The Stratovarius Thread

[ErHaO]

I have never followed the person, but last year I enjoyed Avalon's Return to Eden quite a bit and I recall the album reviewing well (unlike the other Avalon albums). I was there for Anneke initially (she sings two good songs on the album).

[MoraWintersoul]

I know nothing of this man, but thats a bit creepy with the girls thing but if he's mentally unstable, then that should be taken into account. 

To be fair, he isn't married anymore, so he's just shooting his shot. Shots. A lot of them. But yeah the way he was going about live streaming on Facebook while drinking and asking for girls' numbers wasn't great. I hope this new project gives him something to do and a reason to take meds and abstain from drinking.

This was all public on Facebook on his public profile, it's not gossip or anything. Just, it be how it be, he broadcasted all of that.

[The Walrus]

Wait, when did he get divorced? I thought just last year he was posting about his wife traveling to her father's funeral.

[MoraWintersoul]

He was writing comments back and forth on a lot of these statuses with people about how his wife left him. I think it made it into Czech tabloids as well, or at least that's what the commenters claimed. The silver lining of him sending weird messages, at least he's single enough to send them!

[The Walrus]

Oh jeeze... sigh, Tolkki... I hope he takes care of himself. All last year I feared waking up one day to a headline about Tolkki passing away, and I still do. His physical and mental health + that + having little connection to the thing that defined his whole being as a musician has me really worried. 

[wolfking]

Oh jeeze... sigh, Tolkki... I hope he takes care of himself. All last year I feared waking up one day to a headline about Tolkki passing away, and I still do. His physical and mental health + that + having little connection to the thing that defined his whole being as a musician has me really worried. 

Do you know him or something?

[The Walrus]

I follow him on Facebook and exchange messages with him on the odd occasion. I've also had conversations with him elsewhere. He's a good guy... he just has lots of problems.

He's also one of my biggest influences ever, music or otherwise, so his wellbeing means a lot to me.

[wolfking]

I follow him on Facebook and exchange messages with him on the odd occasion. I've also had conversations with him elsewhere. He's a good guy... he just has lots of problems.

He's also one of my biggest influences ever, music or otherwise, so his wellbeing means a lot to me.

Yeah fair enough.  I remember when the band split and then he was getting that female singer to sing for them, Kat I think her name was.  Damn, experiencing that when it happened was absolulte crazy lol.

Also, the song Father, might be the most disturbing song I've ever heard in my life. 

[TAC]

I follow him on Facebook and exchange messages with him on the odd occasion. I've also had conversations with him elsewhere. He's a good guy... he just has lots of problems.

He's also one of my biggest influences ever, music or otherwise, so his wellbeing means a lot to me.

Yeah fair enough.  I remember when the band split and then he was getting that female singer to sing for them, Kat I think her name was. 

Short for Kattelox? 

[bl5150]

Anyone remember The Great Kat ?   

[wolfking]

Anyone remember The Great Kat ?   

I remember you bringing her up.  Can't say I checked out any of her work.

[MirrorMask]

She was Miss K and she was never intended to seriously replace Kotipelto.

It was also all a bit confusing because the publicity stunt was planned, but at the same time Timo got for real a nervous breakdown, so it's kinda hard to pinpoint the exact moment when the jokes ended, and the madness began.

[bl5150]

Anyone remember The Great Kat ?   

I remember you bringing her up.  Can't say I checked out any of her work.

You don't know what you're missing 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_hn7HKHbDs

[gazinwales]

One of my friends on FB asked me about the 'legendary' Stratovarius 2007 demo that became Tolkki's Revolution Renaissance debut.
Anyhow I couldn't find the files anywhere on my various HHD and computers so I tracked them down online again.

My point being these sound almost Infinite/Elements quality production wise, far too good to be just demo's and I like them better than the official RR release.

[wolfking]

She was Miss K and she was never intended to seriously replace Kotipelto.

It was also all a bit confusing because the publicity stunt was planned, but at the same time Timo got for real a nervous breakdown, so it's kinda hard to pinpoint the exact moment when the jokes ended, and the madness began.

Miss K, that's right.  Yeah, at first with the pics of her released it was all a bit of a laugh, then Tolkki just went crazy.  Ended up making the whole thing pretty unreal to be honest.

[wolfking]

Anyone remember The Great Kat ?   

I remember you bringing her up.  Can't say I checked out any of her work.

You don't know what you're missing 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_hn7HKHbDs

lol WTF?!

[The Walrus]

One of my friends on FB asked me about the 'legendary' Stratovarius 2007 demo that became Tolkki's Revolution Renaissance debut.
Anyhow I couldn't find the files anywhere on my various HHD and computers so I tracked them down online again.

My point being these sound almost Infinite/Elements quality production wise, far too good to be just demo's and I like them better than the official RR release.

One of the final videos of Tolkki in the band shows them playing LNOE. I remember listening to this thinking the next Strato record was gonna rock. Then the next 2 years went by in a whirlwind. Nuts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlFJE6OyYq0

[MirrorMask]

I was there actually. According to Tollki, that was the show that made him realize the band was over (everyone doing it just for the contractual obligation of it, nobody talking to each other, Jorge Michael coming straight from the office and then back to it since he was doing work as a manager or something) and made him want to move on.

[The Walrus]

I was there actually. According to Tollki, that was the show that made him realize the band was over (everyone doing it just for the contractual obligation of it, nobody talking to each other, Jorge Michael coming straight from the office and then back to it since he was doing work as a manager or something) and made him want to move on.

It's been a long time since I've seen that video, but I just watched it and yeah, it's easy to see. Seems like Koti comes in at the wrong time, Tolkki's guitar drops out, doesn't sound like they even tried to work the kinks out. Funny thing is I believe Jorg is still doing that job today! 

2008 was wild. I'm trying to remember the timeline exactly. I want to say it was in February 2008 that Tolkki said the band was splitting. I think it was a few months later, Tolkki made a website with this super dramatic choir music embedded in the background, and on the page itself was just a letter from Tolkki talking about everything that had just happened, how he no longer had the rights to the band and music, stuff about legal battles - what a year that was 

[Ben_Jamin]

I was there actually. According to Tollki, that was the show that made him realize the band was over (everyone doing it just for the contractual obligation of it, nobody talking to each other, Jorge Michael coming straight from the office and then back to it since he was doing work as a manager or something) and made him want to move on.

It's been a long time since I've seen that video, but I just watched it and yeah, it's easy to see. Seems like Koti comes in at the wrong time, Tolkki's guitar drops out, doesn't sound like they even tried to work the kinks out. Funny thing is I believe Jorg is still doing that job today! 

The whole thing just felt lifeless. And I laughed at Kotis' face when he did miss the time. I also laughed at a comment saying Tolkkis guitar changes color.

[gazinwales]

https://www.discogs.com/Stratovarius-Demo/release/3622945

[Grappler]

I've ignored all of Tolkki's projects since he left Stratovarius...that was a mistake.  Now playing the first RR record after reading above that these were intended to be songs on the next Strato record.

Wow...what nice selection of singers too.  Tobias Sammet and Kiske!  I think I need to try the Avalon albums too.

[The Walrus]

I've ignored all of Tolkki's projects since he left Stratovarius...that was a mistake.  Now playing the first RR record after reading above that these were intended to be songs on the next Strato record.

Wow...what nice selection of singers too.  Tobias Sammet and Kiske!  I think I need to try the Avalon albums too.

I would strongly suggest the Symfonia record he did, if you're a fan of that first RR record. In every way other than the lineup it is a Stratovarius record, and the lineup he put together is, well, there's a reason it's considered a power metal supergroup (Jari from Stratovarius, Mikko Harkin from the first Sonata Arctica records, Uli Kusch, and Andre Matos).

[BelichickFan]

I've ignored all of Tolkki's projects since he left Stratovarius...that was a mistake.  Now playing the first RR record after reading above that these were intended to be songs on the next Strato record.

Wow...what nice selection of singers too.  Tobias Sammet and Kiske!  I think I need to try the Avalon albums too.

I would strongly suggest the Symfonia record he did, if you're a fan of that first RR record. In every way other than the lineup it is a Stratovarius record, and the lineup he put together is, well, there's a reason it's considered a power metal supergroup (Jari from Stratovarius, Mikko Harkin from the first Sonata Arctica records, Uli Kusch, and Andre Matos).

Live version of "Forevermore".  Matos sounds so good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgTvHhz4dps

[ErHaO]

With no concerts in sight for the coming months I have been checking online stuff and stumbled upon this late 2019 raw pro-shot livestream (Knotfest Mexico):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wpvsRKCo0I

Setlist:
Eagleheart
Phoenix
Shine in the Dark
Paradise
4000 Rainy Nights
Black Diamond
Unbreakable
Hunting High and Low

I think it is a fun watch! Tight performance.

[wolfking]

Just watched a few songs.  Great video and performance.  Timo sounds pretty good.

[Ben_Jamin]

Great performance. Shitty crowd.

[cramx3]

I had been looking at that set from setlist.fm when I started listening to them months ago to familiarize myself with what they might play in September (which seems all up in the air now) so thank you for sharing, I will watch that later.

[Ben_Jamin]

Well, I wanted to listen to Visions. Guess I'll have to buy the cd. Don't know why it's not on Spotify.

[Lowdz]

Anyone remember The Great Kat ?   

I remember you bringing her up.  Can't say I checked out any of her work.

You don't know what you're missing 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_hn7HKHbDs

lol WTF?!

I am pretty embarrassed to admit I have her Beethoven on Speed album.
It is fucking awful.

[bl5150]

What a time mate!    The Great Kat................Guy Mann Dude 

[Lowdz]

What a time mate!    The Great Kat................Guy Mann Dude 

I have the Guy Mann Dude as well 
I reckon they were the same person. Awful scratchy tone. No melody.

[wolfking]

Controversial opinion incoming: Eternal I think is a top 3 Strato album for me.  I still think it's brilliant.

[cramx3]

Controversial opinion incoming: Eternal I think is a top 3 Strato album for me.  I still think it's brilliant.

I only have the three latest, but it's a solid one.  I think I like the newer sound over what I sampled of the older stuff.

Just watched a few songs.  Great video and performance.  Timo sounds pretty good.

I watched some last night and turned it off. Thought it sounded terrible and there was like no energy, from anyone. 

[The Walrus]

Controversial opinion incoming: Eternal I think is a top 3 Strato album for me.  I still think it's brilliant.

Eternal has some of my most favorite Strato tunes. My Eternal Dream sounds like it came straight out of Infinite.