Frontiers Records have announced that Timo Tolkki’s AVALON, the Metal Opera masterminded by former STRATOVARIUS member Timo Tolkki, has premiered the first official lyric video for their current single “Design The Century” on Finland’s Radio Rock website frontpage.
The video was directed by Patric Ullaeus (Amaranthe, Within Temptation, Kamelot, In Flames, Europe etc.) and features current NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen appearing on lead vocals.
The song is also available from today as a digital single for download and streaming on all music platforms. Artwork is pictured below.
The anticipated sophomore release from TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON will be entitled “Angels Of The Apocalypse”, and is slated for a May 16th release in Europe and May 19th release in North America through Frontiers Records. Besides Floor Jansen, the amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) — who appears again after contributing to the first album — and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album, which is also produced by Tolkki. As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS “Dreamspace” lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively.
Once again the stunning artwork is provided by the French artist Stanis W. Decker and the first pressing of the physical edition will be available in a glossy digipak.
Frontiers Records have announced that TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON is to release their debut album “Angels Of The Apocalypse” with an amazing cast of singers.
The album is due for release on May 16th in Europe and May 20th in North America.
Following the release of the debut album “The Land of New Hope”, the “Metal Opera” was met with critical and fan acclaim, entering the national album charts in seven European countries, including a top 10 entry in Tolkki’s home country, Finland. In August 2013, Tolkki flew to Greece to seek the right inspiration for the follow-up album and upon his return he managed to develop a sound that is even more grandiose and symphonic and yet heavier and darker in direction as compared to the debut album. “In August 2012 I planned to release a Metal Opera that had to be a trilogy. I am following a specific storyboard in a musical format and this time the musical direction is heavier and darker than the previous Avalon” says Tolkki. ”This was deliberate since the Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics demanded that”.
As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS “Dreamspace” lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively. “It was really nice and brought good vibes and freshness to the album,” tells Timo. “Definitely the right move.”
The amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen – who takes care of the lead vocals on the first single “Design The Century” – along with Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) – who appears again after contributing to the first album – and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album which is also produced by Tolkki. “Some songs were written with a specific singer in mind, while for some others I decided based on the knowledge that I had on how he or she would perform. I am particularly happy of how this record sounds especially two songs You’ll Bleed Forever and the 10 minute title track are among my favourite ever”, says Tolkki.
Once again the stunning artwork is provided by the French artist Stanis W. Decker and the first pressing of the physical edition will be available in a glossy digipak.
“Angels of the Apocalypse” final tracklisting:
1. Song For Eden
2. Jerusalem Is Falling
3. Design The Century
4. Rise Of The 4th Reich
5. Stargate Atlantis
6. You’ll Bleed Forever
7. The Paradise Lost
8. Neon Sirens
9. High Above Of Me
10. Angels Of The Apocalypse
11. Garden Of Eden
The first single “Design The Century” (featuring NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen) will be released digitally worldwide on April 7th.
Frontiers.it have announced that the anticipated sophomore release from TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON will be entitled “Angels Of The Apocalypse” and is slated for a May release through Frontiers Records.
The singers that will appear on the album are: Floor Jansen (new NIGHTWISH singer), Simone Simons (of EPICA), Fabio Lione (of RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (of VIRGIN STEELE), Elize Ryd (of AMARANTHE) and Caterina Nix (who will release her debut album produced by Tolkki, later this year).
Other musicians which will appear on the album include two other former members of STRATOVARIUS: Tuomo Lassila (STRATOVARIUS’ founder) on drums and Antti Ikonen, the original keyboard player of STRATOVARIUS.
Timo Tolkki also announces a contest for guitar and keyboard players. Now you have the chance to play a solo with Timo Tolkki in one song of the album. Please send one MP3 that contains your solo playing to this email address: solos@tolkki.org
The winner will receive a backing track and will play his/her solos to this. The MP3’s for the contest has to be sent NOT LATER than 16th of February.
You can also visit www.avalonopera.com for videoblogs that has been made from the recordings of the album.
The recordings for the new album from TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON began in late November at East Sounds Studios in Helsinki, Finland with drum recordings from original STRATOVARIUS drummer and Tolki’s former bandmate, Tuomo Lassila.
In addition, original Stratovarius keyboardist Antti Ikonen has joined the line-up. He played all keyboards on the classic Stratovarius albums such as Fright Night, Twilight Time, Dreamspace and Fourth Dimension. The album is the first time Tolkki, Lassila and Ikonen have worked together since 1995.
Tolkki: “It is incredibly refreshing to create and play new music with his old friends and that the spirit and the atmosphere has been absolutely great and positive!”
Tolkki has just checked in from the studio and talks about the guitars and recording equipment being used:
Fans can follow the progress of the making of the album, including writing and recording sessions and special cameos from the musicians and singers involved, from the new website this location.
The confirmed cast of musicians/singers is once again full of internationally acclaimed artists including NIGHTWISH/REVAMP singer FloorJansen and Simone Simons of EPICA fame.
A European Tour is being planned for May to coincide with the release of the album. More details on the live lineup and dates will be revealed later.
Source: Bravewords.com
Former STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki ‘s new project, TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON and the debut album, The Land Of New Hope, made impressive album chart debuts in Europe earlier this year, with several Top 100 album chart bows including a Top 10 album chart debut in Tolkki’s native Finland.
Tolkki has checked in with the following update:
“Our brand new website will be published on October 7th here. This is an experience you do not want to miss since this website involves directly all the aspects of Avalon II. Follow us in all social medias, help us to build the second album with a fantastic cast of 12 world class musicians and above all, enjoy what we have been cooking for you in the website starting from October 7th and continuing all the way up to the release of the album.”
For The Land Of New Hope, Timo Tolkki was able to gather some of most accomplished international singers: Michael Kiske (UNISONIC), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI), Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION) and Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA). Rounding up the lineup of this album are world-renowned musicians Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE) on drums, Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and Mikko Härkin (Sonata Arctica) on keyboards, and Tolkki himself taking care of all guitars, bass and production duties.
On May 12, RockEyez conducted an interview with former STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki about his TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON album “The Land Of New Hope”. You can now listen to the chat below.
“A World Without Us”, the second single from TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON album “The Land Of New Hope”, has been released digitally via Frontiers Records. The track, which can be downloaded now from iTunes or Amazon, features lead vocals from Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI) and Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X).
“A World Without Us” can be streamed in the YouTube clip below, featuring different “in-the-studio” candid shots taken from the making of the album, which is included on the bonus DVD as part of the album’s deluxe edition.
Inner Wound Recordings will release a limited 12-inch double gatefold edition of “The Land Of New Hope” on June 19. The edition is strictly limited to 700 copies.
“The Land Of New Hope” is available for pre-order at the Inner Wound store.
The track listing is as follows:
Disc 1
Side A
01. Avalanche Anthem
02. A World Without Us
03. Enshrined In My Memory
Side B
01. In The Name Of The Rose
02. We Will Find A Way
03. Shine
Disc 2
Side A
01. The Magic Of The Night
02. To The Edge Of The Earth
Side B
01. I’ll Sing You Home
02. The Land Of New Hope
“Enshrined In My Memory”, the new video from TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON, can be seen below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others. The song is also available for download and legal streaming through all fine shops such as iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.
Frontiers Records released “The Land Of New Hope” in North America on May 21. The CD’s story takes place more than 40 years in the future when most of the planet has been destroyed by natural disasters. The title of the opera refers to the safe haven that a small group of survivors seek.
“The Land Of New Hope” is composed by one of the forefathers of the power metal genre, former STRATOVARIUS main songwriter and guitarist Timo Tolkki.
The album will be available in two formats: a standard CD and a deluxe edition featuring a 30-minute documentary on the making-of the album and two videos.
For this unique concept album, Timo Tolkki was able to gather some of most accomplished international singers: Michael Kiske (UNISONIC), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI), Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION) and Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA). Rounding out the stunning lineup of this album are world-renowned musicians Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE) on drums, Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and Mikko Härkin (SONATA ARCTICA) on keyboards, and Tolkki himself taking care of all guitars, bass and production duties.
“The Land Of New Hope” came about as the result of a discussion that began years ago between Timo Tolkki and Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino. Perugino, a longtime STRATOVARIUS fan, suggested Tolkki return to the original STRATOVARIUS sound in a more symphonic fashion. In August 2012, Tolkki began work on what would become “The Land Of New Hope”. Tolkki explained: “I sort of rediscovered myself musically in the process of making this album. I wrote the story first and started composing the music after that. My aim was to write memorable songs with good melodies that would support the story.
“In STRATOVARIUS back in the early ’90s, I was one of the creators of the power metal genre, so it is only natural that people may associate this music style with me… but on this album, you will find lot of dynamics including fully-orchestrated songs that sound very, very big.”
With the full support of Frontiers Records and Serafino Perugino‘s executive production, “The Land Of New Hope” opens a new chapter in Tolkki‘s career. Tolkki added, “‘The Land Of New Hope’ is one part of the story, the end of it, actually. The story is longer and goes back to the time before this album’s concept, so two more metal operas are likely to follow to complete a trilogy.
“In general, I find the metal opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in classical opera, in metal opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically.
“It is not so easy to stay fresh after a 25-year career, but this album is truly something special.”
A “The Land Of New Hope” EPK (Electronic Press Kit) can be seen below.
