Revolution Renaissance was formed in 2008 by Timo Tolkki, after leaving Stratovarius. The first album was recorded with the help of many of Timo's friends. But later on a proper band line-up was gathered.

NEW ERA (2008) FRONTIERS

There was so much drama involved in Timo's last years with Stratovarius. So maybe it is not so surprising that he finally left his mother ship. He soon gathered up some close friends to record a new album, with songs written initially for Stratovarius. The result is 'New Era', and the band is called Revolution Renaissance. Although at this point in time they could hardly be labeled a band, as all of the people contributing on this record are not associated with Revolution Renaissance any longer. Save for Timo himself, of course. 'New Era' is a product of it's participants. Although no writing credits are present in the booklet, I find every song duly seasoned by the singers appearing on them. The songs Pasi Rantanen is singing sounds a lot like Thunderstone, the songs Tobias Sammet sings on sound a lot like modern day Edguy, and the songs Michael Kiske sings on sound a lot like his last stint with Helloween. The album is a lot more mid-paced than Timo's work with his former band. But luckily it is not as eccentric or vague as the latter Stratovarius albums either. This is laid back, symphonic, neo-classical, melodic metal, if that makes any sense. They actually remind me quite a bit of Axel Rudi Pell's albums with Gioeli on vocals. That is especially true on the songs that Pasi Rantanen performs, as he is a dead ringer for Gioeli. 'New Era' is a solid debut, and I enjoy just about all of the tracks at hand. I especially love the ones with Michael Kiske. And I find them to be some of the better moments in this legendary singers career. Maybe it is his outspoken distaste for the heavy metal lifestyle, and his refusal to participate on anything he finds inappropriate, that has led Timo to recording a softer album then expected. Or perhaps it is Frontiers Records work, a label that is more known for their all star AOR and melodic hard rock projects, than anything remotely close to what you'd expect from Timo. But as long as the end result gives this listener a lot of musical pleasure, it doesn't even matter. I'm already looking forward to the next album from Revolution Renaissance, now that Timo has gathered up a more permanent line-up.

Killer tracks: All of the songs are truly great.

Timo Tolkki guest appearances:

Edguy - 'Vain Glory Opera'

Avantasia - 'The Metal Opera pt. I', 'The Metal Opera pt. II'

Vision Divine - 'The Perfect Machine' (as producer)

Related artists:

Stratovarius