STRATOVARIUS To Tour North America In The Fall

Finnish melodic power metal legends STRATOVARIUS will return to North America for a short tour this fall. Tickets for all shows are on sale via EnterTheVault.com exclusively until March 20 at which point they will become available through all normal ticketing outlets. STRATOVARIUS will also take part in a once-in-a-lifetime pre-concert meet-and-greet which will take place prior to doors opening. With a purchase of the VIP ticket, you gain access to the venue at least one hour early for the meet-and-greet. This is available for all shows and will be on sale until all VIP tickets are sold out (limited to 100 per night). You can purchase these VIP tickets at EnterTheVault.com; you will then be automatically registered to win four tickets to a show of your choice between May 27 and December 31, 2009. Each city will have one winner and they will be notified via e-mail on May 19.

STRATOVARIUS North American tour dates:

Sep. 16 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater
Sep. 18 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Sep. 19 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial de Quebec
Sep. 20 - Montreal, QC - Medley
Sep. 21 - Boston, MA - Middle East
Sep. 23 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
Sep. 24 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Sep. 25 - Mokena, IL - Pearl Room
Sep. 27 - Winnipeg, MB - Garrick Centre
Sep. 28 - Regina, SK - The Riddell at University
Sep. 29 - Calgary, AB - Warehouse
Sep. 30 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
Oct. 02 - Vancouver, BC - Plaza Club
Oct. 03 - Victoria, BC - Sugar
Oct. 04 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Oct. 06 - San Francisco, CA - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency
Oct. 07 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club

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