Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
A new insight into the development of “Draconia” is unveiled with the release of a dedicated video featuring Joe Lynn Turner, who shares his experience recording vocals and his involvement in one of the most ambitious Symphonic Rock operas of recent years.
Created by Nikolo Kotzev, the visionary composer behind the acclaimed Rock opera Nostradamus, “Draconia”, to be expected in 2027, is conceived not as a traditional album but as a fully immersive artistic experience, a true movie in music.
Dark, dramatic, romantic and powerful, “Draconia” explores a story of condemned love and the eternal battle between good and evil, blending heavy rock, symphonic arrangements, progressive elements and orchestral depth. Structured as a four-act rock opera spanning over 120 minutes of music across 22 songs, the project features real orchestra, choir, Rock band and an exceptional international cast of 8 singers.
The vocal lineup includes Joe Lynn Turner as the Wiseman, Dino Jelusick as Freedom, Stefan Nykvist as Mohdrai, Göran Edman as the Storyteller, Ronnie Grace as Gamohra, Veronica “The V” Freeman as Reptilah, and Nikola Zdravkov as the Crow. The female leading role “Hope” has already been cast with a well-known singer and will be officially announced soon.
In the newly released video, Joe Lynn Turner offers deeper insight into the story and his role as the Wiseman, describing the narrative as:
“The Wiseman is always the voice of reason between these two opposing sides. It’s almost like Romeo and Juliet, a young prince and a young princess from different tribes in love, while their families try to keep them apart.”
He continues, highlighting the core message of the opera:
“In the end, their love is what brings these worlds together. It’s a story about corruption, greed, love, war and peace, very contemporary, very much in tune with what’s happening today. Symbolically, it reflects exactly the world we live in. And love is the only answer to unite us all.”
Reflecting on the performances and the musical direction, Turner also praises lead vocalist Dino Jelusick:
“Dino Jelusick absolutely killed it. He’s the main character, the protagonist and he truly deserves that role. His performance is incredible.”
He concludes by emphasizing the scope and artistic vision of the project:
“This is going to be Draconia, very strong singers, very strong writing. And I can tell you, this is not just a rock opera. The way it’s written, it’s a true opera in every sense.”
Recording sessions are currently underway, with major milestones already achieved. Notably, Dino Jelusick has completed the recording of his lead role “Freedom”, delivering an outstanding performance across multiple tracks, setting a high benchmark for the entire cast.
A dedicated studio video report, featuring both Jelusick and Kotzev during the recording sessions, is also available, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Draconia”:
With “Draconia”, Niokolo Kotzev once again pushes the boundaries of the genre, delivering a work that merges classical composition, cinematic storytelling and the raw power of rock into a single, cohesive artistic vision.
