BW&BK; scribe Mark Gromen has checked in with the following update:

"The Finnish Metal Expo was the site of former STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki's resurrection, alongside vocalist Andres Matos (ex-ANGRA), the new SYMFONIA debuted material from their forthcoming album to an enthusiastic crowd. A return to the power metal format, the live setlist was as follows:

'Fields Of Avalon'

'Come By The Hills'

'I Did It My Way'

'Dreamspace'

'Rhapsody In Black'

'Stratosphere'

'Santiago'

'Pilgrim Raid'

'Forevermore'.

A complete, in-depth review of the FME weekend, along with photos, will be posted on BraveWords.com in a few days."

Edel Germany GmbH, in cooperation with Hamburg based international marketing office IAM - International Artist Marketing, recently 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.

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: