10 years, NOCTURNAL RITES have been something of a trademark for Melodic Metal

Since the last album “New World Messiah” (“…simply wicked!” 9,5 out of 10 points, Rock Hard Germany) in 2004, the Swedish quintet, haven't found much time to sleep. Last year they joined Edguy for a 6-week tour all over Europe, in 2005 the 10th anniversary was celebrated with the re-release of the first two albums on the “Lost In Time” double CD and the “Demons At The Opera” live show where the band played with a 55-piece orchestra at the Umea opera house. The show was broadcasted on National Swedish TV and praised by worldwide media.

Now it´s time for the band to look forward again as the band finished the work on the seventh studio album “Grand Illusion”, recorded and mixed at Toontrack Studio in Umea. The resulting ten new songs sound much fresher than many younger bands. A lot of well known musicians appeared as guests on the great new output, namely Stefan Elmgren (HammerFall), Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Henrik Danhage (Evergrey), Kristoffer W. Olivius (Naglfar) and Swedish world champion of cross-country skiing (three times world cup gold), Per Elofsson. No joke…!

The finished album, in stores September 19th 2005, will contain a limited bonus DVD enclosing the 3 videos from “New World Messiah”, the brand-new “Fools Never Die” video, a “Making Of Grand Illusion” and extra footage from the “Demons Of The Opera” show.

In advance to the album release Nocturnal Rites will support Nightwish on three shows in Sweden:

08. September 05 (S) Stockholm Arenan
09. September 05 (S) Göteborg Lisebergshallen
11. September 05 (S) Umeĺ SkyArena
27.09.2005 Plzen / KD-Club Seríkova
28.09.2005
29.09.2005 Budapest / Petöti Hall
30.09.2005 Zlin / Golem
01.10.2005 Zvolen City / Sporthalle
02.10.2005
03.10.2005 Mailand / Rolling Stone
04.10.2005 Pratteln / Z7
05.10.2005 Lyon / Transbordeur
06.10.2005
07.10.2005 Bergara / Jam
08.10.2005 Madrid / La Riviera
09.10.2005 Porto / Club Hard
10.10.2005
11.10.2005 Barcelona Razzmatazz 1
12.10.2005 Zagaroza / venue tba.
13.10.2005
14.10.2005 Lichtenfels / Stadthalle
15.10.2005 Langen / Stadthalle
16.10.2005 Bonn / Brückenforum
17.10.2005 Paris / Elysee Mont Matre
18.10.2005
19.10.2005 Oberhausen / T-Club Turbinenhalle
20.10.2005 Hamburg / Markthalle
21.10.2005 Osnabrück / Hydepark
22.10.2005 Kaufbeuren / All-Karthalle

Tracklist “Grand Illusion”:
1. Fools Never Die (3:54)
2. Never Trust (4:43)
3. Still Alive (4:02)
4. Something Undefined (4:08)
5. Our Wasted Days ((5:17)
6. Cuts Like A Knife (5:10)
7. End Of Our Rope (5:26)
8. Never Ending (4:29)
9. One By One (4:23)
10. Deliverance (5:00)

“Additionally to the press release above, I can tell you that this album is a BLAST! I already could listen to most of the songs of “Grand illusion” and they are heavy and catchy! Make sure, you´ll have your copy!!!
Stay nocturnal!
www.nocturnalrites.com
Fanclub contact:
nocturnalrites@aol.com

Tanja,
the president of the NOCTURNAL RITES FANCLUB”