Aina

The project started in 2002 and was immediately taken seriously by the label . The project included several prominent musicians and performers. Sasha Paet - producer , arranging the guitar and bass . Amanda Somerville - history and lyrics. The versatile talented Robert Hanake-Rizzo was responsible for drums , guitars and bass guitars. Michael “Miro” Rodenberg was responsible for keyboards , arrangements and additional sound effects. Not without celebrities. The project was attended by such famous personalities as Jens Johansson ( Stratovarius , Yngwie Malmsteen ), Erno Vuorinen ( Nightwish ), Thomas Yangblad ( Kamelot ), Derek Sherinyan ( Dream Theater ) and Eric Norlander ( Lana Lane ).

Amanda Somerville managed to finish writing the main storyline in one night, despite the fact that for a long time there was no progress. After the merger of Robert, Amanda and Miro, the project quickly began to gain momentum. As soon as the finalization of the lyrics and the writing of music for them was completed, the question arose of selecting vocalists. Sasha's choice fell on his friends and acquaintances, such as Tobias Zammet (Edguy, Avantasia) and Andre Matos (Angra, Shaman). Later, metal legends such as Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) and Candice Knight (Blackmore's Night), Michael Kiske (Helloween, Unisonic), Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot), Olaf Hayer (Luca Turilli) and others were invited.

The recording took place at Gate studio in Wolfsburg . The project was issued in a packaging format of two CDs and one DVD , as well as a booklet with more than 60 pages.

Disc 1 - Days of Rising Doom (2003)

1. "Aina Overture" - 2:01
2. "Revelations" - 5:29
3. "Silver Maiden" - 5:00 vocalist : Michael Kiske
4. "Flight Of Torek" - 5:21 vocalist: Tobias Sammet
5. "Naschtok Is Born" - 4:39
6. "The Beast Within" - 3:17
7. "The Siege Of Aina" - 6:50
8. "Talon's Last Hope" - 6:10
9. "Rape Of Oria" - 3:05
10. "Son Of Sorvahr" - 2:58
11. "Serendipity" - 4:04 vocalist: Michael Kiske
12. "Lalae Amer" - 4:13
13. "Rebellion" - 4:01 vocalist: Glenn Hughes
14. "Oriana's Wrath" - 6:13
15. "Restoration" - 4:55

Disc 2 - The Story Of Aina (2003)

1. "The Story Of Aina" - ( instrumental ) - 15:08
2. "The Beast Within" - ( single version ) - 3:43
3. "Ve Toura Sol-Rape Of Oria" - (version Ainae) - 3:05
4. "Flight Of Torek" - (single version) - 3:33
5. "Silver Maiden" - (alternative version) - 4:59
6. "Talon's Last Hope" - (demo) - 5:46
7. "The Siege Of Aina" - (single version) - 3:55
8. "The Story Of Aina" - 15:08 ^[2]
9. "Oriana's Wrath" - (alternative version) (bonus track of the Japanese edition) - 6:11

Creators

• Sasha Paet ( Heavens Gate , Luca Turilli , Rhapsody of Fire , Kamelot ) - producer
• Amanda Somerville ( HDK , Epica , Kamelot ) - history and lyrics, vocals (girl's voice and Oriana's conscience )
• Robert Hanake-Rizzo (Heavens Gate, Luca Turilli , Rhapsody of Fire , Kamelot ) - author of music, drums , guitar and bass
• Michael "Miro" Rodenberg (Heavens Gate, Luca Turilli , Rhapsody of Fire , Kamelot ) - arrangement , keyboards

Roles

Vocalists

• Glenn Hughes ( Deep Purple , Black Sabbath ) - Coupon
• Michael Kiske (formerly Helloween , Unisonic ) - Narrator
• Andre Matos (formerly Shaaman , Angra , and Symfonia ) - Tirana
• Candice Knight ( Blackmore's Night ) - Oriya
• Sass Jordan - Oriana
• Tobias Zammet ( Edguy , Avantasia ) - Narrator
• Marco Hietala ( Nightwish , Tarot ) - Syrius
• Sebastian Thomson - Narrator
• Damian Wilson ( Ayreon , Star One , Landmarq , Threshold ) - King Taethius
• Thomas Rattke (Heavens Gate) - Torek (Sorvar)
• Olaf Hyer ( Luca Turilli ) - Baktuk
• Chinzia Rizzo ( Luca Turilli , Rhapsody , Kamelot ) - opera and backing vocals
• Rannweig Sif Zigurdardoffir ( Luca Turilli ) -– opera vocals
• Simone Simons ( Epica ) - Mezzo-Soprano
• Oliver Hartmann (formerly At Vance ) and Herbie Langhans ( Luca Turilli , Seventh Avenue ) - Prophets
• And also The Trinity School Boys Choir (Trinity School Boys Choir) - Ainae Angelic Choir
  • led by David Swinson

Musicians

• Olaf Reitmeier (Virgo) - Acoustic Guitar in Revelations and Serendipity
• Derek Sherinyan (formerly Dream Theater ) - keyboard solo in "The Siege of Aina"
• Jens Johansson ( Stratovarius , Yngwie Malmsteen , Majestic , Dio ) - keyboard solo in "Revelations"
• T.M. Steven Vai , Tina Turner - Bass in "Son of Sorvahr"
• Axel Nashke ( Gamma Ray ) - Organ in "Son of Sorvahr"
• Erno Vuorinen ( Nightwish , Altaria ) - guitar solo in "Rebellion"
• Thomas Yangblad ( Kamelot , Ian Parry ) - guitar solo in "Lalae Amêr"
• Eric Norlander ( Ayreon , Ambeon , Lana Lane ) - keyboard solo in "Rebellion"

1. ↑ (editor) Sascha Paeth (Avantasia) Interview @ PPM 2013 (neopr.) . Metal Blast (April 27, 2013). Date of treatment August 21, 2014.
2. ↑ Days of Rising Doom @ Encyclopaedia Metallum

• Aina - review from Rock Hard - rating 9.5
• Aina - review from Metal Hammer - rating 6/7

• Days of Rising Doom at Allmusic
• Aina at Metalstorm.net
• Aina at Last.fm