Due to the upcoming tour here in Spain of the finnish band STRATOVARIUS, we got in touch with their vocalist, Timo Kotipelto. We talk with him about the latest work of the band, "Polaris", about if there is life after Timo Tolkki, about the current line up of the band, his other projects and many more interesting things.

- HoM: Hi Timo, first of all congratulations for the good reviews that “Polaris” is getting. New hopes, new label and new CD. How are you going through this new period in your musical career?

I feel like it´s a fresh new start for the band. After all the trouble during the last few years it´s very nice to go back to the basics: music.

- HoM: How are relationships among the bandmembers? This is a very important question, as after that dark period you had after Tolkki’s departure, the atmosphere has probably been affected, hasn’t it?

The athmosphere is better than ever! We are good friends and enjoy making music together. Also very often we hang out together which was not the case with Tolkki.

- HoM: In “Polaris”, the most remarkable thing is the new guitarist Mattias. How did he adapt to the pace of one of most important power metal bands?

He is a very talented player and also a very nice guy. He adapted very well. Of course it´s not the easiest thing to replace Timo and join Stratovarius but he really is doing a very good job. He is enjoying being in the band and touring around the world.

- HoM: He does a great job, I think he found his place in the band. Specially in songs like “Winter Skies” or “Forever Today”. How did you find him? Always having in mind that you have some very good talents in Finland.

Lauri played one special gig at Tavastia club a couple of years ago where a lot of Finnish guitar players where playing. After the gig Lauri told me on the phone: “I saw last night one dude player guitar better than anybody I have ever seen!!! He might be the guy for us”. Then I went to Youtube and checked out some videos where he is playing and I was like “WOW!”. Then I talked to Jens and Jörg. And we decided to test him out. Jens, Lauri, Matias and me went to one cottage and played 5 days with him, recorded some demos and were having fun together.  After that he was in the band.

- HoM: “Polaris” sounds like good old Stratovarius but also with some new elements, now your vocals aren’t so high-pitched and you lost a bit of that progressive-ness you used so much in albums like “Elements”. What did you have in mind when you were writing new songs?

We didn´t plan anything. We were composing songs, recorded some demos and decided to see how they sound. This was in June. And we didn´t even know back then if we wanted to use the name Stratovarius. When Jörg joined us in the rehearsals in August 2008 we recorded all the songs with real drums. Then we were listening to them, drinking some beer and decided about the name. The songs sounded like Stratovarius so it didn´t make any sense to continue with some other name. If the songs would have been totally different we would have used some other name.

- HoM: About the album’s concept, what’s the relation between that impressive cover artwork and the subject of the songs?

"Polaris" is not a theme album. Some songs are sort of related to the space etc but there is no common concept behind it. Lauri came up with the name of the album and then Jörg new a dude to make a cover for it. I am personally very happy with the cover. It looks cool and describes well the musical style.

- HoM: If we could mix up three Stratovarius albums to make Polaris, I think they would be "Visions", "Fourth Dimension" and "Episode", probably the most important ones in your career. What do you think about it?

I agree 100% with you!!! I think there´s  lot of old stuff on it but as you said also something new. Those are also my favourite albums.

- HoM: I’ve always been curious about what your recognized musical influences are – the bands without which your music couldn’t exist.

My main influences are in the 80´s metal. But also in the 70´s. My all time favourites are everything with Dio, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Judas Priest, Metallica, etc.

- HoM: You signed Edel Music, who also have other bands like Europe. What made you decide joining this label?

We had few labels who were interested in the band. Edel sounded like a good company and they were also suggested for us by our manager. I didn´t know so much about them before but after working with them I am very happy. They believe in the band and support us a lot. I am looking forward to release the next album with Edel.

- HoM: What are your touring plans for 2010? Any surprise for your comeback?

We will tour in Europe starting early January. Then there will propably be some festival later that year. We will also start working on the next album. Propably  already during the spring.

- HoM: We all would like to know your opinion about Tolkki’s new musical career, or if you have any contact with him at all. In HallOfMetal we had the chance to review Revolution Renaissance’s two albums and they were pretty good, they got a similar mark as Polaris’s.

I haven´t heard their latest album. It´s a pity he is always changing the line-ups and doing as many projects as possible instead of concentrating on one at the time. I wish him all the best. He is a very talented composer and a good guitar player.

- HoM: Talking about nowaday’s metal scene, in Nordic countries you live a real ‘boom’ compared to the rest of Europe, there’s a lot of bands coming out all the time, playing whatever style. Tell us the truth, is it that you are given spinach in your baby bottle milk, or cold makes you more creative?

Not spinach but we like eating metal. I think it has to do something with darkness and coldness we have up here. People are bored and want to put up bands to waste some extra energy and to create something. It´s true that there has been so many good metal bands coming out of Scandinavia during the last 10 years. I don´t know how long this will continue. I think we are soon running out of people not playing in the bands.

- HoM: Is your solo career in standby at the moment, or will you release a new album in the next months?

Right now it´s in a standby. I recorded my first solo album because I couldn´t get any of my own songs on Strato albums. Nowadays the situation is a bit different so I don´t have the urge to do my solo stuff. I do have some songs that don´t propably fit on a Strato album so I might do something in the future. But right now I don´t have time for anything else except Strato album.

- HoM: A little time ago we could hear your voice in the project Cain’s Offering, is there any expectation that you will continue with them or are you just a guest for the debut album?

Lately I have been doing acoustic duo gigs with Jani Liimatainen. That has been a lot of fun. We will propably do some more next year. So far we haven´t been talking about the next CO album yet. I love the album! I think Jani is a very talented guy and nice to work with.

- HoM: Have you ever taken singing classes, or are you self-taught? If possible, please tell us what you do to preserve it and your singing technics.

I did start on my own but later got some singing classes too. I actually studied music/vocals for a couple of years. But I have always been singing the way I am singing today. But of course my voice is stronger nowadays and it´s easier to sing.
If you want to be a singer it might be a good idea to get some more knowledge about it. Maybe take a few singing lessons. So that you would not damage your voice. Some people can sing the right way naturally but most can´t. Just remember that singing should always be fun and not to hurt your throat!

- HoM: Now we’d like you to look back from your early days in Stratovarius until today, and tell us what would you keep and what you wouldn’t, and how you see the band’s evolution through the years.

Let´s say it´s been at least interesting past 15 years. I would keep the music and skip all the bullshit. I am looking forward to making some nice albums and having fun on the tour.

- HoM: That’s all from us, thank you very much! Any last words for our readers?

Thanks for the interview! If you have a chance come to see us playing live!!!  We will rock you!  Thanks!!!