Stratovarius
Stratovarius is a power metal band from Finland. They became more popular i… Read Full Bio ↴Stratovarius is a power metal band from Finland. They became more popular in the '90s, and throughout their career have inspired upcoming power metal bands with their baroque arranged keyboard solos & Ritchie Blackmore-like guitar portions.
Stratovarius was founded in Finland in 1984 from former members of the band Black Water. They went through a number of personnel and musical changes before the band found its own voice. In 1984, the name was changed to Stratovarius (a portmanteau of Stratocaster and Stradivarius), an idea of Stråhlman's. By 1984, Timo Tolkki entered the band, replacing Stråhlman in the guitar. He took up the vocal duties as well. Tolkki became the driving force and mastermind of the band assuming almost 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 followed by two singles.
After being dropped by CBS the band went through several member changes but they managed to release on another label and they also toured a bit. In 1994 they released their third album, Dreamspace, featuring new bass player Jari Kainulainen, (who joined the band when 70% of the new material was already recorded) which was a great success. Tolkki decided to stop singing for the band and they hired a new full-time singer, Timo Kotipelto. The release of Fourth Dimension in 1995 was a great success, but internal differences in the band particularly about 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. 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 1998, and Infinite in 2000. With every album their fame and fan-base expanded and they started gaining a stronger following outside the Nordic countries 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 naturally followed by Elements pt. 2, also released on Nuclear Blast records in the same year with the hit single "I Walk To My Own Song".
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's brother) temporarily on drums. Tolkki's behaviour rapidly began to become extremely strange. He published a long news article on the band's website, detailing how he had converted to Kabbalah after reading Madonna's autobiography and being contacted by Jesus himself. He wrote extensively on the principles of Kabbalah but according to some Jewish forum members, this has nothing to do with any actually practised form of it. The webmaster removed the news article from the site. Then Tolkki even stabbed himself in the shoulder first claiming that a crazy Spanish fan had done it because of band had broken up. Tolkki also phoned Anders Johansson, speaking nonsense about Adolf Hitler – Anders freaked out and left the band. Nobody really understood the situation and fans were worried about Timo's mental condition. In April 2004 he was hospitalised with chronic depression and a nervous breakdown and, after being released from the mental hospital, negotiations and attempts at reconciliation with the rest of the band began. The rest of 2004 was virtually complete silence from the band.
In January 2005 an announcement was released that Stratovarius had reunited with the old line-up. Tolkki seemed to have recovered from his strange illness. In June 2005 Timo Tolkki announced that the band's bassist, Jari Kainulainen, had left the band due to personal reasons. He was later replaced by Lauri Porra.
Stratovarius then released the self-titled album Stratovarius in September 2005 featuring the popular single "Maniac Dance". During this time Stratovarius began a world tour starting in Argentina. It also 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 "Prog Power", 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 some European and Japanese cities.
On April 2 2008 Timo Tolkki announced on his official website that the band has officially stopped due to various issues between the band members.
Timo Tolkki has formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. He released his first album on june 6, 2008 and it featured guest appearences by Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) and Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia)
The band has since made an announcement on the Stratovarius website stating that the band will continue without Timo Tolkki.
After the announcement, the band began to search for a new guitar player, making the announcement on the band's official forum and in soundi magazine that Matias Kupiainen would replace Timo Tolkki and that 15 songs had already been demoed for the new album.
On May 13 2009 Stratovarius released their 12th studio album, Polaris, now with the new members Lauri Porra and Matias Kupiainen playing bass and guitar respectively.
Early 2011 saw the release of their new album, Elysium, containing the songs that were written during the Polaris tour. Also during 2012 saw the departure of long-time drummer Jörg Michael for personal reasons and his replacement Rolf Pilve.
2013 saw the release of their newest album "Nemesis".
Studio albums:
- Fright Night (1989)
- Twilight Time (1992)
- Dreamspace (1994)
- Fourth Dimension (1995)
- Episode (1996)
- Visions (1997)
- Destiny (1998)
- Infinite (2000)
- Intermission (2001)
- Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
- Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
- Stratovarius (2005)
- Polaris (2009)
- Elysium (2011)
- Nemesis (2013)
Stratovarius was founded in Finland in 1984 from former members of the band Black Water. They went through a number of personnel and musical changes before the band found its own voice. In 1984, the name was changed to Stratovarius (a portmanteau of Stratocaster and Stradivarius), an idea of Stråhlman's. By 1984, Timo Tolkki entered the band, replacing Stråhlman in the guitar. He took up the vocal duties as well. Tolkki became the driving force and mastermind of the band assuming almost 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 followed by two singles.
After being dropped by CBS the band went through several member changes but they managed to release on another label and they also toured a bit. In 1994 they released their third album, Dreamspace, featuring new bass player Jari Kainulainen, (who joined the band when 70% of the new material was already recorded) which was a great success. Tolkki decided to stop singing for the band and they hired a new full-time singer, Timo Kotipelto. The release of Fourth Dimension in 1995 was a great success, but internal differences in the band particularly about 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. 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 1998, and Infinite in 2000. With every album their fame and fan-base expanded and they started gaining a stronger following outside the Nordic countries 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 naturally followed by Elements pt. 2, also released on Nuclear Blast records in the same year with the hit single "I Walk To My Own Song".
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's brother) temporarily on drums. Tolkki's behaviour rapidly began to become extremely strange. He published a long news article on the band's website, detailing how he had converted to Kabbalah after reading Madonna's autobiography and being contacted by Jesus himself. He wrote extensively on the principles of Kabbalah but according to some Jewish forum members, this has nothing to do with any actually practised form of it. The webmaster removed the news article from the site. Then Tolkki even stabbed himself in the shoulder first claiming that a crazy Spanish fan had done it because of band had broken up. Tolkki also phoned Anders Johansson, speaking nonsense about Adolf Hitler – Anders freaked out and left the band. Nobody really understood the situation and fans were worried about Timo's mental condition. In April 2004 he was hospitalised with chronic depression and a nervous breakdown and, after being released from the mental hospital, negotiations and attempts at reconciliation with the rest of the band began. The rest of 2004 was virtually complete silence from the band.
In January 2005 an announcement was released that Stratovarius had reunited with the old line-up. Tolkki seemed to have recovered from his strange illness. In June 2005 Timo Tolkki announced that the band's bassist, Jari Kainulainen, had left the band due to personal reasons. He was later replaced by Lauri Porra.
Stratovarius then released the self-titled album Stratovarius in September 2005 featuring the popular single "Maniac Dance". During this time Stratovarius began a world tour starting in Argentina. It also 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 "Prog Power", 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 some European and Japanese cities.
On April 2 2008 Timo Tolkki announced on his official website that the band has officially stopped due to various issues between the band members.
Timo Tolkki has formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. He released his first album on june 6, 2008 and it featured guest appearences by Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween) and Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia)
The band has since made an announcement on the Stratovarius website stating that the band will continue without Timo Tolkki.
After the announcement, the band began to search for a new guitar player, making the announcement on the band's official forum and in soundi magazine that Matias Kupiainen would replace Timo Tolkki and that 15 songs had already been demoed for the new album.
On May 13 2009 Stratovarius released their 12th studio album, Polaris, now with the new members Lauri Porra and Matias Kupiainen playing bass and guitar respectively.
Early 2011 saw the release of their new album, Elysium, containing the songs that were written during the Polaris tour. Also during 2012 saw the departure of long-time drummer Jörg Michael for personal reasons and his replacement Rolf Pilve.
2013 saw the release of their newest album "Nemesis".
Studio albums:
- Fright Night (1989)
- Twilight Time (1992)
- Dreamspace (1994)
- Fourth Dimension (1995)
- Episode (1996)
- Visions (1997)
- Destiny (1998)
- Infinite (2000)
- Intermission (2001)
- Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
- Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
- Stratovarius (2005)
- Polaris (2009)
- Elysium (2011)
- Nemesis (2013)
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Stratovarius Lyrics
01. Black Diamond Again I see you standing there watching me Your gaze, those…
030366 I'm your god; computer's my name Give the password or you…
06.A Million Light Years Away I don´t know what to do I don´t know who you…
08 4000 Rainy Nights These empty days are filling me with pain After I…
4.000 Rainy Nights These empty days are filling me with pain After I…
4th Reich Sign of the times and writings on the wall They show…
A Drop In The Ocean Seasons of madness fill my mind A lunar poet trying to…
A Million Light Years Away I don´t know what to do I don´t know who you…
Abandon I'm waiting for a train To take away the pain and…
Abyss I'm out on the open sea The wind is embracing me I'm…
Against the Wind Once again I try to make things work Facing all the…
Alpha I am the earth and sky I am the low and…
Anthem of the World The setting sun creates another world The shadows fall ano…
Awaken The Giant I'm staring at the wall Sick and tired of all Manic depressi…
Babylon A new day is rising in ancient Babylon Revealing mysteries t…
Back To Madness Another winterday is gone I'm lying here all alone There are…
Before The Winter Before the summer turns to winter Before the dreams will tur…
Black Diamond Again, I see you standing there watching me You gaze, those…
Black Diamonds Again I see you standing there watching me Your gaze, those…
Black Night Over the sea Moon's shining bright on it's way To clear th…
Blackout Cover From Scorpions I realize I missed a day But I'm too…
Blind I hear footsteps closing in I recognize them from my early…
Bloodstone I've been trying There's no denying It's sending me Out of m…
Break the Ice Why do you stare at me? It's hard to please when…
Burn Me Down Born under the fire An innocent child, pure-hearted and sil…
Castaway I've been lost far too long Need to find my way…
Castles In The Air When the day turned into night When the stars run out…
celestial Here in the Universe I find some things that are…
Chasing Shadows I have been sailing across the oceans Flying across the blue…
Cold Winter Nights Summer's gone a while ago The daylight dims away I'm watchin…
Coming Home I wake up in the morning So far away from home Trying…
Darkest Hours These frantic memories They bring me down, tormenting peace …
Darkness Living on the edge of falling down Like each day would…
Deep Unknown Taking a chance going Into the great unknown Facing your fe…
Destiny The times are changing so fast, I wonder how long…
Destiny (Remastered 2016) The times are changing so fas I wonder how long it…
Distant Skies Went into the plane was scared like hell Tried to relax…
Dragons You wanna go to heaven but you never want to…
Dream With Me Now it is time for you To close your eyes They've seen…
Dreamspace Looking back through time to my childhood days I used to…
Dreamweaver Lying alone in your bed Images from the past filling your…
Eagle Heart All through the night he is lying awake Wond'ring how much…
Eagleheart All through the night he is lying awake Wond'ring how much…
Elements Elements, wind, fire, water, earth Elements, fear, anger, so…
Elysium PART I: I've never felt like this before Am I awake? Am…
Emancipation Suite 1: Dusk I'm staring at the last rays of the sun, The final…
Emancipation Suite Part I: Dusk I'm staring at the last rays of the sun, The…
Emancipation Suite Part II: Dawn Under burning sky Flames are rising high Ground is turni…
Emancipation Suite: I Dusk I′m staring at the last rays of the sun, The final…
Enigma I'm deep in my sorrow and feeling down Not waiting…
Eternity When clouds are covering the sky I can't help thinking what'…
Event Horizon Standing outside in darkness My breath is steaming The s…
Eyes of the World Everywhere I go I see people staring at me It makes…
Fairness Justified I thought I could not find Someone who's so alike…
Falling Into Fantasy I'm sitting by the calm lake And watch the setting sun My…
Falling Star Feel the night time growing nearer From amidst the darkness …
False Messiah Come to me my disciples Said the stranger who came Healed th…
Fantasia Welcome to my world Close the gates You've come from far a…
Fantasy Reach a star, travel so far or find out who…
Father Time Walking down the path that leads me to my memories Pacing…
Feeding the Fire Reading all the daily news Full of crime, hate and abuse Whe…
Fight!!! Fly the mountains Pictures on my back Hopeless feelings E…
Find Your Own Voice No Christ, God nor religion Gave me the answers I was…
Fire Dance Suite Dancing around the fire We've gathered here tonight Flames…
Fireborn I was born within a dream and awoken by a thunderous…
Forever I stand alone in the darkness The winter of my life…
Forever Free They try to give me answers To questions I´ve never asked I'…
Forever Free (Remastered 2016) They try to give me answers To questions I've never asked I'…
Forever Is Today I'm dreaming awake, My thoughts won't let me go Feels like m…
Freedom Higher I set my goals everyday I make my own…
Fright Night Feel the night, conceal your fright It came from your right …
Full Moon Shining there in the sky light our way across the…
Future Shock I saw it in a dream The day that changed our…
Future Shock '96 I saw it in a dream The day that changed our…
Galaxies Hear my call don't waste your time Remember what we're fight…
Giants Haven't you ever been drowning in sorrow? In the morning Bec…
Glory Of The World The sun is setting on the pain the people freezing…
Gypsy I was sent out To the world From the mission I just returned…
Halcyon Days What I feel inside my mind Is driving me insane It's…
Hallowed Once they countdown the final dream Life will never be the…
Heroes look to yourself hear what i say the answer is inside…
Higher We Go Feeling so sad and tense Confusion on my mind Nothing makes …
Hold On To Your Dream Since you were born pushed into corner And left all alone To…
Hunter Those cold black eyes with their empty stare revealing noth…
Hunting High & Low I feel the wind in my hair And it's whispering, telling…
I Did It My Way Look at me do you see All the things you could…
I Surrender I surrender to your heart babe do anything that you want…
I Walk To My Own Song I'm walking the streets and I hear what you say Advising…
I'm Still Alive Look around turn around You just might fall to the ground Sa…
I'ts a mystery In the middle of the jungle There are ruins of temples…
If The Story Is Over Once upon a time I was the scribe of all…
Im still alive Look around turn around You just might fall to the ground …
In My Line of Work You deserve everything Everything that you need And all that…
Infernal Maze You faded away And woe is all that remains And…
Infinity Mother watch your children The iron fist of fear is…
Into Deep Blue Sometimes I just want to lie in your lap and…
It's a Mistery In the middle of the jungle There are ruins of temples…
It's A Mystery In the middle of the jungle There are ruins of temples…
Its A Mystery In the middle of the jungle There are ruins of temples…
Just Carry On Time goes by But you can't rest Too many things And you'r…
Keep The Flame The shadow falls on me today Why can't it fade into…
Keep the flame alive The shadow falls on me today Why can't it fade into…
Kill It With Fire Alone in the prison I made of my mind Like many…
Kill The King Danger, danger the Queen's about to kill There's a stranger,…
King Of Nothing In the year before we lost our empire We were children…
kiss of judas I hear footsteps closing in I recognize them from my early…
Know the Difference To see the things in a brand new light Not to…
Last Night on Earth Getting closer to the final frontier We ve reached the poin…
Last Shore I will call for you Said the man to the fool…
Lead Us Into the Light Hey you, take a look aroud Can you feel the change…
Learning To Fly Life will go on Soon it is gone It's bigger that we…
Leave The Tribe Listen to what I have to say We could get out…
Legions Far in the core of the earth First it was given…
Liberty Sun is shining Sky is so blue I'm filled with hope It's prom…
Lifetime In A Moment From the dark, I watch you go away I will…
Lord of the Wasteland I'm going back through time Before the war this crime Who wo…
Lost Without a Trace I can't explain the way I feel sometimes The loss of…
Luminous Luminous we shine Like the stars on the evening sky Throug…
Madness Strikes As Midnight He's crawling out from the asylum Under cover of the night I…
Magic Carpet Ride Let me take you to the far away places Where you've…
Maniac Dance His year has been a nightmare I've been so low, I…
Millenium The more I live, more clear it's each day We've got…
Mother Gaia Time waits for no one So they say It goes…
Move The Mountain Would you move the mountain, Would you build a tower,…
My Eternal Dream I still remember when I was a child So curious, adventurous…
Nemesis The night turns to dawn The city’s left behind Those who’v…
Neon Light Child I live on the street, it is my home All my…
Night Screamer Scream at nights But you won't be heard It's deep inside The…
Night Time Eclipce If I could stay awake for awhile It would be another…
Night Time Eclipse If I could stay awake for awhile It would be another…
Nightfall Shades of night I'm walking through sleeping village That is…
No Tuning Back So long I have been accepting what I've seen, never…
Oblivion I've locked myself in silence and kept denying That you're a…
Old Man and the Sea Son, my father he said to me You only dream when…
One Must Fall Take all that I have left Take everything I have spared…
Out Of The Fog Black day is dawning All prayers unanswered, laid to rest …
Out of the Shadows Out to the light from the mist From the shadows I…
Papillon Flying to the day One day to play With eyes open wide I…
Paradise Late at night I find myself again Wondering and watching TV …
Phoenix I am facing the truth I got to change the…
Phoênix I am facing the truth I got to change the way…
Playing With Fire Hunger grows stronger I feel it day by day I need…
Rebel You found the truth again I showed the way The…
Reign of Terror What the hell is going on Ski jumpers making music that…
Ride Like The Wind A house made of cards and no time to run Unfolding…
Rise Above It Scam is the way How they play How they make their move Damne…
Run Away Run the other way Wipe your tears away The pain is here…
S.O.S I'm waiting for the rain now To settle the dusty air Clear…
S.O.S. I'm waiting for the rain now, to settle the dusty…
S.O.S. - Remastered 2016 I'm waiting for the rain now, To settle the dusty air. Clear…
Season of Change Season of change life feels so strange Look into my eyes…
Season of faith's perfection Seasons they come seasoned they go Observing them in their p…
Seasons Of Change Season of change life feels so strange Look into my eyes…
Seasons Of Faith's Perfection Seasons they come seasoned they go Observing them in their p…
Second Sight No-one really knows Where this man comes from Or if he has…
Shattered I worked so hard to get my aim Pulled out wrong…
Shine In The Dark When I was young and life had only just begun The…
Somehow Precious Yesterday seems so far away Some projection in a dream Sweat…
Sos I'm waiting for the rain now To settle the dusty air Clearin…
Soul Of A Vagabond Pack on my back I wander Over mountains across the seas My…
Speed of Light Today is just an other day Of my life too short…
Speed of Light - Remastered 2016 Today is just another day Of my life too short to…
Stand My Ground This is my way, these are my rules These are my…
Tears of Ice Tears of ice falling down my cheeks Forming a lake in…
The Abyss Of Your Eyes I feel like I'm drowning Trying to catch my breath Don't kno…
The Curtains Are Falling I'm back in the air, but I've nowhere to go I…
The Game Never Ends Concord and tears from industrial giants, Apologies counti…
The Hands of Time The time is running It's running so fast that you don't…
The Hills Have Eyes Come with me my child It's gonna take a little while To…
The Kiss Of Judas I hear footsteps closing in I recognize them from my early…
The Land Of Ice And Snow The land of ice and snow Where the midnight sun blows Hundre…
Thin Ice I'm walking on a thin ice Lying paralyzed There's staying …
Tomorrow IÂ'm staring out the window Wondering will I soon know The a…
Twilight Symphony I´m entering in to the woods I left everything behind I have…
Twilight Time Danger zone I look into the mirror see my face again I…
Unbreakable Reckless wheel of time, we follow how it flies by We…
Uncertainty Learning by trying it´s hard to deny it While paying for…
Under Flaming Skies The wind is blowing There's ashes in the air The…
United We drifted apart on the sea of life Sailed into new…
Until the End of Days Until the end of days Until the end of days Fear is…
Venus In the Morning It´s 4 in the morning I´m gazing the sky with…
Visions I have seen the future of mankind The wisdom of my…
Wasteland I'm going back through time Before the war this crime Who wo…
We are magic I was standing by the road Had to choose which way…
We Are the Future What is wrong with a man destroying the land. Our planet…
We Hold the Key ´m watching as the morning sun rises Before my very eyes Re…
What Can I Say Sometimes it's not that easy finding all the words For how…
What Can I Say? Sometimes it's not that easy finding all the words For how…
When Mountains Fall It was just like yesterday, When you chose to leave and…
When the Night Meets the Day Look around there's no time to waste Life goes on nothing's…
Why Are We Here When the stars are gone forever and planets are turned…
Will My Soul Ever Rest In Pe.. I've been searching for an oasis In the desert for so…
Will the Sun Rise Throwing my dreams out of my mind Casting them into the…
Will the Sun Rise? Throwing my dreams out of my mind Casting them into the…
Wings of Tomorrow New winds are blowing over the world can you feel…
Winter Silence is all I hear Blackness fills my world Midwinter day…
Winter Skies Walking by a frozen lake Silent snow in the air Dreaming of…
Witch Hunt The witch is worried Which is bitch? Take both of them…
Witch-hunt The witch is worried Which is bitch? Take both of them…
Years Go By Look around do you see So many things have changed…
Zenith Of Power A failed painter, born to change the world Beaten up kid…