STRATOVARIUS: Video Footage From New Album Writing Sessions Posted Online

A two-and-a-half-minute video blog featuring footage from the writing/recording sessions for the new STRATOVARIUS album can be viewed below. The band's current lineup includes Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards), Lauri Porra (bass) and Jörg Michael (drums) alongside STRATOVARIUS' latest addition, Finnish guitarist Matias Kupiainen (who replaced the group's founding member and main songwriter Timo Tolkki).

In an August 2008 online posting, Jens Johansson stated about the 25-year-old Kupiainen, "He was the only guy we even considered seriously." He also confirmed that the group had "over 15 songs written and demoed already, but probably not all of these will make it to the actual album. . . We are very happy with the material, the direction, and the general vibe in the band."

Matias Kupiainen is far left in both photos below.