Band:

Stratovarius

BiografieStratovarius was founded in 1984 in Finland under the name Black Water. They went through a number of personnel, style and name changes before the band found its own voice. The founding members were Tuomo Lassila, Staffan Stråhlman, and John Vihervä. By 1985, the name had changed to Stratovarius (a combination of Stratocaster and Stradivarius), and guitarist/vocalist Timo Tolkki entered the band, replacing Stråhlman.
Tolkki became the driving force and mastermind of the band, assuming relatively complete control of the song-writing. He brought along not only strong rock influences, but also a neo-classical tinge. The band released a demo to various record companies by 1987, finally being picked up by CBS Finland. In 1989, their debut album Fright Night was released, following two singles. After being dropped by CBS, the band went through several member changes, but they managed to release a second album on another label. In 1994 they released their third album, Dreamspace, featuring new bass player Jari Kainulainen, and after that, a full-time singer joined the band: Timo Kotipelto. The release of Fourth Dimension (featuring Kotipelto on vocals) in 1995 was a great success, but internal differences in the band, particularly about the future musical direction, 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. With the fifth release Episode, Stratovarius had finally found its sound and had a strong, diverse line-up. Episode was a grand project, featuring a large choir and a string orchestra. It spawned some of the all-time greatest Stratovarius hits, such as Father Time and Will The Sun Rise. This line-up released three hugely successful albums over the years: Visions in 1997, Destiny in 1999, and Infinite in 2000. With every album, their fame and fan-base expanded, and they started gaining a stronger following outside Scandinavia, particularly in Japan. 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. Elements pt. 1 was followed by Elements pt. 2, also released on
Nuclear Blast records the same year.
In January 2005, Stratovarius recorded their self-titled new album which was released in the same year by Sanctuary Records. In June 2005, Jari Kainulainen left the band, and was replaced by Lauri Porra. In the fall of 2005, Stratovarius was on the road in the US. Stratovarius was at times progressive and experimentally skewed, and a rather dark record. It was a daring and ambitious album which took the band in a new direction.

But unfortunately, dark clouds were shadowing the band’s path once again. In 2005, Sanctuary was starting to have severe financial problems and the whole label collapsed just as the record was released. Much of Sanctuary’s staff was made redundant, the stock price plunged, and banks and other creditors circled the company like vultures. The band played over 100 shows without any support from their record company, appearing at numerous festivals, and a long period of extensive touring all over Europe, Japan and South America began. One highlight was the two month Monster Metal Madness tour together with Shakra and HammerFall. It was a package of true power metal at its best, conquering Europe like an avalanche. In the meantime, Sanctuary’s financial troubles had really deepened. The band had to enter into a legal process with them to be able to release their next album. But the battle with this giant sinking multinational ship dragged on for more than a year, and it drained a lot of the spirit out of the band. In the end these tough times proved too much for Tolkki. In April 2008 he left Stratovarius and its debts and troubles behind, and gave the remaining members his blessing to do whatever they want with the band and the legal case, and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. The rest of Stratovarius’ members found themselves in legal limbo and with a heavy legal debt, but they were without preconceptions also all working on new music. The turning point came when a settlement with Sanctuary was finally achieved in late summer 2008.
A burst of creative energy followed. The young and very talented Finnish lead guitarist, Matias Kupiainen, joined the band.

In September 2008 the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together, and record. And they found themselves being a band reborn. The result is a melodic, powerful, fresh, tight, and technically elaborate new album.
Polaris was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios, Helsinki, Finland. Mixed by the longtime confidant of the band Mikko Karmila the album became another shining polar star at the Northern sky. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.
Polaris is a positive, powerful album that Stratovarius fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts.

The band will support the release of their new studio album with live shows around the globe in 2009 and 2010. Polaris will see a worldwide release in late May 2009 on edel/ear and JVC in Asia.Quelle: http://stratovarius.com/DiscografieFright Night CD 1989

Twilight Time CD 1992

Dreamspace CD 1994

Fourth Dimension CD 1995

Episode CD 1996

Visions CD 1997

Visions Of Europe- Live DOCD 1998

Destiny CD 1998

Chosen Ones (Best Of) CD 1999

Hunting High And Low MCD 2000

Infinite CD 2000

Intermission CD 2001

Elements Pt. 1 CD 2003

Elements Pt. 2 CD 2003

Stratovarius CD
2005 www

Interviews

Stratovarius_1
Donnerstag 25.11.2010
23.11.10: Durch die Präsentation des kommenden STRATOVARIUS-Albusm “Elysium” hatte ich die Chance mit Gitarrist Matias Kupiainen sowie der Stimme der Band, Timo Kotipelto über die Band und ihre Leben als Musiker zu sprechen.
Donnerstag 25.11.2010
23.11.10: Due to the presentation of STRATOVARIUS' upcoming album “Elysium” I had the chance to speak with guitarist Matias Kupiainen and the band's voice Timo Kotipelto about the band and their life as musician. That drummer Jörg's cancer illness has not been the topic of a question was my decision; I guess enough people bothered them with that.
Stratovarius_1
Dienstag 21.08.2012
STRATOVARIUS haben ihren Drummer Jörg Michael mit einer eigenen Tour verabschiedet, von der mit „Under Flaming Skies“ ein Livealbum gemacht wurde (Christian hat <a href="http://www.metal-inside.de/mi/review/14478" target="_blank" class="link3">das Review</a > dazu gemacht), mit Rolf Pilve haben die Finnen zudem einen Nachfolge
Stratovarius_1
Mittwoch 27.03.2013
Vor dem Auftritt von STRATOVARIUS in Nürnberg nahm sich Keyboarder Jens Johansson Zeit, einige Fragen zum aktuellen Album "Nemesis" und der Band selbst zu beantworten. Jens als dienstältestes STRATOVARIUS-Mitglied geht dabei auch ausführlich auf das Songwriting der Power Metaller ein.
Stratovarius
Dienstag 01.02.2000
Spätestens mit dem letzen Album "Destiny" haben es die Finnen von Stratovarius geschafft, an die Weltspitze der Melodic Power Metal Bands zu gelangen. Jetzt heißt es nur noch einen drauf legen.

Reviews

Elysium - Cover
Wenn ein Album so anfängt, wie es bei „Elysium“ der Fall ist, dann kann da kaum was Schlechtes bei
Infinite - Cover
Spätestens mit ihrem letzen Longplayer "Destiny" haben die finnischen Melodic Power Metaller vom Stratovarius bewiesen, daß sie zu einer der führenden, wenn nicht sogar zu DER führenden Band in diesem
Intermission - Cover
Wie die meisten Fans der finnischen Melodic Power Metaller inzwischen wissen dürften verabschieden sich Stratovarius für einige Zeit von der Bühne und legen eine ca. 3 jährige Pause ein.
TIPP
Nemesis - Cover
STRATOVARIUS sind wieder da!
TIPP
Under Flaming Winter Skies (Live In Tampere) - Cover
STRATOVARIUS haben 2011 etwas sehr ungemütliches für sie und die Fans bekannt gegeben: Der langjährige Drummer Jörg Michael musste aus gesundheitlichen Gründen die Band verlassen.