Guitarist Luca Turilli of Italian "cinematic" metallers LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY has issued the following update:

"Some days ago, my girlfriend Nadia received a phone call from Laurence, the wife of [LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY guitarist] Dominique [Leurquin]. I understood from Nadia's tears that something terrible just happened. A river of blood and then the dramatic run to the hospital with Dominique almost dying for all the blood he shed. Three hours of surgery and the risk to lose the left hand definitely. I could simply not believe it."

Dominique injured himself while working at home with a circular saw. After a complicated surgery and everyone fearing that it would be difficult for Dominique to play his beloved instrument ever again, the doctors had more optimistic words to describe the situation, recommending a long period of rehabilitation and predicting major problems related to the thumb only. Therefore, it appears that Dominique will once again be able to play the guitar, and possibly sooner than one might expect.

Since LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY was in the middle of preparations for its upcoming tour, an important decision was made: to not replace Dominique with another guitar player but to simply add his parts to the backing tracks at lower volume and mixed on the right side, as if he were up on stage performing with his bandmates.

Commented LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY bass player Patrice Guers: "Dominique, for us, is more than friend. He is a real brother and everybody knows how important was for him this first tour as official member of RHAPSODY. It is just not possible to replace him and we won't do it! When Luca communicated this to Dominique, he almost shed some tears for the happiness, so much he appreciated this decision."

Added drummer Alex Landenburg: "No matter if it will take six months or one year to have Dominique back with us on stage, what is sure is that we'll wait for him as he is a fundamental member of our band. Surely won't be the same to go on stage without him!"

Said singer Alessandro Conti: "Every show of this tour will be dedicated to our brother. I know Dominique since some months only but I can tell you that I already love him for his talent and for being a man of great value."

Due to the recent events, the release of LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY's new cinematic ballad "Fantasia Gotica" will be postponed until after the tour.

A video for the song "Clash Of The Titans" (Walking Dead Remix) will be be made available next week.

LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY's "Ascending To Infinity Cinematic Tour" will launch in early November with support from FREEDOM CALL, ORDEN OGAN and VEXILLUM.