Dystopia by Alberto Rigoni - Michael Manring - Stuart Hamm
TO BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 27th 2026
For orders outside UE please go to https://albertorigoni-usa.bandcamp.com/album/dystopia
DYSTOPIA – ALBUM PRESENTATION
by Alberto Rigoni, Michael Manring & Stuart Hamm
with special guest Tim “Herb” Alexander
and David Menoudakis on drums
Release: Early 2026 (TBA) – Musea Records France / Melodic Revolution Records USA
Overview
Dystopia is an ambitious, bass-driven progressive album created by three of the world’s most influential and stylistically distinct bassists: Alberto Rigoni (Italy), Michael Manring (USA) and Stuart Hamm (USA). The project fuses progressive rock, metal, fusion, cinematic soundscapes, and experimental textures into a bold and innovative musical journey.
The album explores the tension between collapse and rebirth — a sonic representation of a fragmented world moving toward regeneration. With its layered compositions, dynamic interplay, and cross-genre influences, Dystopia pushes the expressive possibilities of the bass guitar to new heights.
Featuring Three World-Class Bassists
Alberto Rigoni (Italy)
Bassist, composer, and producer known for his solo career spanning 14 albums, collaborations with international artists (Jeff Scott Soto, Jordan Rudess, Marco Minnemann, Gavin Harrison etc.), and membership in bands like Burning Black, BAD AS, and the former Twinspirits. Rigoni brings powerful grooves, melodic sensibility, and a modern progressive approach.
Michael Manring (USA)
One of the most iconic and innovative solo bassists of all time. Known for his expressive techniques, hyper-melodic style, and groundbreaking solo albums on Windham Hill Records, Manring adds depth, emotion, and otherworldly textures to Dystopia.
Stuart Hamm (USA)
Legend of the electric bass, celebrated for his collaborations with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Frank Gambale, and for his pioneering solo career. Hamm’s unmistakable tone, virtuosic phrasing, and rhythmic power form one of the pillars of the album’s identity.
Special Drum Performances
Tim “Herb” Alexander (USA) – Special Guest Drummer
Legendary former drummer of Primus, known for his unique polyrhythmic vocabulary and instantly recognizable sound. Alexander also performed on Michael Manring’s acclaimed album Thonk (1994). His contribution adds intensity, groove, and an unmistakable rhythmic identity to Dystopia.
David Menoudakis (Greece) – Drums
A dynamic, progressive-oriented drummer whose tight performance, power, and precision give additional depth to the album’s composition.
Musical Direction & Concept
Dystopia blends:
– progressive rock & metal
– neoclassical elements
– cinematic atmospheres
– fusion & experimental textures
Key characteristics:
– Bass is the structural and expressive core of the album
– Intricate interplay between three very different bass voices
– Drums that elevate both the groove and the narrative
– Modern, high-impact production
– A conceptual thread that moves from collapse toward rebirth
Tracklist
| 1. | Genesis | 4:25 |
| 2. | Born from Ashes (feat. Tim "Herb" Alexander) | 5:45 |
Videos
Credits
Credits
Produced by Alberto Rigoni
Music composed by A.Rigoni, M. Manring, S. Hamm
Drums parts by T. Alexander (tracks 4, 6 & 9) and D. Menoudakis (tracks 1, 2 & 7)
All rights reserved Alberto Rigoni - SIAE (Italy) 2026 ©
Distributed by Melodic Revolution Records and Musea Records
Artwork and design by Mark Barrett at www.elmtreecreative.co.uk
For the recordings of this album Alberto used Aria Pro II SB-1000 4 string, Sterling by MusicMan DarkRay 5, Wal MKII 5 string and LTD 8 string basses, DR Lo-Rider Strings, Gallien & Krueger amplifiers, Darkglass Anagram Pedal, Gamechanger Audio pedals, Empirical Labs Distressor, Waves plugins, UAD audio interfaces, Logic Pro X.
Michael Manring used Zon bass guitars, MarkBass amplifiers, D’Addario strings, Bartolini pickups, Hipshot Extender keys and Ebow. Michael photo by Bethany Ekstrand.
Stuart Hamm used Mayones bass guitars, MarkBass amplifiers, GHS strings and EMG pickups. Stuart photo by ArtistWorks and BobMcClenahan.
Tim “Herb” Alexander used Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vater sticks and Aquarian drum heads.
David Menoudakis used Tama STAR Walnut drums, Zildjian cymbals, Woodies sticks Audix and Shure microphones.
License
All rights reserved.
Alberto Rigoni is a composer & bass player, who is rapidly gaining audience in the international music scene for inventive genre-crossing compositions that paint alluring soundscapes comprehensible to wide varieties of listeners. Famous musicians such as Gavin Harrison and Kevin Moore joined his solo project. Alberto is also co-producer of Vivaldi Metal Project and bassist for Kim Bingham