Stratovarius was founded in 1984 in Finland under the name Black Water. They went
through a number of personnel style and name changes before the band found its own
voice. The founding members were Tuomo Lassila, Staffan Stråhlman, and John Vihervä.
By 1985 the name had changed to Stratovarius (a combination of Stratocaster and
Stradivarius) and guitarist/vocalist Timo Tolkki entered the band, replacing Stråhlman.
Tolkki became the driving force and mastermind of the band, assuming relatively complete
control of the song-writing. He brought along not only strong rock influences, but also a neoclassical
tinge. The band released a demo to various record companies by 1987, finally
being picked up by CBS Finland. In 1989, their debut album Fright Night was released,
following two singles. After being dropped by CBS, the band went through several member
changes, but they managed to release a second album on another label. In 1994 they
released their third album, Dreamspace, featuring new bass player Jari Kainulainen, and
after that, a full-time singer joined the band: Timo Kotipelto. The release of Fourth
Dimension (featuring Kotipelto on vocals) in 1995 was a great success, but internal
differences in the band, particularly about the future musical direction, prompted the
departure of long-time drummer Tuomo Lassila and keyboardist Antti Ikonen.
Two new non-Finnish members were recruited: Swedish keyboardist Jens Johansson, of
Yngwie Malmsteen fame; and German drummer Jörg Michael. With the fifth release
Episode, Stratovarius had finally found its sound and had a strong, diverse line-up. Episode
was a grand project, featuring a large choir and a string orchestra. It spawned some of the
all-time greatest Stratovarius hits, such as Father Time and Will The Sun Rise. This line-up
released three hugely successful albums over the years: Visions in 1997, Destiny in 1999,
and Infinite in 2000. With every album their fame and fan-base expanded and they started
gaining a stronger following outside Scandinavia, particularly in Japan. In 2003 the band
released its most epic project yet, the two album suite named Elements. With these albums
they reached a peak in their progressive and symphonic style of power-metal.
The first album, Elements pt. 1, was released in early 2003, followed by a world tour.
Elements pt. 1 was followed by Elements pt. 2, also released on Nuclear Blast records the
same year.


In January 2005 Stratovarius recorded their self-titled new album which was released in the
same year.
In June 2005 Jari Kainulainen left the band and was replaced by Lauri Porra. In the fall of
2005 Stratovarius was on the road in the US. Stratovarius was at times progressive and
experimentally skewed and a rather dark record. It was a daring and ambitious album which
took the band in a new direction.
But unfortunately dark clouds were shadowing the band’s path once again. In 2005 the band
record company was starting to have severe financial problems and the whole label
collapsed just as the record was released. The band played over 100 shows without any
substantial support from any record company, appearing at numerous festivals and a long
period of extensive touring all over Europe, Japan and South America began. One highlight
was the two month Monster Metal Madness tour together with Shakra and HammerFall. It
was a package of true power metal at its best, conquering Europe like an avalanche.
In the meantime, the band had to enter into a legal process to be able to release their next
album. But the battle dragged on for more than a year and it drained a lot of the spirit out of
the band. In the end these tough times proved too much for Tolkki.
In April 2008 he left Stratovarius and its debts and troubles behind and gave the remaining
members his blessing to do whatever they want with the band and the legal case and
formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. The rest of Stratovarius’ members found
themselves in legal limbo and with a heavy legal debt, but they were without preconceptions
also all working on new music.
The turning point came when a settlement with their record company was finally achieved in
late summer 2008.
A burst of creative energy followed. The young and very talented Finnish lead guitarist,
Matias Kupiainen, joined the band.
In September 2008 the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a
cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together and
record. And they found themselves being a band re-born. The result is a melodic, powerful,
fresh, tight and technically elaborate new album.
"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios, Helsinki, Finland.
Mixed by the longtime confidant of the band Mikko Karmila the album became another
shining polar star at the Northern sky. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated
arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. 11 songs full of energy,
musicianship and a positive outlook.
"Polaris" is a positive, powerful album that Stratovarius fans all over the world are certain to
take to their hearts.
The band will support the release of their new studio album with live shows around the globe
in 2009 and 2010. "Polaris" will see a worldwide release in late May 2009 on earMUSIC (the
new division of edel dedicated to international rock music).