Born in Italy but raised in Quebec, vocalist and guitarist Marco Calliari had been a member of Anonymus -- a Montreal-based metal band that formed in 1989 -- for 15 years prior to striking out as a solo artist. Though the band has been an outlet for his love of hard rock and metal, his parents instilled a love for both opera and Italian pop, and he had also studied classical singing while in high school. Calliari's first solo album, Che la Vita, reflected his upbringing and was released in 2004. Mia Dolce Vita, another break from the sound that identifies his band, followed two years later. ~ Andy Kellman