TIMO TOLKKI Slams STRATOVARIUS' Current Lineup For 'Pissing On My Music And Art'

Comments

1. I do agree with Tolkki here. After seen this new Stratovarius live, they only play 3 songs from their new album and all the rest are 100% Stratoclassics written by Tolkki.
   
   I don't know how people see this but in my opinion it just shows that they can't even stand behind their new music which unfortunately isn't very good. Few good songs yes but rest is quite horrible crap.
   
   And the Kotipelto comment few days ago about their new music being like the good old Stratotimes...well I almost pissed my pants!

   Stratocoverius wrote on 15.06.2009 at 16:38

2. I feel bad about the situation.
   Either Tolkki is doing well or no one is.
   I just want them all to be able to continue their carreers and look ahead not behind.
   "Live for today, because life goes so fast"
   
   And there was a reasonable explanation why Strato played so many old songs this tour that was explained by Jens in the Stratoforum.
   
   When they will have more new material and few tours behind we will propably see less old classics of the Tolkki era and more new songs.
   
   Tolkki will propably still be playing a lot of those old songs with RR even in the future.
   
   I look forward to more records from Project Strato, Revolution Renaissance and most of all the New Stratovarius.

   I Don't want another Fight wrote on 15.06.2009 at 19:02

3. Only I can say this: My personal opinion about this is...While the new Revolution Renaissance don´t give to Tolkki the goals that he wants, the new Stratovarius cd entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 2...ejem!
   
   If Tolkki take the wrong way..now he´s opening his eyes.
   This man feels envy now...I think,...Cheers from Spain.

   Jj from Spain wrote on 15.06.2009 at 23:04

4. I thought they were going to be friends again...?
   It's unfortunate that he feels like this, but I can see where he's coming from... even without him in the band, Stratovarius is basically feeding from him. They're still playing his songs, with his music and lyrics... and must I say that I believe all the best Stratovarius song have Tolkki's signature upon them.
   Which is probably why he has more right to play them with his new band... regardless of who he plays with, those songs are his. And it's kind of shady that the guys form Stratovarius would say some of the things they did about Tolkki... they should thank him for not suing them for the song catalog AND the name Stratovarius! (which they're still milking and eating from) And the fact remains that he was the only original founding member until he quitted, so he probably would have won.
   
   I really hope they can work this out. After so many years, it would be sad that a friendship like theirs ended because of some business stuff. Plus, nobody needs another Nightwish-like scandal.

   Blackwood wrote on 15.06.2009 at 23:38

5. Blackwood is right. I was heartbroken at the Nightwish scandal. Tarja was being called a diva and Tuomas was being called an antisocial punk. The same is felt here. Stratovarius should change their name or at least play the music from Polaris only. At the same time, Tolkki needs to claim his work and play his Stratovarius songs with Project Strato. If he isn't playing his music but complaining about others doing so, he will look ridiculous. I am heartbroken that such a great power metal band is going down this road.

   Jeremy wrote on 16.06.2009 at 01:59

6. i think all this is just pure drama from both sides, why mr. tolkki is complaining about the remaining "strato" members if he himself gave them the name and the rights to use it... i think this is a little bit incoherent, do you really think he's not having the royalties every time they play an old strato song, of course he does, because he's the owener of that music, and let's be real, they keep playing the old songs first : because they don't have enough "new songs" and second: the fans go and see them to hear those amazing songs again not only the new ones, i don't understand mr. tolkki first he´s being all civilized and gave them all the rights and whises them luck, and now this? really i´m getting tired of all this drama, it has been so many years of this crap, it´s getting worse than with nightwish, and the ones who are having the worst part are the fans who are in the position to choose or tolkki or the guys, come on gives all a break.
   
   And my opinion about the new album, i think it's great , it´s a new feeling, i´ts a new strato, but they still have that feeling that made them all great so many years.

   limnu wrote on 16.06.2009 at 04:45

7. Blackwood he wasn't a founding member.
   He kicked the last founding members out 14 years ago.
   
   And yet he used the name one could say only for money but as it was his vision all along I won't.
   
   there are hundreds of bands covering Stratovarius so I don't think thats the reason Tolkki is angry about Playing his songs.
   I think he is angry for playing his songs as Stratovarius.
   
   And when they decided to continue Kotipelto and Jörg both said that they won't be in if it is Stratovarius.
   They agreed when they had some of the songs ready.
   
   Kotipelto and Tolkki have both been in a situation lately that they both are waiting for the other one to contact.
   and that has been going on for years.
   
   

   -?- wrote on 16.06.2009 at 09:08

8. I take it that they are changing the arrangement of these songs? Oh dear, I don't think I care to hear what that bastardisation sounds like. That's not cool. Even though one may surrender rights to one's music, the music still remains a part of that person's soul so yeah, he's pissed - and rightfully so. They really are just riding on the crest of an established name and the Lords of Karma will see to it that their career is a short one. HOWEVER - this Dreamspace project interests me greatly because that was such a weird album - and that's why it appealed to me. Must keep an eye on the progress of that one. Kind Regards -Allison

   Allison wrote on 17.06.2009 at 00:01

9. I think Tolkki is too fired up. The article above said that he signed all of the rights to Stratovarius over in 2008. He shouldn't be complaining about how they are using his music. He really doesn't have room to talk. When you sign shit over on a contract like that, what's done is done. If he didn't want the current line-up to "piss on his music and art," he should have kept his rights as creator of the Stratovarius name and music.

   Alex wrote on 19.06.2009 at 06:54

10. Tolkki is being a huge cry baby!!
    He gave up his rights of Stratovarius´ name and back catalog, so why this now?
    In my humble opinion, the only explanation for this is envy. Stratovarius´ new album is great and they´re already touring to support it, while RR released two mediocre albuns and haven´t played one single concert.
    So, please MOVE ON and stop this drama!!

    CEPH wrote on 23.06.2009 at 22:41

11. POLARIS IS SOME UGLY...REALLY...
    
    BUT THE GUITAR SOLOS OF TOLKKI(PRESENT,INTO AGE OF AQUARIUS) ARE REALLY REALLY UGLYYY!!!...REMEMBER ME WHEN I LEARN TO PLAY...
    
    I MISS THE TOLKKI OF DREAMSPACE-INTERMISSION...AND ESP GUITARS...ESP GUITARS ARE THE BEST!!
    
    
    OTHERS ARE RUBBISH!

    Sebastien Loeb wrote on 09.07.2009 at 05:04

12. limnu: Ehm, no-one ever gets any royalties for live performances. You can cover any song you like live without having to pay anything.
    
    -?-: Tolkki may not be a founding member but he was in the band since 1985 (it was founded in 1984), long before any of the other present members joined, the first one of them being Kotipelto in 1994.
    
    That said, I do agree that Tolkki is acting incoherently here.

    Almagest wrote on 25.08.2009 at 05:05