17 Facts About Ralph Santolla

Ralph Santolla was an Italian-American heavy metal guitarist.

Ralph Santolla played in many bands, most recently Deicide, but including Eyewitness, Death, Millenium, Iced Earth, and the Sebastian Bach band.

Ralph Santolla played with Death on their 1993 US tour.

Ralph Santolla later joined Deicide after Eric and Brian Hoffman left the band.

At a 2006 Deicide gig in Laredo, Texas that got out of control, Santolla was arrested for allegedly throwing a Red Bull can at an officer after Deicide was forced to stop playing.

Ralph Santolla had frequently talked about starting his own band with Steve DiGiorgio and Gene Hoglan, both of whom he worked with in Death.

On May 24,2007, Ralph Santolla left Deicide for undisclosed reasons.

Also in 2007, Ralph Santolla was called in to fill the spot on Obituary's album Xecutioner's Return and the subsequent Left To Die EP, replacing Allen West after he was incarcerated until 2008.

Ralph Santolla played guitar on Deathembers debut album Going Postal track 9 Hailing Down.

In 2013 Ralph Santolla became member of thrash metal band Toxik.

Ralph Santolla's last recording would be released right before his death.

Ralph Santolla was well known for his shred guitar playing style.

Ralph Santolla was a practicing Roman Catholic, which caused some controversy among Deicide fans, many of whom are against Christianity and are aware of frontman Glen Benton's open Satanism.

Many were surprised that Benton even allowed Ralph Santolla join the band, due to his frequent criticism of the religion.

Ralph Santolla took pride in his Italian heritage, and he played guitars by Jackson and Ibanez with the Italian flag painted onto them.

On May 31,2018, it was reported that Ralph Santolla had suffered a heart attack and fallen into a coma.

Ralph Santolla was taken off life support and died on June 6,2018; he was 51 years old.