X HERO began life billed as AXE HERO, being founded in 1981 by the Galliazzo brothers going by stage pseudonyms of singer Mirko DeFox and drummer David Johansen,the bass player Fabio “Pico” Piccotin and the guitar player Dave “Moby” Laperni.
The opening demos, ‘Brainstorm’ was recorded in 1983 and ‘It’s a Rock’ was pubblish in 1984 with a new second guitar Martin Martin. The band, pulling in CAPTAIN KILL and XIPE guitarist Piero Albanese and bassist Cesco Laperni entered Space Station studios to record the ‘Come Back’ demos. Line up changes then saw the introduction of guitarist Alex Stornello and bassist Paul Blondie Gidoni. A privately pressed AXE HERO album, ‘Brainstorm’, saw issue in 1986(this item is a biggest gem in vinyl for the collectors all around the world) without band’s authorization.
The group then evolved into X HERO. Following issue of the 1988 self titled debut album through Fly By Night Records(for collectors very rare in vinyl and cd version), which saw distribution across South America,many great reviews followed on metal magazine everywhere an some big occasion were offered to the band with X-HERO opening for SAXON on his italian tour.
X HERO’s format changed once again, new blood being ex-ZORA bass player Eros “The Alien” Mazzon and guitarist Luca Tosato. Work began on a second album at Lunatic Studios in Rome but never completed,meanwhile playing some successful italian live gigs(VeronaRock Fest,in Milan,in Venice…)
X HERO ceased activities in 1991, spawning three acts BLONDIEFOX, FRENETICA and MANITOBA. In later years X HERO tracks appeared on various compilation albums including Underground Symphony’s 1994 collection ‘Sign Of Sacred Cross’ and the 1995 ‘Area Sismica vol 1″ on A.M.Songs & Music with the song ‘Rise Of The Curtain’.
X HERO reunited in May 2003, the membership comprising Mirko DeFox, David Johansen, Eros The Alien on bass and Roberto Benna on guitar. The band participated in the July, Domegliara ‘1980’s Italian Metal Legions Attack’ festival alongside a nostalgic billing of DARK QUARTERER, SPITFIRE, GUNFIRE, DARK AGES and EXILE. Newly installed on bass guitar would be Villy Gardellin.
In 2005 Mirko DeFox was written and recorded together with long-time collaborators and friends like Paride”Paris”Bertoldo (great guitarist and producer) in this time did also contribute to the songwriting with new X-Hero’s songs,another threat for the melodic rock fans and a real must for all lovers of the sound of Toto, Queensryche, Van Halen and hard rock de luxe fan.
In 2010, X-Hero released a 7-inch vinyl and a CD, the product called "Damnation's Underground" and contains 4 songs recorded in the 90's. The vinyl is dedicated to Ronnie James Dio. After the 10th, the X-Hero come back with historical line-up with Paul Blondie on bass and David Johansen Galliazzo on drums, Mirko Defox on vocals and Herman Tonini on lead guitar.
The band is recording the new album!
In this last period, Mirko DeFox together with Herman Tonini remixed some songs that were to be released in 2007 that were launched on the digital market as EP's in November and December 2017.