Timo Tolkki

Last updated

Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki 2007.jpg
Tolkki performing with Stratovarius in 2007
Background information
Birth nameTimo Tapio Tolkki
Born (1966-03-03) 3 March 1966 (age 57)
Klaukkala, [1] [2] Nurmijärvi, Finland
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1984–present
Labels
Website timotolkki.net

Timo Tapio Tolkki (born 3 March 1966) is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. With his tenure lasting for more than twenty years, he was the longest standing member of the band before his departure in 2008. After leaving Stratovarius he formed two supergroups named Revolution Renaissance and Symfonia, both of which have since disbanded. In a 2011 article by Guitar World magazine, Tolkki was included in the all-time top 50 list of the world's fastest guitarists. [3]

Contents

Early years and Stratovarius

Tolkki started playing guitar at the age of seven and practiced intensely, sometimes eight hours a day. [4] When he was twelve years old, his father committed suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of his apartment. [5]

Before joining Stratovarius in 1984, Tolkki had played with the bands Antidote, Thunder and Road Block. At the beginning of his career with Stratovarius, he served as vocalist as well as handling all lead and rhythm guitars, and at times bass guitar (until Jari Kainulainen's arrival in 1993). After the band's third album, Dreamspace (1994), Tolkki handed over vocal duties to Timo Kotipelto, who took over from Fourth Dimension (1995) onwards. This was largely due to Tolkki's desire to evolve the overall musical direction of the band and concentrate on his guitar work. Further changes were made after Dreamspace, including the departure of the remaining original members of the band, keyboardist Antti Ikonen and drummer Tuomo Lassila, due to creative differences. [6]

In 1994, Tolkki released his first solo album, Classical Variations and Themes , which had at the time been one of his longtime ambitions. The album was similar to his work with Stratovarius, but with more focus on primarily instrumental compositions. His second solo album, Hymn to Life (2002) showed a more personal side, dealing with such emotional issues as his relationship with God and his late father.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2004, following a nervous breakdown which occurred some months after Stratovarius acrimoniously disbanded. After a period of rehabilitation, he went on to make a full recovery later that year and subsequently opened his own recording studio named Goldenworks. A final self-titled album with Stratovarius was released in 2005, after which he announced his departure from the band in 2008. Upon leaving he decided to waive the legal rights to the name. He later claimed this was done as a protest due to the remaining members deciding to continue the band as Stratovarius.

Solo projects

Revolution Renaissance

Tolkki's next project was an album described as a rock opera, named Saana – Warrior of Light Pt 1 . Released on 14 March 2008, it featured a number of guest vocalists, including soprano Jennifer Sowle in the lead role, as well as Heikki Pöyhiä of Twilightning. Also in 2008, he founded a band called Revolution Renaissance, which released three albums between 2008 and 2010.

Symfonia

In 2010, Symfonia was formed as a power metal supergroup comprising Tolkki, singer André Matos, keyboardist Mikko Härkin, drummer Uli Kusch and former Stratovarius bandmate Jari Kainulainen. [7] They made their debut performance at the 2011 Finnish Metal Expo and later released their only studio album, In Paradisum , but in December of that year Tolkki announced the discontinuation of the band, and subsequently his retirement from the music industry. [8]

In March 2012, Tolkki stated on his Facebook profile (and official Symfonia page) that although he had left the music business, he hadn't given up on music altogether: "With all the tools available for us today to release music, you will hear something interesting from me". Later he released a mock album cover entitled Classical Variations and Themes Vol 2, suggesting a new solo album. [9] On 10 April 2012 he released a new instrumental track named "Dinner with Paganini", which was made available as a free download through PledgeMusic, as well as a revised name for a potential new album, Classical Variations and Themes II: Credo. [10] However, on 26 July, he announced the cancellation of the project. [11]

Avalon Metal Opera

On 8 January 2013, Tolkki announced the opening of a new mixing and mastering studio named Studiotolkki, located in Helsinki, Finland. [12]

In February 2013, Timo announced his new project, Avalon, featuring a group of guest musicians such as Michael Kiske (Unisonic, Helloween), Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob, Star One), Rob Rock (Impellitteri, M.A.R.S.), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Yngwie Malmsteen), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire). [13] The album, released on 17 May 2013, follows a story set in a post-apocalyptic future. In 2055, Earth has been almost destroyed by natural catastrophes, and a small group of survivors decide to set off a journey to find a sacred place known as The Land of New Hope. [13]

In October 2013 Timo launched a news website for the project in which he announced the sequel to The Land of New Hope, which was provisionally titled Avalon II. [14] The cast of guest musicians will be revealed one by one. [14] Simone Simons of Epica fame is the first confirmed singer. [15] Floor Jansen will play the leading role. [16] It was also announced that Timo's former bandmates in Stratovarius, drummer Tuomo Lassila and keyboardist Antti Ikonen will play on this album. [17] [18]

A European tour was planned for May 2014, coinciding with the release of the album. [16]

On 28 January, Timo revealed title of the album ( Angels of the Apocalypse ) and the rest of the cast: Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra), David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Caterina Nix. [19] Timo also announced that there will be a contest for guitar and keyboard players, with the winners getting a chance to perform a solo with him in one of the songs. [19]

In June 2019, Timo Tolkki released the third part of the Avalon trilogy, the album Return to Eden , with the main working song, "Promises". [20] [21]

In 2021, Timo Tolkki releases his new solo album with "Infinite Visions" project's songs, called "Union Magnetica", as the fourth Avalon album, which is called "The Enigma Birth", with many musicians as guests. The new metal opera album has the main working songs "Master of Hell" and "The Fire and the Sinner". [22]

Allen/Lande

On 24 July 2013, Tolkki announced via his Facebook page (among a statement regarding Stratovarius) that he would be the producer, mixer and songwriter for a new album of the duo Allen/Lande, composed of Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen and Norwegian singer Jørn Lande. The album The Great Divide was released on 17 October in Europe and 21 October 2014 in North America. [23]

Chaos Magic

In May 2015, it was announced that Timo would produce and perform in a project with Chilean singer Caterina Nix titled Chaos Magic. Caterina and Timo met in Chile when Stratovarius was performing there. She would later guest sing in Avalon's second album, Angels of the Apocalypse . Their first, self-titled album is set for a 3 July release in Europe. [24] In June 2015 they released their first videos: a video for the song "I'm Alive", [25] and two lyric videos for "One Drop of Blood" [26] and "A Little Too Late". [27]

Infinite Visions & We are the Revolution

In 2022, Timo Tolkki releases the single from the new album called "We are the Revolution", with several other guest artists, from his upcoming album "Union Magnetica", Infinite Visions. [28]

Playing style

From the period spanning Stratovarius' first three albums, Tolkki's guitar playing was more progressive and heavy. During this time he preferred E tuning, with his compositions often bearing a dark and unnerving tonal quality (particularly on Dreamspace). Following Timo Kotipelto's arrival as lead singer, Tolkki's style shifted gradually more towards the traditionally speedy and melodic format of power metal, with an emphasis on such elements as neoclassical phrasing and fast alternate picking.

Personal life

Tolkki has been married three times. He has one daughter from his second marriage, born in 1988. [29] [30] Since 2000, Tolkki has been in a relationship with Dominika Gottová, eldest daughter of Czech singer Karel Gott. [31] They got married in 2010. Gottová filed for divorce in December 2019, but the proceedings were halted in November 2020 after the couple decided to reconcile. [32]

In November 2023, Tolkki was convicted by the Helsinki District Court for fraudulently claiming income support in 2020. [33] He received a 45-day suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay €3,063 to Kela.

Discography

Stratovarius

As singer and guitarist

As guitarist

Solo albums

Revolution Renaissance

Symfonia

Timo Tolkki's Avalon

Allen/Lande

Chaos Magic (Caterina Nix feat. Timo Tolkki)

Other appearances

Books

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratovarius</span> Finnish power metal band

Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in the summer of 1984. Since their formation, they have released sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums. In its history, the band has gone through many chaotic lineup changes, and after founding guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008, there are no founding members of the band that remain. Currently, the longest standing member is singer Timo Kotipelto, who joined in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timo Kotipelto</span> Finnish musician

Timo Antero Kotipelto is a Finnish musician best known as the lead singer of the power metal band Stratovarius, whom he joined in 1994, as well as fronting his own band Kotipelto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jari Kainulainen</span> Musical artist

Jari "Jartsi" Kainulainen is a Finnish bass guitarist. He is best known for having been the bass player of the power metal band Stratovarius from 1993 until 2005. Kainulainen is currently the bassist of Masterplan, having joined 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Matos</span> Brazilian singer and musician (1971–2019)

André Coelho Matos was a Brazilian singer and musician. He was involved in the heavy metal bands Viper, Angra, Shaman and Symfonia. Since 2006, Matos had been dedicating his time to his solo career. In 2012, he was ranked No. 77 at the list of 100 Greatest Voices of Brazilian Music by Rolling Stone Brasil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Rock</span> American heavy metal singer

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<i>Dreamspace</i> 1994 studio album by Stratovarius

Dreamspace is the third studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 9 February 1994 through Noise Records. It is the last Stratovarius album to feature guitarist Timo Tolkki on vocals, as well as the first to feature bassist Jari Kainulainen.

<i>Stratovarius</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Stratovarius

Stratovarius is the eleventh studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 5 September 2005 through Sanctuary Records. The album reached No. 4 on the Finnish albums chart as well as the top 100 in six other countries. "Maniac Dance" was released as a single, reaching No. 4 on the Finnish singles chart and the top 100 in three other countries.

<i>The Metal Opera Part II</i> 2002 studio album by Avantasia

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<i>Fourth Dimension</i> (Stratovarius album) 1995 studio album by Stratovarius

Fourth Dimension is the fourth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 11 April 1995 through Noise Records. The album is the band's first to feature vocalist Timo Kotipelto as well as the last with keyboardist Antti Ikonen and drummer Tuomo Lassila, thus being the last Stratovarius album to date featuring an all-Finnish line-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikko Härkin</span> Finnish power metal keyboardist (born 1979)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution Renaissance</span> Power metal band

Revolution Renaissance was a multinational power metal band founded by guitarist Timo Tolkki after he left Stratovarius in 2008. The band released three studio albums before disbanding in 2010.

<i>Polaris</i> (Stratovarius album) 2009 studio album by Stratovarius

Polaris is the twelfth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 15 May 2009. It is the first Stratovarius album to feature bassist Lauri Porra and guitarist Matias Kupiainen, following former bassist Jari Kainulainen's departure from the band in 2005 and former guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008.

Symfonia was a short-lived symphonic power metal supergroup formed in 2010 by Andre Matos (vocals), Timo Tolkki (guitars), Jari Kainulainen (bass), Mikko Härkin (keyboards) and Uli Kusch (drums). On February 18, 2011, the band made its debut performance at Finnish Metal Expo. The band released its only album, In Paradisum, in March 2011.

<i>In Paradisum</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Symfonia

In Paradisum is the debut and only album by multinational power metal band Symfonia, released on March 25, 2011 in Japan and April 1, 2011 in Europe. In paradisum is an antiphon from the traditional Latin liturgy of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass.

Tuomo Ollinpoika Lassila is a Finnish percussionist and heavy metal drummer. He is best known as the former drummer, founding member and co-songwriter of the power metal band Stratovarius from 1985 to 1995. Currently he is the principal percussionist of the Lohja City Orchestra and the drummer and percussionist for the Finnish metal band Conquest.

Timo Tolkki's Avalon was a Finnish metal opera project created by Timo Tolkki in 2013.

<i>The Land of New Hope</i> 2013 studio album by Avalon

The Land of New Hope is the first full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon. The album was released on May 17, 2013 in Europe and May 21, 2013 in the US.

<i>Angels of the Apocalypse</i> 2014 studio album by Avalon

Angels of the Apocalypse is the second full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon, released on May 16, 2014 in Europe and four days later in North America.

<i>Return to Eden</i> (Timo Tolkkis Avalon album) 2019 studio album by Avalon

Return to Eden is the third full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon, released on 14 June 2019.

<i>The Enigma Birth</i> 2021 studio album by Avalon

The Enigma Birth is the fourth full-length album by Timo Tolkki's Finnish metal opera project Avalon, released on June 18, 2021.

References

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  31. "Životní houpačka Gottovy nejstarší dcery: Táta ji zapřel, tajně se vdala a bojovala s nemocí!". August 2019.
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