ReleaseWire

Virtuoso Guitarist Tom Hess Joins Rhapsody of Fire

Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 2:17 PM CDT

Chicago, IL -- (SBWire) -- 04/26/2011 -- After already selling more than 1.5 million records worldwide, the Italian epic metal band Rhapsody of Fire (upcoming release "From Chaos To Eternity", June 17, 2011) recruits the world's most successful online guitar teacher and virtuoso guitarist Tom Hess to join the band.

Although joining Rhapsody of Fire is a significant music career move for Hess, he is no stranger to success in the industry. Hess played guitar in the internationally renowned melodic metal band HolyHell from 2004-2007 touring both North America and Europe twice as the opening act for Rhapsody of Fire and Manowar.

"Touring with Rhapsody of Fire was a great experience. Obviously I'm very excited to play guitar in a band that has been among my favorites since I first heard them in 1998," said Hess.

In addition to his career as a recording artist and touring musician, Hess is involved in other areas of the music industry. In virtually any way you measure it, Hess is the leading online guitar teacher on the internet, but does much more than helping guitar players from all over the world improve their guitar playing. His company, Tom Hess Music Corporation also helps music teachers build highly successful music teaching businesses and has a separate mentoring program for musicians to develop, sustain and expand a successful music career.

Rhapsody of Fire put Hess to work in the recording studio immediately after he joined the band. "Luca asked me to join the band and then 3 days later had me beginning to record the new album. I hadn't even heard the songs yet. It was like, 'here are the songs, start recording them all today', so I quickly learned the songs and began recording", Hess said. The band's new album "From Chaos To Eternity" will be released June 17, 2011.

Alex Staropoli, Rhapsody of Fire’s keyboard player, says: "I saw Tom Hess playing on stage several times and was always impressed by his great stage presence and his way of playing. When I heard the rhythm and solo guitars he recorded for Rhapsody Of Fire I was blown away, I could feel that strong presence in between every single note."

For extended details on Hess joining Rhapsody of Fire and to get more insights about the recording process of "From Chaos To Eternity", go to: http://tomhess.net/TomHessJoinsRhapsodyOfFire.aspx