The second Timo Tolkki's Avalon album is now shaping up, as the ex-Stratovarius mastermind just unveiled the album title and the complete list of guest musicians. The album will be named Angels Of The Apocalypse and will be released in May via Frontiers Records.

Read more ››

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Time for another bunch of news from the Timo Tolkki's Avalon camp. The new album will be released around May 2014, and in that month an European tour will also start, while recordings are currently taking place in East Sound Studios in Helsinki, Finland. In March, a single and a promotional video for it will be released: and they will feature no less than Nightwish and ReVamp vocalist Floor Jansen, who will play the leading role in the successor of The Land Of New Hope. Floor adds to the guest artists already announced, as Epica singer Simone Simons and ex-Stratovarius drummer and keyboardist Tuomo Lassila and Antti Ikonen.

Read more ››

Source:	avalonopera.com
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Will Timo Tolkki ever get rid of the Stratovarius inheritance? After Tuomo Lassila, the next ex-Strato member to join Timo Tolkki's Avalon's line-up for the second album is Antti Ikonen. The band's site states: "The original keyboard player of Stratovarius Antti Ikonen has joined the line up of Avalon. He played all keyboards on the classic Stratovarius albums such as Fright Night, Twilight Time, Dreamspace and Fourth Dimension."

Read more ››

Source:	avalonopera.com
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Tuomo Lassila, the founder of the legendary Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, will join his old bandmate Timo Tolkki for the recording of the drums and percussion parts on the second album of Timo Tolkki's Avalon Metal Opera. Previously, it was also announced that the first singer from the cast would be Simone Simons of Epica. The new album is expected to drop next year.

Read more ››

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Following the success of Timo Tolkki's Avalon debut album The Land Of New Hope, guitarist Timo Tolkki has already started working on a sequel to his first Metal Opera, slated for a 2014 release on Frontiers Records. The entire cast of musicians will be revealed one by one in separate video blogs. The first singer from the cast reveled is Simone Simons of Epica fame. She is not singing the main role on Avalon II, which is a working title for the album, but the final name will be revealed later.

Read more ››

Source:	avalonopera.com
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki's Avalon

After presenting his new album The Land Of New Hope, Timo Tolkki has released the first video of a new song with a vocal performance from Amaranthe singer Elize Ryd. You can see what you think about the song on the video below directed by Patric Ullaeus. The Land Of New Hope will be released on Frontiers Records on May 17th in Europe and May 21st in North America.

Read more ››

Source:	tolkki.org
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki

Frontiers Records has recently announced the release of Timo Tolkki's Avalon new Metal Opera entitled The Land Of New Hope on May 17th in Europe and May 21st in North America. Take a look at the artwork below, which was specially created for this project by Stanis W. Decker and will be released in two versions - regular CD and deluxe edition with a bonus DVD including a 30 minutes documentary "making of the album" and two promotional video clips.

Read more ››

Source:	frontiers.it
Band profile:	Timo Tolkki

Ex-Stratovarius member Timo Tolkki's has blogged on his Myspace page about a new project, titled 'Project Strato: Return To Dreamspace' with a link to a music page for the group of the same name.

This Myspace page shed's more light on the project:

"After Tolkki's departure from Stratovarius in the late 2007 an idea was born to get the classic Dreamspace line up together for an album. As a result the summer 2009 will be spent writing and demoing songs for a late 2009 release tentatively titled as: "PROJECT STRATO:RETURN TO DREAMSPACE". This album will see Timo Tolkki handling the vocals again and the fans of the Twilight Time/Dreamspace era will surely not be disappointed."

The reunited group is confirmed on Project Strato's Myspace as:

Timo Tolkki - Vocals & Guitar
Tuomo Lassila - Drums
Antti Ikonen - Keyboards
Jari Kainulainen - Bass

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, Stratovarius mainman Timo Tolkki reveals that he has formed a new band called Revolution Renaissance, which is believed to have been the working title of the now apparently aborted new Stratovarius album. The group's debut CD ? which will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (vocals; Helloween), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; Thunderstone), Mirka Rantanen (drums; Thunderstone), Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 Degree Woman) and Tobias Sammet (vocals; Edguy) ? is tentatively due this summer via Frontiers Records.

Michael Kiske indeed confirmed his participation on this CD saying that the songs and the lyrics are quite good. Michi recorded his lead-vocals for five complete songs, including the title-track "Revolution Renaissance".

Says Tolkki: "The contains more or less "Visions"-style Stratovarius' acclaimed 1997 release] power metal. It will come out pretty soon, maybe already in June. Michael Kiske, Pasi Rantanen, Mirka Rantanen, Pasi Heikkilä and Tobias Sammet have recorded their parts. But if there are any live performances, the lineup won't be the same. I have been thinking of asking Jens Stratovarius keyboardist] and Lauri Stratovarius bassist] to join me for this."

Regarding the band's name, Timo said, "On the album, there's one song with this title, and Frontiers suggested it to be the band's name too. I thought it was good idea."

When asked if he will perform any Stratovarius songs with Revolution Renaissance, Tolkki replied, "Well, what do you think? Of course. I can play my songs with whomever I want."

Read more ››

Source:	michaelkiske.net
Band profile:	Revolution Renaissance

In the ongoing saga between Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki and Frontiers Records in regards to the release of his new album "Saana - Warrior Of Light Pt. 1 - Journey To Crystal Island", Tolkki has issued an extensive statement on his MySpace blog.

Short synopsis: due to the fact that Frontiers haven't fullfilled its contractual obligations regarding "Saana", Timo Tolkki has terminated the contract between his production company Goldenworks and them. Regardless of that, Frontiers Records have notified Timo Tolkki by email today, that they are going to release "Saana" anyway without Timo Tolkki's permission even though they don't have the material to be able to produce the CD at all, as Frontiers only have MP3 files which are not adequate to produce a high quality CD. Also they have absolutely no graphic material for the booklet, information regarding the songs or even the lyrics...

You can find the full blog here. The Frontiers press release regarding the album can be found here.

Read more ››

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Stratovarius

Read Timo Tolkki statement published on the Stratovarius Official site:

"I have returned home from the hospital and I feel a little better now.

I have had a lot of time to think and analyze the situation that lead to my complete breakdown.

First and foremost I would like to thank Doctor Raili Kauppinen of ward 42 of Mehiläinen Hospital. I don´t think I would be here anymore without her encouraging rational thinking and support.

Secondly I want to thank my wife, daughter and my relatives, and my band for their love and support.

Thirdly I want to thank those legions of Stratovarius fans who sent me their messages of love and support.

I have read each and every one of them and I was truly touched by what you wrote. I have received over 3000 messages. I cannot thank you enough ever for your support.

I finally realized that I have an illness.

I completely lost control of myself. I have never felt more horrible, afraid and helpless in my entire life.

Lying in the hospital, one of the feelings that forced its way to my consciousness was this: I have been taking the wrong path. Memories and feelings filled my mind from the past Stratovarius tours and recording sessions. I became so sad for the loss. And the loss was also connected to my therapy, to my father somehow and to the starting of my studio. All these feelings at the same time almost made me end my life. These things, together with the stressful events of the last few months, were too overwhelming for me.

I felt what many Stratovarius fans must have felt about the turmoil and changes in the band they love. And finally I saw it clearly. Stratovarius is Timo Kotipelto, Jens Johansson, Jörg Michael, Jari Kainulainen and Timo Tolkki. If this line up is not possible, then there cannot be any band called Stratovarius. The current situation is not fair to the fans, and it is not fair to Katriina (Miss K), who by now is very wary of this situation.

From my side I can say that I will use my every strength to do these few last shows, I promise that I will be there, and that I am also up for trying to solve the problems with Timo Kotipelto, if he still is willing to try. I am hoping that with a little work, he will have have compassion, understanding and forgiveness for my behaviour the past year. This will not be easy and it will not be cheap. But if we can´t sit down like men and talk and solve them together, then Elements Part II will be Stratovarius´ final record and after the last show this summer on July 3 Stratovarius will die. That is the most fair thing to everybody, no matter the financial disaster which will be the result for all of us in who are left the band (excepting Katriina who I am planning to release from the contract in this case).

Read more ››

Band profile:

Stratovarius

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

"Unfortunately I have received news that 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."

Read more ››

Band profile:

Stratovarius

STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"After spending one week in countryside with my family, this is what I want to say:

"I have been shocked about the attack and the amount of ill will some people have directed to me. The festival in Spain was a very difficult thing to do after all those death threats. I got very drunk before the show and I also didn't feel that I received any support from the rest of the band. After the first song I left the stage because of the horrible sound and was waiting as they were fixing it. People were booing and started to throw things on stage. Then I returned and went to my mic and asked in English and Spanish 'What the fuck is going on?,' thus speaking aloud that sentence that I have had in mind since MissK joined the band and the amount of hatred this whole thing has generated. People started throwing things and 1 bottle hit me in the head. Once again it seems I am the bad guy and solely responsible for everything. Jens Johansson pissed on my leg in 'Forever'. I couldn't believe it to be true and he apologized later, which I accepted, once I understood why he did what he did.

"What happened the next day was something I never thought I would have to go through. All these 'conspiracy theories' about faked pictures sound completely alien to me. The wounds in my arm & face feel dead real and I am still convinced the guy was trying to kill me. He tried to hit me third time with the knife after I turned around, but I managed to grab his hand, so with his other hand he punched me in the face. All this nonsense about the pics is completely senseless. Jens took some pics to document what happened, for instance if we found the guy and needed to sue him. I am in the process in contacting Spanish police and report the thing, but not because I think the guy can be caught, but because of insurance policies. The guy can never be caught of course, he is gone and Jens was the only one who witnessed the attack.

"And all the time my only wish was to just get back home quickly to my wife and daughter.

"Since I returned home from the countryside I heard the speculation about the genuinity of the photos. This is unbelievable! Although I understand that my credibility has suffered lately due to some statements I have done under the influence of psychotic medicine and alcohol, I still cannot believe there are people who think this attack is fake. But let me explain to you what happened. I cannot be so super specific about everything, but this is what I do remember. The photo of stabbing wounds was taken straight after arrival to the hospital after Dr. Fernandez had sprayed some liquid to my arm. Then she cleaned the wounds and there were 6 stitches. The other picture released to the press by Sanctuary was taken the following day in Jens' room. By that time my eye and cheek was swollen and red from the hit, so I decided to cover all of that for the trip to home. Also the wounds in my arm were bleeding, so I did what Dr Fernandez asked me to do: changed the bandage.

Read more ››

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

STRATOVARIUS webmaster Fred Derf has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Today I received a phone call from Timo Tolkki.

"He sounded like being in a very confused state of mind and was talking about red Kabbalah ribbons and how when he was reading Madonna's biography he felt warm waves all over his body and that the spirit of Jesus entered him and that now he really has found something he has been searching for all his life.

"I am very worried about him, he sounded like completely crazy.

"From this day onwards I will not take the responsibility of whatever is being released on this Website.

"As long as my paycheck arrives, I will continue putting on the site whatever Tolkki asks me to put there.

"But there is nothing I can do about it.

"I just work here."

Read more ››

Band profile:

Stratovarius