I didn't like it that much either.. I was hoping for something less Stratovarius-like (or at least something that took me back to the days when Stratovarius was great)...
Symfonia
- Thread starter Justin G
- Start date
I love it, but I understand those who think it's just Stratovarius. No one plagiarizes themselves more than Tolkki. But I think the talent of the band plus the quality of the songs is pretty outstanding.
mattbrood
PPUSA Facebook *****
the thing that surprises me most about liking this album is that I really dislike Stratovarius. I've tried to listen to them and never liked them, not sure if it was the vocals or what, but I find this album much more enjoyable
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mattbrood
PPUSA Facebook *****
This sucks. I was hoping Symfonia would be on next years roster. From Blabbermouth:
SYMFONIA — the new melodic metal project featuring Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE) on guitar, André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER) on vocals, Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, EVERGREY) on bass, Mikko Härkin (SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO) on keyboards, and Uli Kusch (MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN) on drums — has issued the following update:
"We would like to thank all of you who have supported us and our 'In Paradisum' in the last months. We have received a very good response both in sales and in reviews for the album.
"We are sorry for the lack of news but we have had a good reason for the silence.
We have been waiting for our friend Uli to get better with his hand [after suffering from nerve damage]. We knew we took a risk in waiting, but we considered it best for the band. This is why there has not been any shows so far apart from Helsinki Metal Meeting in February.
"A few weeks ago, we received more news from Uli's doctors and they were very bad. They said that it is not likely that he could play drums this year at all. After talking with Uli and in mutual understanding, we agreed to continue SYMFONIA without him. It is a painful decision for all of us, but after Uli told us it is best for us to go on without him and not to wait anymore due to uncertain future with his hand, we decided to do this. And the truth is, we simply cannot wait any longer.
"We will do some shows with Alex Landenburg [AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS] as a substitute drummer and then go straight to the studio to record a follow-up to 'In Paradisum' for March 2012 release. We already have a good idea how the album will be and we apologize to all those who have been waiting to see us live. Unfortunately, due to the impossible circumstances, it has not been possible, but we will correct this with the next album next year.
"We don't feel that it is the right move now to book more shows than these. We feel it is time for a new SYMFONIA album and then book the shows. We have a lot of time to do this now that the situation is clear with Uli.
"The shows are as follows [below]. Additional shows are still possible for Argentina, Chile, Colombia and some other Latin American countries. The agents are booking them at this very moment."
Jul. 06 - Helsinki, FIN @ Tavastia
Jul. 08 - FRA @ Sonisphere
Jul. 30 - Brasilia, BRA @ Porao do Rock
Jul. 31 - São Paulo, BRA @ Citibank Hall
Aug. 02 - Porto Alegre, BRA @ Bar Opiniao
Aug. 05 - Teresina, BRA @ [to be announced]
Aug. 06 - Sao Luis, BRA @ [to be announced]
Aug. 07 - Rio de Janeiro, BRA @ Fundição Progresso
"In Paradisum", the debut album from SYMFONIA, was released in April in Europe via Edel Germany GmbH and in North America through Armoury Records.
SYMFONIA made its live debut on February 18 at the Finnish Metal Expo (part of the Helsinki Metal Meeting) in Helsinki, Finland.
SYMFONIA — the new melodic metal project featuring Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE) on guitar, André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER) on vocals, Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, EVERGREY) on bass, Mikko Härkin (SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO) on keyboards, and Uli Kusch (MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN) on drums — has issued the following update:
"We would like to thank all of you who have supported us and our 'In Paradisum' in the last months. We have received a very good response both in sales and in reviews for the album.
"We are sorry for the lack of news but we have had a good reason for the silence.
We have been waiting for our friend Uli to get better with his hand [after suffering from nerve damage]. We knew we took a risk in waiting, but we considered it best for the band. This is why there has not been any shows so far apart from Helsinki Metal Meeting in February.
"A few weeks ago, we received more news from Uli's doctors and they were very bad. They said that it is not likely that he could play drums this year at all. After talking with Uli and in mutual understanding, we agreed to continue SYMFONIA without him. It is a painful decision for all of us, but after Uli told us it is best for us to go on without him and not to wait anymore due to uncertain future with his hand, we decided to do this. And the truth is, we simply cannot wait any longer.
"We will do some shows with Alex Landenburg [AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS] as a substitute drummer and then go straight to the studio to record a follow-up to 'In Paradisum' for March 2012 release. We already have a good idea how the album will be and we apologize to all those who have been waiting to see us live. Unfortunately, due to the impossible circumstances, it has not been possible, but we will correct this with the next album next year.
"We don't feel that it is the right move now to book more shows than these. We feel it is time for a new SYMFONIA album and then book the shows. We have a lot of time to do this now that the situation is clear with Uli.
"The shows are as follows [below]. Additional shows are still possible for Argentina, Chile, Colombia and some other Latin American countries. The agents are booking them at this very moment."
Jul. 06 - Helsinki, FIN @ Tavastia
Jul. 08 - FRA @ Sonisphere
Jul. 30 - Brasilia, BRA @ Porao do Rock
Jul. 31 - São Paulo, BRA @ Citibank Hall
Aug. 02 - Porto Alegre, BRA @ Bar Opiniao
Aug. 05 - Teresina, BRA @ [to be announced]
Aug. 06 - Sao Luis, BRA @ [to be announced]
Aug. 07 - Rio de Janeiro, BRA @ Fundição Progresso
"In Paradisum", the debut album from SYMFONIA, was released in April in Europe via Edel Germany GmbH and in North America through Armoury Records.
SYMFONIA made its live debut on February 18 at the Finnish Metal Expo (part of the Helsinki Metal Meeting) in Helsinki, Finland.
jem777az
Bozzman
Why would this preclude them from being on next years roster? This is assuming of course that they are one of the picks.
mattbrood
PPUSA Facebook *****
They just mentioned that they aren't booking any other shows right now, since Glenn has to book a year in advance, I figured it wouldn't happen now
Yes, but they also said that they'd have a new album out in March 2012, so a hypothetical ProgPower XII date would be a part of a different touring cycle.
mattbrood
PPUSA Facebook *****
Palabra de Dios
Heavy Metal Weatherman
So is this a good release? I'm interested in Diabolik's take. I've seen some mixed reviews about this album, honestly. Matos is golden on the early Angra. That's all I know by him, so he doesn't immediately sell me on a new album.
Sir Exar Kun
Member
Honestly, it sounds like solid middle-era Stratovarius (think "Destiny" / "Visions") with Andre instead of Timo K singing. Personally, while I thoroughly enjoy it for what it is, I really wanted to hear more diversity in the songwriting. I had hoped Andre might have more involvement in the process, but this material is 100% Tolkki through and through.
Palabra de Dios
Heavy Metal Weatherman
I can't say I'd want to see this live, honestly.
I would want to hear Matos do some classic Angra, but not sing a whole album's worth of new songs. If this was pitched as a ProgPower band, then I'd say they would have to do something to make it special. Tolkki playing a few old Angra tunes, Matos singing some classic Strato songs (maybe even some Strato songs they neglected to play during their PPUSA performance where they stuck to playing five ballads and a bunch of new songs), or Dio covers or something. I don't know. I just would likely not be head over heals at Symfonia by itself.
I would want to hear Matos do some classic Angra, but not sing a whole album's worth of new songs. If this was pitched as a ProgPower band, then I'd say they would have to do something to make it special. Tolkki playing a few old Angra tunes, Matos singing some classic Strato songs (maybe even some Strato songs they neglected to play during their PPUSA performance where they stuck to playing five ballads and a bunch of new songs), or Dio covers or something. I don't know. I just would likely not be head over heals at Symfonia by itself.
dcowboys311
Member
Agreed. Having Matos on a stage in front of me for 60+ minutes and not hearing ONE Angra song is just straight up blueballing.
nomisofsiman
Member
I like the album a lot actually. So far I would say it's my favorite power metal album of the year.
Cronopio
Glorious Imperator
I think they did some Angra songs at the Finnish Metal Expo, so I wouldn't be surprised if they throw in at least one or two classics on the next tour. I mean, there's no way they're gonna play the entire debut album back to back.
Really? It's solid enough, but to me it hardly compares to the new Pagan's Mind.
nomisofsiman
Member
Umm...more involvement? Read the booklet. It's co-written equally by both Tolkki and Matos.
nomisofsiman
Member
I haven't listened to the new Pagan's Mind. However, I don't really consider Pagan's Mind power metal, though from what I hear they do stray more from the prog stuff on this one.
Sir Exar Kun
Member
I understand that..... I am imagining that Andre was mostly lyrics, and the music was mostly Timo. While listening to it, there is not a single song that screams out "this is vintage Andre", whereas EVERY song sounds like a Strato song.
You should give it a go. It's amazing, and I say this as someone who is not a fanboy.
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