STRATOVARIUS: More Tour Dates Announced

Finnish melodic power metal legends STRATOVARIUS have scheduled the following dates:

May 15 - Wolverhampton, England, UK @ Wulfrun Hall
May 16 - Nottingham, England, UK @ Rock City
May 17 - Glasgow, Scotland, UK @ Cathouse
May 18 - London, England UK @ Islington O2 Academy
May 19 - Manchester, England UK @ Academy 2
May 20 - Dublin, Ireland @ Button Factory
May 22 - Kreuth @ Aurich, Germany @ Wacken Rocks
May 23 - Kreuth @ Aurich, Germany @ Wacken Rocks
May 24 - Warzaw, Poland @ Progresja
May 29 - Moscow, Russia @ CDK MAI
May 30 - St. Petersburg, Russia @ Glavclub
Jun. 21 - Clisson, France @ Hellfest
Jul. 11 - Vizovice, Czech Republic @ Masters of Rock

STRATOVARIUS has vowed to return with a new studio album in 2009 — the group's first since the departure of guitar player and main composer Timo Tolkki. According to a press release, the new CD will be "a positive and powerful record that the band's fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts."

Commented keyboardist Jens Johansson: "After Tolkki gave his blessing for us to go on without him, and after writing music together again this summer and a lot of thought, we have decided to carry the legacy of STRATOVARIUS into the future."

Added singer Timo Kotipelto: "We are all very excited about the record and about playing STRATOVARIUS music live to our fans. We can't wait."

STRATOVARIUS' latest addition is 25-year-old Finnish guitar phenomenon Matias Kupiainen. Drummer Jörg Michael said, "In Matias we found new character who fits perfectly with his way of melodic guitar shredding. He is a killer player, a 'wunderkind' from Finland!"

STRATOVARIUS is reportedly using some of its recently recorded demos to shop around for a new record deal. Working songtitles that are set to appear on the band's next CD include:

* "King Of Nothing"
* "Eternal Life"
* "Something Precious"
* "I Am Blind"
* "Free Diving"

STRATOVARIUS 2009 is:

Timo Kotipelto - Vocals
Matias Kupiainen - Guitars
Lauri Porra - Bass
Jörg Michael - Drums
Jens Johansson – Keyboards

A two-and-a-half-minute video blog featuring footage from the writing/recording sessions for the new STRATOVARIUS album can be viewed below.

Photo by Ville Akseli Juurikkala: