Ex-REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE Keyboardist Says He Learned He Was Fired Via Internet

Former REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE keyboardist Michael Khalilov has slammed the band's mainman, ex-STRATOVARIUS leader Timo Tolkki, for allegedly failing to inform Khalilov and bassist Justin Biggs that they were no longer members of the group.

Tolkki released a statement on Thursday (October 8) indicating that REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE had parted ways with Biggs and Khalilov due to musical differences. "During the recordings of [the second REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE album], 'Age of Aquarius', it became evident to everybody that REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE was not the right band for the guys," Tolkki wrote in the statement. "Justin is more of a thrash guy and Mike expected the music to be something totally different. Out of these reasons the decision has been made that it is better to go separate ways. Both are great guys and the remaining members — Timo Tolkki [guitar], Gus Monsanto [vocals] and Bruno Agra [drums] — wish them well and best of luck on their musical endeavors."

In a posting on the official STRATOVARIUS forum, Khalilov insisted that he learned that he learned he was no longer a member of REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE via the Internet and claimed that he was never directly informed of his dismissal from the group.

"You know, Tolkki sure has a great method of firing people," the keyboardist wrote. "He ignores Biggs and I for THREE MONTHS, cancels European SONATA ARCTICA tour, and now we read this statement (which we are as shocked to read as you all are). Great way to get fired, eh? It's very similar in a way to how Tarja [Turunen] found out she was thrown out [from NIGHTWISH]."

He added, "I've sent numerous emails to [Tolkki] for three months, [and had] not [gotten] one word [back] from him. Maybe he 'assumed' that we knew we were out, but why on earth would anyone assume that they were fired if they did absolutely nothing wrong?"

REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE recently signed a three-album deal with Napalm Records.

The remaining members of the band have been writing new material "for many months now" and you can expect the follow-up to "Age Of Aquarius" sometime next year.

Recorded over three months in Finland, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's sophomore album, "Age Of Aquarius", was released in March 2009 via Scarlet Records. It was described in a press release as "by far the darkest, heaviest and most symphonic album that Tolkki has ever been involved in."

"Age Of Aquarius" was released on March 25 in Southeast Asia via JVC. The band also filmed a promotional video in Helsinki for the album's title track.