Guitarist Timo Tolkki (SYMFONIA / ex-STRATOVARIUS) has posted the following update:
“I don’t know how many of you are interested in reading this and quite frankly, I dont even care so much, but I am just writing down some early morning thoughts regarding Symfonia and other stuff going on in my life.
As it turned out to be, it all started from a cake. I thought it might be some kind of a celestial joke and maybe it was, but when 2 fans handed me a Symfonia cake after the last gig of Symfonia’s South American tour, after spending 3 nights in a 15 bucks cold motel with grey concrete walls looking like a prison in Santiago de Chile and flying 28 hours to another continent to play to audiences varying from 100 to 350, I started to think that maybe this really is it. The cake was in a funny way telling me: ‘hey Timo, don’t you see: it’s over’.
And I started to really consider my whole musician’s career. This happened in June.
Exactly a year before I had flown to Sweden to record 3 demo songs I had composed hoping to record some vocals of Andre. I spent there 6 days and from those days, I was able to squeeze about 6 hours of singing from him. In between going to supermarkets, changing diapers and me trying to solve some of their domestic disputes, I started to think if it was such a good idea after all.
But people liked the demos and I went full on producing the In Paradisum album to which I put around 1,000 working hours. Andre Matos told me very clear that this band should not do any gigs if it doesnt make any money. I basically agreed but at the same time I knew that people would still consider it as a new band. Not “The Spartacus of Metal” where the gates of superstardom would open just like that. Uli Kusch had been in and out of band due to his hand injury and in the middle of vocal recordings in Sweden, he sent me a mail telling me he would never ever play any gigs in his life because ‘he was tired of piss smelling backstage rooms, the chaos, the travelling’, etc. In vain I tried to tell him that this was not what we agreed. He did tell me that if Symfonia would make a second album, we could use his name for 10,000 euros and use Alex Landenburg for the recordings. And after 10 minutes came a text message that he also wanted me to pay the taxes of his fee so it would total 13,000 euros for the usage of his name. I did not respond to that but I really found it hard to believe.
Then Matos lost his voice in the middle of the vocal recordings for 4 days and while hunting for cortison shots in the middle of the deepest Swedish countryside, I really started to think that this is not gonna work.
Well we got the vocals done, did the interviews and released the album. I still think it’s a good album.
Also the Japanese earthquake messed the little touring plans the band had. Then Andre told me we could make a lucrative tour in South America booked by his manager. Apparently there was some mysterious investor that was in the game. I should have known better even hearing the word investor. I decided to do the tour and after flying 30 hours: Helsinki-Frankfurt-Rome-Sao Paulo we landed only to hear that the tour is cancelled. At that point I was already ready to buy a ticket back to Finland but they managed to make a settlement and we did I guess it was 6 gigs. It was the worst and heaviest tour I have ever done in my career.
Keyboard player Mikko Harkin developed high fever and lung inflammation that was bounding pneumonia.
While lying 2 days in Sao Paulo in Formula 1 hotel (the cheapest you can get there) in a darkness I was starting to really get doubts about my future as a musician.
When I got the sales figures from Edel Records and the report from the booking agency for the festivals of Summer 2012 I decided to call it a day. It didnt make any sense to try to “conquer” the metal world since it was obvious that there was not enough interest. Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally cool if there is no interest.
Then I thought about my career. Around 3,000 gigs, 20 years, 20 CD’s, productions, clinics, travelling. I realised that I have done a lot. I guess most of you know that I am suffereing from Bipolar Disorder, one of the worst mental disorders, but with medication and non stressful lifestyle, this illness can be controlled but never cured. Playing in a touring band is far from “non stressful lifestyle” and in fact the rock’n'roll life itself is manic with its highs and lows. In those long Stratovarius tours being undiagnosed with the illlness, I could have died. I am not kidding.
3.3 next year I will be 46. This autumn I made a decision to take some time off from the music business and concentrate on something else. I have a wonderful wife and daughter, who also happens to be a world class singer. I started giving guitar lessons again. I’m taking lots of photos. In other words, living quite normal life.
I do realize the marks the years have left in me and that I should rest and heal the wounds. There is a lot to heal. The music business is in extremely sick state in this moment and it’s not gonna get any better. In a few years we will know what kind of form it will take. Maybe I one day take some part of it, maybe I dont. I really dont know at the moment.
So what about my future? If you are interested in that I can only say that it is possible that I will never record anything again. For some of you this might come as a relief. I don’t know what the future will hold for me but I want to thank all of you who have supported me in these 22 some years. For you who havent supported me and continuosly are mocking me for example at Stratoboard (which makes me really sad mainly due lack of respect from a band that was my vision for 22 years and that still plays 80% of my songs although there is 2 guys left in the band called Stratovarius) I also want to thank you because without you guys, I could never have done everything I have done. It’s been a great career. I hope the future brings more music but most likely it will not. But still after all I can say… I Did It My Way.
Hope to see you somewhere, take care of yourselves.”
Tolkki is currently offering his services to mix and master albums. He has issued the following overview via Facebook:
“I have produced and mixed music over 20 years. Had many studios and as you have to change along the music industry, built this mixing, overdubbing and mastering suite. It is in Helsinki but you can send your recorded files projects to me from anywhere in the world. I mix and master them and send it back to you. I am able to make production masters from which CD plants manufacture CDs.
From when I receive the files, it takes two to four weeks for you to receive the mixed and mastered files back. If you want a sample of my work, I can send you one song I mixed and mastered with these equipment. For this, please send me an email.”
Go to this location for more information and to contact Tolkki.
Symfonia made their live debut at the Finnish Metal Expo on February 18th. Fan-filmed footage is available below:
Staying at home can be a real choice if you want to experience live music. STRATOVARIUS, the Finnish power metal wonder, is next up playing for a global audience at an interactive online gig on November 20th. It is also a chance for the fans to say ‘farewell’ to drummer Jörg Michael, who is leaving the band soon.
LiveMusicStage.com lets people become part of live music events on the web. The living room is the stage, with your TV or laptop showing a global online crowd and a high-quality live stream of the show. You can chat and make friends, applaud, swing a lighter, vote for songs to be played and more. The band members see all that live and talk back to the audience between songs.
“It feels great to have a chance to say goodbye to all the Finns, friends and fans I have met over the past 15 years. These last shows will be very special to me, as I never forget the support we, and especially I, got through the years. Having the opportunity to broadcast live to all the fans around the world will be an extra motivation for the band. I can promise a very special set list which we have never played before. Watch out and check it”, says Jörg Michael.
The leading idea behind LiveMusicStage.com is to let everybody with broadband access to take part in real live shows.
“In the 24/7 on-demand era, it is exciting to pause for an hour and participate in something together as a community. One advantage to regular shows is that you can actually choose where you take part,” depicts Antti Eronen, CEO of LiveMusicStage.com. “On top of music, there’s an interview with the band. The audience can also chat with drummer Jörg Michael after the show.”
Stratovarius plays at here on Sunday, November 20th. Tickets cost 10€. Check your local time for the event and a demo page (here) at the site.
There are a limited number of 10,000 tickets available to the show.
Stratovarius will be in Mexico, Circo Volador, Mexico City on January 28th, 2012. This will be the last ever show with drummer Jörg Michael who, after 15 years with Stratovarius, has decided to leave the band for personal reasons.
Jörg joined the band in 1995 and the first Stratovarius album he played on was Episode (1996). He played on nine albums and performed nearly 1,000 shows with the band.
“The rest of us just has to accept Jörg’s decision with a lot of sadness and wish him all the best for the future. But we can also assure that the band will still go on”, says the singer Timo Kotipelto.
The band and Jörg are not going completely separate ways though, since Jörg will still be working for the band with his booking agency Twisted Talent Concerts.
“Our long journey of over 15 years together has not ended yet, as Jörg remains among our background forces – and we couldn’t be more happy about that. Not only has he been a great drummer but also a close friend and a true professional. We’re honoured to have Jörg by our side for this farewell Tour. We can’t wait to rock with our ‘German Steamroller’ one last time! These shows will be unforgettable for all of us,” Kotipelto continues.
“On September 20th, the pumpkins concluded the final part of their 2010 /2011 7 Sinners World Tour with a great show in St.Petersburg, Russia. This marks the end to a very successful tour of almost one year taking the boys throughout 36 countries, playing more than 80 shows in front of several hundred thousand people all over the world. There have been far too many great moments in this period of time to be mentioned here.
A big ‘thank you’ goes out to the guys of STRATOVARIUS, who have contributed their part by being far more than a ‘very special guest’ on the tour!
Now, the pumpkin-heads will go on a well-deserved break before entering the studio in the beginning of 2012 to work on the new record. Last and foremost, Helloween wishes to thank you – all the pumpkin-maniacs all over the globe – for your enthusiastic support at every single show.”
Helloween
Blitzkrieg Metal Magazine recently conducted an interview with drummer Dani Löble at the Wacken Open Air festival. Excerpts from the interview can be seen below:
Blitzkrieg Metal Magazine: You’ve been touring for the last nine months; just as you did after the Gambling With The Devil Tour, are you planning to take a break now, or are you going back to the studio?
Dani Löble: “We’re already discussing ideas for the next album, which we plan to release by the end of 2012. When this tour is over we’re heading to the studio to write some new material so that it’s ready for that album (and tour) at the end of next year No rest at all, we got a lot of rest after the Gambling… tour, and I think it’s enough rest for the next 10 years!”
Drummer Jörg Michael has announced his plans to leave the Finnish melodic metal band STRATOVARUS for personal reasons. Jörg, who has been in the group for sixteen years, will play all the remaining tour dates until the end of January, and will celebrate with a special Finnish “Farewell Jörg” tour from November 18 to November 26.
Jörg joined STRATOVARIUS in 1995 and made his recording debut with the band on the “Episode” album (1996). He has appeared on nine full-length releases from STRATOVARIUS and has played nearly 1,000 shows with the band.
Commented STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto: “The rest of us just has to accept Jörg’s decision with a lot of sadness and wish him all the best for the future. But we can also assure that the band will still go on.”
STRATOVARIUS and Jörg will not completely go their separate ways, however, since Jörg will still be working for the band through his booking agency, Twisted Talent Concerts.
“Our long journey of over fifteen years together has not ended yet, as Jörg remains among our background forces — and we couldn’t be more happy about that,” added Kotipelto. Not only has he been a great drummer but also a close friend and a true professional. “We’re honored to have Jörg by our side for this farewell tour. We can’t wait to rock with our ‘German Steamroller’ one last time! These shows will be unforgettable for all of us.”
Jörg Michael Finnish farewell tour:
Nov. 18 – Mikkeli, Mikaeli
Nov. 19 – Tampere, Pakkahuone
Nov. 23 – Jyväskylä, Lutakko
Nov. 25 – Oulu, Club Teatria
Nov. 26 – Helsinki, Tavastia
Michael was diagnosed with cancer last year and had his entire thyroid removed.
Ex-STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki has confirmed a 2012 release date for the Dreamspace Line-Up reunion album (possibly under the name “Project Strato”?). As well, there will be a re-release of his Classical Variations Vol 1. solo album!
“I have nice news for you. We are planning to celebrate the 30 year existence of Stratovarius with the original Dreamspace line up releasing an album in January 2012.
Classical Variations Vol. 1 will be re-released as remastered version with new album Vol. 2 with bonus DVD including interviews. I will play guitar,bass and sing. Drummer will be John Macaluso. Release will be mid-September.
Symfonia will be active later this year with gigs around Sonisphere France.
Hope you like the news. Happy Easter.”
Stratovarius originally released “Dreamspace” in 1994, it was their 3rd album. It’s tracklist is:
1. “Chasing Shadows”
2. “4th Reich”
3. “Eyes of the World”
4. “Hold on to Your Dream”
5. “Magic Carpet Ride”
6. “We Are the Future”
7. “Tears of Ice”
8. “Dreamspace”
9. “Reign of Terror”
10. “Thin Ice”
11. “Atlantis”
12. “Abyss”
13. “Shattered”
14. “Wings of Tomorrow”
15. “Full Moon” (Japanese bonus track)
Band:
Timo Tolkki — Guitars, Vocals
Jari Kainulainen — Bass
Antti Ikonen — Keyboards
Tuomo Lassila — Drums and Percussion
Sami Kuoppamäki — Session drums on tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, and 13
This is the last album to feature Timo Tolkki on vocals before Timo Kotipelto joined the band.
Stratovarius are one of those bands that I am obsessed with. Since the release of the phenomenal album ELYSIUM I’ve been playing the album almost every day and have been going back through their discography (yet again) to see how it stacks up. In this fan’s opinion, the band have now proven, beyond any doubt, that they are as relevant and and as amazing today as they’ve always been.
Given the opportunity for an interview with Timo Kotipelto was of course a treat. A time was hard to nail down as a result of his recent throat problems and touring but with some persistence and patience, we got ‘er done and here is the result. Enjoy!
Symfonia. Does that name of the band ring any bells out there yet? Maybe not for everyone as Symfonia is basically a new band on the metal map. But behind Symfonia there are well known names and persons involved in the band. When unveiling names such as Andre Matos, Timo Tolkki, Uli Kusch, Jari Kainulainen and Mikko Harkin it is quite obvious the interest toward this five piece may increase tremendously. The Metal-Rules.com team had an nice and pleasant task to witness the debut show of Symfonia at the Finnish Metal Expo. After the show we were lucky enough to have an opportunity of doing an interesting and in-depth interview with vocalist Andre Matos regarding the birth of Symfonia, Avantasia, and plenty of other topics including Symfonia’s future activities. Ladies and gentleman, the first Symfonia interview here at Metal-Rules.com.
Due to their recent show in Madrid, ROCK METAL TV talked to STRATOVARIUS drummer Jorg Michael exclusively for MSN – Spain.
He talked in depth about the new album of the band “Elysium”, their previous effort “Polaris”, the past with Timo Tolkki, the actual tour and the future among other things.
MSN /ROCK METAL TV is the new rock television in Spain directed by Mario Ruiz from Krea Films and veteran Spanish journalist Rafa Basa from www.RafaBasa.com.
Today legendary Finnish melodic metal troupe STRATOVARIUS unleashed their thirteenth studio album, Elysium, to North American fans. Recorded at 5-By-5 studios in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland, the nine-track full-length will is available via Armoury Records and features the gorgeous cover art of Gyula Havancsák. In an advance review, About.com called Elysium “one of STRATOVARIUS‘ strongest CDs in years.” Noted SMN News: “The record bristles with gorgeous keyboard landscapes, fiery solos, and the most glorious choruses this side of Gamma Ray,” while Blistering added: “STRATOVARIUS haven’t sounded this focused and on-point since they seemed poised to overtake the melodic metal world over a decade ago.”
In conjunction with the record’s release, Loudtrax.com is currently selling Elysium for the low price of $6.66. For more info, point your browser HERE.
In an official message from STRATOVARIUS: “Some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we’re back on the road with Helloween. And Jörg Michael is back in his drum chair after his brush with death.
The bad news is that Timo Kotipelto caught some sort of bacterial infection. We suspect it was something from the backstage food in December, but we don’t know. Two of the other people on the tour had the same thing: A very bad dysentery-like stomach infection with vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, also eventually had to go to hospital, etc.
Timo’s infection is stubborn and in addition to ruining his Christmas break, it has dried out his vocal cords. In his own words, he can’t sing a note at the moment. We are currently in France and so far we had to cancel playing in Paris and Lyon.
We are of course very sorry about this, and nobody is more heartbroken or frustrated than Timo himself. Apart from heeding the advice from doctors we are in touch with, the only thing we can do at the moment is to hope Timo gets better. We will ride the 1000 km to Bilbao tonight and hopefully we will all get some sleep on the nice smooth French motorways.
Check out a short video about the Paris cancellation and some words from Jörg HERE.
The legendary Finnish melodic metal troupe are gearing up to unleash their thirteenth studio album, Elysium, in North America next week. Recorded at 5-By-5 studios in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland, the nine-track full-length will be released on January 18, 2011 through Armoury Records and features cover art by Gyula Havancsák.
STRATOVARIUS has just released “Under Flaming Skies,” another track from their forthcoming new album. Produced by guitarist Matias Kupiainen, Elysium, will be hitting stores on January 18th via Armoury Records. The cover art for the record was created by Gyula Havancsák who has also worked with the likes of Annihilator and Destruction. “Under Flaming Skies” finds the Finnish metal masters firing on all cylinders with a particularly impassioned performance from vocalist Timo Kotipelto, who wrote the track along with Kupiainen.
Formed in 1984, Stratovarius has sold over 2.5 million albums throughout their career so far. Elysium will be the quintet’s 13th studio album. In November of 2010, the band announced that doctors had found a cancer in drummer Jörg Michael’s thyroid. After a successful surgery and some post-op treatment, Michael released a statement in late December letting his fans know that his health is rapidly improving. The drummer stated, “The surgery was done about 6 weeks ago and the first therapy is done as well. All looks good so far and as Jens (Johansson, keyboards) told me before: “Do not worry Jörg, nothing survives in your body after all what you did to it!”
Elysium will be out 1/18 via Armoury Records and is available for pre-order
Listen to “Under Flaming Skies” here:
“Seven Sinners” tour together with Helloween
January 11, 2011: Elysee Montmatre, Paris, France
January 12, 2011: Le Transbordeur, Lyon, France
January 14, 2011: Rockstar Live, Bilbao, Spain
January 15, 2011: La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
January 16, 2011: Razzmatazz I, Barcelona, Spain
January 18, 2011: Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
January 19, 2011: Altantico, Rome, Italy
January 21, 2011: Fuzz Live Music Club, Athen, Greece
January 22, 2011: Principal Club Theatre, Thessaloniki, Greece
January 23, 2011: Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria
January 24, 2011: Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria
January 26, 2011: Boogaloo Club, Zagreb, Croatia
January 27, 2011: Kino Siska Club, Ljubljana, Slovenia
January 28, 2011: Sports Hall, Hlohovec, Slovakia
January 29, 2011: Sports Hall, Presov, Slovakia
January 31, 2011: Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
February 01, 2011: Garage, Saarbrücken, Germany
February 02, 2011: Brückenforum, Bonn, Germany
February 04, 2011: Capitol, Hannover, Germany
February 05, 2011: Turbinenhalle, Oberhausen, Germany
February 06, 2011: Halle Gartlage, Osnabrück, Germany
February 09, 2011: Docks, Hamburg, Germany
February 10, 2011: Jako Arena, Bamberg, Germany
February 11, 2011: All-Kart-Halle, Kaufbeuren, Germany
February 12, 2011: Volksbankmesse, Balingen, Germany
February 20, 2011: 札幌 Zepp, Sapporo, Japan
February 22, 2011: 仙台 Zepp, Sendai, Japan
February 23, 2011: 名古屋 Zepp, Nagoya, Japan
February 25, 2011: 福岡 Zepp, Fukuoka, Japan
February 27, 2011: 大阪 なんば HATCH, Osaka, Japan
February 28, 2011: 東京 Zepp, Tokyo, Japan
March 2, 2011: Changchoong Gym, Seoul, Korea
March 4, 2011: GC Live House, Beijing, China
March 6, 2011: Taipei University Auditorium, Taipei, Taiwan
August 27, 2011: Ayia Napa Youth Festival (Harbour Square), Ayia Napa, Cyprus
LIVE REVIEW AND PICTURES BY ARTO LEHTINEN AND MARKO SYRJALA
German power metal pioneers Helloween have been a regular visitor in Finland since 1987 when the band made its virgin visit in Hameenlinna’s legendary Giants of Rock festival with Dio among other acts. Since then band has faced many up and down hills in its career. The band has gone through many changes including a number of lineup changes and they have had problems with record companies but they have survived and, in fact, during the past few years Helloween’s success has increased tremendously. In 2008 Helloween played two gigs with their colleagues Gamma Ray on the HELLISH ROCK tour and venues were entirely packed. Obviously, due to the highly successful package tour, Helloween have now asked Finnish power metallers Stratovarius to take part in their tour. Doing this tour, without having the new album released, was quite an interesting choice from Stratovarius. However a package consisting of two leading power metal names on the bill turned out to be another great success and the two Finland shows were quickly sold out again.
STRATOVARIUS’ German drummer Jörg Michael, who was was recently diagnosed with cancer and had his entire thyroid removed, has issued the following update:
“I hope this message finds everybody well and everybody is in an easy-peasy Christmas mood already.
“The first leg of the European tour with HELLOWEEN is over — time to have a few words with you.
“First of all, let’s not forget the brilliant emergency rescue action and playing of Alex [Landenburg; AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA]. Thanks again for all what you did for the fans, the band and also for me.
“Surely I hate the idea of somebody is sitting on ‘my chair,’ but this special action needed some special treatment and I am proud and happy that it was you, Alex. Thanks again; we’ll get together for a real drink, not like these other Scandinavian pussies in the band
“I was overwhelmed by all the wishes, tons of emails and text messages I received from all over the world wishing me a speedy recovery. Thank you so much for supporting me, and it made me feel very strong when fighting these bastards inside of me.
“I have some good news to tell you and believe me — I really enjoy to tell the world:
“The surgery was done about six weeks ago and the first therapy is done as well. All looks good so far and as Jens [Johansson, STRATOVARIUS keyboardist] told me before: ‘Do not worry, Jörg, nothing survives in your body after all what you did to it!’
“Finally he was right, there are only small bits and bobs left — I will fight those with another therapy in about four months’ time.
“I think I have been very lucky that it was discovered by one of my friends in a very early state. Very good that my friend decided to become a doctor; he was very lousy when he tried playing the guitar.
“Besides preparing myself for Christmas, I am currently practicing the drums to be ready and kickin’ again when the tour continues in the New Year. I will be back.
“Thanks again for everything and let’s get alive and kicking once again.
“See you in Paris and everywhere else.”
STRATOVARIUS will release its thirteenth full-length studio album, “Elysium”, in Asia on January 12, 2011 via JVC and in the rest of the world on January 14, 2011 through earMUSIC/Edel.
Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS will release their thirteenth full-length studio album, “Elysium”, in Asia on January 12, 2011 via JVC and in the rest of the world on January 14, 2011 through earMUSIC/Edel.
Check out audio samples of all the songs that will appear on the CD at Amazon.co.uk.
“Elysium” will be released as a regular CD; a deluxe digipak edition with bonus track; a “collector’s edition” (featuring two exclusive bonus tracks on a seven-inch single); and on vinyl.
“Elysium” collector’s edition track listing:
Disc 1:
01. Darkest Hours
02. Under Flaming Skies
03. Infernal Maze
04. Fairness Justified
05. The Game Never Ends
06. Lifetime In A Moment
07. Move The Mountain
08. Event Horizon
09. Elysium
Disc 2:
01. Darkest Hours (Demo)
02. Under Flaming Skies (Demo)
03. Infernal Maze (Demo)
04. Fairness Justified (Demo)
05. The Game Never Ends (Demo)
06. Lifetime In A Moment (Demo)
07. Move The Mountain (Demo)
08. Event Horizon (Demo)
09. Elysium (Demo)
Dear Stratovarius fans, I am afraid we have some quite terrible news. News of the worst imaginable kind. It’s about our friend and drummer Jörg Michael.
Jörg has cancer.
He recently discovered a lump on his neck, went to the doctor, they decided to operate, and found what they call “a malignant thyroid neoplasm”. They took out his whole thyroid just to have the best chance to get everything out. He will also have to undergo a regimen of radiotherapy. He is a fighter. We have all talked to him and it’s clear that this guy is not down for the count. He and his team of German doctors are pissed off and ready to kick ass, and I would not want to be a little cancer cell on these guys’ shit list.. believe me.
Jörg and his family (and us guys in the band) found this out only last week, after the operation. Naturally we are all going between a lot of emotions, sadness, worry, shock, confusion, even anger.
As for Stratovarius, as you perhaps know there is a long tour coming up with Helloween, and with the surgery and therapy that will now follow there is no way Jörg can do the first part of the tour. For me personally (it’s Jens writing this if you didn’t figure it out) I at first felt quite hopeless about the tour, because I was so upset about all this news. But Jörg himself has been extremely clear that he does not want the band to cancel a single show because of this. In the end this is what made at least me feel better about going back hitting the road next week.
So, we have debated what to do for many days now. Jörg first suggested my brother Anders to do this November-December 2010 leg, but it turns out Anders will unfortunately be busy recording some record or other with that little indie cellar band of his called HammerFall. ) After a lot of searching we found a guy that both can do it and didn’t have other commitments: Alex Landenburg. He plays well, Jörg says he is a great guy (very important!) and he even started learning the set already before we even had decided what to do, which to me shows a lot of dedication. You can google Alex’ name if you are curious.
So it turns out that Stratovarius will do the first leg of the Helloween Seven Sinner tour, just as planned, only not with Jörg behind the kit, but with Jörg very much as a motivator to us being there. Not one single date will be cancelled or changed. Jörg wants to be back on the road with us again as soon as possible depending on the thearapy, but we are not making any promises, that one is up to powers even higher than Jörg Michael and his doctors. We will try to keep you somewhat updated.
Anyway, the most important thing is that they think they got all the bad stuff out and that the end result is that we just fix that sentence I wrote above. We will then say:
) After a lot of searching we found a guy that both can do it and didn’t have other commitments: Alex Landenburg. He plays well, Jörg says he is a great guy (very important!) and he even started learning the set already before we even had decided what to do, which to me shows a lot of dedication. You can google Alex’ name if you are curious.