Rossini, Pachelbel, etc.

Instrument experience:

Vocalist:

Advanced

Vocalist - Tenor:

Advanced

Bass Guitar:

Advanced

Violin:

Advanced

Piano:

Advanced

Rhythm Guitar:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

Wood Violins Stingray SV-4
Banshee 7-string electric violin (homemade)
Jackson Kelly JS32T
B.C. Rich Masterpiece Mockingbird Bass
Casio Privia PX-110
Various (small) Combo Amps
Korg Pedal
Peavey RB-4 Keyboard Amp (for 7-string violin)

MUSIC