Stratovarius Community

This is a sort of informal update.

I went to Helsinki, basically to try and help with anything I could. Am here now.

Jörg Michael will play on the next Stratovarius record (as he is very good of course, and there was no other good drummer materializing out of thin air.)

He has finished most of the drums, whether Timo will like them or not when he is ready to listen we will see.

The drums are being recorded in Helsinki. Timo disappeared right on the day they were starting the basic tracks. So for the week before I came, Jörg has been recording in the studio, ALONE, only with a click and nothing else to guide him, just remembering the songs in his head! He was the only guy slaving away in the studio and he's not even in the band! Yes, this is bizarre stuff but if anyone rises to such an occation it is Jörg I think. :)

The new singer Katriina ("Miss K") I haven't actually met yet. And Jari really seems to have dropped off the face of the planet.

So let's see. So far I have: a singer I never met, a drummer who's not in the band, a bass player who is on another planet, and the main songwriter and producer went to a psychiatric hospital last week. I know all this looks very bad, but the strange thing is that I still very much have some hope left.

Because I can say is that the songs are really killer, and the drums are good.

This means anything is possible.

There are many other things going on, I suppose everyone heard about a few of them already...

I'm doing fine personally, I still have the hope that like many problems, these will right themselves given some time.

I have collected my recording gear that was stored here. It all survived the winter and it works. I try to will record... something. I will help with anything that I can. Timo's studio is not operational quite yet, but it is pretty close I believe. [ I can verify that his SSL is there, I saw it and I touched it, it's real! :) ]

There is a sauna in the apartment me and Jörg are staying in. There are beers in the fridge. The songs and the drums are good. I am one of the worst pessimists out there. If I say there is hope, then be sure that there actually is hope!

How long have you been in Finland then?!
Enough maybe to learn the new songs. Funny that Tolkki didn't mention anything about starting the recordings. But this is totally a really good news!

Good to hear from you Jens!!

Yes, good to hear.
I hope there is still hope.
And I believe that the new songs will be best Strato for the last few years - or maybe ever (?).
But I'm worried about Timo, is he now better?

There is always hope.

Go Jens!

i feel pity for Jens...it´s really sad to see how things are going. Jörg is definatelly THE man!

I'm glad to hear some news from Jens, but it scared me: So let's see. So far I have: a singer I never met, a drummer who's not in the band, a bass player who is on another planet, and the main songwriter and producer went to a psychiatric hospital last week. I know all this looks very bad, but the strange thing is that I still very much have some hope left.

I really want to see TT feeling fine again, I'm also anxious to hear Jens keyboars... and where's Jari? Why Jens didn't try to call him? Someone must know his telephone number, or his email... I don't know... there must be a way to talk to him.
I'm also glad that Jorg is recording the drums! He's just amazing, and I can't imagine a best drummer to Stratovarius. It'd be so good if Jorg could come back to the band...

And about the new singer, I won't say anything... cause I have no hope in her at all. And before somebody comes here and tries to kill me, remember that it's just my opinion...

:elk:
YEAH! Good news is allways the best news!
After this information i'm very confident about Stratovarius and i believe that Stratovarius will continue!
I wish you all the best with new album!!!

I actually can't believe how the hell are you putting up with all this issue, but I appreciate a lot what you're doing. I think it's the best you could do.

You and Jörg are teh men! Well, Tolkki too. But he had to receive so many affronts that he couldn't withstand. I hope he's getting over it.

It would be great to speed up the CD recording for Timo. It would be a nice detail, you know... You can record your respective parts (well, guitar... ) and Timo will add the guitar parts later, when he's fully recovered.

Thanks to you, Jens & Jörg!

NP: Anathema - Fragile Dreams

If everyone works together and does their part, I'm sure everything will go fairly well as planned.
Better late than never.
These events should prove the character&strength that each band member has within themselves, and, in the end true friendship,and comradory truly exists in Strato--thats what will save it in the end!
Good luck Jens&all!

What the FUCK happens with Jari? Not enough with two "left off" members?
Good news btw

Very very good news

Doesn´t sound too bad

Things are going back to their tracks -- 'cept for Tolkki -- guess that state he was in was too much for a single man to bear. Hope he doesn't try anything self-destructive again.

Good thing Jens put an end to all those fsckin' rumors and gossip and shit.

everythings cool...they`ll carry on

Congratulations to both of them!

Good good news.
Any chance for master Jörg to join the band again ?
It would be great to have the "monster machine" back! :viking:
Wait and see...

Hopefully Jörg will not only record the next album, but play live too.

yeah, really good news...
Jörg and You will manage this situation and Tolkki also will...
I just hope he will feel better and will get some self-confident for recording.
Hope you care for Tolkki... no.. I know it.. you`re such a nice guy. You will care for him....
say some nice greetz to the drummaster and to Tolkki.
I keep my fingers crossed for you all.

Slayer

thanks for the news..

now we can just keep the faith

The Hope still lives on

Hi Jens.
Finally a good news !!
I hope you and Jorg make a great cd.
It is so good to see that even after having left the band, Jorg is doing his best to make a good job on the drums.
It is quite a big surprise though.
Jörg Michael was the last person I imagined that would play drums in the new Strato recording ...


BUT
I really think it is strange that you have not seen Katrrina yet....
After all you are now in the same band..
I think that Jari and Katriina should go to the recordings to at least watch it and that you 4 guys that are recording this cd should visit Timo Tolkki in the hospital and try to maybe show him anything of his ideas being recorded (and sounfding great).
That will make him feel a little better and I hipe he gets help from all his bandmates (as I see that you are dong now)

So.
Basically
I want to thant Jorg to play in this cd and Help his old mates
Also
thnaks to Jens to be there and to try to help his friend Tolkki
and
To Katriina :
Good luck and try to "be part of the band". Go to the studio and to the hospital to see TT (if you have not done yet ) .
And please , it is time for you to know Jens too ..

Hey realy good to see you Jens!
I'm realy happy to heard news like that!
I hope Tolkki will be back soon in good shape!!

I haven't seen this site in a LONG TIME and when I finally see it, I also see great news, together with bad news 'bout Timo... but I'm happy to know that Jens and Jörg are doing something for Strato and for Timo. It's great what you're doing, you're in Finland supporting Timo even when you live in others countries. I hope that Jari appear soon and join you in the recording.
Well, my best wishes to the band !

David.

Yeah man! Fuck! Strato rocks!!!!!!! Jörg is trully the MAN!!!! indeed, Jens, and Jorg are the best friends any guitarrist could have! Keep The Flame!!!!! Damn! I'm just too happy to put in order my ideas

risingorion wrote:

To Katriina :
Good luck and try to "be part of the band". Go to the studio and to the hospital to see TT (if you have not done yet ) .

How do we know that they have not already seen Timo in hospital? They would not tell us here if they had...

I think that this "invisible" singer is maybe the idea of these jokers that handle Strato's PR. Or maybe she really wants to be invisible... either way I think the idea sucks a bit.

the only thing that comes to my mind is a train wich is slowly but in time starts to run so Jens And Jorg good luck !!! Crazy train ,,!!

And what about Katriina? At least he should help a little Jens and Jorg, that are really the only ones who keep the flame and carries on...

why was the topis where jari posted deleted?

Great news!, but, what is SSL? and what is Koskenkorva?

Thank you very much for the update Jens, you're the man!