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)
Phoenix
Stratovarius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't go on this way The price is too high to pay
After the rain I feel the sun
See how I run to my destiny
Life is a game I got to learn how to play I make my own rules
'Cause now I am free to choose
Courage and faith will show me the way Se how I run to my destiny
Or fame Just some peace of mind
Like the Phoenix I fly leaving the lies behind
Future's golden for me There is no one who can stop me now
I'm noble and strong I'm walking down the road that I choose
Each day is a gift And I know that I can't lose
Glorious future is waiting for me See how I run to my destiny
Like the Phoenix...
The lyrics of Stratovarius's song Phoenix describe a transformative moment in someone's life where they realize that they need to change the way they live. They acknowledge that their current path is unsustainable and that the prices they're paying are too high. However, after the rain, they feel the sun, and they begin to run towards their destiny. Life becomes a game, and they have to learn how to play it by making their own rules. They feel free to choose, and with courage and faith, they believe they can find their way. The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and resilience, and the singer compares themselves to it. From the ashes of their old life, they rise, leaving behind the lies and the need for fortune or fame.
The transformative message of the lyrics is one that resonates with many people, which is why the song has become popular with fans of the heavy metal and power metal genres. The use of the Phoenix as a symbol of transformation and resilience is a powerful metaphor and adds depth to the song's meaning. Additionally, the way the lyrics describe the feeling of being free to make one's own choices and learn from their mistakes is something many people can relate to. The song's upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation also contribute to its popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
I am facing the truth I got to change the way I live
Acknowledging that my old way of living was not sustainable, I must make changes to my lifestyle
Can't go on this way The price is too high to pay
Continuing on the same path is not an option, as the cost of doing so is too great
After the rain I feel the sun
Just as the sun appears after a storm, I experience hope and positivity after difficult times
See how I run to my destiny
I am determined and focused on achieving my goals and fulfilling my destiny
Life is a game I got to learn how to play I make my own rules
I must learn how to navigate life and make my own decisions in order to succeed in the game of life
'Cause now I am free to choose Courage and faith will show me the way
Having the freedom to make my own choices, I will rely on courage and faith to lead me on the path to success
Like the Phoenix I rise From the ashes of life I don't need fortune
Similar to a phoenix rising from the ashes, I will overcome obstacles in my life without relying on material wealth
Or fame Just some peace of mind
My ultimate goal is not fame or riches, but rather a sense of inner peace and contentment
Like the Phoenix I fly leaving the lies behind
As a phoenix takes flight, I will leave behind the falsehoods and negativity in my past
Future's golden for me There is no one who can stop me now
I see a bright future ahead of me, and believe that nothing can stand in the way of my success
I'm noble and strong I'm walking down the road that I choose
I am confident in my own strength and integrity, and will follow my own path towards my goals
Each day is a gift And I know that I can't lose
I cherish each day as an opportunity for growth and progress, and believe that I cannot fail as long as I keep moving forward
Glorious future is waiting for me See how I run to my destiny
I am motivated by the promise of a bright future, and eagerly pursue my destiny with determination and enthusiasm
Like the Phoenix...
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the themes of hope, determination, and resilience
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMO TAPIO TOLKKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Arnold
I am facing the truth.
I got to change the way I live.
Can't go on this way-
The price is too high to pay.
After the rain, I feel the Sun.
See how I run to my destiny.
Life is a game I got to learn how to play.
I make my own rules, cause now I am free to choose.
Courage and faith will show me the way.
See how I run to my destiny.
(Chorus)
Like the Phoenix I rise from the ashes of life.
I don't need fortune or fame; just some peace of mind.
Like the Phoenix I fly leaving the lies behind.
Future's golden for me.
There is no-one who can stop me now!
I'm noble and strong.
I'm walking down the road that I choose.
Each day is a gift, and I know that I can't lose.
Glorious future is waiting for me.
See how I run to my destiny.
(Repeat chorus)
Denis Vojáček
Nejlepší písnička od Stratovarius 👌 poslouchám denně 😝👌👍👍
Kael Ryder
That moment, when you discover a song you know you'll be relistening to for the rest of your life.
HydeMyJekyll
@Nate Diaz Been listening to this since 2001
Nate Diaz
14 years for me.
John Tillman
I have been saying this for years!
Pachu S
Me encanta esta canción de Stratovarius. Que bueno fue empezar a escucharlos a los 8 años, he crecido con ellos. Lastima que ahora mis compañeros de 13 escuchen tanta basura y no buena música.
Hundemann
Pues ya tenes 21 bro jaja, realemente es buena música.
Isabel Checa
x1000
Matías Carpio
@Pachu S yo tengo 19, y amo el glam metal de los 80, amo vestir ropa de los 80 converse chaquetas denim, y tambien me gusta el power metal
Pachu S
Amando la polémica que causó este comentario de mi yo de 13 años. 😂