RHAPSODY OF FIRE Founding Members Go Separate Ways

August 16, 2011

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, keyboardist Alex Staropoli and guitarist Luca Turilli of Italian symphonic metal masters RHAPSODY OF FIRE have decided to go their separate ways.

"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," Staropoli and Turilli said in a joint statement.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name with a band lineup that will also include Fabio Lione on vocals, Tom Hess on guitar and Alex Holzwarth on drums. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name),in which he will be joined by musicians Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers and Alex Holzwarth.

Commented Alex: "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!"

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "From Chaos To Eternity", was released in North America on July 12 via Nuclear Blast Records. Described by the band as "the natural evolution" from last year's "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", the CD marks RHAPSODY OF FIRE's final release based on the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the group's debut album, "Legendary Tales".

"From Chaos To Eternity" was released in Europe in a standard jewelcase edition of 24 pages, and in an exclusive limited edition of 48 pages, full of great and unique surprises, as well as two bonus tracks, for a total of 65 minutes of RHAPSODY OF FIRE's legendary music.

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