The band posted their new video "Maniac Dance" online, as well as pictures from the video shoot.
The video was directed by Antti J. Jokinen in April.

The album "Stratovarius" is still to be released on September 5th, 2005.

Source:	stratovarius.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

A statement from Jens Johansson:

"No, we didn't plant MP3s with any malware. Of course, that's what I would say even if we did do it so if you don't believe me.. well what the fuck can I do about it.

Yes, it's very fucking possible for malicious code to hide in MP3 or other non-executable files. If you don't believe this you are very naive. There have been exploits that executed just by hovering the mouse over a file. I wish I was making this stuff up, but I'm not. It could be via a bug in the core operating system, some library thereof, some media player, some popular spyware, anything.

No, I don't at all know if MP3s with Stratovarius music is the actual vector. But it seems quite possible given the described payload.

No, you will probably not be able to find out who did this. I would consider these strange .strato files as lost. But that "challenge-response" shit could mean that there actually might be some way engineered into this thing to get them back using that challenge information and the right algorithm. Good luck..

Yes, I got copies of a file named "strato.exe" from angry people. And I'm not even going to be hovering my mouse over these files, much less run them to see if a picture of mickey mouse comes up or not.

Yes, provided it's not replicating (a pure trojan) the 12-year-old in me thinks this is at least a little bit funny.

Whichever 12-year-old sociopath did this, if those "certain" new MP3s really turn out to be the vector, well.. no pat on the back, but contact me and I'll get you a signed Stratovarius CD, a few years in federal prison, and probably a great paying IT security job when you get out..."

Band profile:

Stratovarius

The long time bass player of Stratovarius leaves the band.

Timo Tolkki has posted the following message to the band's forum: "Some of you have heard rumours that Jari Kainulainen has left Stratovarius. Unfortunately I have to tell you that they are true. This is due to personal reasons. We will release official statement regarding that soon."

Source:	stratovarius.com Also, MelodicRock.c...
Band profile:	Stratovarius

Finnish power metallers Stratovarius will release their brand-new self-titled effort in late August/early September via Sanctuary Records. The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Maniac Dance
02. Fight
03. Just Carry On
04. Back To Madness
05. Gypsy In Me
06. Götterdämmerung (Zenith of Power)
07. The Land of Ice and Snow
08. Leave The Tribe
09. United

A video for the album's first single, "Maniac Dance", was shot last week by director and guitarist Timo Tolkki's old schoolmate Antti Jokinen (Beyoncé, Wyclef Jean, Korn, Missy Elliott, Nightwish, Shania Twain, Celine Dion).

"The songs are a few years old," Tolkki told Sonera Plaza. "I didn't plan the album to be like this. The songs wrote themselves. I just compose and later see what I have come up with... All music on the album is done by me, but Jens (Johansson, keyboards) and Timo (Kotipelto, vocals) have contributed some lyrics.

"Every artist praises their new album, but I just really like this CD," Tolkki continued. "And of course I'm very happy that we managed to make it in the first place!"

One track that has made it to the album's final track listing over objections from the group's record label is "Götterdämmerung (Zenith of Power)" (formerly "Hitler"), which features a sampled speech by Adolf Hitler. Tolkki has previously described the track as "as strongly against Hitler as a song can be."

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Stratovarius

Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS have posted the following message on their official web site:

"After a lot of listening and editing, the basic structure of our 11th album is getting together slowly but surely. After the turbulence of the last year, none of us has known what to expect when going into the studio.

"We have used the drums Jörg [Michael] recorded alone at Soundtrack studio about a year ago. There was about 70 gigabytes of drums, so that took a while to listen to. And bit of tough decisions, and editing, cutting and pasting. New lyrics and vocal melodies have been written, and also some new songs.

"Says Timo Tolkki (guitar): 'I recorded all my rhythm guitars during one evening. God, my fingers still hurt!! There is a construction project going on under my studio. They are building a parking hall and are exploding huge bombs twice a day. Also there is lots of drilling. I am sure that this is the first time in the history of metal that an album has been recorded under circumstances like these.'

"It has indeed been very hard to record vocals and acoustic instruments. But we are finally getting there, slowly but surely. It's flowing and the feeling is really good. The vocals will for sure be finished before [singer] Timo Kotipelto's solo tour embarks. Then of course, the mixing... the mixing... the mixing.

"STRATOVARIUS has never made a compromise when it comes to the sound and this time with [Timo Tolkki] in his own studio.. my God, anything under two months of mixing and we'll be lucky. Anyway we would like to thank you, the fans, for your patience and hope that you enjoy this progress report and some new pictures."

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Stratovarius

According to Iltalehti, a new song from the forthcoming Stratovarius album has been suspended by the band's own record label, Sanctuary Music German Division. The opening intro of that song was supposed to start with the speech of Hitler. According to Timo Tolkki who points out the song is completely anti Hitler and therefore appeals to the freedom of the art. Tolkki adds that he has always been interested in Hitler and what made Hitler become such a monster, the song is as antifacist as possible. The lyrics of the song has been sent to the censorship department of the Ministry of the Interior Of Germany, which will make a decision about the legality of the song.

Source:	iltalehti.fi
Band profile:	Stratovarius

After all the turmoil of 2004, we are happy to announce that Stratovarius has reunited with the classic line-up: Timo Tolkki, Timo Kotipelto, Jörg Michael, Jari Kainulainen and Jens Johansson.

Since his breakdown in April, we have patiently been waiting for Timo Tolkki's health to improve. It has been, and since about 6 weeks he has been strong enough to go back to work.

Also during the past months, after much talk, soul-searching and reflection most of the damage within the band has been repaired. The rest of us now understand Timo's condition, and have slowly come to terms with it. There has been forgiveness, and everyone has a good relationship again.

Many of the immense problems we were facing have now found concrete solutions.

Lastly, we can announce that work is already in progress on completely new material.

Stratovarius

Source:	stratovarius.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

During yesterday's concert on Gates of Metal festival in Hultsfred, Sweden, Mr. Tolkki and Mr. Kotipelto appear to have buried the battleaxe.

Timo and Timo were actually talking to each other, and no hard feelings between the two were shown.
And the fact that Tolkki even played (and preformed it for the first time with Koti) "Beauty has Come" from Kotipelto's first solo effort, for a totally unwitting Kotipelto, doesn't make the odds any worse.

So is this the beginning of a new era with Kotipelto behind the mic in Stratovarius, or is it just a "show" for all of us that have a chance to see them live for the last time?

However, it's at least seems a little brighter in the Strato camp.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

Former STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto has revealed via his official website that he and the band's guitarist/founder Timo Tolkki are now on speaking terms following months of slagging one another in the press: "I can announce that I am talking to Timo Tolkki and actively trying to come to terms with what happened between us. Despite what many people would wish, I can not confirm that I am back in the band, but whether I do go back or not, at least I can say that we have some sort of dialogue now and that we all are trying to help solve all the many problems that his mental illness has caused. Recently (promoter) Olof Wikström from Skrikhult had a real emergency when Running Wild dropped out of their commitment to headline Gates Of Metal. I have agreed to sing more show with Stratovarius, partly because I want to help Olof, partly because I want to help Jörg, Jens, Jari and Timo, and of course also because I love to perform live. This means that I will be at Gates of Metal in Hultsfred on July 31st with Stratovarius, and with my solo band at Ankkarock on August 1st instead of the previous day. So, hope to see you there on either concert! Timo"

Kotipelto was given the boot last year along with drummer Joerg Michael following some severe disagreements within the band. The hiring of AURORA K singer Katriina Wiiala as Kotipelto's replacement was met with a brutal thumbs down from the fans, and Tolkki ended up checking himself into a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown. Through all the upheaval, however, the beloved Stratovarius line up of Tolkki, Kotipelto, Michael, bassist Jari Kainulainen and keyboardist Jens Johansson - together since 1995 - honoured all of the band's live commitments.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

Stratovarius will replace Running Wild at the Gates of Metal festival.

Late last night it was confirmed that the Finnish power metal band will come to Hultsfred in the end of July.

- Stratovarius is a very good band, it feels nice to have a replacement act of this size confirmed with so short notice. This is an exclusive appearance in more than one way. It's Stratovarius only show in Sweden this year and it might be their last show in Sweden ever. Nobody knows the future of Stratovarius.

STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson has posted the following message in the band's official forum:

"This is a sort of informal update.

"I went to Helsinki, basically to try and help with anything I could. Am here now.

"Jörg Michael will play on the next STRATOVARIUS record (as he is very good of course, and there was no other good drummer materializing out of thin air.)

"He has finished most of the drums, whether Timo will like them or not when he is ready to listen we will see.

"The drums are being recorded in Helsinki. Timo disappeared right on the day they were starting the basic tracks. So for the week before I came, Jörg has been recording in the studio, ALONE, only with a click and nothing else to guide him, just remembering the songs in his head! He was the only guy slaving away in the studio and he's not even in the band! Yes, this is bizarre stuff but if anyone rises to such an occasion it is Jörg I think.

"The new singer Katriina ('Miss K') I haven't actually met yet. And Jari really seems to have dropped off the face of the planet.

"So let's see. So far I have: a singer I never met, a drummer who's not in the band, a bass player who is on another planet, and the main songwriter and producer went to a psychiatric hospital last week. I know all this looks very bad, but the strange thing is that I still very much have some hope left.

"Because I can say is that the songs are really killer, and the drums are good.

"This means anything is possible.

"There are many other things going on, I suppose everyone heard about a few of them already...

"I'm doing fine personally, I still have the hope that like many problems, these will right themselves given some time.

"I have collected my recording gear that was stored here. It all survived the winter and it works. I try to will record... something. I will help with anything that I can. Timo's studio is not operational quite yet, but it is pretty close I believe. [I can verify that his SSL is there, I saw it and I touched it, it's real! ]

"There is a sauna in the apartment me and Jörg are staying in. There are beers in the fridge. The songs and the drums are good. I am one of the worst pessimists out there. If I say there is hope, then be sure that there actually is hope!"

Band profile:

Stratovarius

STRATOVARIUS' webmaster has posted the following on the band's official site, www.stratovarius.com:

"Unfortunately I have received news that [guitarist] Timo Tolkki was hospitalized on April 10th due to suicidal feelings and chronic depression.

He is currently being treated in Mehiläinen, a private hospital in Helsinki, Finland.

If anyone wants to send recovery wishes to Timo, you can send them directly to timorecovery@stratovarius.com or you can use the ready made form we have made: http://www.stratovarius.com/index2.php'section=timorecovery

All the recovery wishes will be delivered to Timo at the hospital."

Band profile:

Stratovarius

STRATOVARIUS' split with singer Timo Kotipelto was the result of years of alcohol abuse and non-communication, the vocalist has revealed in an interview with Holland's Lords of Metal. "It lies in the Finnish mentality not to openly talk about problems," Kotipelto said. "That is what ultimately ended STRATOVARIUS. For all those years we never spoke about our problems but kept them to ourselves, which allowed trouble to build up."

According to Kotipelto, problems first arose when STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki started drinking heavily during the "Destiny" tour. In the years that followed, the resentment between bandmembers intensified, made worse by Tolkki's insistence on keeping Kotipelto out of the creative process. "Everybody could see the split coming from miles away," the singer admitted.

The tension within the band was largely to blame for the group's decision not to support the "Elements Pt. 2" album with a tour and to take a break instead. "Well, we sure managed to do that," Kotipelto added rather cynically.

The alcohol abuse of various bandmembers contributed to the explosive situation within STRATOVARIUS. Concerts where Timo Tolkki would be drunk onstage, such as the recent Piorno Rock appearance in Spain, complicated matters. The fistfight that eventually ended the co-operation between Tolki and Kotipelto was shrouded in an alcoholic haze. "I do not remember anything of that night," Kotipelto said. After the disastrous performance at Piorno Rock, guitarist Timo Tolkki is contemplating abandoning the remaining festival dates that were booked by the old lineup. "I personally would not mind if those concerts got cancelled," Kotipelto concluded.

Band profile:

Stratovarius

Finland's Sonera Plaza has posted several photos of STRATOVARIUS performing at Spain's Piorno Rock festival on Saturday, including pictures of keyboardist Jens Johansson pissing (literally!) on guitarist Timo Tolkki during the opening notes of the song "Forever" (no, we're not kidding). Check them out here: http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/musiikki/artikkeli/0,3634,6197_200049,00.html

STRATOVARIUS' set list for the Piorno Rock performance:

01. I Walk To My Own Song
02. Reign Of Terror
03. Lord Of The Wasteland
04. Hunting High And Low
05. Eternity
06. I'm Still Alive
07. Speed Of Light
08. Granada (Spanish) / Season Of Faith's Perfection
09. Forever Free
10. Forever
11. Phoenix
12. Kiss Of Judas
13. Father Time
14. Black Diamond

Band profile:

Stratovarius

STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki was assaulted in the center of Granada, Spain on Sunday (Feb. 29) as he was taking a walk, Finland's Sonera Plaza is reporting. According to STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, who witnessed the attack, the alleged attacker was extremely agitated and had "a Hispanic looking appearance". During the assault, the attacker shouted "Tolkki." He was armed with what seemed to be a box cutter.

Tolkki was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to emergency care. He had two stab wounds on his left arm and a facial contusion. His wounds were cleaned and bandaged and he was released from hospital care.

Anybody with any information about the attacker is being asked to contact the police.

Tolkki commented that he is "shocked and horrified" by what happened. "Apparently this guy had been stalking me. The bastard attacked me from behind," Tolkki said. "I can take anything, but that was such a cowardly act, you know. He got me with the knife twice and punched me in the face. Then he ran away. The whole thing lasted just seconds. Now I am thinking that this might be the end of my career. I do not want to end up like John Lennon. I don't know if I want to continue STRATOVARIUS anymore".

When asked if he thinks that the attack has something to do with the resent changes in STRATOVARIUS lineup and the death threats he has received, Tolkki commented: "Of course I feel there is a connection to that. Why would anybody attack me like that otherwise? What possible other motive this guy could have had than that? I think he tried to kill me, but this time I was lucky".

STRATOVARIUS performed on Saturday night as a headliner of Piorno Rock Festival in Granada, Spain.

A photo of Timo Tolkki taken on Sunday after he was treated for his wounds can be viewed here: http://www3.soneraplaza.fi/musiikki/artikkeli/0,3634,6211_199869,00.html

Related link: Sonner Plaza (Finland) website: http://www.soneraplaza.fi/

Band profile:

Stratovarius