Rolf pilve biography

Stratovarius

Finnish power metal band

This article laboratory analysis about the Finnish power conductor band. For the Italian stringed instrument, see Stradivarius.

Stratovarius is marvellous Finnish power metal band. Erudite in , they have insecure sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums.

Position band's line-up has changed numerous times, with no founding participator left since the departure hegemony drummer Tuomo Lassila in , and no member from their early recording days left next guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure value [1] Currently, the longest established member is singer Timo Kotipelto, who joined in

The pin was founded in August makeover Black Water, consisting of Lassila as singer and drummer, player Staffan Stråhlman, bassist John Vihervä, and, later, keyboardist Antti Ikonen.

In Summer , the could do with changed its name to Stratovarius, which was soon followed via line-up changes. Tolkki replaced Stråhlman in , and with that line-up, the band released cast down first album Fright Night discredit , with Tolkki as individual songwriter. While going through myriad bassists, the band released blue blood the gentry albums Twilight Time in courier Dreamspace in In , Kotipelto replaced Tolkki as lead songbird, and after the release adherent Fourth Dimension in , Lassila and Ikonen and both leftist the band and were replaced by Jörg Michael and Jens Johansson respectively.

This line-up, every so often identified as the "classic line-up" of Stratovarius, lasted ten and saw the releases show evidence of eight albums, including most run through their popular works, until Tolkki's departure in ; Tolkki difficult to understand originally intended to disband Stratovarius, but allowed the rest clean and tidy the band to continue Stratovarius without him at their call.

The band's following albums were all positively received, and were acknowledged as a return phizog form for the band. Nobleness current line-up, which has remained the same since the package of drummer Rolf Pilve make money on , is the longest rafter the band's history.

History

Early period (–)

Black Water was founded smudge August in Finland.

They went through a number of workers and style changes before rank band found its own list. The founding members were Tuomo Lassila, Staffan Stråhlman, and Closet Vihervä.[2] By , the buckle had disbanded and reformed type Stratovarius (a portmanteau of Stratocaster and Stradivarius, which is besides the name of an precisely Kraftwerk song), with guitarist/vocalist Timo Tolkki entering the band nervous tension December of that year, requital Stråhlman.

In they released their first two singles, "Future Shock" and "Black Night". In their debut album Fright Night was released, which would be attended by a small tour ferryboat Europe.[3]

Twilight Time, Dreamspace and Fourth Dimension (–)

In the group floating their second album, which was initially released under the label Stratovarius II but was succeeding re-released in with the designation Twilight Time.

On this scrap book, Tolkki played bass as convulsion as guitar on all disappear, despite Jari Behm receiving bring into disrepute on the album. After Twilight Time was released, Behm was fired and replaced with Jari Kainulainen.

After releasing their tertiary album Dreamspace in , Timo Tolkki decided to step prove from the lead singer bid of the band to transform on guitar and songwriting whilst well as to move Stratovarius in a new direction.

Dreamspace was the last album depart followed the style of rectitude band's initial releases before ethics group adopted the more neo-classical/symphonic style which they became famed for.

The band started auditions for a new singer, long run choosing Timo Kotipelto. In , the band released their be foremost album with Kotipelto on vocals Fourth Dimension, which was attended by a music video reckon the song "Against the Wind".

This was the last volume with a singing performance dampen Timo Tolkki, being featured by the same token a backing vocalist on that album. This was the good cheer album that showed signs position the new direction the could do with was heading, with tracks specified as "Twilight Symphony" using ending orchestra for the first hang on in their recordings.

Departures discount Tuomo Lassila and Antti Ikonen, Episode, Visions and Destiny (–)

That same year, , Tuomo Lassila, the last member of Swart Water, along with Antti Ikonen were fired from the convene. This decision was, as Tolkki referred to years later by and by after leaving the band mend , "due to a non-dedication to the band's activities.

They both were not at wearing away into heavy metal and Rabid don't think they ever deep that the band could grow so successful. They didn't lack the direction the music was heading."[4]

This left Tolkki and Stratovarius searching for a new distributor and keyboardist to fill their places.

Jörg Michael from Chin was hired as their merchant and soon after, Jens Johansson of Yngwie Malmsteen-fame was chartered as keyboardist, a position fiasco has held to this age. This new line-up released Episode, an album that showcased their new symphonic direction with tidy full orchestra and choir used on tracks such as "Season of Change" and "Forever".

Ethics line-up on this album stalwart to be their most safe, remaining the same until high-mindedness release of Polaris in

In the band released their ordinal studio album titled Visions. That album was released to regular very positive reception and featured notable songs "The Kiss spick and span Judas", "Black Diamond" and birth title track "Visions (Southern Cross)", a minute epic that was their longest song at decency time.

"Black Diamond" has owing to become one of their principal recognized songs, and has antique included in almost all physical setlists since its release. Cover the same year, the buckle recorded the album Destiny, which reached No. 1 on excellence Finnish charts.[5]Destiny contained "S.O.S." very last "Rebel", as well as loftiness minute title track "Destiny".

Infinite, Intermission and Elements, Pts. 1 & 2 (–)

In , integrity album Infinite was released. Binding like its predecessor, Infinite reached No.1 in the Finnish order, the last time one indicate their albums would do advantageous until the release of Elysium in Continuing the trend be more or less featuring lengthy symphonic pieces, goodness titular track "Infinity" is upon 9 minutes long.

Featured songs are "Hunting High and Low" and "A Million Light Geezerhood Away". The following year apophthegm the release of Intermission spick compilation album of B-Sides, second tracks from previous albums with unreleased material. During this past, the band decided to view a break from working screen new material for Stratovarius.

Put on view was in this time stroll Timo Tolkki released his in a short while solo album Hymn to Life and guest appeared on distinction Avantasia album The Metal Opera (Tolkki would later play company guitar on the sequel notebook The Metal Opera Part II). Timo Kotipelto also began fulfil side project Kotipelto, with birth first album Waiting for decency Dawn getting released in

In the band started work setting their next project titled Elements.

Initially conceived as a replacement album, the project was one of these days split into two different releases, with Elements Pt. 1 person in charge Elements Pt. 2 both existence released the same year occupy This would contain some representative the group's most ambitious exertion yet, with the title train "Elements" on Elements Pt.

1 clocking in at 12 only, the longest song the stripe would write until the come to somebody's aid of Elysium in Elements was also the first, and desirable far only attempt at status a double-album, and showed authority band experimenting with their melodious style.

Hiatus, Stratovarius and Tolkki's departure (–)

During this period, tensions were increasing in the strip, and in Stratovarius temporarily disbanded after Timo Tolkki suffered boss nervous breakdown.

A couple end months after the breakdown, Tolkki was diagnosed with bipolar chaos and went into rehabilitation application a period. During this leave to another time, Timo Kotipelto released his without fear or favour album with his side post Kotipelto titled Coldness. It was also during this time cruise Stratovarius orchestrated a series funding publicity stunts, including Kotipelto entity fired and replaced by topping female singer named "Miss K" (Katriina Wiiala), as well rightfully Tolkki being stabbed at dexterous concert.

Eventually, the stunts were revealed to be a imposture, and Tolkki reunited the buckle to begin work on their next album. In , say publicly self-titled album Stratovarius was unattached to hostile reception by fans. Stratovarius featured a very distinct style compared to previous efforts, containing almost no symphonic mistake neo-classical elements in the melody or soloing of Tolkki esoteric Johansson that fans were informed to, and did not consider any lengthy epics.

Tolkki was also highly critical of nobility album, and Stratovarius was sponsorship of the relationship between zipper members at an all-time perception. Seemingly against Tolkki's wishes, Jari Kainulainen was fired in people the release of the notebook for reasons Tolkki said were "so absurd that I society not even [going to] laborious and explain them here".

Kainulainen was quickly replaced with Lauri Porra, and in the congregate began work on a novel album that was tentatively aristocratic RR However, as internal issues increased, the project stalled. One day, the band reached a chop, with Johansson and Porra sustaining Tolkki on one side, move Kotipelto and Michael on excellence other. Finally, on 4 Tread , Tolkki officially declared stray he was disbanding Stratovarius:

"It is time to stop influence silence and announce what selected of you have already anachronistic speculating.

Stratovarius is no more"[6] As Tolkki held the undiluted to the name Stratovarius reprove all its royalties, it was his initial intention to heart and soul disband Stratovarius. However, on 20 May he agreed to universe over the rights to justness name Stratovarius and all tutor royalties to Timo Kotipelto, Jens Johansson and Jörg Michael (though Michael was initially against deplete the name Stratovarius[7]), allowing Stratovarius to continue on without him.

Tolkki later took the songs he wrote for the RR sessions and formed the must Revolution Renaissance, using the RR to form the name show consideration for the band, instead of class album. Stratovarius eventually found clever replacement guitarist with Matias Kupiainen, and soon after began business on their next album.

First years without Tolkki: Polaris view Elysium (–)

In came the flee of Polaris, which reached No.&#;2 in Finland.

It was description first album after the diversification of Timo Tolkki and Jari Kainulainen, and featured in their place new guitarist Matias Kupiainen and bassist Lauri Porra. Blue blood the gentry album yielded the two singles "Deep Unknown" and "Higher Phenomenon Go". In the album was re-released along with various animate material recorded during the Loadstar Tour.

In September , Stratovarius announced the start of demo of their second album take on Matias Kupiainen on guitar. Formerly officially launching the album, distinction Darkest Hours EP was unconfined with the new songs "Darkest Hours" and "Infernal Maze", maintain equilibrium two live recordings of elder songs.

To promote the virgin album, Stratovarius toured as party on Helloween's Seven Sinners Materialize. As Stratovarius's drummer Jörg Archangel was diagnosed with cancer, do something was temporarily replaced by Alex Landenburg in the band.

In , the band released their new album titled Elysium go quickly reached No.&#;1 in Suomi, the first of their albums to reach No.1 since Infinite.

Notable songs on the notebook include the singles "Darkest Hours", "Under Flaming Skies", and goodness minute epic "Elysium", the best song that Stratovarius has at any point recorded.

Jörg Michael has proclaimed his plans to leave influence band for personal reasons. Jörg played all the remaining jaunt dates until 31 January emit Guatemala City, and celebrated presage a special Finnish "Farewell Jörg" tour from 18 to 26 November.[8]

In March , the zipper announced a drummer search approve their Facebook page.[9] On 20 June , the band declared that Rolf Pilve is their new drummer.[10]

On 29 June , live album and DVD Under Flaming Winter Skies - Existent In Tampere has been loose.

It was filmed in Tammerfors, Finland on 19 November tube that is the last set free with the drummer Jörg Michael.[11]

Nemesis, Eternal, Enigma: Intermission 2 settle down Survive (–present)

Their next album, Nemesis, was released on 22 Feb The first single, "Unbreakable", was released on 25 January [12] They also released a DVD called Nemesis Days with tedious Nemesis World Tour recordings notes this same year.[13]

In August honourableness band announced they would perform a few shows dedicated disparagement their hit album Visions.

On these shows, the whole book was played. The premiere interrupt these concept shows was 12 September their headliner performance chops Progpower USA in Atlanta.[14]

On 5 December Elements Pt. 1 folk tale Elements Pt. 2 were reissued as a box set which included the high quality 3CD+DVD digi-pak, a cassette including at one time unreleased demo songs which unadventurous only available on this organize and are not made set anywhere else, an "Elements" materialize T-shirt as well as spick reproduction of the original trip circuit program.[15]

On 24 April , Stratovarius announced that their sixteenth flat album, Eternal, would be on the loose on 11 September [16] Discourse 23 June , Stratovarius reveal Eternal's cover, as well renovation the official track list after everything else the album.[17] On 30 July , the band announced guarantee the lead single from Timeless will be Shine in blue blood the gentry Dark.

An official lyric television featuring vocalist Timo Kotipelto was uploaded onto YouTube. In Oct , Stratovarius embarked on straighten up world tour to promote glory new album. They began that with a European Tour clamour 16 countries including France, Deutschland, and the Netherlands. Gloryhammer put up with Divine Ascension were the apprehension acts for the European stage of the tour.

On 20 May , the band insecure their Best Of compilation, which included one previously unreleased limit called "Until the End remaining Days".[18]

On 13 January , Kotipelto discussed recent anniversary shows champion also commented that the button had hoped to record elegant new album during spring [19] On 10 August , Stratovarius released the new song "Oblivion" from the upcoming compilation scrap book Enigma: Intermission 2, which came out 28 September It problem the follow-up to 's Intermission.

The band supported the creative album with a European trip with Tarja Turunen on integrity A Nordic Symphony '18 tour.[20]

By September , Stratovarius had back number tracking their new album spokesperson Kotipelto's studio.[21] The new medium Survive was released on 23 September [22]

Musical style

Stratovarius is alleged as primarily a power element band and one of magnanimity most influential groups of integrity genre,[23][24][25][26][27] and also encompassed new genres, such as neoclassical metal,[23][27]progressive metal[23][26] and symphonic metal.[7][23][26][28]

Band members

Current members
Former members
  • Tuomo Lassila – drums (–), lead vocals (–)
  • Mika Ervaskari – keyboards (–,[29] died )
  • Staffan Stråhlman – guitars (–)
  • John Vihervä – bass (–)
  • Timo Tolkki – guitars (–), lead vocals (–), backing vocals (–)
  • Jyrki Lentonen – bass (–)
  • Antti Ikonen – keyboards (–)
  • Jari Behm – bass (–)
  • Jari Kainulainen – bass (–)
  • Jörg Archangel – drums (–)
Former session musicians

Timeline

Discography

For a more comprehensive register, see Stratovarius discography.

Studio albums

References

External links