Stratovarius

Stratovarius is a Finnish melodic power metal band with elements of classical music, founded in 1984 in Helsinki by Tuomo Lassila, John Vihervä and Staffan Stråhlman under the name Black Water. Since 1986 it has been known as the Stratovarius (a term invented by Lassila that merges two musical instruments: Stradivarius, string instruments (such as violins) highly appreciated by musicians; and Stratocaster, (a Fender brand electric guitar model).. Stratovarius is one of the pioneers of power metal and symphonic metal.

Currently, the band does not have any original members, but the oldest member is their vocalist, Timo Kotipelto, followed by keyboardist Jens Johansson.

History

The beginning

In 1984, Staffan Stråhlman, John Vihervä and Tuomo Lassila formed their first band, called Black Water, which they later renamed Stratovarius in 1985.

After a year of playing and having released two demos, Stråhlman decided to leave the band. So, Tuomo Lassila looked for a guitarist who would also be in charge of the voice. After several auditions they found Timo Tolkki, a young Finn from Nurmijärvi who had played in a band called Road Block.

With Timo Tolkki on guitar and vocals, Tuomo Lassila looked for a keyboardist of Finnish origin to complete the band, thus joining Antti Ikonen. After touring some Finnish record companies they signed with CBS Finland.

Flower of lis, Symbol of the band.

In 1987, John Vihervä left the group and was replaced by Jyrki Lentonen. In 1988 they released their first two singles, "Future Shock" and "Black Night". In 1989 they published their first album, entitled Fright Night, which they accompanied by a small tour of Europe in which they visited countries such as Denmark, Russia and Norway.

After some problems with Jyrki Lentonen, he left the band and his position on bass was taken over by Jari Beakman. In 1991, due to conflicts with CBS Finland, they signed with a little-known label called Bluelight Records to release their second album, an album titled Stratovarius II, of which barely 1000 copies would go on sale.

Fame

After having released the album Stratovarius II, a short time later, a new version of it would be made since the owner of the German label Noise Records was surprised that such a good album was not taken in account. In this way they were given a new opportunity, this time to launch it internationally. Thus, in 1992, they re-recorded the album, renaming it Twilight Time. It was released throughout Europe and some Asian countries and also in that year they also released the song Break The Ice.

After having released the album, they would have an impressive number of sales in Japan, where they would surpass major groups, such as X Japan, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. This surprised them, with which they planned their first international tour, visiting some countries in Europe and Asia.

After the fame achieved with Twilight Time, Jari Behm left the band, who had little participation in the group despite having spent two years in it, so the band decided not to rest and hired Jari Kainulainen replaced Jari Behm on bass and they released their next album which would be titled Dreamspace. They put two demos on sale and released the song Wings Of Tomorrow. This album had more sales than their two previous albums and is the first in which the young Jari Kainulainen participates with the band; After this, the band would go on tour again and, in addition, the album would exceed the number of sales of their previous work. On the other hand Tolkki achieves his dream of releasing a solo album titled Classical Variations And Themes in the same year that Dreamspace was released.

Timo Kotipelto on vocals

After having released the album Dreamspace and playing in the Giants of Rock Timo Tolkki decides to leave the vocals to dedicate himself exclusively to the guitar since he did not see a future as a singer. He then decides to audition where he was looking for a singer who could reach very high pitches.

The chosen one was Timo Kotipelto, a young Finn who had just sung in his old band Filthy Asses. Legend has it that Kotipelto listened to his first album Fright Night saying that it was a good band, after some rehearsals Tolkki surprised by the young man's voice was chosen for the next album.

In 1995 the band decided to release another album entitled Fourth Dimension with a sound very different from the previous one and the voice of Kotipelto that would become a personal stamp in the style of the group. The album went on sale in March 1995, which was very well received by the public, achieving worldwide fame by recording the video Against The Wind. In this album a new musical course of the band is noted, opting for sounds of classical music combined with heavy metal.

Fourth Dimension surpassed the number of sales of Twilight Time and Dreamspace. An international tour of several countries in Europe and in Japan followed. The band released their first live album titled Live In Three Dimensions, the album was released only in Japan and very few copies were released. And a second live album Twilight In The East (Live in Osaka W'Ohol) came out at the end of the same year. In addition, the DVD titled "Live In Germany" which came out 4 months after the live albums. After the end of the band's tour, Timo Tolkki told Tuomo Lassila and Antti Ikonen that he wanted to make music that was faster and more powerful than what they were currently making, so Lassila and Ikonen decided to leave the band because they didn't feel up to it anymore. to continue with the legacy that Tolkki wanted to impose.

With Tuomo Lassila and Antti Ikonen out of the band, Tolkki started looking for a new keyboard player and a new drummer, who in a chat with Timo Kotipelto and Jari Kainulainen, decided to look for the new members of Stratovarius outside of Finland.

New members and world fame

In 1996 the new members would be Jörg Michael and Jens Johansson who were already established musicians, for his part Jörg Michael came from the famous band Rage, at that time in the same way, Jens Johansson was a musician who enjoyed international fame and that at that time he lived in the United States where he was sought by the young band Dream Theater who wanted to opt for his services.

With Jörg Michael, an extraordinary drummer, Jens Johansson recognized as one of the fastest keyboardists in the world, Timo Tolkki an excellent guitarist and Timo Kotipelto, with an excellent vocal quality, they decide to release what would be their new album Episode. This album had the support of an orchestra, it has a melodic, dramatic and symphonic sound, with much more powerful and fast songs than on their previous albums. The album got very good reviews and reached Top 40 in Finland and Top 10 in Japan. Highlights of this album include "Eternity", "Speed of Light", Father Time, the ballad "Forever" and "Will The Sun Rise?". The band travels to Japan where they record their third live album Episode In The East.

In 1997 the band released their sixth studio album entitled Visions. This album would have the famous songs The Kiss of Judas and Black Diamond that would be very referents in this musical style in the future. The album reached its first gold record. The 10 minutes of the song Visions made it the longest since its beginnings in 1985 until that 1997. The album managed to be at number #4 in Finland, staying for 24 weeks in the Top 40 and being the best seller that year. The band took the opportunity to go on an extensive tour that covered Europe, Japan and South America for the first time, giving us great songs like Kiss of Judas, Legions of the Twilight, Forever Free, the epic Visions and their most emblematic song, Black Diamond. In addition to launching his first compiled album titled The Past And Now. A double live album titled "Visions in Brazil" plus the DVD titled "Live In Rio".

In 1998 the band released two live albums entitled "Live In Jyrki" and on DVD that was released at the beginning of the year and Visions of Europe that would be recorded in Italy and Greece published in the year almost at the end of 1998. In addition, at the end of October the new album entitled Destiny was released. more epic and symphonic than the previous one in that same year that brought with it very good reviews, in addition to being the best-selling album that year in Finland it would reach the number 1 position and its song S.O.S would enter the number 2 position in Finland, giving it its second gold record and got a world tour that would take them to visit South America for the first time, visiting countries like Brazil, Argentina and Chile. They also got the "Emma" from the Finnish recording industry for being an 'export band'. Destiny was their second longest song at 10 minutes just like the song visions. This time the Destiny song was more famous and made a lot of sales success composed of a big chorus and symphonic melodic metal.

In 1999 they released their second compiled album titled The Chosen Ones reaching number #7 in Finland, a month after releasing the compiled album the seventh live album "Live In Tavastia Helsinki" plus the DVD. Then the awards came and Kotipelto took the second prize for best vocalist; Timo Tolkki, for best composer; Jens Johansson, as the Best Foreign Musician. As well as releasing his eighth live album Visions Of Destiny earlier in the year.

Infinite and new projects

Stratovarius in 2006

Already after having released the successful album Destiny. In the year 2000 the album Infinite would go on sale, which would receive good reviews, not only musically but also in terms of the cover, which was a good job done by Derek Riggs, the album would reach the number one position in Finland and to get his third gold record. The featured songs are Hunting High and Low and A Million Light Years Away reaching #2 positions in Finland, already the third time in a row that Stratovarius has achieved it. In addition to releasing his third compilation 14 Diamonds. The song "Infinity", is their third longest song, at 9 minutes, along with the song "Freedom". Stratovarius' world tour would include for the first time countries like Hong Kong, Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia, along with Sonata Arctica and Rhapsody.

After the extensive tour, the band's famous DVD titled Infinite Visions would be released, which would include many of the band's performances around the world. At a concert when they began to play the song S.O.S Kotipelto burned his arm with the fireworks and despite this, he continued with the concert. On the other hand Timo Kotipelto participated with the band Ayreon with their album Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator.

In 2001 the label will release Intermission, a compiled album of B-sides, including several of the bonus tracks from previous albums, with some versions like "I Surrender" by Rainbow and "Blood Stone" Judas Priest covers and some live songs. In addition, the Argentine band Rata Blanca plus Nightwish together with Stratovarius perform a new version of the song La leyenda del hada y el mago. Tolkki participates in Tobias Sammet's project entitled Avantasia with the album The Metal Opera

In 2002 after the long tours and the constant albums made, the band decides to take a break and work on solo projects or guest projects in some Metal bands. In this period, Timo Tolkki releases his album Hymn To Life and cooperates with Tobias Sammet's music project Avantasia for the second time on his album The Metal Opera Part II. On the other hand, the keyboardist Jens Johansson participates in the album "Winterheart's Guild" from Sonata Arctica substituting for Mikko Harkin

In addition, Kainulainen is involved in projects with Warmen on the album Beyond Abilities and on the song "False News Travel Fast" from the album Silence by Sonata Arctica. On the other hand Timo Kotipelto makes a musical project entitled Kotipelto and releases his first album entitled Waiting For The Dawn.

Elements and criticism

In 2003 the band would release an album with two parts, something very similar to what Helloween did in its beginnings. The band would show their song Eagleheart in 2002, two months before officially releasing the album. The song contained many overtones of power metal, which made it a classic of the genre. But the album would contain a sound more focused on Neoclassical Metal than power metal, as well as very long songs. In January the album Elements, Pt. 1 is released. For many fans Stratovarius was declining, and for others it was experimenting new directions. They were increasingly considered a cult band. The album carries the song longer than Infinity, Destiny and Visions. The song "Elements" with its 12 minutes of pure metal made with a big chorus just like Destiny.

After releasing Elements, Pt. 1 and having a world tour, the fourth DVD "Live At Tuska" which was a hit, followed by Elements, Pt. 2 that same year. I would bring good and bad reviews. Increasingly, Stratovarius experimented with new, more epic and even progressive sounds. In this case, this album had an epic style, and something in common with the sound of classic doom metal, as clearly seen in the song Alpha & Omega.

Along with this album a new video of the band would come out, corresponding to the song "I Walk To My Own Song", which would enter the number 9 position in Finland. Likewise, the previous song, Eagleheart, would enter the number 2 position, as the album also did. Stratovarius presented a live show in Barcelona where he presented his new work a live album called "Elements In Barcelona"

With these two albums, the band would achieve even more fame than they already had. From this it follows that they adopt a slightly more commercial sound, which helped the band achieve their goal. At the end of 2003 Stratovarius releases its fifth DVD "Live In Japan". Timo Kotipelto on the other hand participated with Klamydia with his album & # 34; Seokset & # 34;.

The departure of Kotipelto and Michael, the arrival of Miss K and Anders Johansson

At the end of 2003, the relationship between the members of Stratovarius was the worst in almost twenty years of the band. Timo Tolkki's alcoholism and psychological problems came to a head when he fired Timo Kotipelto (singer) and Jörg Michael (drummer) from the band.

In it 2004 the band shows 2 more DVDs: "Live In Italy" and the "Live At Roumanmari Festival" plus the live album on that DVD, without much regretting the departure of the musicians, Tolkki was quick to announce Anders Johansson (drummer for the band Hammerfall and brother of Jens) as the new drummer, and the unknown Katriina Wiialla –presented only as the then 30-year-old Miss K, as the new vocalist.

The first photos of the singer posted on the band's website, showing her with her hands covered in blood, were met with much skepticism from fans and the press, not to mention that no one knew the truth. voice to Miss K.

Then on February 21, Tolkki, reported having had a panic attack, trying to calm down, he felt a voice speak to him and say "Kabbalah," thinking it was the voice of Christ saying, look for a book, "Teachings of Kabbalah"... in short, he put on the page that from now on he had to study Kabbalah, also, he said that Christ had asked him to photograph himself all bloody. Among all this, it came out that Michael Kiske could possibly be the new Stratovarius vocalist, but as he wrote in another topic, Kiske flatly said no.

For his part, Kotipelto continued his solo work. During the dark era of Stratovarius that occurred in 2004, Kotipelto decided to focus again on his solo career, and thus his second record label, Coldness, was born, an album that, unlike the first, is not a concept album, but a very deep and personal album., which is noticeable throughout the composition.

The themes reflect the emotional state that Kotipelto was going through at that time. For his part, Michael played with the legendary Saxon. After the timely intervention of Jens, who managed to iron out the rough edges between Timo Tolkki and his former bandmates, Stratovarius would return with a new self-titled album two years later, and its ex-vocalist would become just a memory, receiving only a few lukewarm words from thanks on the CD. Timo Tolkki later apologized for his behavior.

In that year, with the singer Katriina Wiialla and Timo Tolkki a new album was recorded, entitled Pop-Killer, but the album was not released.

The departure of Timo Tolkki

Timo Tolkki, exguitarist of the band.

In January 2005, it was announced that Stratovarius had reunited the old lineup. In June 2005, Tolkki announced that the band's bassist Jari Kainulainen had left the band due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Lauri Porra, a young Finnish musician.

Stratovarius then released the self-titled album Stratovarius (album) in September 2005, which generates controversy among its followers and is harshly criticized for moving away from the power-symphonic style that has always characterized them, since this album does not contain none of the elements mentioned, rather it is an album that could be considered within hard rock with eighties influences and a new video clip called Maniac Dance was revealed in August.

During this time, Stratovarius embarks on a world tour, starting in Argentina, which included a leg of North America, where they toured the United States and Canada for the first time in the band's history. He performed at events like the Atlanta ProgPower, and as well at well-known venues like BB King's House of Blues in New York and Philadelphia's Trocadero Theatre. The tour also included Europe and Japanese cities. Besides. the band releases tenth live album "Live In Montreal". Timo Kotipelto was again chosen to record one more album with Warmen with his work Accept the Fact.

In September 2006, the new compilation titled Black Diamond: The Anthology was released. the one that contains the 30 most famous songs of the group throughout its history. In addition, Kotipelto participated with the Leningrad Cowboys singing live versions such as "Let's Have A Party" and "I will stay"

In 2007, in the last concert that Timo Tolkki had with the band in Spain, Timo asked Kotipelto if he could sing the Elvis Presley song "Can´t Help Falling in Love", only very few people realized that it belonged to Elvis, in that recital Tolkki cried in front of his fans since it was the last show with Stratovarius, at the end of the show he said goodbye to his fans and wished Stratovarius the best. On the other hand Kotipelto launches in April the new solo album Serenity (Kotipelto album) with the collaboration of Lauri Porra.

The Reveal of Revolution Renaissance

In February 2008 Timo Tolkki revealed the new band called Revolution Renaissance and in March he revealed Tolkki's new solo album titled Saana – Warrior of Light Pt 1. After a long period of silence, on March 4, 2008 Timo Tolkki officially declared the disbandment of Stratovarius on his website. Confrontations, fights, incompetence, strained relationships, backlash, bitterness, hostilities, disinterest, and poor musicianship have been the cause of this internal reality around these simple painful facts.

Internal tensions within the band were cited as the cause, saying Lauri Porra and Jens Johansson were their only support, Jörg Michael focused more on his work session, and Kotipelto was the best to have a band itself. The band planned to release a new studio album, which they would have codenamed, "R..... R.....", in 2008. Instead, Tolkki created a new group called "Revolution Renaissance", whose name is the name of what would be the next Stratovarius album and that the songs from the first album would be precisely the songs that would be on "R.....R......".

Then the "new" Tolkki group where well-known singers such as Michael Kiske and Tobias Sammet among others appear. However, the remaining members of Stratovarius would release the demo of "Revolution Renaissance" the album with exactly the same songs but performed by the original lineup. The remaining Stratovarius members posted a statement online to give their side of the story. They came to the conclusion saying that Timo Tolkki's reasons were financial. They also assured that they would continue together since they owe it to themselves and their fans.

Shortly thereafter, Tolkki issues a final statement in which he relinquishes the rights to the Stratovarius name, as well as all proceeds from his back catalogue, assigning them to Timo Kotipelto, Jens Johansson and Jörg Michael.

In April 2008 Timo Tolkki left Stratovarius and put his problems and debts behind him, giving his blessing to the other members to continue the band and the legal case. The other members found themselves in legal limbo and deep in debt, but still continued to work. A change came when an agreement was finally reached with Sanctuary in late 2008. In an interview, Timo Kotipelto, Jens Johansson and Lauri Porra have announced that between the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 they will begin to compose a new album. Then, at the end of 2008 Stratovarius announced who would be the one to replace Tolkki, a young Finnish guitarist, Matias Kupiainen, who appears in a video uploaded to YouTube by the same members called "Work in Progresser" where the rehearsal sessions for the new album can be appreciated, it also includes a part of what would be a song from his future album.

In an interview Timo Tolkki confirms that he gave them all the rights to Stratovarius which indicates that they will continue with the same name.

New era: Polaris and Elysium

In 2009 Timo Kotipelto revealed in January the new band formed by him and the former members of Sonata Arctica entitled Cain's Offering with their new work Gather The Faithful which was released on July 22, 2009. In addition the band Stratovarius releases his new album entitled Polaris a melodic, powerful, fresh, well put together and technically elaborate album, which was released at the end of May 2009 and was followed by concerts at a series of festivals in Europe between June and July, and of a world tour between September and October that began in Poland and included countries in Asia, North America and South America, being its last presentation in Lima, Peru, on October 24, 2009. It reached # 2 positions in Finland is the first album involving the new guitarist Matias Kupiainen. Featured songs are 2 singles Deep Unknown and Higher We Go. In the second half of 2009, Stratovarius begins its 2009 Polaris Tour touring several European countries and then passing through the US, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, concluding the tour in Peru. In addition, the new DVD called "Live In Chile" in the same year.

In 2010 a reissue of the Polaris Live album was released with various live material recorded during the Polaris Tour, titled Polaris live (Special Edition) it would be their eleventh album and the last for now. In September 2010, the start of recording for the second Stratovarius album with Matias Kupiainen on electric guitar was announced. Before officially launching the album, the Darkest Hours EP will be edited, with two of the new songs from their new album: Darkest Hours and Infernal Maze, the demo of Darkest Hours and two live recordings corresponding to Against The Wind and Black Diamond. It will go on sale on November 26. Also, to promote the new album, Stratovarius will be touring as a guest of Helloween on their Seven Sinners Tour. Recently it has been known that the Stratovarius drummer Jörg Michael suffers from cancer, for which he has undergone surgery. This fact has meant that he cannot participate in the group's tour, being temporarily replaced by Alex Landenburg.

In 2011 the band releases their new album titled Elysium, which in just one week the album reached #1 in Finland and awarded a new gold record. Featured songs are Infernal Maze, Under Flaming Skies, Darkest Hours; However, if there is a song that shines with its own lights and that deserves a separate analysis, it is "Elysium", a cut of the same name and that becomes the longest song in the band's history, with a duration of 18 minutes. Like a train, it is a theme that has several carriages in its length. A smooth start, an elegant half time that tells us a positive attitude towards what is to come. “I'm not afraid anymore” is probably the most emblematic line, and the one that hits the hardest in this part. The cut gains strength as it progresses, with very good guitar arrangements, and a Johannson in the background that suits him very well, except when he intervenes in the solo part, where he makes a very good duo with Kupianen. On the other hand, the drummer Jörg Michael recovers from cancer and returns with the band to finish the tour with Helloween. This year Stratovarius reveals his new and highly anticipated video clip from his glorious album "Elysium" Under Flaming Skies the first cut of his great work, was recorded live at Edel Music studios On June 20, 2012, a new drummer for the band named Rolf Pilve was announced.

Members

Discography

Studio Albums

Awards

• Finnish Grammy for best album 1998.
• Finnish Grammy for best album 2000.
• Best video in Finland 1998.
• Best Metal song in Europe in the 1990s.
• Fastest song in Europe 1996.