Earlier today (Sunday, November 23),ANGRA released the following statement via social media (translated from Portuguese): “It is with deep gratitude and admiration that ANGRA officially announces the departure of vocalist Fabio Lione.

“Fabio is an extraordinary singer and an unusual human being, who marked our history with his delivery, his artistic sensitivity and a voice capable of moving and impressing audiences around the world.

“Over 13 years, Fabio devoted a huge part of his life to ANGRA, often away from his home in Italy, his family and his routine. This constant effort, always carried out with professionalism, passion and generosity, is something for which we will have eternal admiration. There were countless trips, exhausting tours, hours and hours in the studios and moments that will remain forever in the memory of the band and fans.

“Over time Fabio ended up becoming a bit Brazilian too. Embedded our culture, our language, our humor and our way of seeing life. He became part of our musical family and gained a special place in the hearts of the fans who always welcomed him with immense affection. He is very dear to us all and his presence made a profound mark on all who had the chance to work with or interact with him. [His] legacy within ANGRA will be remembered forever through the music we made together and our time sharing the road and life.

“We wish him all the success and happiness in the next chapters of his journey. We are sincerely grateful for each year of dedication and the memories we made together. Our admiration remains intact and the doors will always be open to him.

“Fabio will bid farewell to ANGRA at the Bangers Open Air show [in April 2026].

“Thank you, Fabio!”

ANGRA are set to bring back their classic “Rebirth” era lineup for a special reunion at the 2026 Bangers Open Air festival, taking place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo. Alongside a full set from the band’s current incarnation — with Fabio Lione still on vocals — fans will finally get to see the iconic team behind Rebirth (2001) and Temple Of Shadows (2004) together again, featuring the return of guitarist Kiko Loureiro, singer Edu Falaschi, and drummer Aquiles Priester.

live photos of Angra and Fabio Lione by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Το άρθρο ANGRA: FABIO LIONE OUT OF THE BAND εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

[Fabio Lione photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)]

When one hears the name Fabio Lione, it’s impossible not to feel the echoes of grand symphonies, blazing guitar harmonies and epic fantasy narratives soaring through the sky. The Italian vocalist, born Fabio Tordiglione on October 9, 1973, in Pisa, Italy, stands out as one of the most expressive, versatile and charismatic singers in the world of rock and metal.

Fabio’s musical journey began in the early 1990s, and it wasn’t long before fate guided him to what would become his most legendary role; as the frontman of the symphonic power metal pioneers Rhapsody (later Rhapsody of Fire). From the debut “Legendary Tales” in 1997 (starting the famed Emerald Sword Saga) to their intricate, orchestral masterpieces, Fabio’s soaring voice became the signature element of the band’s outsize ambitions. He also held leading roles in other cornerstone bands of the genre, including Labyrinth, Vision Divine and later Angra, where his presence helped bridge intricate musicianship with melodic flair.

• Fabio Lione started his career in 1990 at the age of 17, when he began to sing with a small rock and roll underground group who played classics of ‘50s and ‘60s.
• Influenced by Queensrÿche, Fates Warning and Crimson Glory, he decided to form his own heavy metal band.
• One of the first bands of Lione was the progressive metallers Athena. He left the band in 1994, after recording a demo and playing some live shows. Athena called Lione again in 1997 and they started working on their second album “A New Religion?” (1998).
• With Labyrinth, Lione released a demo (“Midnight Resistance”, 1994), one EP (“Piece of Time”, 1995) and one album, the debut “No Limits” (1996).
• Rhapsody first began negotiations with Lione at Gate Pathway Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany after hearing him in the “Piece of Time” EP. He was the singer of Rhapsody (of Fire) for 21 years, with which he released monumental symphonic power metal albums (“Legendary Tales”, “Symphony of Enchanted Lands”, “Dawn of Victory” and others).
• In 1998, Lione and Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorsen decided to create what was originally supposed to be only a side-project: Vision Divine. Lione found himself in two groups: Rhapsody and Vision Divine, and this situation continued, with successes in both groups, until 2003, when it was announced that Lione had to leave the band, due to his other commitments. In 2008, Lione took part in some shows with Vision Divine to celebrate the ten years of the band, and in May, they announced that Fabio had rejoined the band.
• In 2016, Rhapsody of Fire released “Into the Legend”, and after a short tour, Lione announced on 28 September that he was parting ways with the band.
• In December 2018, Lione and Luca Turilli announced that they had formed a new band: Turilli/Lione Rhapsody. They were joined by former members Alex Holzwarth, Patrice Guers and Dominique Leurqin. They released their only studio album “Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution)” (2019).
• Fabio Lione officially joined Angra as their lead vocalist in early 2013, though he first performed with them in late 2012 on the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise following the departure of Edu Falaschi. Following the successful cruise, Angra decided to do a special tour to celebrate 20 years of their first album, “Angels Cry”, with Lione as their vocalist.
• Lione has released three albums with Angra, until now – the latest is “Cycles of Pain” (2023).

Fabio’s artistry lies in his ability to fuse operatic drama with metal ferocity. His Italian roots shine through—whether delivering soaring arias or in his expressive use of Italian on tracks like “Il Canto del Vento”, which he penned as his first complete song for Rhapsody.

The fantasy/epic world of Rhapsody connected with fans globally—creative world-building, orchestral arrangements, and his voice made power metal feel like a living saga. Songs like “Land of Immortals”, “Emerald Sword”, “Dawn of Victory”, “Wisdom of the Kings” and “Holy Thunderforce” became anthems, especially in emotive live performances.

Fabio’s enduring influence is rooted in consistency and cross-genre versatility – he sustained power metal’s core, while having the ability to transition between projects and become a bridge between genres.

Fabio Lione is, without exaggeration, a pillar of symphonic and power-metal. From his early days in Rhapsody to branching out with side projects and surprising genre bends, he’s remained a figure of authenticity and vision. His career proves that true heavy metal artistry never stands still—it evolves, it transcends, it elevates.

Το άρθρο GOLDEN R. FESTIVAL 2025: FABIO LIONE’S DAWN OF VICTORY εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Το άρθρο ATHENA XIX – “I WISH” (feat. Roy Khan) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

2024 is set to be a historic year, especially for Italian cult progressive metallers ATHENA XIX: formerly known as ATHENA, they are re-united with front-man and founding member Fabio Lione, who is also the vocalist of their labelmates ANGRA among others. Lione’s return marks a new era for the band as they’re preparing the release of their much-anticipated fourth studio album which is due out later this year through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). While fans have been waiting impatiently for further details to be shared, ATHENA XIX finally present a first musical sign of life, titled ‘The Conscience Of Everything,’ today.

The band state, “This song deals with humanity in all its iterations, leading listeners through a world filled with complex melodies and deep instropection. This opus is much more of an experience than a mere song and also only the beginning of our common journey. Abandon yourselves!”.

About ATHENA XIX

Originating in 1991, ATHENA released their most successful album to date, “A New Religion?,” in 1998 – still recognised and appropriately rewarded as the best prog metal album of an Italian band ever. The original band members finally re-united in 2019 — after several line-up changes and a hiatus — writing new songs which will be released later this year via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).

ATHENA XIX are:
Fabio Lione | vocals
Simone Pellegrini | guitars
Gabriele Guidi | keyboards
Alessio Sabella | bass
Matteo Amoroso | drums

Το άρθρο ATHENA XIX: RELEASE DIGITAL COMEBACK SINGLE εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Formed in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1991, Angra emerged during a period when South America was experiencing a burgeoning metal scene. The band’s lineup initially comprised André Matos (vocals), Rafael Bittencourt and André Linhares (guitars), Luís Mariutti (bass), and Marco Antunes (drums). Inspired by classical music, power metal and Brazilian rhythms, Angra sought to weave these diverse elements into their sound, creating a style that was both technically dazzling and emotionally resonant.

Angra’s debut album, “Angels Cry”, released in 1993, immediately established them as a force to be reckoned with in the metal world. Combining blistering guitar work, symphonic arrangements and Matos’ soaring vocals, the album showcased the band’s penchant for crafting epic anthems. Tracks like “Carry On” and the title track “Angels Cry” became instant classics, earning Angra widespread acclaim and a devoted global following.

Following the success of “Angels Cry”, Angra continued to push boundaries with their sophomore effort, “Holy Land” (1996). This ambitious concept album, a true power metal masterpiece, delved into Brazil’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating indigenous rhythms and folklore into its sonic tapestry. Tracks such as “Nothing to Say” and “Carolina IV” exemplified Angra’s ability to seamlessly blend metal with Brazilian musical traditions, further solidifying their reputation as innovators in the genre.

Following their third album, “Fireworks,” produced by Chris Tsangarides, Angra faced a pivotal moment in their history. The departure of their unique frontman, vocalist Andre Matos, along with bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo Confessori during the mid-2000s marked a significant transition for the band. However, rather than succumb to adversity, Angra demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.

In March 2001, the remaining members, guitarist Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt, revealed a new lineup, featuring Symbols’ vocalist Edu Falaschi, drummer Aquiles Priester, and bassist Felipe Andreoli. This reformation signaled a new chapter for Angra, one characterized by evolution and growth while remaining faithful to their artistic vision.

Albums such as “Rebirth” (2001) and “Temple of Shadows” (2004) stand as examples of Angra’s continued development as both songwriters and performers. These releases garnered critical acclaim, reaffirming the band’s status as stalwarts of the metal genre. Despite the challenges they faced, Angra’s unwavering dedication to their craft propelled them forward, solidifying their position as one of the foremost acts in the global metal scene.

Edu Falaschi made headlines in May 2012, when he released an open letter announcing his departure from Angra. In the letter, Falaschi stated his intention to shift his focus towards future projects, notably his involvement with Almah. Although he did not provide specific reasons for his departure, it marked a significant change for the band.

Following Falaschi’s departure, there were discussions within the band’s management about the possibility of Andre Matos returning to the fold. However, despite these overtures, Matos ultimately declined the opportunity to rejoin Angra.

Instead, the band enlisted Fabio Lione, formerly of Labyrinth and Rhapsody of Fire, as their third vocalist. This decision ushered in a new era for Angra, with Lione bringing his own unique vocal stylings to the band’s dynamic sound.

In November 2014, Angra unveiled their eighth studio album, “Secret Garden”, which was followed by “Ømni” in February 2018.

Tragically, the metal community was shaken by the news of former vocalist Andre Matos’s passing on June 8, 2019, attributed to a heart attack. Matos’s legacy loomed large over Angra’s history, his contributions to the band’s sound and impact on the genre indelible.

Angra forged ahead, announcing their latest, tenth album, “Cycles of Pain”, under the label Atomic Fire.

Angra’s current line-up comprises Rafael Bittencourt (guitars, keyboards, piano, backing vocals), Felipe Andreoli (bass, keyboards, piano, backing vocals), Fabio Lione (lead vocals), Bruno Valverde (drums), Marcelo Barbosa (guitars).

Angra’s influence extends far beyond their discography, shaping the landscape of progressive and power metal for decades to come. They have inspired countless bands and musicians around the world. Moreover, Angra’s ability to infuse their music with Brazilian elements has helped elevate the profile of South American metal on the global stage, paving the way for future generations of artists. With each album and performance, Angra continues to satisfy audiences with their passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication to their craft. As their future endeavors are eagerly anticipated, Greek fans are ready to enjoy Angra and its music on their upcoming live show in Greece.

Το άρθρο EXPLORING ANGRA εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.