Stratovarius
Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation, they have released 16 studio albums, 4 DVD and 3 live albums. Along with German bands Helloween, Blind Guardian, and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius is considered one of the leading and most influential groups of the power metal genre. In its history, the band has gone through many chaotic lineup changes and since 1995 there are no founding members of the band that remain. Currently, the longest standing member is singer Timo Kotipelto, who joined in 1994.
Stratovarius was founded as Black Water in August 1984 by singer and drummer Tuomo Lassila, guitarist Staffan Stråhlman, and bassist John Vihervä. Line-up changes soon started to occur, including Timo Tolkki replacing Stråhlman two months later and taking over singing duties as well, and the band expanding to a quintet with the arrival of keyboarist Antti Ikonen the following year. Under this line-up, the band released its first album Fright Night in 1989, with Tolkki acting as sole composer. While various changes of bassist occurred, the band released the albums Twilight Time (1992) and Dreamspace (1994). In 1994, Tolkki decided to stop acting as lead vocalist, with Timo Kotipelto joining the band. After the release of Fourth Dimension in 1995, last remaining founding member Lassila, as well as Ikonen, left the band and were respectively replaced by Jörg Michael and Jens Johansson respectively.
Stratovarius (album)
Stratovarius is the self-titled eleventh studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 5 September 2005 through Sanctuary Records. The album reached No. 4 on the Finnish albums chart as well as the top 100 in six other countries. "Maniac Dance" was released as a single, reaching No. 4 on the Finnish singles chart and the top 100 in three other countries.
It is the last album to feature the band's longest-standing line-up which had been consistent since Episode (1996), as bassist Jari Kainulainen would leave Stratovarius later in the year, followed by guitarist and bandleader Timo Tolkki in 2008.
Overview
The release of Stratovarius came after a highly troubled period for the band in 2004, during which they temporarily split up following a nervous breakdown suffered by Tolkki. After a year-long hiatus, they reunited in 2005 and embarked upon a worldwide tour for the album, playing for the first time in the United States and Canada.
Stylistically the album displays a dramatically noticeable shift from the symphonic power metal sound of previous albums: the songs are more hard-edged and slower, with Tolkki's signature neo-classical shred soloing almost completely absent. Keyboardist Jens Johansson's role is particularly restricted, as well as Jörg Michael's drumming, which features hardly any of his signature double bass playing. Singer Timo Kotipelto also attempts a different vocal approach, mostly avoiding his usual high vocal range. Tolkki has since stated in interviews that he was unsatisfied with the end result of the album due to it being too far removed from the band's true style.
Podcasts:
Stratovarius
ALBUMS
- Nemesis released: 2013
- Under Flaming Winter Skies: Live in Tampere released: 2012
- Elysium released: 2011
- Infinite released: 2010
- Polaris released: 2009
- Visions of Europe released: 2006
- Stratovarius released: 2005
- Elements, Part 1 released: 2003
- Elements, Part 2 released: 2003
- Intermission released: 2001
- Visions released: 2001
- 14 Diamonds: Best of Stratovarius released: 2000
- Visions of Destiny released: 1999
- The Chosen Ones released: 1999
- Destiny released: 1998
- The Past and Now released: 1997
- Episode released: 1996
- Fourth Dimension released: 1995
- Dreamspace released: 1994
- Twilight Time released: 1994
- Stratovarius II released: 1992
- Black Diamond: The Anthology released:
- [untitled] released:
- Fright Night released:
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Falling Into Fantasy
by: StratovariusI'm sitting by the calm lake
And watch the setting sun
My feet are in the water
The journey's just begun
In the mist there is a boat and it's heading towards me
On the deck the lady's holding her hand and I agree
I'm falling into fantasy
The dream goes on
We are traveling in the nightfall
Until we stop somewhere
Descending into water
On dark and hazy stairs
Now she's leading me to the golden palace that lays ahead
She tells me I'm the one in her dreams and on her bed
I'm falling into fantasy
The dream goes on
I'm falling into fantasy
Drifting alone
Latest News for: stratovarius
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CMS | Highlight: Interview with Stratovarius 2015
CMS | HIGHLIGHT: Interview with Stratovarius' Jens Johannsen - 6/13/09
CMS | Highlight: Interview with Stratovarius' Timo Kotipelto 2015
STRATOVARIUS - Speed Of Light
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Stratovarius - Forever (live)
Stratovarius - Paradise
Stratovarius - Destiny
Stratovarius 'World On Fire' - Official Video - New Album 'Survive' Out September 23rd
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