Philip Macurak, a.k.a. Monte Cristo, is a solo artist from Dallas, TX living in Coatesville, PA, with his wife and kids. Monte Cristo started recording alternative metal/metalcore music in 2021 in Philadelphia, PA, in the basement of Tenth Presbyterian Church. The name Monte Cristo is derived from the popular novel by Alexandre Dumas “The Count of Monte Cristo”.
Monte Cristo started playing the electric guitar in his church worship band for a few years and has played countless open mic nights in the local area near Coatesville. In 2026 Monte Cristo toured with The Extreme Tour through West Virginia, Maryland, and eastern Pennsylvania with other bands and artists like Manny En Fuego, Idiomz Da Prophesayer, Finacurk, Danyelle Speaks, Gunsmoke RYD, Undoing Fate, Ne’er Do Well, LGrimlokk, Matt DiVenti, and The Death of Saul. Monte Cristo has also recorded, mixed, and mastered himself five full-length albums, and has recorded with songs with other artists like ACLITTLE$MILEZ and Bungee Chord. Monte Cristo makes rock/metal music from a Christian perspective, with the ultimate goal being that whoever hears, it might come to know God through His Son Jesus (John 17:3).
