Epidemia

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Эпидемия
Origin	Russia
Genre(s)	Power metal
Years active	1993 - present
Label(s)	CD-Maximum
Associated acts	Mechanical Poet Arda Aria Catharsis
Members
Yuri 'Juron' Melisov Maxim Samosvat Ilya 'Lars' Mamontov Ivan Izotov Dmitry Krivenkov Dmitry Ivanov
Former members
Pavel Okunev Ilya Knyazev Roman Valeriev Andrey Laptev Pavel Bushuev Evgeny Laikov Roman Zakharov

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.

[edit] 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.^[1] 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.

[edit] Discography

Original title	Transliterated title	Meaning	Year of release
Феникс (demo)	Feniks (demo)	Phoenix (demo)	1994
Воля к жизни (EP)	Volya k zhizni (EP)	Will to Live (EP)	1998
На краю времени	Na krayu vremeni	At the Edge of Time	1999
Загадка Волшебной страны	Zagadka Volshebnoy strany	The Riddle of the Faerie Land	2001
Эльфийская рукопись	El'fiyskaya rukopis'	Elven Manuscript	2004
Жизнь в сумерках	Zhizn' v sumerkah	Living in Twilight	2005
Эльфийская Рукопись 2: Сказание на все времена	El'fiyskaya rukopis' 2: Skazanie na vse vremena	Elven Manuscript 2: Saga For All Times	2007