Epidemia

:"For the genus of gossamer-winged butterflies, see "Epidemia (butterfly). Infobox musical artist
Name = Эпидемия


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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Russia
Genre = Power metal
Years_active = 1993 - present
Label = CD-Maximum
Associated_acts = Mechanical Poet
Arda
Aria
Catharsis
URL =
Current_members = Yuri 'Juron' Melisov
Maxim Samosvat
Ilya 'Lars' Mamontov
Ivan Izotov
Dmitry Krivenkov
Dmitry Ivanov
Past_members = Pavel Okunev
Ilya Knyazev
Roman Valeriev
Andrey Laptev
Pavel Bushuev
Evgeny Laikov
Roman Zakharov
Notable_instruments =

Epidemia (Russian: Эпидемия, sometimes referred to as 'Epi' by fans) is a Russian Power metal musical band, famous for doing the Elven Manuscript metal opera in 2004. It was formed in 1993, whilst first songs were made back in 1991. Music of Epidemia resembles that of Blind Guardian and Rhapsody of Fire. The band was nominated on MTV Europe Music Award in 2002.

History

The band was formed by guitarist Yuri Melisov, nicknamed Juron. In 1994 still nameless collective recorded the demo album "Phoenix", with Melisov as both guitarist and vocalist. Yuri invited the name Epidemia (Russian for epidemic) in 1995. Vocalist Pavel okunev and guitarist-songwriter Roman Zakharov joined Epi to record the debut album "Volya k Zhizni" (Will to Live). The debut release was lo-fi EP and consisted of only five tracks, but its follow-up, "Na Krayu Vremeni" (At the Edge of Time) was the band's first full-length CD. It was recorded by the 'classical' line-up of Yuri Melisov (guitar), Roman Zakharov (guitar), Pavel Okunev (vocals), Ilya Mamontov (bass) and Andrey Laptev (drums)

In 2000 Maxim Samosvat, also a member of Mechanical Poet, replaced Okunev on vocals. First Epi's release with the new vocalist was "Zagadka Volshebnoy Strani" (Riddle of the Wonderland), more melodic and less speed metal-influenced. Video was shot for the ballad "Ya Molilsa na Tebya" (I was Praising You) and aired on MTV Russia. Epidemia was nominated for MTV Europe Music Awards 2002. New line-up changes came, after Roman Zakharov, the second band's composer, departed, and Andrey Laptev started his solo career as vocalist.

With new line-up, Juron decided to complete his long-planned idea: a conceptual metal opera. Originally he planned to musicalize the Dragonlance series, but Epidemia was unable to get rights. The storyline of his opera, though, was in similar vein. In 2004 the conceptual album "Elfiyskaya Rukopis" (Elven Manuscript), participated by vocalists from Aria, Arida Vortex, Chorny Obelisk and Master, was released. Epidemia's presentation of "EM" together with Aria on February 13 2004 at "Friday 13" festival was visited by six thousands of people. [ [http://www.totalmetal.ru/tales/176.htm TotalMetal.net. Lemmy - "Elven Happyness", a review on Elven Manuscript] ] Popularity of the band had rapidly grown, and track "Proydi Svoy Put" (Walk Your Way Through) from the opera held the top position of Nashe Radio weekly chart for one mouth.

A year later, Epidemia released "Livin' in Twilight" album, consisting of re-recorded songs from "Manuscript" preceders. The album was recorded with Ilya 'Lars' Mamontov playing second guitar instead Bushuyev. In the fall of 2006 the double DVD collection came out.

Discography

External links

* [http://www.epidemia.ru/ Official site] (in both Russian and English)
* [http://myspace.com/epidemiaru Epidemia MySpace]
* [http://www.juron.newmail.ru/disco.htm Yuri Melisov's website]