SYMFONIA / ex-STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkii's rock opera, Saana - Warrior Of Light: Part 1, will be featured on Metal Express Radio's 30 minute Daily Album Premiere on Wednesday, February 16th, offering the fans a listen to some of the material. Tune in here at 6:00 and 18:00 CET (midnight and 12:00 noon EST) to check it out.

Italian metal label Scarlet Records will issue Saana - Warrior Of Light on February 22nd in North America

Saana - Warrior Of Light is the first rock opera composed by Tolkki. It took over a year to make, with the working hours totalling close to 3000. Mixing conventional rock instruments with choirs, classical percussionists and a string ensemble blended seamlessly with cinematic influences, Saana is a breathtaking experience of emotions and dynamics. Timo Tolkki calls it "A Classical Rock Opera".

Saana features US singer Jennifer Sowle for the title role as Saana, Aino Laos from England as Freya and Heikki Pöyhiä from Finland as Damian. Saana challenges its listener with a spectacular story of a woman who is about to end her life but is suddenly stopped by what seems to be a caring stranger, who takes her on a journey that will change her life forever. Not only will she discover her destiny and find out her purpose, but she will also discover the biggest secret mankind has ever known. The final battle between good and evil has started. Saana varies from quiet emotional moments of beauty to unseen heights of despair and hopelesness and in itself carries a message that burns like the brightest flame.

As previously reported, Edel Germany GmbH, in cooperation with Hamburg based international marketing office IAM - International Artist Marketing, has announced the signing of a worldwide distribution deal (excluding Asia) with Symfonia , for their debut album, In Paradisum.

Carrying the legacy of names such as Stratovarius, ANGRA, HELLOWEEN and SONATA ARCTICA, Symfonia is one of the most awaited metal bands to make their debut this year.

Recorded and mixed in Sweden, Finland and Italy, the album In Paradisum carries the legacy of this incredible group of musicians who have written some of the most successful and exciting pages of the last 15 years of heavy metal.

For all the fans who can't wait for the release of the album on April 1st, Symfonia will reveal their music via their player at this location, commencing February 25th with snippets of various songs from the forthcoming album being made available every Friday.

Symfonia will make its world premiere on February 18th, 2011 at the Finnish Metal Expo, an international metal meeting, where they will take the stage at 11 PM in the evening.

Timo Tolkki, guitar player, and producer of the album says: “I am extremely happy about the signing with Edel Germany and IAM 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.”

Check out the In Paradisum artwork below:

Tolkki and vocalist Andre Matos (ex-Angra) offer an update on the vocal recordings in the clip below: