Stratovarius first started out in Helsinki, Finland back in 1984. They were previously known as Black Water. But things didn't start happening until they brought in guitarist Timo Tolkki (ex-Road Block) in 1985. The band went from a Black Sabbath/Ozzy influenced band into a more guitar-oriented, Ritchie Blackmore, classic baroque influenced metal act. And when Timo Kotipelto joined the ranks in 1995, the band's popularity exploded. They are now one of the top European metal acts.

FRIGHT NIGHT (1989) SONY FINLAND/COLUMBIA

Stratovarius debut album is not as I expected it to be. It's in fact much better! I'm not sure why I had doubts about it. But since I didn't discover the band until 1997's 'Visions', the bands 6th album, I just thought they had moved away from their initial sound. In some ways they have. 'Fright Night' is a much heavier effort than it's predecessors. And the classical influences are not so present here. Also noticeable is that Timo Tolkki is their singer, and he's not that great at it. Still, a fine debut indeed. I thought it would take me forever to get hold of this CD, as it was originally only released in Finland. But I was lucky enough to score a copy in a trade on the now defunct PM trading board.

Killer tacks: Future Shock, Black Night, Night Screamer

TWILIGHT TIME (1992, 1993) T&T

Break The Ice The Hands Of Time Madness Strikes At Midnight Metal Frenzy - instrumental Twilight Time The Hills Have Eyes Out Of The Shadows Lead Us Into The Light

Line-up (in booklet): Timo Tolkki - Vocals, Guitar Jyrki Lentonen - Bass Tuomo Lassila - Drums Actual line-up: Timo Tolkki - vocals, guitar, bass Tuomo Lassila - drums Antti Ikonen - keyboards

Originally released on Bluelight Records in 1992, aptly titled 'II' (see album cover above), 'Twilight Time' is the 1993 T&T/Noise reissue of the album. It continues pretty much in the same vain as the bands debut. I find it to be yet another great metal album from Finland's finest. Timo even sings better here. I also love the excellent drumming on this album. Stratovarius really sounded great when they were more about metal than prog-metal! And cliché metal lyrics are working far better then the save mother earth stuff they are doin' nowadays. It's even hard to pick favorites, as I find all of the songs pretty enjoyable. Although there's a photo of the short-lived bassist, Jari Behm, in the booklet, Timo Tolkki played all the bass parts on this album, and Jyrki Lentonen is credited in the 'Twilight Time' booklet.

Killer tracks: Break The Ice, The Hands Of Time, The Hills Have Eyes

DREAMSPACE (1994) T&T

Another solid album from Timo & co. I'm still not too comfortable with Timo's singing though. 'Dreamspace' sees the band venture even further away from the heavy sound on the first 2 albums, and now you can hear more of the classical elements that they became so famous for on their later albums. 14 tracks also make a long album, and maybe taking away 2 or 3 of them had resulted in an even better CD. 

Killer tracks: Chasing Shadows, 4th Reich, Tears Of Ice, Dreamspace

FOURTH DIMENSION (1995) T&T/MODERN MUSIC EMI

'Fourth Dimension' is a very appropriate title for this release. It's the bands 4th album, and it's a new dimension in their career. Most noticeable is of course the addition of vocalist Timo Kotipelto. He is a much better singer than the other Timo, and I can't believe they didn't hire him earlier. The album is brim-filled with excellent melodic speed metal, mixed with Timo's classical influenced guitar-playing. Some of the tracks present here are still in their live-set, like the fabulous "Distant Skies". I think this is almost like a forgotten gem in metal history. I actually pull this one out much more often that I do 'Elements' i.e.

Killer tracks: Distant Skies, Winter, 030366, We Hold The Key

EPISODE (1996) NOISE/T&T

And then they released their masterpiece! 'Episode' is now my favorite album from these Finnish boys. It took me a long time to get it, but what an album to wait for! There is not a single track on here not worthy of praise. "Father Time", "Will The Sun Rise" and "Speed Of Light" are all in the bands live-repertoire to this day! I'm not sure if it was the line-up change that helped out, but it couldn't exactly hurt adding Jens Johansson (keys) and Jörg Michael (drums) to the flock. Both were already huge names in metal circuits, playing in bands like Dio, Yngwie Malmsteen, Running Wild and Rage, amongst others. The band showcase to the fullest everything they are now so well known for. The speed, the melody, the grandiose, the classic influences. It's all here in a perfect blend. Timo K's voice and Timo T's guitar-wizardry. Can they ever top this?

Killer tracks: Father Time, Will The Sun Rise, Speed Of Light, Uncertainty, Babylon

VISIONS (1997) T&T

'Visions' was my first meeting with Stratovarius. I heard the opening track on some sampler, and thought; WOW! So I bought the whole album, and I was just amazed of how good this band were. There is not a dull moment on this album. I couldn't believe that I had not checked them out on any prior occasions. They are clearly very classically influenced, and bands like Rainbow and Yngwie Malmsteen comes to mind quickly. But they also combine this with fast, yet melodic, power metal, ala Helloween and Gamma Ray. Add to that strong songwriting, and you get a killer album. There might be a problem though, because how on earth can they ever top this album?

Killer tracks: The Kiss Of Judas, Black Diamond, Forever Free, The Abyss Of Your Eyes

VISIONS OF EUROPE - LIVE! (1998) T&T/NOISE (2CD)

After the incredible 'Visions' album, the boys released a double live-album. I had still not heard any other CD by them, but bought it because of the great reviews it got in the metal press. And I must say I once again was pleased with the outcome. To get right to it, 'Visions Over Europe' is one of the few live albums from the 90's I look back on as a classic! It's almost up there with Iron Maiden's 'Live After Death', and coming from me, that says a lot! It has that good live-feel to it, and the band play well, although not necessarily perfect.

It also has to be said that I have seen the band in concert many times since this album, and they are not so great live, as they are on this live-album!?!

S.O.S. (1998) T&T/NOISE (EP)

A CD-single released as a teaser to the 'Destiny' album. The song "S.O.S" did very well on several charts in Europe. The video for the track also got some play on various TV channels throughout Europe. The only non-album track present is the cover of Scorpions' "Blackout". That particular track can also be found on the Nuclear Blast Scorpions tribute CD.

DESTINY (1998) T&T/NOISE

After 2 astonishing studio albums, and a great live-album, all in a row, how could Stratovarius possibly follow up in the same manner? Well, I have to say that they tried! 'Destiny' is just as good, if not even better than most of their other material, though it doesn't quite reach up to the last 2 studio efforts. The songs that are good on it are so strong they instantly became favorites. I played the heck out of this album when it was new. I even bought the CD-single for "S.O.S.", but ended up selling, as it really didn't contain anything exclusive. Stratovarius was at this point one of the biggest selling metal bands in the word, entering charts all over Europe. And if you take a listen to this album, it's not hard to understand why. My version includes a bonus-track, but I'm not how exclusive it really is.

Killer tracks: Destiny, S.O.S., 4000 Rainy Nights, Venus In The Morning

THE CHOSEN ONES (1999) NOISE/T&T

Black Diamond Twilight Time Father Time The Hands Of Time Dream With Me Paradise Out Of The Shadows Forever Full Moon Kiss Of Judas SOS Dreamspace Against The Wind Speed Of Light 4000 Rainy Nights Will The Sun Rise?

As a closure for their time with Modern Music, Stratovarius released this compilation CD. "Dream With Me" and "Full Moon" are exclusive to this compilation. Both are quite good, so they are definitely a reason for owning it. The first one is a regular ballad, whilst "Full Moon" is a strange, semi-acoustic, Eastern-inspired thing. I do love the wacky cover art here though! I would have preferred to have the songs in chronological order, but it is still nice to hear them all mixed up too. From the almost progressive "Dreamspace" to the sing-along, anthemic "Kiss Of Judas", and the heart wrenching ballads like "4000 Rainy Nights", this compilation shows a band that has grown a lot. 'The Chosen Ones' was also released as a limited Scandinavian 2 CD edition with the bonus compilation CD, named "Best Of Noise 1999", featuring 12 tracks from other artists on the same label.

INFINITE (2000) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition Box Set)

I guess it was only a matter of time before Stratovarius got signed by any of the bigger metal labels. And Nuclear Blast won their signatures. And the first effort for them is entitled 'Infinite'. It sees the band explore a more progressive side of metal. The songs are easily described as floating/flowing. The only exception being the first single, and opening track, "Hunting High And Low" (fortunately not an A-ha cover). I found the album much harder to get into, and it will never be a favorite of mine. Still all fans of the band must have this one too. It's just that it was kind of a let down after such strong albums in the recent past. Most of the lyrics are about environmental issues. Also note that Derek Riggs is the artist behind the cover art (famous for the older Iron Maiden covers). My version is a Limited Edition Box Set, with a bonus-CD-single, sticker and band-pictures. But the extra tracks from the single aren't that noteworthy.

Killer tracks: Hunting High And Low, Millennium, A Million Light Years Away

ELEMENTS PT.1 (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition Box Set)

'Elements pt.1' picks up where 'Infinite' left off, not only musically, but also lyrically. They even take it a step further this time, making 'Elements pt.1' a concept album. The first one is about the 2 elements Fire and Water, and the second part will be about Earth and Wind. Any deeper insight into what it's all about will have to be investigated by yourself, as I really don't give a crap. The music is ultimately what counts to me. 'Elements pt.1' combines the formula Stratovarius became so known for, with the progressive elements from 'Infinite'. They also incorporate some orchestral parts, like in the song "Souls Of The Vagabond". This is one of the strongest songs on the album, and ironically it sounds much more like any song from Angra's 'Holy Land' album, then it does a Stratovarius classic. This time even the single track, and opener, called "Eagleheart" is pretty weak. I'm not sure what causes this, but I see a pattern here. Nuclear Blast sings the band, and suddenly they stray away from what they do best. Now all this might sound very discouraging. But I cannot say I hate this album either. It will not get as much airplay as most of their other CD's get. My version is the Limited Edition Box set, with a bonus CD-single, a sticker and an additional booklet with photos.

Killer tracks: Soul Of A Vagabond, Find You Own Voice, Papillon

ELEMENTS PT.2 (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Edition Box Set)

'Elements pt.2' was written, and recorded, during the same time span as 'Elements pt.1'. Therefore it is not a shock that both albums sound very much the same. And what goes for the first one, is also true for the second one. I seem to loose my enthusiasm for this new album just as quickly as I did with the last one. If I put on this album, I like what I hear. But try to ask me to hum any of the melodies 2 minutes after it stops, and I am in trouble. And as with the prior 2 Stratovarius releases, my version is the Limited Edition Box set, with a bonus CD-single, a sticker and an additional booklet with photos.

Killer tracks: Alpha & Omega, Awaken The Giant

After the release of this album, Stratovarius left their label Nuclear Blast, and signed a million dollar deal with Sanctuary. Timo Tolkki had a breakdown, and gave 3 of the 5 members the boot. He proceeded to hire a female singer, but nothing ever came out of that "project". The whole thing evolved to become one of the most bizarre soap opera-like incidents in heavy metal. After going through intensive therapy, Timo and the rest of the band sat down and decided to give it a new go. And here is the result:

STRATOVARIUS (2005) SANCTUARY (LIMITED EDITION)

After the strange things started to happen within the Stratovarius camp, and especially after Timo decided to get a female singe, I thought all hope was lost for this band. Things looked a little brighter when the last line-up finally got back together, but I was still reluctant, and wasn't exactly looking forward to a new Stratovarius album. After all, their last 3 efforts weren't that great either. Already the opening track, called "Maniac Dance", show us that things are looking brighter for this band. This is probably the catchiest (read: mainstream) song Timo has ever penned. And while the lyrics are not your average hit-subject, touching into the insanity he's been through, the song itself can without a doubt do well on various hit lists throughout Europe. But have no fear, Stratovarius have not sold out, and already in "Fight!!!!" their trademark sound is back. This is the best song from them since "Hunting High And Low". The album is at the same time full of surprises, but also the most Stratovarius sounding record since 1998's 'Destiny'. "The Land Of Ice And Snow" seems to be the track everyone is talking about, due to it's lyrical praise of Finland, and more so the verse line: "where Konskenkorva flows". I definitely have a good feeling listening to this CD. It's aptly self titled, as this is sort of a new beginning of the band. It's well produced, and it contains some of the bands finest moments. But unfortunately I have one negative issue with it; namely Timo Kotipelto. He just sounds so out of key at times, it's not even funny. Luckily he is steering away from singing in his highest register most of the time, but he still sounds strained. He also has an even worse accent than I've ever noticed before. It's not that he can't sing, and anyone familiar with him should not be intimidated by my words. But I think I've grown a bit oversensitive when it comes to his voice. It still doesn't prevent me from digging this album for what it's worth.

Killer tracks: Maniac Dance, Fight!!!, Gypsy In Me, United

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)

Timo Kotipelto guest appearances:

Ayreon - 'Universal Migrator Part 2'

Thunderstone - 'Tools Of The Devil'

Jens Johansson guest appearances:

Roland Grapow - 'Kaleidoscope'

V/A - 'Holy Dio : A Tribute To The Voice Of Metal - Ronnie James Dio'

Hammerfall - 'Crimson Thunder'

Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild

Kamelot - 'The Black Halo'

Nocturnal Rites - 'Grand Illusion'

Related artists:

Kotipelto, Rage, Running Wild, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Axel Rudi Pell, Unleashed Power/U.P., Saxon, Evergrey