STRATOVARIUS To Begin Work On New Album Next Year

Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS have issued the following update:

"We're still in the middle of the 'Polaris' world tour, but we do have a bit of news.

"The European summer festivals earlier this year were nice and relaxing as always, and then we embarked on a long three-month leg which covered the Far East, North and South America, and Finland. One highlight was Beijing, a place none of us in the band had played or visited before.

"After a break for the holidays, the caravan will roll on in 2010, and we will do a long tour of Europe in January and February.

"We have some more good news: we just confirmed to play Wacken [Open Air festival] in August 2010, which is always great fun. It's the biggest metal festival in the world, and has a great crowd, but also since there are so many bands there, you can always reconnect with many old friends backstage and in the VIP bar. This gig will mark the end of the 'Polaris' would tour, which spanned four continents with close to a hundred gigs. We have also confirmed an appearance on the '70,000 Tons Of Metal' Caribbean cruise in late January 2011.

"We saved the best piece of good news for last: next year we will start work on a new full-length record, the follow-up to 2009's 'Polaris'."

"Polaris" 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