Walter Cianciusi is a performer, session musician and Professor at Conservatory of Music in Sassari, Italy. He’s currently the rhythm guitar player for David Ellefson (founding member of Megadeth) and for the band Headless. He also played lead guitar for Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime from 2018 to 2023.
HEADLESS
Headless is the new outfit by renowned hard rock singer Göran Edman, former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist. The band plays a blend of classic and hair metal with a progressive injection.
Since the mid ’90’s Edman was mostly a studio session vocalist. Headless is his first attempt to give new life to his poetry. After releasing the Growing Apart album in 2013 – feat. Scott Rockenfield’s drumming – Headless toured Europe extensively, opening for the likes of Skid Row, Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, Candlemass & Don Airey.
A new album – Melt The Ice Away – has been released in 2016 featuring Jim Matheos from Fates Warning.
Then Headless embarked on another European tour opening for Angra, The Dead Daisies, Tygers of Pan Tang & Bonfire.
In 2018 American legendary vocalist Geoff Tate recruited some members of Headless to perform Queensrÿche classics in several European countries. In 2021 bassist Martin Helmantel (Elegy) joins the band. A new album entitled Square One has been released via the American label M-Theory Audio and a new show as opening act for Geoff Tate has been carried around Europe (March/April 2023).
The last single from Headless – Withered Flowers – features Jeff Young (ex Megadeth) on lead guitar.
GEOFF TATE’S Operation Mindcrime
Walter was also the guitarist of legendary metal vocalist Geoff Tate’s new band Operation Mindcrime (original singer of Queensrÿche) which allowed him to tour extensively Europe performing in front of huge festival crowds. He played both on the Operation Mindcrime and Empire anniversary tours.
DAVID ELLEFSON
In 2024 Cianciusi embarks in a new adventure touring with the legendary Grammy® Award-winning bassist David Ellefson. Gracing select European cities with a captivating evening of cherished classics, deep cuts, and insightful storytelling from his illustrious career, this journey will encompass his role as a co-founding member of MEGADETH, his ELLEFSON solo material, and more.
