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Stratovarius
Stratovarius and Sentiment in Tavastia, April 5, 2006.
Background information
Origin	Helsinki, Finland
Genre(s)	Power metal Neo-classical metal Progressive metal
Years active	1984 – present
Label(s)	Nuclear Blast, Sanctuary, Noise
Website	www.stratovarius.com
Members
Timo Tolkki Tuomo Lassila Antti Ikonen
Former members
See: #Former members

Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Although the German band Helloween is considered the earliest pioneer of the genre, Stratovarius is often regarded as crossing from classic power metal to keyboard-heavy modern power metal, influencing numerous bands to emerge during the 1990s.^{[citation needed]} Some of Stratovarius's material, particularly their mid-career albums such as Fourth Dimension can be heard to have some progressive metal elements. While their first two albums (Fright Night and Twilight Time) have some NWOBHM elements. Stratovarius is the latest album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Tavastia, Tavastland or Häme, is a historical province in the south of Finland. ... Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe Coordinates: , Country Province Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Charter 1550 Capital city 1812 Government  - Mayor Jussi Pajunen Area  - Total 187. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the sub-genre of heavy metal music. ... Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of the heavy metal music heavily influenced by classical music in its style of playing and composing[1]. It implies a very technical performance and the use of elements borrowed from classical music and/or by famous classical music composers. ... Progressive metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music which blends the powerful, guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing of progressive rock. ... This article is about the year. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... For nuclear detonations, see nuclear explosion. ... Sanctuary Records is a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Records. ... Noise Records is a German record label founded by infamous German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1984 as an expansion of the concept of his label Aggressive Rock Produktionen. ... Timo Tolkki (born March 3, 1966, in Klaukkala, Finland) is the guitarist, songwriter and producer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... This article is about the sub-genre of heavy metal music. ... This article is about the power metal band. ... Fourth Dimension is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Progressive metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music which blends the powerful, guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing of progressive rock. ... Fright Night is the debut album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Twilight Time is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) emerged in the late 70s, in part a reaction to the contemporary decline of traditional heavy metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, all three of which had been submerged by a mixture of personal problems, tiredness and...

History

Formation / Fright Night (1982 - 1989)

Stratovarius was founded in 1982 in Finland under the name Black Water. The band experienced a number of personnel and stylistic changes before finding its own voice. The founding members were Tuomo Lassila, Staffan Stråhlman, and John Vihervä. In 1983, the name was changed to Stratovarius (a portmanteau of Stratocaster and Stradivarius), an idea of Stråhlman's. In 1984, Timo Tolkki joined the band replacing Stråhlman on guitar and taking up vocal duties as well. Tolkki became the driving force and mastermind of the band, assuming relatively complete control of the songwriting. He brought along not only strong rock influences, but also a neo-classical style. A portmanteau (IPA: ) is a word or morpheme that fuses two or more words or word parts to give a combined or loaded meaning. ... A Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and three-tone sunburst finish. ... Antonio Stradivari, by Edgar Bundy, 1893: a romanticized image of a craftsman-hero One of the violins in the Stradivarius collection of the Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain A Stradivarius is a stringed instrument built by members of the Stradivari family, especially by Antonio Stradivari. ... Timo Tolkki (born March 3, 1966, in Klaukkala, Finland) is the guitarist, songwriter and producer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of the heavy metal music heavily influenced by classical music in its style of playing and composing[1]. It implies a very technical performance and the use of elements borrowed from classical music and/or by famous classical music composers. ...

The band released a demo to various record companies by 1987, finally being picked up by CBS Finland. In 1988, they released their first two singles, "Future Shock" and "Black Night," followed by the 1989 debut album Fright Night. Their "Future Shock" single was filmed the same year, becoming their first music video. Fright Night is the debut album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

Twilight Time (1990 - 1993)

After being dropped by CBS, the band went through several member changes, but in 1991 they managed to release the album Stratovarius II on Bluelight Records, which was re-released as Twilight Time through Noise Records the next year. The album was followed by one single, "Break the Ice," in 1992. Re-Release cover Bluelights re-release cover II is the second album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Twilight Time is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Noise Records is a German record label founded by infamous German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1984 as an expansion of the concept of his label Aggressive Rock Produktionen. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...

Dreamspace / Fourth Dimension (1994 - 1995)

In 1994, Stratovarius released their third album, Dreamspace, featuring new bass player Jari Kainulainen, who joined the band when 70% of the new material was already recorded. No singles or music videos were recorded for the album. Dreamspace is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Jari Kainulainen was the bassist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

Tolkki decided to stop singing for the band, and they hired a full-time singer, Timo Kotipelto. The release of Fourth Dimension in 1995 was a huge success for the band, and had a following single called "Wings of Tomorrow." The song "Against the Wind" was filmed without any single support. Timo Antero Kotipelto (born March 15, 1969) is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and hard rock band Kotipelto. ... Fourth Dimension is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Episode / Visions (1996 - 1997)

Despite the success of Fourth Dimension, internal differences - particularly of the style the band was going for - prompted the departure of long-time drummer Tuomo Lassila and keyboardist Antti Ikonen. Two new non-Finnish members were recruited: Swedish keyboardist Jens Johansson (of Yngwie Malmsteen fame) and German drummer Jörg Michael. Jens Johansson (born November 2, 1963 in Stockholm) is a world-renowned Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal-genre. ... Yngwie Johann Malmsteen (IPA pronunciation: //) (born Lars Johann Yngve Lannerbäck on June 30, 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish guitarist, composer and bandleader. ... Jörg Michael is the German drummer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

With the fifth release Episode in 1996, Stratovarius had finally found its sound and had a strong, diverse line-up. Episode featured a large choir and a string orchestra. It was another commercial success. It resulted in two new singles, "Father Time" and "Will the Sun Rise?." Episode is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

Their next studio album, Visions, was released in 1997 without changes in line-up, and together with it came two singles, "Black Diamond" and "The Kiss of Judas." Both of these were filmed. Visions is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

1997 also saw the release of their first compilation album, The Past and Now. The Past and Now is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

Destiny / Infinite (1998 - 2002)

Destiny was released in 1998, and Infinite in 2000. With these albums, their fame and fan-base expanded, and they started gaining a stronger following outside Scandinavia, particularly in Japan. While Destiny only resulted in one single, "SOS," Infinte resulted in three: "Hunting High and Low," "It's a Mystery," and "A Million Light Years Away." Destiny is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Infinite is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... For other uses, see Scandinavia (disambiguation). ...

In these years, Stratovarius also released three new compilation albums: The Chosen Ones in 1999, 14 Diamonds in 2000, and Intermission in 2001. The Chosen Ones is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... 14 Diamonds is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Intermission is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

The Elements Saga and the break-up (2003 - 2004)

In 2003, the band released its most epic project yet, the two-album suite named Elements. With these albums, they reached a peak in their progressive and symphonic style of power metal. The first album, Elements, Pt. 1, was released in early 2003, followed by a world tour. The same year, it was followed by Elements, Pt. 2, also released on Nuclear Blast. Progressive metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music which blends the powerful, guitar-driven sound of metal with the complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing of progressive rock. ... Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that sound similar to a classical symphony. ... This article is about the sub-genre of heavy metal music. ... Elements, Pt. ... Elements, Pt. ...

In late 2003, the band broke up, with Timo Kotipelto and Jörg Michael leaving after a very vaguely-explained conflict. Tolkki hired a new singer, Katriina "Miss K" Wiiala, and Anders Johansson of Hammerfall (Jens' brother) temporarily on drums. The rest of 2004 saw almost complete silence from the band. Timo Antero Kotipelto (born March 15, 1969) is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and hard rock band Kotipelto. ... Jörg Michael is the German drummer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Anders Johansson (born May 25, 1962 in Gothenburg) is a Swedish musician. ... Hammerfall redirects here. ...

Despite the break-up, the band still had to finish off their Elements tour. While touring in Spain, Tolkki was announced to have been attacked by a furious fan. Rock magazines and tabloid papers showed pictures of the stabbed guitarist. However, some time later news begun to spread that no stabbing actually happened. Around the same time, Tolkki was hospitalized because of severe mental illness.

Reunited (2005 - 2007)

In January 2005, it was announced that Stratovarius had reunited with the former line-up. 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. Jari Kainulainen was the bassist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Lauri Porra (born December 13, 1977) is a Finnish musician, primarily playing bass guitar. ...

Stratovarius then released the self-titled album Stratovarius in September 2005. During this time, Stratovarius began a world tour, starting in Argentina, which included a North American leg, where they toured the United States and Canada for the first time in the band's history. They played at such events as Atlanta's ProgPower, and in well-known venues such as B.B. King's House Of Blues in New York and Philadelphia's Trocadero Theatre. The tour also included European and Japanese cities. Stratovarius is the latest album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... North American redirects here. ... ProgPower Europe (formerly ProgPower) and ProgPower USA are music festivals held in Europe and the United States respectively. ... This article is about the state. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... The Trocadero Theatre opened in 1870 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering musical comedies, then vaudeville and burlesque. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

2008 Internal troubles

After a long period of silence, on March 4, 2008, Timo Tolkki officially stated the break-up of Stratovarius on his site. Internal tensions within the band were cited as the cause, saying that Lauri Porra and Jens Johannson were his only supporters, Jorg Michael was more focused on his session work, and Kotipelto was best for having a band by himself. The band was planning to release a new studio album, codenamed R.... R....., in 2008. Instead, however, Tolkki will be releasing the album himself in June 2008, and will be forming a new band around the album, called "Revolution Renaissance".

The remaining members of Stratovarius, however, posted a statement online giving their side of the story. They concluded by saying that the band was very much alive, but that Tolkki will no longer be a part of it.^[1]

Tolkki rebutted with another statement online, his final statement, wherein he waived the rights to the Stratovarius name, as well as all profits from their back-catalogue.^[2] Since Tolkki has written 95% of all Stratovarius songs since 1989, the continuation of the band without Tolkki would almost certainly change the musical direction of the band. For the album, see Stratovarius (album). ...

After many public "statements" on Stratovarius and Revolution Renaissance forum, and after many rumors that other members will continue as "Stratovarius", Timo Tolkki announced that next year (2009) he will record a last Stratovarius album that will close this chapter with dignity. Founding member of the band drummer Tuomo Lassila and former keyboard player Antti Ikonen join Stratovarius for one last album in 2009. Vocals and guitars will be done by Timo Tolkki. This line up is the 3/4 of the studio line up of Stratovarius albums 'Fright Night", "Twilight Time", "Dreamspace' and "Fourth Dimension".

Band members

• Timo Tolkki - Guitar (vocals up to Fourth Dimension, bass on Twilight Time) (1985-)
• Tuomo Lassila - Drums (also vocals until Tolkki joined the band) (1982-1995, 2008-)
• Antti Ikonen - Keyboards (1987-1996, 2008-)

Timo Tolkki (born March 3, 1966, in Klaukkala, Finland) is the guitarist, songwriter and producer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ...

Former members

• Timo Kotipelto - Vocals (1995-2004, 2005-2008)
• Jens Johansson - Keyboards, Piano (1995-2008)
• Lauri Porra - Bass guitar (2005-2008)
• Jörg Michael - Drums (1995-2004, 2005-2008)
• Jari Kainulainen - Bass guitar (1993-2005)
• John Vihervä - Bass guitar (1982-1984)
• Jyrki Lentonen - Bass Guitar (1985-1990)
• Sami Kuoppamäki - Drums (1994)
• Staffan Stråhlman - Guitar (1982-1985)
• Anders Johansson - Drums (For a brief period in 2004 when Jörg Michael was out of the band)
• Katriina "Miss K" Wiiala - Vocals (for a brief period in 2004 when Kotipelto was out of the band)

Timo Antero Kotipelto (born March 15, 1969) is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and hard rock band Kotipelto. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Jens Johansson (born November 2, 1963 in Stockholm) is a world-renowned Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal-genre. ... Synth redirects here. ... Pianoforte redirects here. ... Lauri Porra (born December 13, 1977) is a Finnish musician, primarily playing bass guitar. ... A sunburst-colored Fender Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass[1][2]; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Jörg Michael is the German drummer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments, such as a cowbell, wood block, chimes or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... Jari Kainulainen was the bassist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Sami Kuoppamäki (born 1971) is a Finnish drummer who has been a very prolific jazz and popular music session musician after the break-up of his early-90s band, Kingston Wall. ... Anders Johansson (born May 25, 1962 in Gothenburg) is a Swedish musician. ...

Member History

1982-1984 John Vihervä bass guitar, Tuomo Lassila Drums, Vocals, Staffan Stråhlman Guitar

1985-1986 Tuomo Lassila Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals Jyrki Lentonen, bass guitar Timo Tolkki (born March 3, 1966, in Klaukkala, Finland) is the guitarist, songwriter and producer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

1987-1990 Tuomo Lassila Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals Jyrki Lentonen, bass guitar, Antti Ikonen, Keyboard

1991-1992 Tuomo Lassila Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals, Bass Guitar(Studio) Antti Ikonen, Keyboards Jari Behm Bass Guitar (live)

1993 Tuomo Lassila Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals, Antti Ikonen, Keyboards Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar Jari Kainulainen was the bassist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

1994 Jörg Michael Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals, Antti Ikonen, Keyboards Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar Jörg Michael is the German drummer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

1995 Jörg Michael Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Timo Kotipelto Vocals, Antti Ikonen Keyboards, Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar Timo Antero Kotipelto (born March 15, 1969) is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and hard rock band Kotipelto. ...

1996-2003 Jörg Michael Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Timo Kotipelto Vocals, Jens Johansson Keyboards, Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar Jens Johansson (born November 2, 1963 in Stockholm) is a world-renowned Swedish keyboardist and pianist in the power metal-genre. ...

2004 Katriina "Miss K" Wiiala Vocals, Timo Tolkki guitar, Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar, Jens Johansson Keyboards, Anders Johansson, Drums Anders Johansson (born May 25, 1962 in Gothenburg) is a Swedish musician. ...

2005 Jörg Michael Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Timo Kotipelto Vocals, Jens Johansson, Keyboards Jari Kainulainen Bass Guitar Jörg Michael is the German drummer of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ...

2006-2008 Jörg Michael Drums, Timo Tolkki, Guitar, Vocals, Jens Johansson, Keyboards Lauri Porra Bass Guitar Lauri Porra (born December 13, 1977) is a Finnish musician, primarily playing bass guitar. ...

2008 Last known line up (participating on the 12th and last Stratovarius album of 2009) Tuomo Lassila Drums, Timo Tolkki Vocals/Guitar, Antti Ikonen, Keyboards

Discography

Studio albums

• Fright Night (1989)
• Stratovarius II (1991)
• Twilight Time (1992)
• Dreamspace (1994)
• Fourth Dimension (1995)
• Episode (1996)
• Visions (1997)
• Destiny (1998)
• Infinite (2000)
• Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
• Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
• Stratovarius (2005)
• The Get-together album (2009)

Fright Night is the debut album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Re-Release cover Bluelights re-release cover II is the second album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... Twilight Time is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Dreamspace is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Fourth Dimension is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Episode is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Visions is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Destiny is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Infinite is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Elements, Pt. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Elements, Pt. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Stratovarius is the latest album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Live albums

• Visions of Europe (1998)

Visions of Europe is a live album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

DVDs

• Infinite Visions (2000)

Infinite Visions is a live DVD by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Compilations

• The Past And Now (1997)
• The Chosen Ones (1999)
• 14 Diamonds (2000)
• Intermission (2001)
• Black Diamond : The Anthology (2006)

The Past and Now is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... The Chosen Ones is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... 14 Diamonds is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Intermission is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Singles

• Future Shock (1988)
• Black Night (1989)
• Break the Ice (1992)
• Wings of Tomorrow (Vinyl) (1995)
• Father Time (Japan only) (1996)
• Will the Sun Rise? (Japan only) (1996)
• Black Diamond (Japan only) (1997)
• The Kiss of Judas (Japan only) (1997)
• SOS (1998)
• Hunting High and Low (2000)
• It's a Mystery (Vinyl) (2000)
• A Million Light Years Away (2000)
• Eagleheart (2002)
• I Walk to My Own Song (2003)
• Maniac Dance (2005)

Fright Night is Stratovariuss first single released in 1988 through Nuclear Blast. ...

Music videos

• Future Shock (1989)
• Against The Wind (1995)
• Black Diamond (1997)
• The Kiss Of Judas (1997)
• S.O.S (1998)
• A Million Light years Away (2000)
• Hunting High And Low (2001)
• Eagleheart (2003)
• I Walk To My Own Song (2003)
• Maniac Dance (2005)

References

1. ^ Stratovarius rebuttal
2. ^ Tolkki final statement

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Stratovarius

• Official Stratovarius website
• The Stratovarius Network
• Official Stratovarius Myspace
• Stratovarius Americas Forums (Spanish and English)