NOCTURNAL RITES To Perform With Philharmonic Orchestra

February 12, 2005

NOCTURNAL RITES, one of the principal forces in Swedish power metal, have been granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform two shows alongside the renowned philharmonic orchestra at the opera house in their native Umeå, Sweden.

"I think these concerts will blow people away," stated the group's bassist, Nils Eriksson. "Not only will it be cool to hear our songs being played by an award-winning orchestra consisting of 50 people, our sorry asses will be up there on stage with them, playing the material we wrote ourselves. Imagine the total and utter power that will be unleashed when our two musical worlds collide."

The shows will be conducted by Hans Ek, who has previously directed the musical "Chess" at Cirkus in Stockholm, conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and worked in nearly every opera house in Sweden.

"This guy is a heavyweight champion and I am sure he will interpret our songs in ways we never even thought were possible," said Eriksson. "I can’t wait to hear this."

NOCTURNAL RITES will be the headlining act on a bill that will also include two other local bands, PERSUADER and 6TH AWAKENING, whose own material will be interpreted by the orchestra. In addition, the opera house's smaller venue will host a selection of other local metal bands, who will be performing the good old-fashioned way.

"As far as I know, this is the first time any opera house in Sweden, or maybe even the world, has opened its doors for a weekend completely devoted to this slice of modern culture we call metal," stated Nils.

"Culture isn't supposed to be static," he continued. "It's meant to bend, take on new forms and be questioned. I love this idea and I think it will give the metal audience a new perspective on classical music and vice versa."

The two-day event, aptly dubbed "Demons of the Opera", will take place on April 1 and April 2. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 14.

In other news, NOCTURNAL RITES have finished shooting their third video clip off last year's critically acclaimed "New World Messiah" and are currently working on material for its successor. Until this monster is let loose, check out "Lost in Time: The Early Years of Nocturnal Rites" — the band's 10-year celebration CD containing their first two albums, newly recorded songs, rare bonus tracks and video enhancements. The CD will be in stores on February 21.

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