HinweiseGenre : Power Metal
Country : Finland

Divine Invitation compilation album will be released on May 25th 2007. The compilation is a mid-price release made for fans! Due to the high demand and ongoing requests for the songs of the completely sold out first two albums of the band, Invitation (2003) and Divinity (2004), the idea came up to make the best five songs each available again, to introduce new singer Marco Luponero with two brand new songs and add another seven(!) bonus tracks which originally appeared on the band's sought after demos Sleeping Visions (2001) and Feed The Fire (2002).

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Jouni Nikula (vocals), Jani Liimatainen (guitar), Marko Pukkila (bass), Tony Smedjebacka (drums)

Pietarsaari Power Metal band. The rhythm section of bassist Marko Pukkila and drummer Tony Smedjebacka, previously members of Christian Hard Rock act BLINDSIDE, would forge a fresh project during 2000 billed as ALTARIA. Joining them in this new venture would be singer Johan Mattjus, previously having made a name for himself with STORMWING, and SONATA ARTICA guitarist Jani Liimatainen.

ALTARIA debuted with a November 2001 promotional EP 'Sleeping Visions'. During early 2002 ALTARIA enlisted new vocalist Jouni Nikula, also singer with REQUIEM, MYSTERIUM, CARPE DIEM, ISÄNTÄ MEIDÄN and UNITAR. ALTARIA were projecting the release of the album 'Foundation' (subsequently emerging as 'Invitation') for early 2003 issue. For live dates the band inducted NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen as stand in second guitarist.

ALTARIA would feature on the second volume of tributes to guitarist JASON BECKER entitled ''Warmth In The Wilderness Vol. II', donating their rendition of 'Stranger' from CACOPHONY's 'Go Off!' album. Live work in 2003 saw Nikula superseded by the THERION and KILPI credited Taage Laiho. As 2004 drew in Emppu Vuorinen opted out and BLINDSIDE's Petri Aho was enlisted for live work. The May 2004 ALTARIA album 'Divinity', released on the Metal Heaven label, saw limited edition digipack formats carrying an extra exclusive track, namely a cover version of the ACCEPT classic 'Balls To The Wall'. Originally set to feature HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans as guest the notable Swede backed out due to illness. Andy Engberg of LION'S SHARE and DREAMSFALL substituted.

ALTARIA's August 2004 album 'Divinity' saw Japanese versions adding the CACOPHONY cover 'Stranger' as a bonus track. However, this would be a completely different version as had been previously included on the ''Warmth In The Wilderness Vol. II' album, adding vocals from the THERION credited Taage Laiho.

ALTARIA parted ways with guitarist Jani Liimatainen in June 2005. At that same juncture it would be revealed that bassist Marko Pukkila had forged a side project dubbed WICKED OUTLAW with the DIO and VIOLET'S DEMISE credited guitarist Rowan Robertson. Both Pukkila and Robertson also found inclusion on a Versailles Records DAVID LEE ROTH tribute album, featuring on 'And The Cradle Will Rock'. In July ALATARIA announced that J.P. Alanen, from Seinäjoki based CELESTY, had joined the fold as second guitarist.

The band's third album, 'The Fallen Empire', was delivered in March 2006. Rowan Robertson guested on 'The Lion' whilst Henrik Klingenberg put down keyboards on 'The Dying Flame'. Japanese variants added extra track 'Metality'. ALTARIA joined DORO and SONATA ARCTICA on their European tour in April and May. An extensive headline tour of Finland followed in September. ALTARIA parted ways with vocalist Taage in December. Marco Luponero of TERRORWHEEL was drafted as replacement in January 2007. The new singer first featured on two new songs, 'Ball & Chain' and 'Keeper Of Mystique', included on the compilation album 'Divine Invitation'.