Russian Power Metal band Epidemia was formed in 1995 by guitarist Yury Melisov. The band recorded a Demo ‘Phoenix' and the first EP ‘Volya K Zhizni' (‘Will To Live') released in 1998. In 1999 Epidemia released LP ‘Na Krayu Vremeni' (‘On The Edge of Time') with 14 songs, and LP ‘Zagadka Volshebnoi Strany' (‘Quest of the Magic Country') released in 2001.

Epidemia was in the Top-5 of MTV EMA 2002 and band members were in Barcelona on the rewarding of this famous award.
In 2004 Epidemia released the first Russian Metal-Opera ‘Elfijskaya Rukopis' (‘Elven Manuscript'), which was recorded in Aria Records Studio. Many famous Russian metal-singers took part in this project: Arthur Berkut (Aria), Kirill Nemolyaev (Boney Nem), Dmitry Borisenkov (Chernyi Obelisk), Andrey Lobashev (Arida Vortex) etc. Max Samosvat (Epidemia's vocalist) took the main part in this opera. Vladimir Kholstinin, the leader and guitarist of Aria produced this album. Also he played a mandoline in one song. 11 songs tell about adventures of the magician half-elf Dezmond and about his struggle against malicious forces.

First live show of opera passed on February, 13th during the “Friday, 13-th” festival in the Luzhniki Palace of Sports. 6000 people watched the show by Epidemia featuring other singers taken part in the album. During the show they changed clothes in conformity with their characters. Besides several knights battled armed by swords and axes.
The song “Proidi Svoi Put” (“Pass Your Way”) was on the top of charts of Nashe Radio (main Russian rock-radio). Then the band began to take part in the largest Russian festivals (Krylia and Nashestvie and Emmaus).

In 2005 Epidemia recorded LP ‘Zhizn V Sumerkah' (‘Livin' In Twilight'), containing the best songs of earlier releases. This songs were chosen by fans during the voting on the official band's website. Songs were re-recorded and rearranged. CD was released by label CD-Maximum.

In the honour of 10-th anniversary great 3-hour show passed in the concert hall of DK Gorbunova on December, 2nd, 2005. The first part of program contained the best songs of the band and the second – metal-opera ‘Elven Manuscript' was shown once again. In 2006 2 DVDs ‘Twilight Chronicles' with this show were released by CD-Maximum.

In 2007 Epidemia recorded the second part of famous Russian metal-opera named ‘Elfijskaya Rukopis: Skazanie Na Vse Vremena' (‘Elven Manuscript: Saga For All Times') and it become the final part of ‘Elven Manuscript'.
Album recorded and mixed in one of the best Moscow studios – Dreamport Studio.
Mastered by Minerva Pappi (Finnvox Studios).
Album cover and booklet design made by Jan Yrlund (Darkgrove Design).
10 Russian singers took part in this metal-opera:
Max Samosvat (Epidemia) – Dezmond, half-elf
Arthur Berkut (Aria) – Irdis, Wizard
Andrey Lobashev (Arida Vortex, Olvy) – Torvald, Warrior
Mikhail Seryshev (ex-Master) - Nameless God
Dmitry Borisenkov (Chernyi Obelisk) – Deimos, Lord of the Xentaron
Kirill Nemolyaev (Boney Nem) – Sky, Blue Dragon
Ekaterina Belobrova – Minatrix, Demoness
Alexandra Komarova (Luna Aeterna) – Alatiel, Princess
Evgeny Egorov (Kolizei) – Giltias, Golden Dragon
Konstantin "Troll" Rumyancev (Troll Gnet El') – Drogbar, Gnome

Album released by CD-Maximum on November, 12th 2007. Presentation of this album took place in Sports Arena “Luzhniki” on December, 3 rd, 2007. 5000 fans watched unique theatrical performance of both parts of ‘Elven Manuscript'. Now Epidemia is working on DVD about that show.

After new release Epidemia received many offers to play in different Russian cities and CIS countries (Ukraine, Latvia, Armenia). There were many live performances including local open-air festivals where Epidemia was a headliner. All shows had a very big success and after each show fans asked to play more or come again soon. In April 2008 Epidemia there was “The unusual concert”, where all the musicians played on unusual acoustic instruments.
In summer 2008 band will play on some open-air festivals including the most famous – Nashestvie 2008.
Beside working on DVD, now musicians are preparing extended acoustic program and material for the new album, which should be much greater than previous ones.

Source : http://www.myspace.com/epidemiaru