TIMO TOLKKI Clarifies His STRATOVARIUS Remarks

Finnish musician/producer Timo Tolkki (REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, STRATOVARIUS) has clarified the comments he made in a recent interview in which he was quoted as saying that he "could not even imagine in [his] wildest dreams" that the remaining members of STRATOVARIUS "would continue the band without [him] with the same name." He added in the same interview, "My life philosophy is perhaps a bit different than some other people's so when I hear they will continue as STRATOVARIUS, and I owned the name and had contracts with all the musicians, instead of taking them to court, I did the reverse. I gave them everything. Because I really thought, and I continue to think, that the decision to call it STRATOVARIUS without me is morally wrong and I have always stood up for what I believe is right."

In a brand new statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Tolkki says, "Regarding my recent interview with the Argentinian IRON MAIDEN site, I would like to correct what has been written about STRATOVARIUS. If you read the interview, I am not saying that they should not have carried on without me. I just criticized the usage of the name 'STRATOVARIUS' without me and this is explained in the interview quite throroughly. I wish the guys nothing but good and there is a lot of talent in that band. I am happy that they are making music and touring. It is time to move on, for everybody. I was just asked this question and I gave my opinion. That's all."

Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since recorded and released a new STRATOVARIUS album with guitarist Matias Kupiainen.