STRATOVARIUS: European Tour Dates Announced

STRATOVARIUS will embark on a European tour in January/February 2010. Confirmed dates are as follows:

Jan. 07 - Zeche, Bochum, Germany (Ruhrpott)
Jan. 08 - Hof ter Lo, Antwerp, Belgium
Jan. 09 - Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jan. 10 - Garage, London, UK
Jan. 12 - Elysee, Paris, France
Jan. 13 - Le Bikini, Toulouse, France
Jan. 15 - La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
Jan. 16 - Rockstar Live, Bilbao, Spain (Euskadi/Basquia)
Jan. 17 - Razzmatazz 1, Barcelona, Spain (Catalunya)
Jan. 19 - Transbordeur, Lyon, France
Jan. 20 - Z 7, Pratteln, Switzerland
Jan. 21 - Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Jan. 23 - SKC, Beograd, Serbia
Jan. 24 - Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria
Jan. 26 - Petöfi Hall, Budapest, Hungary
Jan. 27 - Szene, Vienna, Austria
Jan. 28 - PKO, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Jan. 30 - Backstage, München, Germany (Bavaria)
Feb. 01 - Longhorn, Stuttgart, Germany (Swabia)
Feb. 02 - Garage, Saarbrücken, Germany (Saarland)
Feb. 03 - Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany (Fischkopfia)
Feb. 04 - The Rock, Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb. 06 - Mejeriet, Lund, Sweden (Skåne)
Feb. 07 - Trädgårn, Göteborg, Sweden (Bohuslän)
Feb. 08 - Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway
Feb. 09 - Tyrol, Stockholm, Sweden

"Polaris", the new album from STRATOVARIUS, sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (Note: Internet/digital sales **ARE** included in the SoundScan totals.) The CD landed at position No. 57 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Polaris" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 2. The album also debuted on the German Media Control chart at No. 55.

"Polaris" was released in the U.S. on May 26 via Armoury Records (a division of Eagle Rock Entertainment).

The cover artwork for "Polaris" was created by Gyula Havancsák.

"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios in Helsinki, Finland. It was mixed by the longtime confidant of the band, Mikko Karmila.

STRATOVARIUS 2009 is:

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

STRATOVARIUS' "Deep Unknown" video (taken from "Polaris"):