FABIO LIONE

You recently rejoined Vision Divine – how did that come to be and how do you feel about it?

Great! I feel great! We have many things to do. I think that it was something natural, we knew it since the beginning. A few years ago when I left the band, it was just sort of a “goodbye”, not really an “adios!!” We wanted to work together again and now it finally became possible. Vision Divine is a good band with good friends of mine.

How is your relationship with Olaf Thorsen after so many years apart?

We are still good friends. Nothing has changed and we really like to work together. We have seen and shared many things and we can say that we started together years ago. It’s good to work again in the band he and I started ten years ago with good feelings and a good atmosphere between all the members.

There are several new members in the band since your departure in 2003, how would you describe the vibe in the band now as a whole?

It’s probably the best line up we’ve had with great people, and everyone is doing and giving all the right elements for the band. This band is a real ‘friend’s band.’ We’ve had many changes during the last ten years, some of it because of personal tastes and decisions, especially band decisions, but now I see the right people around me. Everyone is motivated and give his own contribution to Vision Divine.

There have been a lot of rumors regarding conflict between you and (former Vision Divine singer) Michelle Luppi – yet you both performed together on stage during the 10th Anniversary show of the band – Is this a misconception people have, and do you care to comment about it?

To be honest, I don’t really care a lot about that. The 10th Anniversary show was really important for the band and the guys invited me to perform. I had to be on stage with Luppi and we did some songs together. I don’t like him as a person, and as a singer, I don’t really care. He has said and done many things that I didn’t like, but it’s life. He did it for his image and his career, so I can understand. I am just a totally different person and it seems that people like to work with me, so that means something. It should make him think.

Rhapsody of Fire has been a bit on hiatus recently. The band is in a legal fight against Joey De Maio/Magic Circle Music. What can you tell us about the situation?

My position is a bit different. I would like to see the band working and touring, but someone else thinks in a different way. In my opinion, the band can be in the middle of a legal fight, but this doesn’t mean that you have to stop activities. I think the band should wake up and see and understand the potential, the mistakes and all the good things that have been done. They should try to take someone who believes in the band very seriously and go on. I had long discussions with Joey [De Maio, Manowar], Alex [Staropoli], and Luca [Turilli], and some times you realize that you can’t enter into the head of some people and change their minds. I hope the band will be out of that problem soon, but first I think Alex and Luca need to reflect on things and understand everything. Second, I think Joey should stop thinking about our band, and live his life thinking about Manowar and their activities.

Would you say the influence of Joey and MCM had a negative affect on Rhapsody of Fire?

Of course! Magic Circle Music did some good things for the band but in general they always thought about themselves and about Manowar. We, especially, Luca, Alex and I, believed in things that never happened. And Rhapsody was not completely free to do what we wanted in the last few years. I am sorry, but I think that Rhapsody met the wrong people along the way. Rhapsody is a particular band with particular people. You can’t manage the band the same as Manowar. We are different bands, with different people, different point of views and different fans.

Would you say the future of Rhapsody of Fire is a positive one?

I can’t really answer this. I can’t see the future yet. The recent situation can be solved soon, but this doesn’t mean that everything will be ok. We have to talk and decide many things, as well as see about our plans for the future. This time we have a lot to talk! I really love this band, and I gave my all in these last years but things should go on in the direction I want, otherwise, I don’t see a future or a reason to carry on.

Honestly, what do you think of the ‘new’ name “Rhapsody …of Fire”?

I don’t like it a lot, but it’s not really important. People will always say Rhapsody, anyway, so it’s ok.

Luca Turilli has recently stated the next album has already been composed. Should we expect more of this extreme “Film Score Metal” style or would you say the band has went back to it’s original roots of speed/power metal?

As far as I know, the new compositions are heavier and much closer to our original style. I wrote a nice speed/power metal song for it; something really epic. But first the band have to solve the matters.

A few years ago you stated you would be working on a solo album – what is the update with that and why has it taken you so long to release any material?

Well, with all of the situations that occurred and problems we had with Rhapsody, it didn’t really make me feel very good. I wasn’t sure about a lot of things, including my solo work. But I compose songs and I’ll just wait for the right time to release them. I just want to be happy with the new material and when I finish the compositions, I will release it. “Il Canto Del Vento” [‘Triumph or Agony’, 2006] was a song from my solo work. As I said earlier, the new Rhapsody album will have this speed/power song and also the new Vision Divine will also have some mid-tempos taken from my solo music. I have to write more now.. grrr!

There were also rumors that one of your past bands, Athena, would reunite and write a second album, is this true?

Yes! We met and talked about it. We have six new songs, but it’s something we would like to do without any pressure. The new material is absolutely fantastic. But in this period, everyone is full of activities, so we have to be patient and see the possibilities of releasing a new CD in the future.

RELIGION AND POLITICS

How do you feel about the economic crises happening all over the world?

Well, something must change. The system is going to collapse soon and the worse is that nothing is changing at the moment. People are blinded and slaves to the system.

Do you agree with the United States’ war on “terror?”

No! I do not support the war. Give me political and military power and I’ll change things. I promise.

What do you think the world needs to change?

We have to live our life for our world and not live our lives using our world. We need to have respect for nature, people and the planet. But today most people only have respect for some pieces of paper… money.

What are your religious beliefs – if any?

You need to believe in something in life, otherwise there’s no meaning to live. Well, I believe that you will receive what you have given.

PERSONAL

Besides roaring on stage or dressing up like a prince in photo shoots, what is a normal day for Fabio?

I do things that I like. Listening to or writing music for hours, have six or seven coffees, one pack of cigarettes, get in my car and drive to different places, talk with my family and my few friends.

How do you spend your weekends?

Usually I see some of my friends. I go to some nice places, but in this period I don’t do anything because I prefer to be alone and I don’t have the right mood.

Describe the relationship between you and your parents. Are you a mama’s boy?

A little [laughs]. We have a very good relationship. We have a nice and some times funny family.

Did you give your parents a hard time growing up?

A very hard time! I was really a bad child; bad with the other boys at school. I was never really a calm boy.

Italy for people all around the world is such a touristy place. Do you ever take the time to visit all of the Historical places in your country?

It’s impossible! There are so many! I think that I have seen and visited good parts in Florence, Pisa, Siena, Rome, Venice, Trieste, Bologna, Sicily, etc. But honestly, Italy is really full of historical places and you need a lot of time and money to see it all.

Can you cook?

Hmm, not really!

How do you maintain your weight? Do you diet or excercise? 

I don’t know. I don’t do any particular diet or sports. Maybe it’s the right time to start something, though.

Where do you buy all of those poet shirts you have?

All around the world, whenever I find a good shop, really. Some times the band buys shirts for the members.

If you could choose 3 places to spend a vacation anywhere in the world, where would they be and why?

Australia, because I have never been there and because I like the country and everything that makes it unique like its places, the animals, and their vegetables. Greece because I love the country, the food and the islands. And I like almost all of the countries in South America.

Do you handle criticism well?

Maybe, maybe not. It depends. I am good man!

How did you celebrate the victory of Italy in the 2006 world cup?

I was happy, and I spent it with my friends. Although I have to say that I don’t usually follow soccer games like 90% of the people of Italy.

Do you prefer a big city or a small, quiet town?

A small, quiet village.

You might be courageous and brave on disk – but what scares you?

I don’t know. I hate syringes! And you know, most of the times, girls can change a man into a child. A strong and great man can be a little quiet, sweet sheep when the right woman is around.

Everyone admires something about themselves, what makes you proud to be you?

I like to give good emotions to people and help them. This is something that makes me proud. It means that I am able to transmit to do something helpful and nice for someone else. When you enter the heart of people you have found an important key in life.

Who is more popular in Italy and be honest – Rhapsody of Fire or Lacuna Coil?

Honestly, I think Rhapsody because the band has been active for more years. We probably sold more CDs. We did some unique and great things, connected to the cinema, created a personal sound, and with me, I was on TV a few times. So people usually talk about that. Then, we have this connection with Labyrinth, Athena and Vision Divine, because I was singing with these bands. In the end, I think in Italy we are more popular than Lacuna.

Brazil or Argentina??????? C’mon… and don’t lie!

Brazil. But I do love both countries

What have you been listening to recently?

[laughs] Whitesnake, Dokken, Cinderella, Firehouse…

You have traveled to many places in the world. List your 3 favorite places in the world:

Too many. Maybe Japan, all of South America, Greece…

FAVORITES

Video Games:

Resident Evil, Ninja Gaiden, Shenmue, Onimusha, Tekken

Bands:

Whitesnake, Queen, Crimson Glory, Queensyrche, Europe, Skid

Alcoholic Drinks:

Negroni, Beer

Food:

Pizza, Mushrooms, Fish, Pasta

Italian Dishes:

Pasta Salmone, Pesto, well, too many!

Movies:

I like the movies with Al Pacino, Toto’, Mel Gibson, Bud Spencer

Hobbies with your friends:

Some times we play Soccer table.

Car:

Sports cars. The Ferrari Modena!

All Time Favorite Song:

This is hard to answer, maybe “The Show Must Go On”.