Italian symphonic metal band Rhapsody Of Fire have announce the name of a new band member who will join forces with Fabio Lione, Alex Staropoli, Tom Hess and Alex Holzwarth. German bass player Oliver Holzwarth (brother of Rhapsody Of Fire drummer Alex Holzwarth) has joined the band as an official and permanent member of Rhapsody Of Fire, and will be involved in both live performances and studio recordings.

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Posted today on the Rhapsody website:

After 15 years of friendship, hard work and big passion, fully invested in the creation of symphonic music and an epic saga that will remain in the history of heavy metal, Alex Staropoli and Luca Turilli decided to proceed to a friendly split. "10 albums released and the end of the saga represent, musically and lyrically, an important artistic goal finally reached, underlined by the success of our last release From Chaos To Eternity, for which we want to thank our wonderful fans once again. Now it came the time when new artistic stimulations need to be found, in respect of both parts' visions and perspectives and of our longtime friendship" say Luca and Alex. Due to the latest legal agreements actually in force, Alex Staropoli will go on with Rhapsody Of Fire having, between the others, Fabio Lione as singer, Tom Hess as guitar player and Alex Holzwarth as drummer. For the same agreements and the original name's common ownership, Luca Turilli will release his future works with a new Rhapsody band, including the faithful band members Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers and Alex Holzwarth.

Alex says: "While wishing the best to Luca and his new band, I want to tell you that Fabio and myself feel motivated and stronger than ever and that Rhapsody Of Fire are already planning a great worldwide tour. More information regarding the new bass player and the new second guitar player will follow. Stay tuned!"

The website http://www.rhapsodyoffire.com will remain the glorious Rhapsody Of Fire website at all effects and http://www.algalordchronicles.com the official fan club of Rhapsody Of Fire only. In the future, if you want to know more about the new band of Luca Turilli, please check his personal website at http://www.lucaturilli.com

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Renowned guitar virtuoso Tom Hess is now officially a new member of Rhapsody Of Fire.

Tom Hess is well-known worldwide for his unique guitar skills and for being the creator of the famous online guitar courses. He recorded most of the rhythmic parts of the new upcoming Rhapsody Of Fire album From Chaos To Eternity and also two guitar solos.

Comments Alex: "I saw Tom Hess playing on stage several times and always got impressed by his great stage presence and his way of playing. When I have heard the rhythmic and the solo guitars he recorded for Rhapsody Of Fire I was blown away, I could feel that strong presence in between every single note".

Luca adds: "I know Tom since many years. He is a great person, a good friend of mine and I am not surprised of the success he's having teaching his guitar techniques all around the world. I am really proud to have built a strong partnership with him and I will always thank him for the support he gave me when I decided to create my Neoclassical Revelation Guitar Course. Therefore I am really honored to present Tom to all the fans of Rhapsody Of Fire as I am sure he will be the one who, through his artistic talent and unique skills, will make the difference in this band for the years to come!"

And now a true gift from Rhapsody Of Fire to all their fans around the world. From the new album From Chaos To Eternity you can now download "Aeons Of Raging Darkness", the most brutal song composed by Luca and Alex, over at this location (zip).

Adds Luca: "Such song is dedicated to all the innocent people victims of the war, of the abuses, of those acts of violence that on a daily basis rape the soul of our wonderful planet."

More album details were previously reported over here.

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Rhapsody Of Fire are proud to announce to the world that the mix of From Chaos To Eternity is now at the end and that the new album will be released by Nuclear Blast on June 17th, 2011.

The band issued the following statement: "It is the end of an era. This historical release will end the Rhapsody's sagas once for all after 15 years of fantasy oriented lyrics and for the last time we'll hear Sir Christopher Lee narrating in one of our albums the last dramatic events of a legendary tale started in 1997 and told through 2 different sagas and 10 full length albums. We are surely very sad but we also know that for this same reason the upcoming release will remain in the history of the band for its artistic importance and unique epic!"

It is also arrived the moment to present the new album cover, realized once again by Felipe Machado Franco, and the new tracklist. Enjoy and wait for further exclusive news on April 15th 2011!

From Chaos To Eternity tracklist:

01. Ad Infinitum
02. From Chaos To Eternity
03. Tempesta Di Fuoco
04. Ghosts Of Forgotten Worlds
05. Anima Perduta
06. Aeons Of Raging Darkness
07. I Belong To The Stars
08. Tornado
09. Heroes Of The Waterfalls' Kingdom
I - Lo Spirito Della Foresta
II - Realm Of Sacred Waterfalls
III - Thanor's Awakening
IV - Northern Skies Enflamed
V - The Splendour Of Angels' Glory (A Final Revelation)

19670 for the news!]

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

As reported earlier this week, Kamelot's Pandemonium Over Europe 2011 is building, adding Evergrey, Amaranthe and Sons Of Seasons (on selected dates) to the already announced tour schedule, with more dates to come.

As part of the ongoing Kamelot campaign, the band has now announced 2 shows as part of what will be a full US tour:

Aug 30 - Grammercy Theater in New York City, NY - USA
Sept 2 - Club Soda in Montreal, Québec - Canada

Unfortunately, we have been informed that, due to continuing medical and personal issues, Roy Khan will not be able to finish the remaining touring in support of Kamelot's album, Poetry for the Poisoned...

However, we are pleased to announce that metal icon Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, Vision Divine, ex-Labyrinth) will be joining the tour and handling the lead vocal duties. There will also be guest vocal appearances throughout the tour by Simone Simons (Epica), Tommy Karevik (Seventh Wonder), and many more surprise guests throughout this very special and rare tour.

Fabio Lione is eager to get on the road, stating: "I am excited and pleased to be part of the next Kamelot tour. I always loved the sound of the band and I think this will be a great experience for me, the band and for all the fans of great music and Kamelot... see you soon on tour and let's rock!"

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Source:	kamelot.com
Band profile:	Kamelot

From Chaos To Eternity is the title of the new Rhapsody Of Fire full length album, that will be released in Spring 2011 through Nuclear Blast at a worldwide level.

Here's the official Italian-cheese press release:

The 10th studio album of the Italian power metal act will be a new musical masterpiece. Described by the band as the natural evolution of the monumental chartbreaker of 2010 The Frozen Tears Of Angels, the new album will represent an important goal in the history of Rhapsody Of Fire, as it will be the last one based in the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the debut album Legendary Tales.

As usual Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli will be the producers of the new work. But for the first time, part of such a production (vocals and guitar recordings) was and will be mostly based in Trieste, the Italian hometown of the two founders. The recordings of bass and drums already took place in Wolfsburg at "The Gate Studio" under the wise supervision of their longtime friend Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Angra and more).

Luca says: "We are really proud to reveal to the whole world that the production of our new full length album is at a very good point already. Lyrically it has a particular meaning for all of us, as with the 5th and final chapter of the "Dark Secret Saga" our band will close its fantasy cycle started 13 years ago. The dark secret will finally reveal itself and for the last time Sir Christopher Lee will give his unique and fundamental contribution to our work.

Musically expect something really special out of the ten album titles. A song like "Ghosts Of Forgotten Worlds" with its rageous and hypnotic guitar riff, will make you breath the dusty atmospheres of the southern ghostlands. "Aeons Of Raging Darkness" is pure melodic chaos translated into music, "Tornado" the greatest technical challenge for each single bandmember and "Tempesta Di Fuoco", the first speed track completely sung in Italian language. For my song "Fantasia Gotica" I wrote and finalized the cinematic orchestral arrangements inspired by the visionary genius of Tim Burton, while "The Splendour Of Angels's Glory (A Final Revelation)" is Alex's choral and majestic track for the perfect finale of the dark secret saga. Our bass player Patrice Guers and our drummer Alex Holzwarth did their best job so far in a Rhapsody Of Fire album. One more word is needed to underline the excellent performance of our singer: in this new release, Fabio Lione will present himself definitely as one of the best and most versatile singers, being able to pass with unique ability and talent from the most aggressive vocals, to clean angelic voices and powerful operatic parts. Once more you are going to be really surprised."

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Rhapsody Of Fire are proud to announce the first dates of their upcoming worldwide tour, in support of the new album The Frozen Tears Of Angels, released in April via Nuclear Blast Records. Here they are:

November 10th, 2010 - Beijing - China
November 12th, 2010 - Shanghai - China
November 13th, 2010 - Taipei - Taiwan
November 20th, 2010 - Mexico City - Mexico
November 29th, 2010 - Santiago - Chile

More dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody
Event:	Rhapsody Of Fire: The Frozen Tour Of Angels

Rhapsody Of Fire are going to release an epic monument called: The Cold Embrace Of Fear - A Dark Romantic Symphony.

Guitarist Luca Turilli comments: "For this special CD we composed a unique song of around 35 minutes divided in 7 "acts". Looking at the title you can easily imagine that such long and epic song will show the most cinematic and orchestral side of our band, all our passion for the world of cinema we love so much and that always represented our main influence while composing the Rhapsody's music.

Essentially it is a long huge song, sounding very symphonic, full of orchestral sections very soundtrack oriented, narrations and spoken parts. More than in other cases we tried to create a real movie atmosphere with very dynamic musical results, also thanks to the help of the English actors that gave voice to different charachters. You will just need to close your eyes and explore those new emotional dimensions we wrote the music for."

The lyrics of this monumental, epic symphony are based on the "dark secret saga" and represents a new chapter, directly connected with The Frozen Tears Of Angels.

Luca explains: "After the long journey to the icy frozen northlands at the borders of the known world, while facing concrete natural obstacles and the inner demons lying in the depths of their conscience, the five main charachters reach the ancient gothic fortress of Har-Kuun, a real monument of evil trapped between ice and snow, the mystic place where the Erian's book could be finally found. The Cold Embrace Of Fear tells about the entrance of those bravehearts in the ancestral world of Har-Kuun and the dramatic search for the holy book of the angels, only possible way to understand something more about the dark secret threatening the whole known world. Also in this case I liked to create particular "bridges" connecting the new chapter of the saga with our modern life on the basis of symbolism, ancient wisdom and spiritual evolution. To someone who knows something about modern psychology and the study of the different "self", the hidden geometries and gothic labyrinths of Har-Kuun will reveal themselves very clearly."

Once again Christopher Lee was chosen for the spoken parts as a main narrator. Says the band: "We couldn't imagine to release something like this without his fundamental partecipation. Sir Lee is one member of the Rhapsody Of Fire's family since a lot of time and we love him not only as an actor but also as man. Because of his great and majestic personality he has surely the aura of a king of the ancient times."

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

"Sea Of Fate", the new video from Italian metallers Rhapsody Of Fire, can be viewed at this location.

"Sea Of Fate" comes off the band's latest album, The Frozen Tears Of Angels, which was released on April 30, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.


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Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

The mighty Rhapsody Of Fire will be unleashing their 7th studio effort on 30 April worldwide. The opus is called The Frozen Tears Of Angels, and a first song, entitled "Sea Of Fate" is available for streaming here, or for free download here (e-mail required).

The Frozen Tears Of Angels cover artwork will unfold itself by clicking here.

No Rhapsody Of Fire news without a cheesy catchphrase full of epicness official band statement: "Be ready to discover the ancient secret trapped between the frozen lands of the known world!" Oy!

More exciting news will be announced on 21 March. Stay tuned.

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

Official press release

Italian metal "heroes" Rhapsody Of Fire return with a fantastic new album that will be released on March 5th, 2010 by their new label Nuclear Blast, which is known for acts like Nightwish, Edguy or Blind Guardian.

"We are finally proud to announce to the world that Rhapsody Of Fire are stronger than ever and finally ready for their glorious come-back! We just signed a worldwide-level agreement with the legendary label 'Nuclear Blast', at this time the greatest choice we could have ever done. Wonderful people, a great business vision and the best organization possible, for a relationship that can be anything else but successful for the years to come.

In the last months we worked very hard and now all we can say is that a great new album, a real masterpiece of power/speed/symphonic metal, is finally ready!

It's title is The Frozen Tears Of Angels, it is produced by Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli and it was mixed and mastered by our valorous friend Sascha Paeth at the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg (Avantasia, Epica and others).

This is not just a new album for us, but pure emotion carved in music.

Lyrically it's based on the 3rd chapter of "The Dark Secret Sage" and the long journey of five bravehearts to the frozen northern lands at the unexplored borders of the known world in order to find a way to stop the demonknight's prophecy. This album and its music will underline the feelings, hopes and fear of the main characters in this new epic adventure.

All the drama of this new part of the saga will be as always enchanted by the soundtrack oriented orchestral arrangements and the majesty of opera choirs, real trademark of Rhapsody of Fire's music, but surely this album will sound more powerful, speed and guitar oriented than in the recent past, in order to underline the dark and romantic rage of the lyrics too.

Every song will have its own character, as you will be able to fly with the angels of the crystal realms through the cold skies of the north on the notes of hit-songs like "Sea Of Fate" (song written for the first time together by Luca Turilli, Alex Staropoli and Fabio Lione), "Raging Starfire" or "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", and at the same time you will have a taste of the angels' holy rage listening to "Reign Of Terror", real gem of this new production.

The energy of more extreme metal applied to positive lyrics hymning to the victory of hope, truth and respect over the inner demons lying in the depths of our conscience for a unique contrast never heard before and that made us really excited while composing this song.

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

As posted by the band on their website in October already (but only brought to the attention just now):

"We would like to inform everybody that actually the Rhapsody Of Fire band activity relatively to album releases and touring has been suspended, independently from our will, for an unspecified period of time. We are sorry for that. Further news will be made available as soon as we will be in the conditions to release them. Thank you for understanding."

The last news from the band came in June when the announced Rhapsody Of Fire was in a "hard legal fight with MCM and his main representative Mr. Joey De Maio"... No further info was given by the band!

Magic Circle Music was founded by Manowar bassist Joey DeMaio in 2005 in order to give the band (Manowar) complete creative control of their operation. Furthermore it is stated on their website that "they (Manowar) saw many other bands fall to the perils of greed and commercialization in the music industry." and so through Magic Circle Music DeMaio felt he could help other developing artists avoid these "traps".

Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

The following update was posted on the official website of Rhapsody Of Fire a few days ago:

"First of all thank you for all the patience you had in these last times despite the lack of news regarding the band. We wanted to inform you that we are in the middle of a hard legal fight with MCM and his main representative Mr. Joey De Maio (Manowar). That's the reason why in the last months we had to keep all strictly confidential and could not release any official declaration that could obviously be used against us from the opposite side. And that's also the reason why we were constricted to stop completely our band's activity. Frankly we are not able to imagine if all this can end in a very close future but we want to assure you that we are ready to fight with all the strength of body and soul in order to protect yours and our beloved band. Yes, aside from these bad events we ask you to not lose your faith in us. As soon as this sad situation will be solved we'll be ready for a great and mighty come back. A new album, a real masterpiece of speed/epic metal, is already composed and ready to be recorded and after its release an immense worldwide tour will finally follow for yours and our extreme satisfaction."

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Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

The following message was posted on Rhapsody Of Fire's official website:

"Coinciding with the first Magic Circle Festival to be held this summer on July 7 at Bad Arolsen, Germany, Magic Circle Music will release a number of high profile albums and DVDs:

On July 6, 2007 Manowar will release their new double live album (yet untitled). This more than two hour long manifest of pure power will feature the entire set list of the recent "Demons, Dragons and Warriors Tour 2007" including tracks that have never been played live like 'The Oath' and 'Mountains' as well as immortal classics like 'Warriors Of The World United' and The Gods Made Heavy Metal and if that is not enough, many of the new songs from the new chart topper "Gods Of War".

On the same day Rhapsody Of Fire will release their first ever DVD, chronicling the 2005 tour and production for the albums "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands, II" and "Triumph Or Agony". Highlights of this double DVD are recordings from Rhapsody Of Fire's first tour through US and Canada as well as their outstanding performance at the Eartshaker Fest 2005".

Source:	rhapsodyoffire.com
Band profile:	Rhapsody

More dates for the re-scheduled European part of the Manowar/Rhapsody Of Fire/Holyhell 'Demons, Dragons And Warriors World Tour 2007' tour have been changed. Three Czech Republic dates have now been changed and one new Greek date has been added.

Here are all the dates confirmed so far, including the new changes and additions:

March 14 - Sportovní Hala Novesta, Zlín, Czech Republic
March 15 - CEZ Aréna, Pardubice, Czech Republic
March 16 - Hala Lokomotiva, Plzen, Czech Republic
March 22 - Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
March 23 - Olympiahalle, München, Germany
March 24 - Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
March 27 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
March 28 - Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
March 30 - Arena, Nürnberg, Germany
March 31 - Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
April 04 - Peace And Friendship Stadium, Athens, Greece

Source:	manowar.com
Band profile:	Manowar
Event:	Demons, Dragons and Warriors Tour 2007