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)
babylon
Stratovarius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Revealing mysteries to see
And the endless caravan
Never ending it's journey
With the wings of the wind I will fly
I can hear you calling me
I am blind but I see
Your memory haunts me forever
Won't leave me be
Babylon
Your glory's stronger than ever
For all to see
Centuries have passed by
But your memory still lives on
In the minds of those who see
Under the summer moon
There comes a sight
That stays with me forever
I can hear you calling me
I am blind but I see
Babylon your memory haunts me forever
Won't leave me be
Babylon
Your glory's stronger that ever
For all to see
And underneath the starlit sky
I feel so strong I'll never die
I'm on this road to Eternity
My soul will live forever, I'm free
The song Babylon is about the ancient city of Babylon, where a new day is rising that reveals mysteries to see. The endless caravan is never-ending, and the singer flies with the wings of the wind. The memory of Babylon haunts the singer, and they cannot escape it. The glory of Babylon is stronger than ever and can be seen by all.
Throughout the centuries, Babylon's memory has lived on in the minds of those who see. Under the summer moon, a sight appears that stays with the singer forever. Feeling strong and free under the starlit sky, the singer is on the road to eternity, where their soul will live forever. The song captures the mysterious, haunting and beautiful atmosphere of ancient Babylon.
Overall, the song Babylon evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia for a time and place that the singer cannot reach. Babylon represents the mysterious and the unknown and the singer's desire to unlock its secrets. The song is a tribute to this ancient city, depicting its glory and lasting impact.
Line by Line Meaning
A new day is rising in ancient Babylon
The city of Babylon, though ancient, still holds significance and is relevant in today's world as a new day dawns
Revealing mysteries to see
Babylon is a city that still harbors many secrets and intriguing mysteries
And the endless caravan
The continuous stream of people representing the city's long and rich history
Never ending it's journey
The city's legacy and influence has never stopped and will continue forever
With the wings of the wind I will fly
The singer feels a strong connection to Babylon and is willing to go to great lengths to experience it, even if metaphorically
I can hear you calling me
Babylon's allure is strong and beckons the singer to it, hinting at its magnetic pull
I am blind but I see
The singer may not have seen Babylon in person, but still feels its essence and impact on him
Babylon, Your memory haunts me forever, Won't leave me be
Babylon's impression and effect on people is long-lasting, almost like a haunting memory that never fades
Babylon, Your glory's stronger than ever, For all to see
Babylon's power and influence is undeniable, even after so much time has passed, and is noticeable by all
Centuries have passed by
The city is ancient and its history spans centuries
But your memory still lives on
Despite the passage of time, Babylon's legacy and history are still revered and studied
In the minds of those who see
To people who understand and appreciate the city's impact, its memory still exists
Under the summer moon, there comes a sight, That stays with me forever
The visuals and experiences of the city, usually under the moon, are so memorable they stay with the singer forever
And underneath the starlit sky, I feel so strong I'll never die
Being in Babylon makes the singer feel alive and strong, bringing a sense of immortality
I'm on this road to Eternity, My soul will live forever, I'm free
Babylon's impact is so vast, it makes the singer feel he is on a journey to eternity, where his soul and love for the city will live on forever
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMO TAPIO TOLKKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vitoko skullerx
Ese disco de strato siempre da la sensacion de desierto y dimensiones espaciales, que recuerdos
Μάνθος Κ.
I analyzed the whole album again,and realized that the list of the songs is perfect.The whole album is a tragedy in the desert,that's why it's called Episode.It begins with really powerfull songs,like Father Time,in the middle there are dramatic songs,like Season of change,which is about death,and the last track is Forever which is in my opinion the perfect outro,for this tragedy that happened.Forever is the forgiveness and the sorrow.Episode is the album of my childhood tragedies...
Adamant NRaven
dat my friend ..exactly , good one
Тамга Клан Шертай
God damn u r right bro wanna copy ur comment to send my friend
Gregory Explorer
Forever is also about death
Carlos Panades
When I was a teenager, I also lived some tragedies and this album somehow touched my soul back in the day, I don't feel pain anymore nor the album songs make me live those tragedies over again but it reminds me how strong I was, being able to support all the damage that has been dealt. When I listen to the songs again, it's like I turn on a switch to a deep connection with my past and the melodies still gives me goosebumps and an injection of adrenaline rushing down my spine. Masterpiece.
Poly Sena
Excelencia en todo! Bellos coros, voces, guitarras, el effect del bajo, la portentosidad de la batería, los teclados, la letra..... Todo. Te sumerje en la antigua Babilonia, creando esa increíble atmósfera de un mundo árabe y egipcio... Muy infravalorada dentro de un disco legendario, que si no es el mejor del género del Power Metal, pega en el palo.
Michael Prado
One of the MOST undervalued songs from the Strato melodious catalog. So sad and unfair to see it as forgotten as it goes from the live performances 😟
But that passes when your band has so many great songs.
komo bg
They have played once or twice am not really sure
But on both times they ruined the whole solo part
That's also was played with no tolki
Hours Ending
One of the best Strato songs... love this.