Bolognese guitarist Paolo Nocchi to replace long-serving Luigi JJ Frati
Founding bassist Angelo Franchini to perform last gig on 1 May 2022
Crying Steel to co-headline Adria Rock Festival in Italy
After almost a decade in the Italian heavy metal band Crying Steel, guitarist Luigi JJ Frati has decided to leave the act for professional reasons as he will no longer be able to keep up with his commitment to the band.
To replace Luigi, Crying Steel welcomes a seasoned Bolognese musician Paolo Nocchi. Paolo is no stranger to the scene having performed with Last Embrace until 2010 and Relic in the years 2005-2013. In 2010 Paolo formed his own band called Glory And Broken Bones where he performs both guitar and lead singer duties.
The band has also announced that founding Crying Steel bassist, Angelo Franchini, has also decided to hang up his instrument. His last concert will be on 1 May 2022 in Adria, Italy at Adria Rock Festival where Crying Steel will be co-headling along with Pino Scotto and a handful of Italian bands. Further details on Angelo’s replacement will be announced soon.
The band commented: “We wish JJ all the luck that he deserves in the professional field and in life, and to Angelo all the best and a big thank you for all of that which in 40 years he has given to the band. We will miss these two travel “brothers” very much, but we will also continue to honour them. You will forever be a part of the Crying Steel family. Stay Steel!”
Crying Steel formed in 1982 and is considered to be one of the very first heavy metal acts to come out of Italy. The band’s discography includes: Crying Steel (1985), On the Prowl (1987), The Steel is Back! (2007), Time Stands Steel (2013), Stay Steel (2018) and Steel Alive (2019).
Crying Steel online