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)
Twilight Time
Stratovarius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I look into the mirror see my face again
I hear myself preaching
You are getting bold
Growing old
Skin turns cold
You're to blame
I break the mirror with a noise
Stop preaching me teaching me
Leave me be
There's no way to stop me now
My end is in sight
I reach for the light
Tonight
Twilight time
It's twilight time
Reaching for a morning light
Twilight time
The lyrics of "Twilight Time" by Stratovarius explore themes of ageing, self-discovery and self-acceptance. The opening line "Danger zone" sets the tone for the song, conveying a sense of urgency and danger, both physical and emotional. The next line "I look into the mirror see my face again" suggests a moment of introspection, perhaps prompted by the realisation of getting older. The singer becomes aware of their own mortality and begins to feel vulnerable. The line "I hear myself preaching, You are getting bold, Growing old, Skin turns cold" refers to the singer's own inner voice that is constantly reminding them of their ageing body, making them feel anxious and insecure.
However, the lyrics also convey a sense of defiance and determination to overcome this vulnerability. The line "You're to blame, But I will find the way to be myself again" suggests that the singer takes responsibility for their actions and is determined to find a way to feel empowered again. The line "I break the mirror with a noise, Stop preaching me teaching me, Leave me be" further emphasises this sense of defiance, as the singer refuses to listen to their own inner voice and seeks to break free from self-doubt and limitations.
The chorus "There's no way to stop me now, My end is in sight, I reach for the light, Tonight, Twilight time" represents a turning point in the song, where the singer finds the courage to face their fears and embrace their true self. The phrase "twilight time" suggests a moment of transition from darkness to light, as the singer reaches for a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Danger zone
Starting this song with a warning, the singer explains the impending dangers that come with facing oneself.
I look into the mirror see my face again
The singer is admiring their own reflection, while also realizing that the reflection may reveal things the individual may not want to confront.
I hear myself preaching
The individual hears their own advice and words of wisdom, but may not be practicing it themselves.
You are getting bold
The artist recognizes their own growth and boldness in facing their inner self.
Growing old
The artist realizes that time is passing and they are getting older with each moment.
Skin turns cold
A depiction of the singer's emotions turning cold or hard as they face themselves in the mirror.
You're to blame
The singer accepts responsibility for their actions and thoughts, and recognizes themselves as the cause of their own troubles.
But I will find the way to be myself again
Despite their own shortcomings, the artist is determined to rediscover themselves as their true self and not continue to live in denial.
I break the mirror with a noise
The artist shatters their own reflection, representing the breaking of the barrier of self-doubt and fear.
Stop preaching me teaching me
The artist has had enough of their own advice and is ready to continue the journey with a newfound sense of freedom.
Leave me be
The singer wants to be left alone to explore their own thoughts and emotions on their own terms without outside influence.
There's no way to stop me now
The artist is unstoppable in their journey to rediscover their true self and is willing to take any risks to get there.
My end is in sight
The end goal of the singer's journey is nearing and they can see it clearly ahead of them.
I reach for the light
The singer is reaching for enlightenment and clarity of thought and emotions, ready to be reborn as their true self.
Twilight time
The time of day when the sun has gone down but the sky is still bright with a beautiful orange-red hue, symbolizing the singer's transition state as they rediscover their true self.
It's twilight time
The artist is fully embracing and accepting their current state of transition and growth.
Reaching for a morning light
The artist is reaching for a new beginning, a fresh start, and enlightenment in their new found self-awareness.
Twilight time
The song concludes by emphasizing the theme of transition and the importance of accepting and embracing change.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMO TAPIO TOLKKI, TUOMO OLLINPOIKA LASSILA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Blindy 4Jesus
I love Tolkki's singing voice.
Alison Eckiwaudah
Love his voice
Old
Fase de ouro 🎸🎼🎼🎸🎼🎸🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎼🎸🎸🎼🎸🎸🎼🎸🎸🎸🎼🎸🎼🎼🎸🎸🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼
Rex Feles
A melhor musica desse album insano e irado
Earf
This si their most underrated album. I would easily place it in their top 3 albums.
Gabriel dos Santos
nitidez sonora incrivel dessa banda
暗黒騎士
Absolutely. For me it's Destiny, Fourth Dimension, and this. All those albums have so much prog power and are full of vitality. I still love Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila as musicians. Jens is probably the greatest metal keyboardist to ever live, but Antti plays keyboards in such a soft, yet powerful way you cant help but love him.
Quijote -
I love this album, was the first thing I heard from Stratovarius ~on a rainy october night in 1999, it was amazing~ This line-up sound powerfull too.
robson souza
Ótimo álbum...👏👏🎸
IGOR AINASKIN NS-WP Nevograd Partizan Mad Crowd
I loved this album! 🤘😎🍻🎶🎶🎶