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Band page - Timo Tolkki
Latest news
| Sunday, October 11, 2009 - Project Strato: Return to Dreamspace - Status | Timo Tolkki has posted the following news on his "Project Strato: Return to Dreamspace" project:
"Some people have wondered the disappearence of Timo Tolkki's MySpace pages some months ago including the Return to Dreamspace project. For legal reasons the Dreamspace project page had to be taken down and the name Timo Tolkki intended to use with the release cannot be used with the project.
Timo Tolkki's personal MySpace was hacked and filled with obscenities. Somebody did this to harm Tolkki and his projects. You can still see a toned down version in the same address here. Also, after the Dreamspace page was taken down, most likely the same person took the same url and created another page to ridicule the project. This page is also still there.
The band is signed to JVC and Scarlet Records and due to the massive difficulties with the problems of SPV GmbH (the Distributor for Scarlet) and also because the band really wants to make a killer record, the release date has been postponed until next spring. The songs however are ready and the album will be called Return To Dreamspace nevertheless. Some song titles include 'Return to Dreamspace', 'Digital Jesus', 'Santiago', 'Chevaliers De Sangreal', 'Full Circle' and 'Farewell No. 2' among other things. Twentysongs have been written for the project, but its new name has not been decided."
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| Monday, April 21, 2008 - Timo Tolkki Unveils Revolution Renaissance | Press release from Frontiers Records:
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce all details about the sensational new band REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, brainchild of ex STRATOVARIUS main man Timo Tolkki.
"Everything that was to be said with that band, with those members, had already been said and to continue would have simply been repeating the same formula over and over again", says Tolkki about this much talked split. Furthermore, tensions between the members brought Tolkki's decision to form a brand new band REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, which is the logical progression of the Stratovarius legacy.
The first record from the new band, aptly entitled "New Era", includes the vocal talents of Michael Kiske (ex HELLOWEEN), Tobias Sammet (EDGUY, AVANTASIA) and Pasi Rantanen (THUNDERSTONE) plus Mirka Rantanen on drums (THUNDERSTONE), Pasi Heikkilä on bass (45 DEGREE WOMAN) and Joonas Puolakka on keyboards.
Tolkki originally composed all the songs included in this album for Stratovarius, but after the group broke up, he thought he needed to get these songs out and did not spend time looking for a permanent band line-up. He is currently still auditioning singers and musicians and, as soon as a stable line-up is set in stone, Revolution Renaissance will start its life as a live unit.
"New Era" pays tribute musically to the trademark Stratovarius albums "Visions" and "Episode", with its Melodic Power Metal style that Tolkki was instrumental in creating, along with such bands as Helloween and Gamma Ray. His trademark guitar playing that earned him a position in "The 80 best guitar players of the World" category in the American "Guitar World" magazine readers poll, shines throughout the album.
Tracklisting of "New Era" includes:
Heroes (lead vocals: Tobias Sammet)
I Did It My Way (lead vocals: Michael Kiske)
We Are Magic (lead vocals: Pasi Rantanen)
Angel (lead vocals: Michael Kiske)
Eden Is Burning (lead vocals: Pasi Rantanen)
Glorious And Divine (lead vocals: Tobias Sammet)
Born Upon The Cross (lead vocals: Pasi Rantanen)
Keep The Flame Alive (lead vocals: Michael Kiske)
Last Night On Earth (lead vocals: Michael Kiske)
Revolution Renaissance (lead vocals: Michael Kiske)
Witness the rebirth of Timo Tolkki and his music the way the fans want to hear him on June 6th
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| Thursday, March 6, 2008 - Timo Tolkki and Frontiers Records Reach Amicable Settlement Over Album Controversy | Frontiers Records has issued the following press release:
Frontiers Records and STRATOVARIUS' TIMO TOLKKI are very pleased to announce to have finally reached an amicable settlement over the Saana - Warrior Of Light Pt. 1 - Journey To Crystal Island album controversy.
The agreement for this album was executed originally in December 2006 and both parties performed the contract to the best of their abilities until the delivery happened in mid January 2008.
As a matter of fact, the album delivery started a strong controversy between the parties, based on certain contractual provisions, which echoed in a few days all over the world via the Internet. The bottom of this controversy was reached when both parties decided to go ahead and announce the release of its own version of the album, Timo Tolkki through the official Saana website and Frontiers through the regular sales channels throughout the world.
However lawyers and managers have been working very hard to mediate the differences and in the end they were able to accommodate both parties on the agreement that the rights of the release will go back to Timo Tolkki who will release the album (digital and physical release) on his website www.timotolkki.com while Frontiers will be paid back the monies invested against the production of the record.
Timo Tolkki states: "I am very pleased that Frontiers and me have been able to come to an agreement in the end about the Saana release. We were able to come up with a mutually satisfactory compromise and we are looking forward soon to give you some news regarding my future."
Frontiers Records label manager Mario de Riso adds: "Timo is a very special person and Artist. We have a lot of respect for his talent. Of course his words went sometimes a little too far in this story, but the good thing is that we feel now much better and I can already say that we look forward to working together on new ventures. Something really exciting came out from all this story and we plan to reveal very soon some great news for all the Rock fans."
A big thank you is due to Mrs. Antonietta d'Angelo esq. and Mrs. Antje Lange for their assistance.
Based on the above, Frontiers Records officially deletes the worldwide release of the album Saana - Warrior Of Light Pt. 1 - Journey To Crystal Island from its catalogue (originally scheduled for March 14th) with immediate effect. The record shall exclusively be available in digital and physical purchase at the www.saana-warrioroflight.com and www.timotolkki.com websites.
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| Sunday, March 2, 2008 - Latest news from Timo Tolkki | Timo Tolkki has issued the following update on the fate of his recently completed classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island":
"First of all, a humble thank you for all you who have sent me so many wonderful messages showing their love and support.
"We are slowly getting things together, so things are moving here. Next week we will be able to finally publish the trailer and open the web shop, where you can order 'Saana' online.
"I finally decided to go the 'RADIOHEAD' route and the GroundCom guys are encoding the webshop to my official website, www.timotolkki.com. So that will finally be the address where you can get the official album. All the logistics are handled by the GroundCom company like shipping etc.
"I am really excited about the way that I can finally have my own webshop at my own site and interact directly with my fans. So pay attention to timotolkki.com and 'Saana' website during next week and you will see something very nice."
Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums, which were handled by Mirka Rantanen).
"Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" track listing:
01. Saana Mountain
02. Saana's Theme
03. The End
04. Sadness of The World
05. 3 at 7
06. Silence of the Night
07. Sunrise at Saana Mountain
08. Journey to Crystal Island
09. Crystal Island
10. Freya's Theme
11. You've Come a Long Way
12. The Letter
13. Who Am I?
14. Freya's Teachings
15. Warrior of Light
16. Journey to the Azores
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| Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Latest news from Timo Tolkki | In the ongoing saga between Timo Tolkki and Frontiers Records in regards to the release of his new album, "Saana - Warrior Of Light Pt. 1 - Journey To Crystal Island", Tolkki has issued the following:
"Due to the unfortunate events around Saana during the last days have made me to issue a more clarifying statement regarding this.
To start with, I have put 5 legal documents to (Click here to open link) for those who are interested to see how things really are legally. You might have to press "refresh" to see the new content.
I signed the contract with Frontiers in good faith. I had and have a very strong belief that Saana is the most important work that I have ever done. I went into the composing process with free hands, like I always do. I cannot write music if somebody is trying to impose restrictions to it. This is what has happened all the time during the last 4 months. It has been one constant fight about everything possible from graphic designs to the music. It is very difficult to work under those kind of circumstances and I have always had the principle that nobody tells me what to do regarding my art. Now I believe that this principle has been under constant and systematic attack from Frontiers Records.
Those who are interested can read my arguments for terminating the contract with Frontiers from www.timotolkki.com, but I sum them up here:
Frontiers REJECTED the production master that I sent them and sent them back to me. This is exactly the same record that they are now "proudly presenting" and selling on their homepage. They tried to get me to go back to the studio to write more "Metal songs" and to quote them "just insert them in between somewhere there". Needless to say after 2500 hours of work and a clear concept of 2 album storyline including a filmed format doesn't allow anything like that and neither would I do it because for me, freedom of expression in art is a necessity to be even able to create any music plus that both parts of Saana represent a whole and a concept that is evolving up until the "Finale" in part 2.
Frontiers presents in their letters things like the music is not what I "promised" them. I cannot "promise" any music, I am not a jukebox. The music style in the contract is detrmined as "Rock Opera". I first wrote the story and then the music around it. I have never written music for anyone else but myself. I appreciate and honor the support of my fans greatly, but at the end of the day, I am expressing myself through my music, not through Frontiers Records.
They go on stating that the album has "drum loops" and drum machines which they don't tolerate. The album has real live drums played by Mirka Rantanen of Thunderstone. It hasn't got any drum machines and it has one loop that lasts 20 seconds.
My production company Goldenworks is responisble for producing the sound production master (you manufacture cd's from this) and graphic master (you manufacture the booklet, cd design from this)
I have since last October numerous times asked Frontiers to deliver me the cataloque number of Saana and a barcode, which are both necessary elements for any record store to take the cd for sale. Frontiers have insisited that it is them who is doing it, not Goldenworks. Contractually I pay for the graphich master and am therefore resposible to produce the graphic master. But I havent been able to do so because of abovementioned facts. I also suspected that they would alter the artwork because I sent an early version of the cover to the director of Frontiers, who freaked out and said its horrible. He also SENT the jpeg to some people including some journalists, which was an insane thing to do at that point of production.
They claim that the album should not contain any instrumental music and that the album is "mostly instrumental music". Keeping in mind the storytelling nature of a Rock Opera or musical, I challenge you to find a piece that doesn't have instrumentals. Out of 16 tracks , 11 tracks contain vocals.
Frontiers continues by stating that the album should be 45 minutes long according to the contract. The album is 44:10 long. This doesn't really need any comment.
Frontiers claims that I delivered the master late. This is true, but I notfied them about this already in August 2007 and they approved it and were systematically preparing for a May 2008 release. I can prove this by email traffic.
Frontiers also claims I was unavailable for discussions for compromise. This is also not true. After some email exchanging they proposed a settlement compromise, which I gave to my lawyer to check. Frontiers was hurriying me and my lawyer to sign this document to the point that my lawyer became very irritated and said to me that I should always be very careful with any company that is hurrying you to sign. After reviewing what my lawyer said I terminated the contract by his recommendation.
Despite of this, Frontiers Records seems to be releasing Saana according to their website. I know most of their distributors personally and none of them has this album in their release schedule.
Frontiers Records hasn't got the necessary parts to be able to produce a cd in the way that it is of high quality. Yet, they seem to intend to manufacture cd's out of MP3 files and booklet from 2 low resolution jpegs they have. They don't have lyrics or any information regarding the album details.
I have designed Saana's 24 page booklet in the way that each page has its own graphic layout and is very necessary for understanding the unfolding story. Only the booklet took 1 month to make.
We shot 25 hours of footage for the bonus DVD videos and the sales DVD story.
Therefore it is really sad to see that they are doing this and I think it says a lot about this company what it is willing to do.
There is a touch of irony in first rejecting the master because of the things I have explained and then when I terminate the contract, instead of taking Goldenworks to court, what do they do? They "proudly present" the new rock opera from Timo Tolkki. Needless to say, Goldenworks will take legal actions against Frontiers Records if they will release the Saana album. I doubt they are able to do that, at least via their normal distribution channels. Maybe only through their online shop, but the quality of that product will be less than adequate. The "cover" they have sent to some media is an early version of the final cover.
I rest my case, I have spent one year of my life working this music and I believe it is a truly unique and innovative concept. I never wanted any of this fuss, but I will defend my art against a corporate attack if I have to and I am not afraid to stand in court and say what I have to say about my artistic right to express myself.
All the best, Timo."
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| Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - The latest developments in the Saana drama | Some interesting developments have happened over the past day with the new Timo Tolkki solo album. They are listed below in chronological order.
Timo Tolkki - "A Little Gift As A Thank You"
Timo Tolkki issued the following update:
"In the last days I have received so much support from people all over the world that I decided to give you a little gift. You can download some new songs from www.saana-warrioroflight.com
that are all from the upcoming album (Saana - Warrior Of Light Part 1: Journey To Crystal Island).
Thank you so much for your support. The songs are in MP3 format with a standard 192 kbp/s, so they should be good quality. I hope you like them. They are freely at your disposal and dont have any digital protection coding. I trust that my real fans will support me as they have so many years already. I really cannot thank you enough.
Cheers, Timo."
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Frontiers press release
Frontiers Records has announced it will issue TIMO TOLKKI's Saana-Warrior Of Light Part 1: Journey To Crystal Island album on March 14th.
The label states: "Since Timo Tolkki (main songwriter and guitar player for the legendary Finnish heavy metal band STRATOVARIUS) had the idea for a Rock Opera two years ago, a lot has happened. After signing the record deal with Frontiers Records, he has been working hard on this project. It has been a monumental task that has just been getting bigger and bigger.
"Composing, writing the story, casting from hundreds of people, and putting this all together has been very refreshing and interesting for me", says Tolkki. "I think it is the next logical step for me ", he continues.
"This album has just basically one long song, but there are 18 themes that are bound together by a story in which I have used my long time interest in philosophy, psychology and spirituality. At the end of the day it really has just two main themes: love and the fight between good and evil. As the name indicates, there will be another part to this saga. It really is a very interesting story about an old theme, but I think I have managed to take it somewhere that no one has been before", Tolkki finishes.
Featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Sowle, Aino Laos, Heikki Poyhiä and Janette Sainio, this album is a breathtaking experience of emotions. The singers were each carefully chosen for their respective roles and they will enhance the musical journey in a way that has never really been heard before. Timo Tolkki calls it "A Classical Rock Opera".
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Timo Tolkki then terminated his contract with Frontiers Records
Statement from Timo Tolkki:
"I would like to inform you about the following things regarding Saana. Due to the fact that Frontiers Records hasn't fullfilled its contractual obligations regarding Saana, I have terminated the contract between my production company Goldenworks and them. Regardless of that, they have notified me by email today that they are going to release Saana anyway without my permission even though they don't have the material to be able to produce the CD at all. They only have MP3 files which are not adequate to produce a high quality CD. Also, they have absolutely no graphic material for the booklet, information regarding the songs or even the lyrics.
I would like to remind you that the ONLY OFFICIAL place where you can buy Saana is www.theground.com. As soon as their new layout is ready, you will be able to make pre-orders of Saana from that site. They deliver to the whole world fast and reliably.
THE OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE OF "SAANA-WARRIOR OF LIGHT PT1" is 3.3.2008
The official releas date is March 3rd. The configurations available to you are:
1) MP3/FLAC Album without copy protection (includes 24 page digital booklet and video) 7.77 ?
2) Jewel Box CD (with 24 page booklet) 13 ?
3) Jewel Box CD with bonus DVD (with 24 page booklet, 3 videos, in-depth interview of Jennifer Sowle, in-depth interview of Timo Tolkki and photo gallery) 18 ?
4) DVD (Includes the filmed story of Saana album with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, Making Of documentary, interviews and photo gallery. No region code. May release. 20 ?
I would like to ask you to boycott the possible Frontiers release of Saana because it is not the official version of the record and its quality is likely to be extremely poor.
Thank you for your wonderful support, especially in the last few days."
Timo
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Following this, Frontiers Records has released the following statement:
"Frontiers Records would like to inform all press and fans that the release of Timo Tolkki's Saana - Warrrior Of Light Pt. 1 - Journey To Crystal Island rightfully belongs only to the label for the entire world.
Frontiers has indeed signed a regular exclusive License Agreement for it which, notwithstanding the statements of Mr. Tolkki, is still rightful and legal and all due sums have been paid against the production of the record.
There is indeed a controversy about it which is treated in the due seats as it should.
We hope that people and fans will not be bothered by this story by any means and get concentrated on the music which is the thing that counts the most."
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| Monday, February 18, 2008 - Timo Tolkki - More Bad News - Saana Music Leaked | Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:
"I just received news that at least some of the songs from (new album) Saana - Warrior Of Light are available in the torrent sites. We are trying to trace the originator, but it is really difficult. I am afraid that since the thief also has the production master, it might be that pirate copies will start to emerge very soon.
If you (hopefully) don't want to support such activities, I would remind you people that the only place where you will get the MP3 album with goodies and the subsequent hard copies, is www.theground.com that will be opened in few weeks.
Now the address takes you to their current page."
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| Saturday, February 16, 2008 - Timo Tolkki - Saana Single And Graphic Master Stolen | Guitarist Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius) has issued the following update:
"I was in a photo-session in Helsinki two days ago and while we were taking promotional pictures, someone stole my bag and one guitar, a purple Fender Stratocaster Jeff Beck model. It is priceless.
But what worries me more is that the bag contained a single master and the graphic master of the whole Saana album. I went to the police and filed a report, but they said that it is unlikely I will ever see them again. I just hope this person doesn't realize the contents of the bag.
Unfortunately this will postpone the trailer release and I have to think what I will do now.
This a very bad situation. Very bad..."
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| Monday, January 29, 2007 - Timo Tolkki update | An update from Timo Tolkki on his latest project, "Saana-Warrior of Light":
"The last round of casting for the characters of Saana is on its way. It means I have to do some travelling in the next weeks to come. Still writing the story too. All I can say that what I am doing has never been done before in music and in lyrics. I could easily write 20 Stratovarius styled songs and invite some known guests and call that 'rock opera', but I don´t wanna do anything like that. Saana will be something totally different, both musically and lyrically. I call this a Classic Rock Opera and you will know why. To me this is like a film turned to music. And maybe one day, someone makes a film about this. The story would fit....perfectly.
I was in touch with ex Strato, current MESS bass player Jari Kainulainen and asked him to play the bass on this one and he said sure. I am happy because he is one of the best bass players in the world.
And somewhere in between all travelling, I´m gonna spend time in Venice Italy in producing a new VISION DIVINE album called 25th Hour."
All my best,
Timo
Press release from Frontiers Records:
Frontiers Records (Zink Music/Bonnier Amigo) is proud to announce the signing of a brand new and exciting musical project.
Timo Tolkki: the Finnish Grammy award winning guitar player who has sold 1.5 million records with his power metal genre pioneering band STRATOVARIUS, has taken the next step in his 20 year music career.
"Saana-Warrior of Light" is a Classic Rock Opera featuring seven characters and numerous musicians (including Tolkki himself) who will collaborate in this ambitious project. The result is a unique sound, unlike anything ever heard before. from soaring majestic heights to soft and gentle moments and everything in between. It also tells a very dramatic tale.
"Saana-Warrior of Light" is the story of a woman who makes an unforgettable journey that changes her life and view of the universe forever. On her journey, she will discover the biggest secret of mankind. and her own destiny.
"Warrior of Light" introduces 29 year old Jennifer Sowle from the USA as Saana, the main character. She is a classically trained opera singer with a Master's degree in music.
"Saana-Warrior of Light" will be released in autumn 2007 with more details to be announced in the coming weeks.
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| Saturday, December 30, 2006 - Timo Tolkki working on Rock Opera | Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:
"Saana-Warrior Of Light ... is a work in progress. For two years I have had this idea in my head and it won´t leave me be. It will be a Rock Opera, but not in a sense that many of the records using 'rock or metal opera' are. All the singers in this are carefully chosen and I have been auditioning singers already six months. So it´s not just that I invite some famous names to sing something. The character that sings the part really has to fit and feel the meaning of the music and lyrics. I have spent quite some time with the top candidates to get to know them personally. This is very important when I will write the music. And I prefer them to be new talents. During X-mas I have been writing the story and it just pours out of me. I am writing it in Finnish, but I will translate it in English after it´s ready. I have been negotiating with several record companies about this release and the interest has been very good. There will be a press release in a bout a month and a website dedicated for this project. Then the cast will be revealed as well. There have been some rumours about TARJA TURUNEN playing the main role but those are untrue. Although I first wanted a Finnish person for the main role, the story has evolved so much that it is not necessary anymore. And last but not least, I want to wish all of you, who hopefully survived the X-mas madness, a happy and fulfilling 2007. May your dreams come true!!"
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