STRATOVARIUS: More 2009 Dates Announced

Finnish melodic power metal legends STRATOVARIUS have scheduled the following dates:

May 22-23 - Wacken Rocks - Kreuth / Aurich, Germany
Jun. 19-21 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
Jul. 11 - Masters Of Rock Festival - Vizovice, Czech Republic

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!"

More 2009 festival appearances are planned and will be announced soon. These dates will be followed by a concert tour.

STRATOVARIUS 2008 is:

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

A two-and-a-half-minute video blog featuring footage from the writing/recording sessions for the new STRATOVARIUS album can be viewed below.

Photo by Ville Akseli Juurikkala: