Fans of thrash metal may be familiar with guitarist Russ Stefanovich. His involvement with Blizzard should come as no surprise to you. Russ’ primary influence is Randy Rhoads.

“I got to see SRV doing Voodoo Chile/Third Stone from the Sun at the Paramount theater in what would be his final Seattle performance. Stevie wasn’t reciting the material or playing a cover. Jimi was clearly in the room. When the crowd brings the magic, my goal is to share a similar visit with Randy or HIS magic.”

Russ’s guitar style is characterized by powerful riffs and neoclassical shredding, earning him the nickname “Russ-wie” during his time with Bitter End. His contributions have been significant in shaping the sound of the bands he’s been part of, bringing a high level of technical skill and energy to their performances.