Metal Music Blog

Sad news from the world of power metal. Stratovarius, the Finnish power metal band and one of the leaders of the genre, has broken up. According to the press release of Timo Tolkki, Stratovarius no longer plays together. While the story of Stratovarius has come to its end, Timo Tolkki continues with his new band Revolution Renaissance.

According to Timo Tolkki, he decided to break up the band last October. The biggest reason for the break-up is the tension between Timo Tolkki, Timo Kotipelto and Jörn Michael. Timo Tolkki points out that his intention is not to disrespect the band members, but to make it clear why he decided split Stratovarius. “They are both fundamentally good guys. Things just sometimes happen and relationships go to directions we don’t want them to go. It’s like a divorce, nobody wants it to happen but sometimes it is best for all so everyone can continue their own lives“, says Timo Tolkki.

As many fans might know, the story of Stratovarius is absolutely great. As Timo Tolkki says, “we had amazing years, 14 records, 6 world tours with over a thousand shows all across the Globe, 3 gold discs, a Finnish Grammy and almost 3 million records sold. I have arrived to my decision after careful, long and rational thinking of over a year and I know it is the right way for me. I just felt so bad being in Stratovarius. Something was terribly wrong in there and nobody seemed to care“.

Difficulties started in 2005. Timo Tolkki had a nervous breakdown in 2004, after which things started to go wrong. Timo Tokki describes the situation in 2005 by sayin “The atmosphere at the rehearsals was awful. Lauri Porra who had just joined the band was wondering what is going on with this band. Jörg Michael came straight from Saxon to this tour wearing a Saxon shirt during most of the shows. His attitude for most of the tour was extremely arrogant, pretty much towards everybody. But especially towards me and TK (editorial note: TK=Timo Kotipelto). And TK’s attitude towards me was lukewarm and polite, but I could sense the hostility“.

In 2007 in Wacken festival Timo Tolkki realized there is no soul in the band anymore. He realized the time of Stratovarius is over. Timo Tolkki realized that he is keeping the band alive because of money, which did not make sense for him. He decided to split the band. I remember watching a YouTube video of Stratovarius playing in Wacken and thinking “man, they sound awful”. I was right, because Timo Tolkki felt the same on stage. It was a absolute horror, says Timo Tolkki.

As a gentleman Timo Tolkki says thanks you to other Stratovarius band members for all those years and wishes them all the best. Timo Tolkki is clearly looking forward to create music with his new band, and I am looking forward to hear it! Meanwhile you and I can listen to Timo Tolkki’s Saana - Warrior of Light, which sounds pretty epic.

One important power metal band is dead. I have listened Stratovarius since their early years and they have played important part in my CD shelf. I say good buy to Stratovarius. You guys provided me a number of great moments with your music. Thank you!

Let’s remember the glorious times of Stratovarius by listening to one of their masterpieces, Forever.

This post was written by Headbanger and its original location is in Metal-Music-Videos.Com blog. For more great metal music articles, please visit Metal-Music-Videos.Com!

Last Monday was not a good day for Timo Tolkki, the guitarist of the power metal band Stratovarius. Tolkki was having a photoshoot while someone stole his guitar and bag in which Tolkki had a single master and a graphic master of his upcoming album. The guitar was a Fender Stratocaster Jeff Beck, a priceless purple guitar. Timo is not so much worried about the guitar, but the master recored he lost. The new album was supposed to be released in April, but it looks like he might have to release the album earlier.

Timo Tolkki thinks the person wanted to steal the guitar and took also the bag because it was next to the guitar. Tolkki has already reported to the police in Finland, but it looks like the chances to get the guitar and bag back are small.

Timo Tolkki has worked already one year with the new album, which is called “Saana - Warrior Of Light“. Visiting singers in the album are American soprano Jennifer Sowle, British Aino Laos and Finnish Heikki Pöyhtiä (from Twilightning). The new album of Timo Tolkki is revolutionary. It is a rock opera which has also been filmed. It is actually like a music film. The album is a collection of 16 pieces that all belong together.

Timo Tolkki’s new album will be sold only in the Internet. It won’t be found in stores. According to Tolkki, this is not a crusade against record companies. “I just decided to do like Radiohead. Now it is possible to put the right price for the music“, says Tolkki. Saana album has opened a whole new world for Timo Tolkki, because in addition to the music he has shot all the photographs, created graphics and designed the covers. Even though Timo Tolkki has a 22-year old Stratovarius career behind, according to mr. Tolkki this new album is the most important thing in his career so far. This is the beginning of a new era in the life of Timo Tolkki.

This post was written by Headbanger and its original location is in Metal-Music-Videos.Com blog. For more great metal music articles, please visit Metal-Music-Videos.Com!

And now the new song which was played in Wacken Open Air 2007, Last Night on Earth. The starts with traditional Stratovarius keyboards but it does not impress me too much. Where is the good old Stratovarius sound? I prefer clear vocals of Kotipelto, not “half-grunts”. Anyhow, I find this as an average Stratovarius song, not as good as those in the “Destiny” album. I rather listen to Kiss of Judas or other older Statovarius songs. Check out Headbanger’s shop for those good old Strato albums from 1990’s.

Buy Stratovarius albums, clothing and mp3’s in Headbanger’s shop!

Finnish power metal band Stratovarius has been pretty quiet after they broke up late 2003. They were one of the most famous power metal bands in the 1990’s and they have influenced numerous other bands. They say that the band is still active but at least their website has not much news this year. This is a bit sad because Stratovarius is one of my favourite power metal bands and I would be eager to get new material from them. Although Stratovarius has been quiet, there is some positive news to the fans. They played a new song in Wacken last summer. Heh.. yeah, exactly. Just one new song, but that is better than nothing. And the good thing is that they have been on tour, so they are active.

Let’s hear one damn good song from Stratovarius, called The Land Of Ice And Snow. This video is a live recording from Finland in 2005 and it talks about Finland. Although some part of the lyrics are funny, such as “Where Koskenkorva flows” (Koskenkorva is our national booze), this song pretty patriotic and it praises our fatherland. It is a perfect song. Listen to the fabulous combination of the acoustic guitar, flutes and Kotipelto’s voice.

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Let’s start this week with some good power metal. Stratovarius lived their best times somewhere in late 1990’s and early 2000. “I Walk To My Own Song” is from their album “Elements, Part II” (2003). It’s good song, even though I prefer those early albums of Strato. I just wonder how they are doing today. I haven’t heard much after their latest album “Stratovarius” (2005).

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Take a glass of wine with your wife, sit back and listen to Strato’s Forever.. Well, may be this is a bit too much sugar..

Not bad.

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Back in 1999 I was skiing in France with my mates. We spent the whole ski season in Chamonix and went skiing almost every single day. I remember we listened to Nightwish, Moonspell and Stratovarius almost daily. Well, someone had a CD of HIM as well, but it was a bit banned for some reason. Some Englishmen came to our place one night and started complaining that you guys listen only to some “church heavy”. That was Nightwish Oceanborn album. Well, we said we give a shit and you guys can hit the road if the music bothers. Boys probably wanted to hear Pet Shop Boys or-what-ever-it-is or something.

Buy Stratovarius albums, clothing and mp3’s in Headbanger’s shop!