SYMFONIA drummer Uli Kusch has issued the following update:

"Unfortunately I have bad news for you. I am not able to play drums at the moment.

Over a month ago I started to feel pain in my left hand while rehearsing for the first show of Symfonia. At first I thought it was just temporary, normal pain that sometimes comes with intensive rehearsing. But it got worse very quickly.

I have been seeing two specialists and they have done all kinds of tests to locate what the problem is. They both agreed it is some kind of nerve damage and that I absolutely should not play drums at the moment.

I am very sorry about this, since I have been waiting to play this show in Helsinki very much. But I have to think about the future of Symfonia and the possibility of the permanent damage I would do to my hand if I would now play. In fact, the pain is so strong that I cannot even hold a drumstick in my left hand at the moment.

I hope you understand the situation and that I am doing everything I can to get better as soon as possible.

Regarding Finnish Metal Expo, I have told the guys to play the show nevertheless, with a substitute drummer, because many people are waiting to see Symfonia’s debut live.

All the best, Uli."

Says the band, "When we received the sudden news about the hand injury of our bandmate Uli Kusch, we felt very concerned about his situation. Given the wonderful results with our new album, In Paradisum, we have been impatiently waiting to play live. After talking with Uli, we all decided together to go on with our previous plans.

Therefore, as a temporary replacement for Uli, we have agreed to invite the renown german drummer Alex Landburg, who is prepared to take the stage at Finnish Metal Expo on Friday the 18th at 11 PM.

This is a moment of great concern about our drummer, and we are giving him all support and help, so that his treatment can bring him back on stage as soon as possible.

Timo, Andre, Jari and Mikko."

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.

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: