Chris Catena is an Italian singer whose career has spanned decades, blending rock with a variety of other genres while collaborating with some of the most revered musicians in the world. With an extensive catalog that includes solo albums, guest appearances, and contributions to numerous tribute albums, Catena’s journey in the music industry highlights his diverse talent and enduring passion for rock music.
Catena’s musical career began with several projects and collaborations, including stints with bands such as Silver’z Cat, Dr.U, and Hidalgo. His early work with these bands led him to appear in various compilations and tour Latin America. However, it was in 2004 that he made his debut as a solo artist with his album Freak Out. A combination of hard rock, funk, metal, and blues, Freak Out was a notable release, featuring a list of impressive guest musicians, including Glenn Hughes, Doug Wimbish, Stevie Salas, Bruce Kulick, and many more. The album received high praise, including a 90/100 review in BURNN! in Japan. The artwork for the album was created by Derek Riggs, the artist behind Iron Maiden’s iconic mascot, Eddie.
Following the success of Freak Out, Catena continued to expand his musical horizons. In 2005, he recorded the song “The Darkness Inside” for the Japanese version of the album Limited Access by the band Radiocative, led by guitarist Tommy Denander. Later that year, Catena also worked with the renowned metal keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij on the ballad “Let The Future Unfold” for his album Revenge. His work on these projects solidified his reputation in the international music scene.
In 2006, Catena joined the band Pavic and recorded two albums, Taste Some Liberty and Unconditioned. He also made guest appearances on the debut album of the Swedish supergroup Mountain of Power and on the reunion album of the Swedish metal band Overdrive. He performed live with Mountain of Power at the Sweden Rock Festival in front of 20,000 people, further demonstrating his stage presence and versatility.
In 2008, Catena released Discovery, a concept album that featured notable musicians such as Bobby Kimball, Earl Slick, Pat Travers, and Carmine Appice. Like his previous album, the artwork was created by Derek Riggs, showcasing his consistent vision in both music and aesthetics. Throughout the years, Catena also contributed to various tribute albums honoring iconic bands such as Kiss, Whitesnake, Guns N’ Roses, and Def Leppard.
In 2013, Catena revived his old band Dr.U and released the album Alieni Alienati. This project marked a return to singing in Italian, offering a modern twist to the rock genre. The album, produced by Joe Marlett in Los Angeles, received significant media and radio attention, with the first single “Call Me” reaching number 18 on the charts in Italy. Dr.U’s music videos gained over 100,000 views on YouTube, further solidifying their place in the rock community.
Throughout the 2010s, Catena continued to evolve musically. He joined the famous Italian progressive rock band Rovescio Della Medaglia for their reunion album Tribal Domestic, released in 2016. He also ventured into new genres, recording The Swing Factor, his first experiment with swing music, in 2015. His 2020 release Truth in Unity marked a significant milestone in his career. The album was written in collaboration with the great Swedish guitarist Janne Stark (Overdrive, Constantia, Mountain of Power). Featuring a stellar lineup of guest musicians, including Pat Travers, Doug Aldrich, Stevie Salas, Bumblefoot, Carmine Appice, Dizzy Reed, Wizarding, Oz Fox, Brian Tichy, Greg Chaisson, Joel Hoekstra, Freddie Salem, Dick Wagner, Nike West, Stu Hamm, and many more, Truth in Unity celebrated melodic hard rock excellence, blending Catena’s rock roots with collaborations that kept the spirit of rock alive.
In 2022, Catena worked with Ryan Whyte Maloney, a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Las Vegas. Maloney provided two songs—”Freight Train” and “Tennessee Moonlight”—which were released as digital singles. These tracks were accompanied by music videos, further showcasing Catena’s ability to connect with other artists and bring fresh sounds to his audience. Tragically, Maloney passed away in January 2025, marking a profound loss for the music world.
In 2023, Catena solidified the lineup of his Rock City Tribe, recruiting bassist Marco Fiormonti and guitarist Massimo Canfora. The band went on to perform at major events, including appearances in Romania before large audiences, demonstrating Catena’s international appeal and the growing strength of his musical tribe.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises more exciting developments for Chris Catena. His Rock City Tribe is set to release a new album featuring the single “Radio,” written by Ryan Whyte Maloney. Mixed by seven-time Grammy Award-winning Brian Vibberts, the track represents Catena’s continued growth as an artist and his commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
Chris Catena’s journey is one of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance in the ever-evolving rock genre. His discography is a testament to his ability to adapt, experiment, and create memorable music that resonates with fans worldwide. Whether it’s his solo projects, guest appearances, or his work with the Rock City Tribe, Chris Catena remains a prominent figure in the rock music scene.
For more information on Chris Catena’s Rock City Tribe, follow them on social media:
Discography Highlights
- Freak Out (2004)
- Discovery (2008)
- Alieni Alienati (2013)
- Truth in Unity (2020)
- Freight Train (2022, digital single)
- Tennessee Moonlight (2022, digital single)
- I Will Be With You (2022, digital single)
- A Little Bitty Drunk (2022, digital single)
- Radio (2025, digital single)
For links to music videos and more, visit:
Chris Catena’s Rock City Tribe – Tennessee Moonlight
Chris Catena’s Rock City Tribe – Freight Train
Chris Catena – “Radio” (IMR)