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)
Elysium
Stratovarius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've never felt like this before
Am I awake? Am I drifting?
There's a hole in the sky
Am I alive? Did I survive?
Broken pictures on my wall
Now stare ahead with their blind eyes on
A lost horizon
Sometimes the dream is sublime with you
I feel in my mind in heaven
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
To go look for my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
Sometimes the dream is sublime with you
I feel in my mind in heaven
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
To go look for my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore
I am ready to fall
I'm not afraid anymore
PART II:
I am lying on the frozen ground alone
I got lost on my way, my time is up
I'm gone
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of God
Is what I need!
Give me a sign, and show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding (a) falling angel
In my arms
Your shadow lurking in the corner of my eye
I'm losing sense of what's real and what's a lie
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of God
Is what I need!
Give me a sign, and show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding (a) falling angel
In my arms
Eternal calling at your fame was not mine
Remedy this falling lie!
I feel it burning with me ahead
The earth is turning to red
I'm staring at the flaming skies
To try not to fight
A chance (to) close my eyes!
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding (a) falling angel
In my arms
I am holding a falling angel
In my arms
PART III:
This life has been too long
There's hope everywhere I go
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let thy soul be free...
Eternal light
Blinded my eyes
(Pain and sorrow
Joy will follow
Now in turn
Elysium!)
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand, I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand, I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
We're finally home...
The lyrics of Stratovarius's song Elysium comprise three parts, with each part delving into different themes. In the first part, the singer is taken by a feeling of detachment and finds himself lost in a dream. His doubts about reality are expressed through his musings about the sky and his life. The second part talks of his longing for eternal life and the need to find the key to the sacred place where he can experience the love of God. The final part speaks of hope, faith, freedom, and the journey towards Elysium, a place where there is no pain or sorrow, just joy and happiness.
The lyrics of the song Elysium are complex, and the themes of the song are woven together to explore the human psyche and the varying emotions of a person. The singer is overwhelmed and lost in his thoughts, and as he progresses towards the end of the song, he finds himself guided by a greater purpose. The song is an analogy between life and death and the journey that each of us must undertake towards achieving eternal happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never felt like this before
The singer is experiencing something new and unfamiliar
Am I awake? Am I drifting?
The singer is questioning their perception of reality
There's a hole in the sky
The singer sees something unusual or unexpected
Am I alive? Did I survive?
The artist questions their existence or whether they have passed through an event unscathed
Broken pictures on my wall
The artist's environment is in a state of disrepair or chaos
A story of fallen heroes
The pictures depict a tragic or heroic event that has ended badly
Now stare ahead with their blind eyes on
The pictures seem to be looking at the singer, who feels as if they are being judged
A lost horizon
The future seems uncertain or bleak
Sometimes the dream is sublime with you
The artist experiences positive dreams about another person
I feel in my mind in heaven
The positive dreams inspire a feeling of happiness or euphoria
I'm reaching this feeling
The positive dreams give the singer a sense of motivation or purpose
It's misleading me away from you
The positive dreams are distracting the artist from other responsibilities or relationships
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
The singer is hopeful about achieving a goal that is important to them
To go look for my wings once more
The singer seeks to regain a sense of freedom or personal power
I'm not afraid anymore
The singer has overcome their fear or anxiety about something
I am ready to fall
The artist is willing to take a risk or put themselves in a vulnerable position
I am lying on the frozen ground alone
The artist is stranded or lost in a cold, desolate place
I got lost on my way, my time is up
The singer feels as if they have run out of options or resources
I need to find the key
The singer wants to discover a solution or a way out of their current situation
To eternal life and see
The artist desires a sense of permanence or transcendence
The joy, the smile
The artist seeks happiness or positivity
The overwhelming love of God
The artist seeks a higher power or a force of sublime magnitude
Is what I need!
The singer feels a strong desire for the things they have described
Give me a sign, and show me the way
The artist seeks guidance or inspiration
To the sacred place
The singer seeks a holy or significant location
I can hear you calling my name
The singer hears a voice or a calling from an unseen source
From the distant skies
The singer feels as if the voice or calling comes from above
I am holding (a) falling angel
The artist has found or saved someone in a time of need
In my arms
The artist has physical contact with the person they are holding
Your shadow lurking in the corner of my eye
The singer senses a presence or a threat that they cannot fully perceive
I'm losing sense of what's real and what's a lie
The singer is becoming confused or uncertain about their perception of reality
Eternal calling at your fame was not mine
The artist refers to someone else's legacy or accomplishments that they do not share
Remedy this falling lie!
The artist seeks to correct a falsehood or a misconception
I feel it burning with me ahead
The artist senses a powerful force or emotion that motivates them
The earth is turning to red
The singer sees something ominous or threatening
I'm staring at the flaming skies
The artist is witnessing a destructive or terrifying event
To try not to fight
The singer is struggling to resist or confront something dangerous
A chance (to) close my eyes!
The singer seeks escape or respite from a difficult situation
This life has been too long
The singer feels tired or worn down by their circumstances
There's hope everywhere I go
The artist maintains a positive attitude despite their challenges
Do you believe in hope and faith
The artist questions the beliefs and values of others
Or eternity?
The singer ponders the nature of existence and its eternal aspects
In the end, you will see
The singer suggests that truth or understanding will be revealed eventually
Let thy soul be free...
The artist encourages others to find spiritual or personal liberation
Eternal light
The artist evokes a divine or transcendent force
Blinded my eyes
The artist feels overwhelmed or humbled by this force
(Pain and sorrow
The singer references negative emotions or experiences
Joy will follow
The artist believes that happiness or positivity will emerge from the negative experiences
Now in turn
The singer suggests a shift or a change in perspective
Elysium!)
The singer refers to a place or a state of perfect happiness or bliss
Be afraid no more
The singer encourages others to overcome their fears
Just take my hand, I'll guide you through the storm
The artist offers help and support to others experiencing difficulties
We're finally home
The artist suggests that they have found peace or fulfillment
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Raskudriavy
I have a theory that Move the Mountain, Event Horizon and Elysium (This album 3 last songs) are telling one single story.
Move the Mountain somehow tell us about someone who is gone. (Possible, a beloved woman, his wife, which died).
Event Horizon tell the second part, about the alone man standing in his spaceship (Which is showed in the album cover) reaching an event horizon (A black hole).
But actually, the Event Horizon leads him to the Elysium (Its like a the "Greek" version of Paradise/Heaven).
Them Elysium tell us about what happen next he reachs the Black Hole: "There's a hole in the sky Am I alive? Did I survive?" - "Broken pictures... fallen heroes" He's talking about his companions whose died in the spaceship crash or even before for unkown reasons. And "Hole in the sky" is a nice reference for him being in the otherside of the black hole after reaching the event horizon.
"You can rip of my wings once more" - He's not talking about literally wings, but about his spaceship. He tell us he isnt afraid of dying and finally rest. He wish to die.
Also, Chorus I makes a reference for "Heart - Alone", which is curious, since the first part is about being alone.
Elysium Part II confirm this wish, telling us that "I just close my eyes". He surrender and finally is transcending this life. The chorus says:
"I can hear you calling my name, from the distant skies" but the verse said:
Your shadow lurking
In the corner of my eye
I'm losing sense
Of what's real and what's a lie
He thinks he gone mad, he cant believe his loved one is calling him from the heaven.
He is finding the way to what's Eternal: The Death.
(The Dance of Eternity reference?)
Also, another Dream Theater aspect, is the epic scaled fast solo before the last Chorus II (around 10 minutes).
This concept, fast solo before the chorus maybe came from DT "Home" from the album Scenes From A Memory. (Which Matias Kupiainen is a huge fan).
One last thing before coming back to the lyrics, I realized the guitar riff in the first part of Elysium "I'm reaching... this feeling"... Is 70% similar to Dream Theater "Home" chorus riff. It's like the same idea.
So, he finds Death, he is going to heaven lead by his loved one, holding his hand, calling him to a joyfull eternal life full of hope in the Elysium.
To remember that, one day, you will hold once again the hand of your love, look into her, into his eyes, to see the tears of joy. And the ... You'll be finally HOME. It is what get you into your Home.
The overhelming love of your heart.
And that's my theory and why you should not compare this song to Octavarium, but to Home and Dance Of Eternity.
@danifilth3000
Masterpiece. MASTERPIECE!!!
I've never felt like this before
Am I awaken or drifting?
There's a hole in the sky
Am I alive? Did I survive?
Broken pictures on my wall
A story of fallen heroes
Now stare ahead with their blind eyes on
Lost horizon
Sometimes the traces of life with you
Are clearer in my mind than ever
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I'll find what I've been searching for
You can rip off my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
Sometimes the traces, of life with you
Are clearer in my mind than ever
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
You can rip off my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore, I am ready to fall
I'm not afraid anymore
I am lying on the frozen ground alone
I got lost on my way, my time is up
I'm done
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of your heart
Is what I need
Give me a sign
And show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding a falling angel
In my arms
Your shadow lurking
In the corner of my eye
I'm losing sense of what's real
And what's a lie
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of your heart
Is what I need
Give me a sign
And show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding a falling angel
In my arms
How all began?
Your faith was not mine
Remedy this falling life
I feel it burning with me ahead
The earth is turning to red
I'm staring at the flaming skies
Too tired to fight
I just close my eyes
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding a falling angel
In my arms
I am holding a falling angel
In my arms
This life has been too long
There's hope everywhere I go
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let this soul be free
Eternal light
Blinded my eyes
Feel no sorrow
Joy will follow
Now lay down
And rest in my arms
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand
I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand
I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
We're finally home
@sumdipshet1094
I've never felt like this before
Am I awake? Am I drifting?
There's a hole in the sky
Am I alive? Did I survive?
Broken pictures on my wall
A story of fallen heroes
Now stare ahead with their blind eyes on
Lost horizon
Sometimes the dream is sublime with you
I feel in my mind in heaven
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
To go look for my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore
I'm not afraid anymore
Sometimes the dream is sublime with you
I feel in my mind in heaven
I'm reaching this feeling
It's misleading me away from you
Tonight, I find what I've been searching for
To go look for my wings once more
I'm not afraid anymore, I am ready to fall
I'm not afraid anymore
I am lying on the frozen ground alone
I got lost on my way, my time is up
I'm gone
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of God
Is what I need
Give me a sign
And show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding falling angel
In my arms
Your shadow lurking
In the corner of my eye
I'm losing sense
Of what's real and what's a lie
I need to find the key
To eternal life and see
The joy, the smile
The overwhelming love of God
Is what I need
Give me a sign
And show me the way
To the sacred place
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding falling angel
In my arms
Eternal calling
At your fame was not mine
Remedy this falling lie
I feel it burning with me ahead
The earth is turning to red
I'm staring at the flaming skies
To try not to fight
A chance to close my eyes
I can hear you calling my name
From the distant skies
I am holding falling angel
In my arms
I am holding falling angel
In my arms
This life has been too long
There's hope everywhere I go
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let thy soul be free
Eternal light
Blinded my eyes
Pain and sorrow
Joy will follow
Now in turn
Elysium
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand
I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
Do you believe in hope and faith
Or eternity?
In the end, you will see
Let your soul be free
Be afraid no more
Just take my hand
I'll guide you through the storm
We're finally home
We're finally home
@RachneraArachnera
16:27
"Be afraid no more, just take my hand I'll guide you through the storm" This entire song is a masterpiece but that part is the master stroke.
@Xtheve
18 mins of art, 18 mins of fantasy, 18 mins forgeting the cruel world we live in...
@deboaedi
Isso não é apenas uma música, mas sim uma obra de arte
@oslamphoenix9871
I'm so happy this song exists.
@vhaleryanadamant1975
I'm happy you exist bro :))
Some of the best bootlegs that fill my soul with joy that I can hear Strato's glory days even tho I wasn't there.
@wx811
This is literally one of the greatest songs ever written. It's complex, with excellent phrases and riffs, along with just a plain epic feel to it. The composition of this song is so well done, really and truly I believe it's still the best song I've ever heard, and I listen to all sorts of music, from Five for Fighting to Symphony X, completely different styles of music, yet I've never heard anything like this. It truly is the greatest metal epic of our time, and in general just the purest song I've ever known. Nothing compares.
@DautGUaiss
You are absolutely right. In my experience the one gives me a lot. No person in this world makes me to tears except the music…
@babasse3815
Totally agree dude 🤘 exactly what i thought
@tatsdgreat8886
U surely haven't heard a lot of songs then buddy 😂
@Mente_Fugaz
Agree i'm still here after years of hearing wonderful music...
This song have a deep but shiny feeling