Artist: REBELLION
Album: SAGAS OF ICELAND - THE HYSTORY OF VIKINGS PART I LTD. EDIT. (3D O-CARD)

Release date: 2005
Media type: CD

The German Power Metal-gods Rebellion from Frankfurt made their first and heavy impact on the music scene in 2002 with their debut album, “Shakespeare’s Macbeth - A Tragedy In Steel”, a fascinating transposition of the famous play by the English author William Shakespeare. A very ambitious goal indeed but having the two former Grave Digger musicians Uwe Lulis (guitar) and Tomi Goettlich (bass) on the stirring wheel – the duo responsible for the most successful Grave Digger release “Tunes Of War” -, Rebellion proves everything a true Metal-fan needs – huge melodies, rough guitars and a first-class lyrical concept. The duo is supported by former Warhead guitarist Bjoern Eilen, vocalist Michael Seifert and drummer Gerd Luecking - all of them are masters of their genre.

To go into the story of how Rebellion came together would basically require a focus on Lulis’ departure from Grave Digger, but being formerly producer and main songwriter with Grave Digger, Uwe is not looking back at the split in anger but has been using this new constellation to develop as an artist and as a producer - and Rebellion are definitely the perfect platform for this process.

2003 brought Rebellion’s second recording ”Born A Rebel” to life. The eleven new tracks were perfectly described as “tough-as-nails Metal that shoots straight from the hip” by Uwe Lulis and came again equipped with a haunting sound. The big difference to the debut was the abandoning of any concept ideas just to get back to the core of pure Heavy Metal.

After several tours with Running Wild and U.D.O. as well as some great festival-shows all over Europe the band decided to work on their third album. Having just done a sheer perfect “True Metal-album”, Tomi Goettlich caught interest in the glorious Viking Saga and digged deep in history books – here’s a short explanation:

Until today the Vikings symbolise romantic heroism based upon freedom, vastness and roughness. With “Sagas Of Iceland” Rebellion digs out the historical facts behind the romantic facade of Viking-history, based upon the sources of the world-famous “Heimskringla”. This saga-collection from Iceland delivers all a Metal-concept-album needs: Heroes and their deeds! That all these things have really happened is another bonus that embodies even more fascination.

“Sagas Of Iceland” (Part 1 of the “Viking-trilogy) deals with Ragnar Lodenhose (“Sons Of The Dragonslayer“), the Norwegian king Harald Harfager (who created the first united Norwegian kingdom), Eric the Red, and both Danish kings Sven Gabelbart (“Ruling The Waves”) and Knut the Great – both ruled England besides Denmark as well.

“Part 2” (estimated release in 2006) will deal with the Swedish and Russian Vikings and their glorious deeds. “Part 3” (estimated release in 2007) will be based upon the “Edda“-story-collection where we will get more information about the mythology and the gods of the Vikings.

It’s obvious that this trilogy will not only be big. It will be Rebellion’s masterpiece and a real “must have” for every fan of true, hand-made Power Metal made in Germany.

TRACKLIST:

01. In Memorandum Lindisfarnae
02. Ynglinga Saga
03. The Sons Of The Dragon Slayer
04. Ragnhild?s Dream
05. Harald Harfager
06. Eric The Red
07. Freedom
08. Treason
09. Sword In The Storm
10. Blood Rains
11. Ruling The Waves
12. Canute The Great
13. Harald Hadrade

LINE-UP:

Michael Seifert vocals
Uwe Lulis guitar
Bjorn Eilen guitar
Tomi Gottlich bass
Gerd Lucking drums