Acclaimed metal drumming sensation Steve Bolognese began making waves in the hard rock/heavy metal music scene in 2005, playing with some high profile acts including Beyond the Embrace (Metal Blade Records), Into Eternity (Century Media Records) and Baptized in Blood (Roadrunner Records). Steve quickly became well known for his extreme versatility and technical ability on the drumset. Steve’s relentless touring schedule has taken him across the globe, making him increasingly popular among fans and musicians alike.



Born in November 1981 and raised in Boston MA, Steve began his musical career at age 16, playing locally throughout the Boston area. At the same time, Steve also began drumset lessons with a local teacher who introduced him to many styles of music and drumming, including jazz, funk, and Latin.



In 2000, looking to take his playing to the next level, Steve began studying with Berklee professor Mike Mangini. He continued to study with Mike regularly for the next 3 years, exploring new elements in music and combining them with his already fusion-inspired style.



In 2004, after receiving an Associate’s degree in liberal studies from Middlesex Community College, Steve joined Beyond the Embrace, and his playing rose to the national level. After completing a full U.S. tour, he returned home and began teaching privately. In 2006, after an extensive audition process, Steve landed the gig with highly-acclaimed progressive metal titans Into Eternity. This took Steve’s playing to the international level. Into Eternity has shared the stage with some of the top metal bands in the world including Megadeth, Dream Theater, Opeth, Symphony X, and Lamb of God.



Continuing his education between gigs, Steve began studying with Berklee /Drummers Collective faculty member Kim Plainfield, and in 2007, Steve was invited to teach at Berklee College of Music’s World Percussion Festival. He has since been invited back each year as a guest instructor and has been a first call substitute for Mike Mangini and Dave Dicenso for each of Berklee’s spring, summer and fall semesters in 2011.



Steve recorded “The Incurable Tragedy,” his first record with Into Eternity, in 2008. This release earned him rave reviews; excerpts from some are listed below.



“Steve Bolognese is one seriously fierce technician. His tensile strength, blistering speed, and machine-like precision make you tired just listening to him (if not jealous). Nevertheless, his attack is fully organic and mindful of the song’s needs.” — DRUM Magazine



“Their new CD, "The Incurable Tragedy," takes their brand of extreme progressive metal to a whole new level of intensity with some great playing, killer riffs, insane vocals, and an intense lyrical concept.” — Mike Portnoy, Ex-Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob



“Steve's drumming is rock solid, combining undeniable chops with interesting, creative ideas. His playing is spot-on when it comes to progressive metal/progressive death metal. He also happens to be a really nice guy!”— Rod Morgenstein, Dixie Dregs and Winger; Professor, Berklee College of Music



Interviews and transcriptions of Steve’s work have been featured on sickdrummer.com, Modern Drummer and DRUM! Magazines. He has also performed at the NAMM show in Anaheim, CA and has performed drumset clinics at Berklee College of Music.



After touring and accumulating over 7 years of experience as a private drum instructor, Steve relocated to Los Angeles, CA in 2012 where he continues to perform and record.



Explains Steve as instructor of Berklee College of Music:

"One of my favorite metal bands needed a drummer, I had an audition scheduled, and a tour brought them to Massachusetts with their original drummer finishing his last tour. So I sat down with him to ask about really specific drum parts that I had questions on. We were in a pizza shop and I was just playing licks on the table. I learned every song off of every album and then went up to Canada and did a three-day audition, got the gig, and next thing I know we're all over the world touring with huge metal bands like Dream Theater and Megadeth."



"I usually try to practice about six or seven hours a day. That's what I've been accustomed to, because for about eight or nine years I've been practicing next to two guys who were Berklee grads. They are the ones who showed me that it was essential to practice as much as possible. Playing metal for me is a little more physical than other styles. I find that a little speed workout really gets your body to loosen up, like going to the gym. I play for about a half hour, then I stretch out so my muscles feel relaxed. I tend to have an agenda written down before I practice, so that I know what I am trying to work on. That could be anything from sight-reading, chart-reading, styles, double bass, left hand, etc. That's what I was taught: be dedicated, organized, and a hard worker."



"My teaching style tends to blend tradition and innovation. Paramount in my method is development of the proper fundamentals—the building blocks—because we don't want to build that house without a solid foundation. It takes a lot of time and work, and I think a lot of kids can lose their interest when they're young, because it is hard, and they might not see the big picture. I try to get them to get through this tough time so they can see how cool it is."