SYMFONIA is the new melodic metal project featuring former members of HELLOWEEN, STRATOVARIUS, ANGRA and SONATA ARCTICA. The band has inked a worldwide deal (excluding Asia) with Edel Germany GmbH for the release of the band’s debut album, “In Paradisum”. The release is due on April 1.

SYMFONIA is:

* Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE) – Guitar
* André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER) – Vocals
* Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, EVERGREY) – Bass
* Mikko Härkin (SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO) – Keyboards
* Uli Kusch (MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN) – Drums

Commented guitarist Timo Tolkki:

“I am extremely happy about the signing with Edel Germany and [marketing office] IAM[International Artist Marketing] and taking the next step in my career. I believe we have now gathered a team that enables SYMFONIA to bring its music to a wider range of audience around the globe.

“We have worked very hard for six months for this album and we think it is a positive and powerful and yet has a fresh and melodic approach. Last time I felt like this was when I signed the first international record deal with STRATOVARIUS back in 1991. A lot has happened ever since but the ship sails on to a new horizon with new and positive energy and we cannot wait to get ‘In Paradisum’ released and take it on the road.”

The received press release states:

“They are all legends among the melodic metal community. By sheer coincidence, they all found themselves living on the same continent, in Scandinavia. They decided to join forces and express their talents in the form of a new melodic metal project: SYMFONIA.

“Honoring the heritage of their previous bands STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA and SONATA ARCTICA, SYMFONIA continues their superb melodic metal tradition with an incredible musicianship that is a match made in heaven. This is a force that no serious melodic metal fan will be able to ignore.”

For more information, visit www.symfonia.fi.