TIMO TOLKKI Says He Will Release One More STRATOVARIUS Album

Former STRATOVARIUS and current REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE mastermind Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:

"The songwriting [for the new REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE album] is going very smoothly and nicely. We are making some demos soon and will hit the studio around September. Some song (working) titles are: 'Icarus', 'Age Of Aquarius', 'The Loneliness Of A Thousand Years', 'Revolution Has Begun', 'Mary My Guardian' and 'Walk On'. I will be able to announce the bass player in early August, but I can tell that he is in fact Swedish. We are still planning the extensive South American tour we have been offered. This would be in December.

"I am also happy to tell that there will be one more STRATOVARIUS album sometime late next year. This will be a 'get-together' album with old friends Tuomo Lassila on drums, Antti Ikonen on keyboards and me on vocals and guitars. There are 12 months in a year and this will be the last and 12th STRATOVARIUS album that will close the whole saga with dignity and respect. The way it is supposed to be.

"I will also reissue my 'Classical Variations and Themes' and 'Hymn To Life' remastered versions through my webshop. The whole Tolkki.com is currently undergoing maintenance and new layout procedure and will remain closed for some days more."

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's "permanent" lineup includes keyboardist Mike Khalilov, Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra and Brazilian singer Gus Monsanto (ex-ADAGIO).

"New Era", the debut album from REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, is described in a press release as "a masterpiece of melodic power metal, taking the listener straight back to the 'Visions'-era STRATOVARIUS. In fact, 'New Era' is the album that was meant to be the next STRATOVARIUS album."

In the latest issue of Finland's Soundi magazine, Petri Silas speaks exclusively to remaining STRATOVARIUS members Timo Kotipelto (vocals),Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) about their split with guitarist and main composer Timo Tolkki and the band's future.

The interview was conducted just as the guys were heading out to a Lappajrvi summer cottage to work on new material. They were accompanied by their newest bandmate, a young Finnish guitarist whose name has not yet been revealed.

If all goes well, the foursome will enter the studio (most likely in Finland) at the end of 2008 to begin recording a new album for a 2009 release.

At this point, the guys have not yet decided whether to continue using the name STRATOVARIUS for their new band. Some of the members want to, some of them don't, and for some of them it doesn't make a difference one way or the other.

Timo Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. "Although both moral and legal rights I own would easily grant me the rights to prevent the guys using the name STRATOVARIUS, I am going to do the opposite," he wrote in a letter explaining his decision. "I am going to give them full perpetual rights to the name and also I do not want to receive any money regarding record sales of the back catalogue or possible new products in which I am involved. Ever. You will find this letter that has been mailed to the STRATOVARIUS management with this statement. Simply, I dont want to have anything to do with that name in its present form, Jrg Michael, Timo Kotipelto and Jens Johansson ever again. The old records and their message speak for themselves. So the guys are free to use the name. I am doing this with a clear mind that everything that you put to the universe returns to you. And above all, I refuse to co-operate, negotiate or have anything to do with what I consider to be evil. And here is the very corporate money making machine in its full force exploiting the name, like it could really have the same meaning without me."