Tolkki's "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1", THE DEFACED's "Anomaly" To See North American Release In February

Italian Metal label Scarlet Records has announced their first two releases in the North American […]

By Maria Voutiriadou

• December 16, 2010

Italian Metal label Scarlet Records has announced their first two releases in the North American Market. They are Timo Tolkki's "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1" and THE DEFACED's "Anomaly". Both releases are scheduled for release on February 22, 2011. This is the first time that both albums have been available in North America.

"Saana - Warrior Of Light" is the first rock opera composed by Tolkki (ex-STRATOVARIUS). It took over a year to make, with the working hours totalling close to 3000. Mixing conventional rock instruments with choirs, classical percussionists and a string ensemble blended seamlessly with cinematic influences, "Saana" is a breathtaking experience of emotions and dynamics. Timo Tolkki calls it "A Classical Rock Opera". "Saana" features US singer Jennifer Sowle for the title role as Saana, Aino Laos from England as Freya and Heikki Pöyhiä from Finland as Damian. "Saana" challenges its listener with a spectacular story of a woman who is about to end her life but is suddenly stopped by what seems to be a caring stranger ,who takes her on a journey that will change her life forever. Not only will she discover her destiny and find out her purpose, but she will also discover the biggest secret mankind has ever known. The final battle between good and evil has started. "Saana" varies from quiet emotional moments of beauty to unseen heights of despair and hopelesness and in itself carries a message that burns like the brightest flame.

Swedish Metal monsters THE DEFACED, whose line up included and still includes members of celebrated acts such as SOILWORK, DARKANE, TERROR 2000 and KAYSER, started their musical journey in 1999. The debut album, "Domination Commence", was released in September 2001 in Europe and Japan and in February 2002 in the US, rounding up tons of great reviews. Live gigs were hailed, both domestically and internationally, and the reputation of the band started growing very fast. May 2003 saw THE DEFACED releasing their second studio effort, "Karma In Black". Fat production, strong melodies, creativity, originality and skill: the result totally spoke for itself! A video was shot for the track "Once In Between". Since then some lineup changes have occurred but the new members added new blood to the second chapter of the band's career. New songs were finished at Ceasar Studio and Palace Of Noise Studio. The mixing, by Klas Ideberg and Swaney, took place at Not Quite Studio in Helsingborg. The new album, entitled "Anomaly", boasts a vast progression of the sound established by THE DEFACED on previous records.