Headless (band)

Headless
The band's current lineup (left to right): Enrico Cianciusi, Göran Edman, Walter Cianciusi, Martin Helmantel
The band's current lineup (left to right): Enrico Cianciusi, Göran Edman, Walter Cianciusi, Martin Helmantel
Background information
OriginAvezzano, Italy
GenresHard rock, progressive metal
Years active1996–2000, 2011–present
LabelsM-Theory Audio, Mighty Music, Lion Music
MembersGöran Edman
Walter Cianciusi
Martin Helmantel
Enrico Cianciusi
Past membersScott Rockenfield
Dario Parente
Domenico Di Girolamo
Mauro Buoninfante
Naigel Carusi
Italo Podda
Websiteheadlessofficial.com

Headless is an Italian hard rock band, founded in 1996 in Avezzano by Walter Cianciusi. Their music is characterized by the fusion of AOR and progressive metal.

History

After having released an EP and a full-length album, the band suspended any recording or live activity in 2000. The turn of the events arrives in 2011 with a new lineup including Göran Edman (formerly Yngwie Malmsteen band) and Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche).

After releasing the album Growing Apart in 2013, Headless toured Europe extensively, opening for acts like Fates Warning, Skid Row, Queensrÿche and Candlemass. The successful tour ensured a contract with the Danish label Mighty Music. A new album titled Melt the Ice Away arrived in 2016, followed by a European tour with Angra, Bonfire and Tygers of Pan Tang.

In 2020, the band announced a new lineup including Martin Helmantel of Elegy on bass. The studio effort Square One was then released in September 2021 via M-Theory Audio.

The band has been a consistent live presence on European stages, performing alongside Geoff Tate during the 2023 Square One tour. When not onstage with Headless, bandleader Walter Cianciusi is usually touring with metal musician David Ellefson, a founding member of Megadeth.

A new Headless album, Transitional Objects, was released in August 2025, presenting more prominent progressive elements.

Band members

Current members

  • Göran Edman – vocals
  • Walter Cianciusi – guitars
  • Martin Helmantel – bass guitar
  • Enrico Cianciusi – drums

Former members

  • Scott Rockenfield – drums (2011–2014)
  • Dario Parente – guitars (1998-2000, 2011-2024)
  • Domenico Di Girolamo – bass (2014–2020)
  • Italo Podda – guitars (1996–1997)
  • Mauro Buoninfante – keyboards (1996–2000)
  • Naigel Carusi – bass (1996–2000)

Guest members

  • Jim Matheos - lead guitar on "Frame"
  • Jeff Young - lead guitar on "Withered Flowers"
  • Andy Martongelli - lead guitar on "I Thought I Knew It All"

Discography

Albums

  • Future To Past – (1996) (EP)
  • Inside You – (1998)
  • Growing Apart – (2013)
  • Melt The Ice Away – (2016)
  • Square One – (2021)
  • Transitional Objects - (2025)

Singles

  • Primetime – (2011)
  • Sink Deep in a Fairytale – (2012)
  • Shortage – (2015)
  • So Much of a Bore – (2015)
  • Good Luck Resized – (2016)
  • Risin' Up – (2020)
  • Woman In White – (2021)
  • Streetlight Buzz – (2021)
  • Two's Up – (2021)
  • Misdirection – (2021)
  • Withered Flowers feat. Jeff Young – (2023)
  • Weightless - (2025)
  • I Thought I Knew It All feat. Andy Martongelli – (2025)

References

  1. ↑ "HEADLESS Featuring QUEENSRŸCHE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Members Sign To Lion Music". bravewords.com.
  2. ↑ "HEADLESS – New Album To Feature Vocalist GÖRAN EDMAN And Drummer SCOTT ROCKENFIELD As Guest Performers; Two Singles Available". bravewords.com.
  3. ↑ "Scott Rockenfield-Backed Headless to Support Fates Warning on European Tour". musicenthusiastmag.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "Skid Row: gli Headless di supporto per la data di Roma". www.metallus.it. 18 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Queensrÿche: Operation LiveRoma compiuta – METALFORCE". metalrock.romadailynews.it. 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "metal.it » Concerti » Candlemass + Headless @ Parco del Castello, Gradisca d'Isonzo". www.metal.it.
  7. ↑ "HEADLESS". mightymusic.dk.
  8. ↑ "HEADLESS – Melt the ice away". www.nuclearblast.de.
  9. ↑ "Angra et Headless seront en concert le 4 octobre au... – Metalorgie". www.metalorgie.com.
  10. ↑ "Tour Dates Bonfire". UDR Music.
  11. ↑ "HEADLESS Feat. Former YNGWIE MALMSTEEN Singer GÖRAN EDMAN: 'Square One' Album Due Later In The Year". blabbermouth.net. 21 April 2021.
  12. ↑ https://www.headbangerslifestyle.com/music/live/live-geoff-tate-headless-leksi-zeche-bochum-de/
  13. ↑ https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-ellefson-teams-up-with-james-durbin-for-cover-of-judas-priests-metal-gods-2025-bass-warrior-tour-announced
  14. ↑ https://www.headbangerslifestyle.com/music/reviews/review-headless-transitional-objects/
  15. ↑ "ヨラン・エドマンを擁するイタリアのメロディック・メタル・バンドHEADLESSが新曲 "Withered Flowers" をリリース!". burrn.online.