Formed: 1984
From:
Helsinki,
Finland
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Stratovarius News
Below is our complete Stratovarius news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 170 1 2 3 ... 8 9 Last
70000 Tons Confirms First Third Of 2025 Lineup
There are your standard Heavy Metal festivals – and then there’s 70000 Tons Of Metal.
Envision this: Lounging on a Caribbean island, soaking up the sun on a pristine white beach. Later on, you feel the warm wind blowing in your face, now sitting in a hot tub on a giant luxurious cruise ship, in front of The Pool Deck Stage, The World’s Biggest Open Air Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas. Surrounded by Metal fans from all across the globe (known as the United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea), you headbang to your favorite band. Sounds perfect? Well, it is. Get ready for 70000 Tons Of Metal 2025!
The thirteenth edition of 70000 Tons Of Metal will take place from January 30th to February 3rd, departing from Miami, Florida – Cruise Capital of the World – to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and back aboard the Independence of the Seas.
This unique festival will once more see 60 Heavy Metal bands from various subgenres taking the four stages on board, with 3000 metalheads from around the world in attendance. Every band will play twice during the trip, ramping the total amount of shows played up to 120! 70000 Tons Of Metal has revealed 20 of the 60 bands for the 2025 lineup: More...
Headline News
Amorphis Guitarist Launches Solo Project
Amorphis guitarist Tomi Koivusaari has launched his solo project, Bjørkø (meaning "Birch Island"), and it's delivering some heavy and brutal sounds. The debut single, "The Heartroot Rots," is now available for streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you below. Bjørkø's debut album Heartrot will see the light of day on December 1.
Bjørkø is featuring the following lineup: More...
Stratovarius Reveals New Album Details
earMUSIC has announced the release of Stratovarius' new studio album, "Survive," which arrives on September 23. Pre-order it here. The video for the title track, "Survive", will premiere on Friday, June 3.
Seven years after the release of their last album, "Eternal," Stratovarius once more prove their status as a flagship symphonic metal band and they return with a big bang.
The band remains on the pulse of time with the new release. The environment and humanity's future have always been an important and recurring theme in Stratovarius' music. Therefore, Survive - the title of the new album and the accompanying artwork - aren't surprising, especially in the view of the current global situation.
A blistering comeback from one of heavy metal's most seminal bands, "Survive" is full of dynamics and drama, feeding on a wide range of emotions along the way. But the core message that this triumphant sonic endeavour conveys is one of struggle, defiance, hope, and victory. Best exemplified by its profoundly rousing title track, Survive is the Stratovarius spirit in exquisite musical form, with all the darkness and light that goes with it.
"We spent five or six days solid, trying to come up with the lyrics for that song," notes Jens Johansson. "When we finally settled on that punchline for the chorus, it was a good song about survival, and it all just seemed to fit. It fits with the history of the band, too, because we managed to survive as long as we have. This band has been through some strange days! The original lineup formed in 1984, so it's been a long story. It was the middle of the summer, there were forest fires everywhere, there was a global pandemic, and all kinds of crazy shit was going on. Some of the lyrics are perhaps less uplifting than they could have been, but that reflects our mood at the time. There's a lot of positive stuff on there, as well!"
Tracklisting:
1. Survive
2. Demand
3. Broken
4. Firefly
5. We Are Not Alone
6. Frozen in Time
7. World on Fire
8. Glory Days
9. Breakaway
10. Before the Fall
11. Voice of Thunder More...
Hevisaurus Premiere New Song & Video "100"
A few years back the news of a Finnish kid-friendly dinosaur metal group named ‘Hevisaurus‘ made the rounds. Hevisaurus tirelessly recorded and toured since then and have recently released their 100th song. Check out ”100” the 3rd single from the band's upcoming new album ”Bändikouluun!”.
For that special occasion Hevisaurus enlisted the help of various well known metal musicians: More...
Ana Metal Charity Project To See Release In May
The ANA Metal For Charity project will be released by Into The LimeLight Records this coming May 5th, 2017. Founded by Marius Danielsen and Anniken Rasmussen, Ana features a truly impressive all star lineup we will raise money for cancer research. Anniken and Marius stated:
"We have seen this horrible disease up close. It seems to affect everyone in some case. For quite a while we have had a wish to contribute to the fight against cancer. Now just felt like the time. Ana was originally written in remembrance of someone who died of cancer. We wanted to use it for an even greater cause. However, we wanted to make a fight song, so we had to rewrite some of the lyrics. We are grateful for all the contributing parts and hope that we can make a difference."
The project will include "Ana," written by Marius and Anniken, a cover of Dio's "Holy Diver," as well as bonus tracks donated by participating bands. The album will be made available as a digipack as well as a download through all major streaming sites. The insanely long list of contributors begins after the cover artwork (prepare to use your scroll button): More...
"Ana" Charity Album Announced
Into The LimeLight Records just issued this statement about an impending charity album set for release next year:
"We are over the moon to announce that we will release the album for the 'Ana - Metal For Charity Project; in 2017. As a label we want to do one project each year for charity and this is such a fantastic cause.
"This charity project has been founded by Marius Danielsen and Anniken Rasmussen. With an impressive all star lineup we will raise money for cancer research. The full 100% of the incoming money will go to this project. There will be two songs by the all-stars:
1. 'Ana' written by Marius and Anniken
2. 'Holy' Diver cover
"There will be also some songs on the CD donated by participating bands. The first band donating a fantastic song is Monster from the Dutch metal legends Martyr. More information will follow soon."
The album's full lineup will include: More...
Report
A Day At Leyendas Del Rock
Europe is renowned in the metal world for it's many metal and rock festivals, with particular focus being shed on Germany. However, many other countries are now getting in on the action, with Belgium and the Czech Republic becoming more well known for the Graspop Metal Meeting and Brutal Assault festivals respectively. Spain is also making strides in the field, with such events as Resurrection Fest and the growing reputation of another festival in the south eastern area of the country, Villena to be exact, named Leyendas del Rock.
Having only been able to attend for the Thursday, we arrived on the first full day just in time to catch the final few songs of veteran Danish rockers, D-A-D. Though being unfamiliar with the group, they displayed a frantic energy and a passion to win over as many newcomers as they could, putting in a shift that put plenty of younger bands to shame. Despite catching only a glimpse, I will certainly be checking out more of their catalogue in the near future.
Up next on the second main stage, a system which is becoming used by more festivals across the continent, was British based power metal act, Dragonforce. I'm sure most readers are familiar and plenty will remember trying not to break their fingers playing, "Through the Fire and the Flames" on guitar hero, so there's not much need for an introduction. Although they've been the subject of ridicule and criticism, the band actually carry themselves very well. Stand in frontman Alessio Garavello is great at interacting with the crowd and all members perform with focus and skill. They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Dragonforce did themselves proud on this day. More...
SpazioRock Festival Announced
SpazioRock.it, the seven-year old Italian webzine dedicated to the world of music, is glad to announce the first edition of the SpazioRock Festival, dedicated to heavy and power metal fans.
Full details and ticket info can be found here. The event will take place at Live Club di Trezzo sull'Adda (MI) on September 24th, 2016 and the currently announced set list is as follows:
- Stratovarius
- Powerwolf
- Luca Turilli's Rhapsody
- Iron Savior
- Domine
- Elvenking
- Overtures More...
Report
70,000 Tons Of Metal, Day Three: "Its METAL Mon!"
Port day on the 2016 edition of the World’s Largest Metal Cruise! We made it into Falmouth, Jamaica at some time in the wee hours of the morning. This part of the cruise is a necessary element for a journalist, especially one trying to see as many shows as possible before collapsing from exhaustion. Since the day is usually enjoyed by fan and musician alike on shore and about the country, it means rest and relaxation for me until about 4pm – a time to recharge both the physical and mental batteries for the second half of the mayhem.
In similar fashion to last year, I skipped the part about getting off the boat. Unless there is a Mayan ruin like in Mexico a few years back, my interest in beach activities and touristy shops pales in comparison to resting and taking a few walks around the ship. This year I freed my shoulders from cameras and relaxed with breakfast before heading back to the room to do a little photo processing. The first show I would attend today would be Stratovarius’ second set on the pool deck. More...
Report
70,000 Tons Of Metal, Day Two: "The Marathon Day"
I woke around 7am – excited for what was not only the first full day of the cruise…but what I hoped would be the most concerts I’ve ever attended in any single day of my life. It was all mapped out…but the question is – would the pool deck be ready?
I headed up to Deck 12 to assess the situation…and once I made it to the yellow police tape, I realized – here we go again. In 2015, the high winds at sea forced the crew to abandon building the pool deck stage (the largest at sea) until the morning. It took them until 6pm to get it ready for Soulfly’s set, forcing all other shows to be reworked indoors. This year, the plan going in seemed to be to rework the shows where available – likely at the end of the evening within the venues inside. I recalled my joke to Siegfried Sammer of Visions of Atlantis – “I’ll see you at 10am…IF – and that’s a big IF…the pool deck is ready.” Well, it appears the jinx was on because Visions of Atlantis would be bumped to Saturday. The guard told me that 11:30am was the target time for completion, which is still way better than 2015. More...
Diamond Head Tops Off 70,000 Tons Of Metal 2016
The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal will set sail tomorrow. Promoters UMC have declared the event a sell out and announced that the final act added to the bill is legendary UK act Diamond Head.
Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.
70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will sails from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth.
The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!
The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.
In addition, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
If you missed out on this year, be sure to check out information on the event over at 70000tons.com.
Diamond Head joins the following previously named acts (with one still to be revealed):
Abinchova
Ancient Rites
Arkona
At the Gates
Aura Noir
Belphegor
Bloodbath
Carach Angren
Children of Bodom
Cradle Of Filth
Dead Cross
Delain
Dia De Los Muertos
Distillator More...
Novembers Doom, Nervosa Named For 70,000 Tons
The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal will set sail this Thursday, and promoters UMC have announced all but one act to complete the lineup with the latest additions: Arkona, Nervosa, Novembers Doom, Starkill, Fallujah, Ghoul, No Raza and Incantation.
The clue to the 60th band to be announced is "jewel" and begins with a "D."
70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth. You can still book your tickets using the link a few paragraphs down.
The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!
The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.
In addition, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.
Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.
Arkona, Nervosa, Novembers Doom, Starkill, Fallujah, Ghoul, No Raza and Incantation join the following previously named acts (with one still to be revealed):
Abinchova
Ancient Rites
At the Gates
Aura Noir
Belphegor
Bloodbath
Carach Angren
Children of Bodom
Cradle Of Filth
Dead Cross
Delain
Dia De Los Muertos
Distillator More...
70,000 Tons Of Metal Lineup Closer To Complete
The 2016 installment of 70,000 Tons of Metal is about to set sail next Thursday, and promoters UMC are inching closer to completing the lineup - the latest addition is Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer)'s new act Dead Cross.
Other additions include: Abinchova, Painful, Twilight Force, Skálmöld, Raven, Koyi K Utho, Dia De Los Muertos, Distillator and Susperia.
70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail from February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth. You can still book your tickets using the link a few paragraphs down.
The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!
The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live. Also, the ship will broadcast the upcoming Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers v. Denver Broncos live on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.
Metal Underground.com will be on board for the cruise and will provide coverage in the form of daily show reports, photo galleries and a four part video series featuring performance clips and other antics from each day.
Dead Cross, Abinchova, Painful, Twilight Force, Skálmöld, Raven, Koyi K Utho, Dia De Los Muertos, Distillator and Susperia join the following previously named acts (with 9 still to be revealed):
Ancient Rites
At the Gates
Aura Noir
Belphegor
Bloodbath
Carach Angren
Children of Bodom
Cradle Of Filth
Delain More...
Eluveitie Added To 70,000 Tons Of Metal
UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal - has added Swiss folk metal act Eluveitie to the upcoming 2016 edition of the cruise, bringing the total of 41 bands of the 60 revealed. Three more acts (Hint: from Switzerland, Germany and Sweden) will be added this week.
70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail on February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth.
The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!
The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.
Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.
Eluveitie joins the following previously named acts (with 19 still to be revealed):
Ancient Rites
At the Gates
Aura Noir
Belphegor
Bloodbath
Carach Angren
Children of Bodom
Cradle Of Filth
Delain More...
70,000 Tons Of Metal Adds Six More Acts For 2016
UMC - promoters for the Original and World's Largest Cruise Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal - has added 4 more acts to the upcoming 2016 edition of the cruise, bringing the total of 40 bands of the 60 revealed.
The latest additions are: Jag Panzer, Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Squealer, Stratovarius and Vader!
70,000 Tons of Metal 2016 will set sail on February 4th-8th from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and return to Jamaica with a stop at Falmouth.
The festival will board a new vessel, the second in as many years: The Independence of the Seas (via Royal Caribbean). The ship will accommodate four stages: The Alhambra Theater is a five-story concert hall in which they spare no expense to remove part of the (very comfortable) seating so you have a real Mosh Pit on the High Seas; The more intimate Egyptian themed Pyramid Lounge offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in Studio B, the ice skating rink featuring a maritime version of the Arena experience and last but not least their jewel: The Pool Deck stage - The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to ever sail the Open Seas, surrounded by multiple bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the Pool Deck stage to soak in while you watch the shows!
The All-Star Jam band, which returned this past January will also be back, led by Annihilator's Jeff Waters and members from the various acts aboard performing cover tunes live.
Ticket prices include all on board entertainment, most non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on board restaurants and even 24 hour room service. For more information or to book your high seas metal adventure, head on over to 70000tons.com.
Jag Panzer, Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Squealer, Stratovarius and Vader join the following previously named acts (with 20 still to be revealed):
Ancient Rites
At the Gates
Aura Noir
Belphegor
Bloodbath
Carach Angren
Children of Bodom
Cradle Of Filth
Delain More...
Stratovarius Premieres New Lyric Video
Finnish power metal veterans Stratovarius premiere their official lyric video for the song "Shine In The Dark" taken from the upcoming new release "Eternal". The album will drop on September 11th, 2015 (Europe) and September 18th, 2015 (USA) via earMUSIC.
Check out now "Shine In The Dark" below.
Stratovarius Releases "Eternal" Details
Finnish power metal legends Stratovarius released details on the upcoming new release "Eternal." The album will drop on September 11th, 2015 (Europe) and September 18th, 2015 (USA) via earMUSIC.
"Eternal" will be released in three formats: standard CD jewelcase, limited deluxe edition (CD/DVD mediabook including live video tracks recorded at Loudpark Festival 2015 in Japan) and double vinyl gatefold.
The track list for the album is:
1. My Eternal Dream
2. Shine In The Dark
3. Rise Above It
4. Lost Without A Trace
5. Feeding The Fire
6. In My Line Of Work
7. Man In The Mirror
8. Few Are Those
9. Fire In Your Eyes
10. Lost Saga More...
Stratovarius Releasing New Album
Stratovarius has broken its year long silence to reveal the band is in the studio completing a new record, with the release preceded by a performance at Wacken Open Air Festival and followed by a full tour. "Eternal" will drop on August 14th, 2015. EarMusic also comments:
"The trilogy of albums 'Polaris,' 'Elysium' and 'Nemesis' were released close to each other as the consequence of the renewed creative energy the band gained following the arrival of new members to support the historical members Kotipelto, Johansson and Michael.
"The previous three albums by Stratovarius showcased the many talents of guitarist Mattias Kupianen (prolific songwriter and producer of all the albums, including 'Eternal'), virtuoso bass player Lauri Porra and, on the third of the three, the young talent Rolf Pilve, one of the best drummer of his generation who had to replace Jörg Michael after the latter decided to move into a new role in Stratovarius management.
"The most recent album 'Nemesis' included the single 'Unbreakable,' which became one of the most streamed songs ever released by Stratovarius. Kotipelto and Johansson proudly carry the torch of the glorious Stratovarius tradition, but now many fans of the band consider the current line-up 'classic Stratovarius.' The new album 'Eternal' has been the longest album in the making from the band."
"Since ‘Polaris’ we have released a new studio album pretty much every two years,” reflects Jens Johansson, “but after ‘Nemesis,’ we all decided to take a little bit of time off after we finished the world tour. Now we're all tanned and rested and it's about fucking time to get back into the saddle. Everybody has been busy the last few months writing lots of new songs, and only the best has been recorded for ‘Eternal.’” More...
Eight-Year-Old Zoe Shreds Stratovarius
8-year-old girl Zoe Thompson is at it again, this time shredding on Stratovarius's track "Stratosphere." Watch her shred Sweet Child of Mine and play a cover of Metallica's Enter Sandman too on her channel.
Stratovarius Announces Festival Appearances
Stratovarius has announced several upcoming 2015 festival appearances. More dates are expected to be announced soon, and the currently revealed dates are as follows:
2/7 - Hullu Porock - Levi, Finland
6/28 - Tuska Open Air - Helsinki, Finland
7/11 - Sotkamon Syke 2015 - Vuokatti, Finland
7/30 - Wacken Open Air - Wacken, Germany
8/1 - Ostrava - Ostrava, Czech Republic