Stratovarius: 'Keep Fighting In The Face Of Disaster'

[icecab21]

It would be a while in the least, I would love to see them all together.for me it would be great to have Timo contribute and make all the music himself.


Fixed.

So now you are speaking for my wishes?

[JensJohansson]

The rest of the interview is great, I just don't like that they always ask so many questions about the worst time of tolkki and the band and ignore the good times of tolkki and the band. What happens if you guys just say you won't answer that kind of question?

For three good reasons:

That act in itself would attract more attention than the matter deserves. Also, it would be a bit insulting to the interviewer's intelligence, in light of everything. Lastly, it could be perceived as more self-incriminating than I think would be fair to myself. I don't mind discussing it but would rather talk about the music, and the present and future.

Truth be told, there wasn't so much talk about it in this interview either. Most other interviews there has been even less. This thread is the storm in the water glass, really. The interviews I have done have 99% been just a nice glass of water.

"quarter of a million euros" ... They receive royalties also for example from Japan and Far East and Nuclear Blast albums. I am sure they receive royalties also from the other albums. ... They are receiving all the royalties from those. ...
I don't think they deserve it but at least this way they have to pay for it. etc etc

... hey, it's only money, really

Blast and JVC keep their catalog in print, and account royalties. Universal doesn't at the moment. Not sure about itunes, I suspect any Noise stuff on itunes or any other online distribution would go through Universal. But for sure they don't account any more. The stratovarius back catalog is not a huge money making machine, because the majority of the catalog is held by a corporation which can't be bothered to exploit it. The last part of the lawyer's fee was paid from the Polaris advance. We honor our debts. Those are the facts in brief. If someone doesn't believe this then that's quite OK too. So much of this strife is in the past anyway, too. Water under the bridge. And .. remember Jedi Yngwie's words, "it's only money"

[icecab21]

The interviews I have done have 99% been just a nice glass of water.

that is good to know.

[StratoTimo]

Timo Tolkki and Jens Johansson... Make the fucking peace and live your own life! If you only argue... Then you guys should forget your "friendship"
Tolkki have Revolution Renaissance and Jens have Stratovarius, you won't need to talk with each other then!
If you do that, I think that both of you guys are much more happier

Like Yngwie said: It's only money.
PS: That is not going to make you happy!

[lalodrums2]

The rest of the interview is great, I just don't like that they always ask so many questions about the worst time of tolkki and the band and ignore the good times of tolkki and the band. What happens if you guys just say you won't answer that kind of question?

For three good reasons:

That act in itself would attract more attention than the matter deserves. Also, it would be a bit insulting to the interviewer's intelligence, in light of everything. Lastly, it could be perceived as more self-incriminating than I think would be fair to myself. I don't mind discussing it but would rather talk about the music, and the present and future.

Truth be told, there wasn't so much talk about it in this interview either. Most other interviews there has been even less. This thread is the storm in the water glass, really. The interviews I have done have 99% been just a nice glass of water.

"quarter of a million euros" ... They receive royalties also for example from Japan and Far East and Nuclear Blast albums. I am sure they receive royalties also from the other albums. ... They are receiving all the royalties from those. ...
I don't think they deserve it but at least this way they have to pay for it. etc etc

... hey, it's only money, really

Blast and JVC keep their catalog in print, and account royalties. Universal doesn't at the moment. Not sure about itunes, I suspect any Noise stuff on itunes or any other online distribution would go through Universal. But for sure they don't account any more. The stratovarius back catalog is not a huge money making machine, because the majority of the catalog is held by a corporation which can't be bothered to exploit it. The last part of the lawyer's fee was paid from the Polaris advance. We honor our debts. Those are the facts in brief. If someone doesn't believe this then that's quite OK too. So much of this strife is in the past anyway, too. Water under the bridge. And .. remember Jedi Yngwie's words, "it's only money"

Thanks a lot for clearing this Jens. So there will be NO REUNION with TT in the future of the band right? It's really important to me this answer because I don't want to think that this is a stunt thing again. So far I'm with you Jens and I believe everything you said before.

Stratovarius... Higher you'll go !!! Cheers to Matias Kupiainen.

[Ragehead91]

The rest of the interview is great, I just don't like that they always ask so many questions about the worst time of tolkki and the band and ignore the good times of tolkki and the band. What happens if you guys just say you won't answer that kind of question?

For three good reasons:

That act in itself would attract more attention than the matter deserves. Also, it would be a bit insulting to the interviewer's intelligence, in light of everything. Lastly, it could be perceived as more self-incriminating than I think would be fair to myself. I don't mind discussing it but would rather talk about the music, and the present and future.

Truth be told, there wasn't so much talk about it in this interview either. Most other interviews there has been even less. This thread is the storm in the water glass, really. The interviews I have done have 99% been just a nice glass of water.

"quarter of a million euros" ... They receive royalties also for example from Japan and Far East and Nuclear Blast albums. I am sure they receive royalties also from the other albums. ... They are receiving all the royalties from those. ...
I don't think they deserve it but at least this way they have to pay for it. etc etc

... hey, it's only money, really

Blast and JVC keep their catalog in print, and account royalties. Universal doesn't at the moment. Not sure about itunes, I suspect any Noise stuff on itunes or any other online distribution would go through Universal. But for sure they don't account any more. The stratovarius back catalog is not a huge money making machine, because the majority of the catalog is held by a corporation which can't be bothered to exploit it. The last part of the lawyer's fee was paid from the Polaris advance. We honor our debts. Those are the facts in brief. If someone doesn't believe this then that's quite OK too. So much of this strife is in the past anyway, too. Water under the bridge. And .. remember Jedi Yngwie's words, "it's only money"

Thanks a lot for clearing this Jens. So there will be NO REUNION with TT in the future of the band right? It's really important to me this answer because I don't want to think that this is a stunt thing again. So far I'm with you Jens and I believe everything you said before.

Stratovarius... Higher you'll go !!! Cheers to Matias Kupiainen.

Yeah, they've rebuild the band from the ashes, got a new guitarist, released a good album and basicly put their heartblood into everything to rebuild everything Tolkki and his "actions" have destroyed just to tear everything to shreds again...of course....

[Verdades Parias]

The s e t t l e m e n t, which miraculously has been growing from 130 000 euros to "quarter of a million euros" was also my money. The actual debt was/is only around 30 000 euros and consists of legal fees. And it is your opinion that it is my fault. That is okay with me.
It is said by Jens & co that Universal doesn't utilize the back catalogue of Stratovarius. This is not true. They receive royalties also for example from Japan and Far East and Nuclear Blast albums. I am sure they receive royalties also from the other albums. All the albums, even where these guys are not playing in, are available in iTunes. They are receiving all the royalties from those.
As I have repeatedly said, I have asked many times to pay my share of the 30 000€ legal fees, but I haven't been given chance to do that.
So you can think what you want, have your (quite biased opinion in the light of the actual facts) opinion, if that makes you happy.

No, not at all, the last thing that we feel about it is happiness, but...it was your decision, your words, your sign...so, What do you expect? You expect us to think badly of them? why?...you decided
and about the debt, you are responsible for your part, but you're also from them, because of your actions

You decided to leave sanctuary earlier, it was your choice and not theirs. I do think they deserve the "StratoFranchise" at the very least

I don't think they deserve it but at least this way they have to pay for it

Wrong, how can you say that? it is true that they should not have "all the franchise", but that depended on you, not them.

[icecab21]

So it was tolkkis fault that sanctuary went bankrupt?

[hiro23]

This just seems like a boxing match were no one wins.

Sometimes it just makes you want to crawl into the fetal position and start chanting "make it stop, make it stop",that's probably too dramatic but seriously who wins? all I see are signs pointing to more heartache,more bad feelings and basically more and more fans feeling alienated. I seriously hope some kind of good solution is found.

oh and in the question of Tolkki ever returning I'm sure if he did they'd work something out to where both Tolkki and Matias could play.

[_Pepe_]

Timo Tolkki and Jens Johansson... Make the fucking peace and live your own life! If you only argue... Then you guys should forget your "friendship"
Tolkki have Revolution Renaissance and Jens have Stratovarius, you won't need to talk with each other then!
If you do that, I think that both of you guys are much more happier

Like Yngwie said: It's only money.
PS: That is not going to make you happy!

X2 !!!!

[lalodrums2]

oh and in the question of Tolkki ever returning I'm sure if he did they'd work something out to where both Tolkki and Matias could play.

That's exactly my big concern because If they did It in the past, they can do it now, maybe someday they will decide to switch, and Matias is going to play with RR and TT again with Strato? Maybe they wanted to have an extra guitar player in the band and this is the strange way of doing it? (i mean if tt comes back, now we'd have 2 guitars in strato) Maybe all this is a stunt again? I would love to read from someone of any band (either RR or strato) writing here to me "you are wrong " or something like "are you stupid? This is not a stunt again" believe me, I will feel satisfied if someone does that.

I've studied marketing, and as Jens said once... "marketing is not an evil thing" I believe that nowadays everything is possible to get some attention. Answer me please! I think is not hard to write the phrase "you are wrong" that's all I want to read.

Thank you in advance.

A big big fan of stratovarius...

Eduardo.

[Beast_Pete]

I don't think TT's return is possible and neither do I think it's for any good. He has his new band, the guys remained in the old band with new spirit. This is much better this way.

[browneyedgirl]

I don't think TT's return is possible and neither do I think it's for any good. He has his new band, the guys remained in the old band with new spirit. This is much better this way.

+10

Not just better for the bands, but for the fans as well. IMO, I don't think the majority of the fanbase could, or would tolerate another "stunt".

[CES]

[quote="lalodrums2"
That's exactly my big concern because If they did It in the past, they can do it now, maybe someday they will decide to switch, and Matias is going to play with RR and TT again with Strato? Maybe they wanted to have an extra guitar player in the band and this is the strange way of doing it? (i mean if tt comes back, now we'd have 2 guitars in strato) Maybe all this is a stunt again? I would love to read from someone of any band (either RR or strato) writing here to me "you are wrong " or something like "are you stupid? This is not a stunt again" believe me, I will feel satisfied if someone does that.
[/quote]

Don't overthink the situation. When Maiden switched over to three guitarists, it wasn't a stunt at all.

Personally, I prefer the dual guitarists approach, it works well for 90% of metal bands (though oddly, not too many power metal bands) If it's good enough for Judas Priest (the best, bar none), it's good enough for everyone.

[Stratowarius]

[quote="lalodrums2"
That's exactly my big concern because If they did It in the past, they can do it now, maybe someday they will decide to switch, and Matias is going to play with RR and TT again with Strato? Maybe they wanted to have an extra guitar player in the band and this is the strange way of doing it? (i mean if tt comes back, now we'd have 2 guitars in strato) Maybe all this is a stunt again? I would love to read from someone of any band (either RR or strato) writing here to me "you are wrong " or something like "are you stupid? This is not a stunt again" believe me, I will feel satisfied if someone does that.

Don't overthink the situation. When Maiden switched over to three guitarists, it wasn't a stunt at all.

Personally, I prefer the dual guitarists approach, it works well for 90% of metal bands (though oddly, not too many power metal bands) If it's good enough for Judas Priest (the best, bar none), it's good enough for everyone.[/quote]


It would be fun if they decided to have 10 guitars. But NOOO mr Tolkki among them. He is to unpredictable. And he would immediately demand to write 92% of the songs and it would go straight to hell in one week.

[lalodrums2]

Nobody answer me :(:(:(

I'm sad, and drunk

Is there any consideration of TT back in stratovarius someday? (this would answer my doubts whether this is a stunt thing)

A) NO

B) Might be someday...

Please someone of the band answer me :(:(:( I'd do anything to get that answer :(:(:(

Cheers to whoever answer me, if it's nobody, then, cheers to nobody

[_Pepe_]

Timo Tolkki in "stratovarius" again?... you kidding me? if that happends, Timo Tolkki will lose MORE credibility ...
yeah, right, with 2 guitars the sound live is more strong but what is happend with the 329872382398237 statements ?
I feel very happy for the band but at the same time very offended by all the wasted time reading all the Fuc**** drama history.

otherwise, i really like the new era and i'm very curios to hear more song and Matias solos.
just only my opinion .

[hiro23]

I'd rather just focus on the music and leave the drama by the wayside where it belongs

[AAAAAAAAAA]

In 2007:

...because it cannot be defined; what is good. [...] To define something - what is good - I don’t think we even need to do that. Because we can have all of it and everybody can listen to what they want.

...I know, but for me these words, in relation to music, are just something I never use: good, bad, judge, criticize.

And then most recently:

Except that I don't think Polaris sounds nothing but a bad Stratovarius rip off

Wait- if you don't think it sounds like nothing but a strato ripoff, do the two negatives in that sentence cancel out? Does that mean he likes the album after all?

[lalodrums2]

yeah but no one from the band is answering strange isn't it?

[Star_Ocean]

For the first time in my life, I feel mentally superior to Stratovarius (my heroes growing up).

Except Kotipelto. I don't think it's even possible to be superior to Kotipelto.

[lalodrums2]

For the first time in my life, I feel mentally superior to Stratovarius (my heroes growing up).

Except Kotipelto. I don't think it's even possible to be superior to Kotipelto.

sadly...

we need an answer for this from Jensi

[Aldaron]

"Will Tolkki ever do anything with Stratovarius again?" is a question you're not likely to get answered and for many good reasons. Chiefly, anything said by the Strato members, either yea, nay, or maybe, will fuel speculation all over again. The band, and TT, have just gone through a huge state of flux and a serious crisis of credibility and even entertaining such an idea now would jeopardize the repair of their reputations.

Secondly, the band has begun to make strong progress establishing their own identity as a band and letting TT anywhere near them would totally undo that progress.

With the release of Polaris and the subsequent tour, Strato is rebuilding their reputation both musically and, in a way, as individuals, so doing anything at all with TT right now, or even talking about it, would put a serious snag on that progress. It is way too soon to even think about working with him again, much less talk about it. I think that subject has to be dropped for now.

[rikkertje]

I 100% agree Aldaron!

[lalodrums2]

I think you guys are right, maybe I'm overthinking this.

It's just that there's no sense to me at all these fights by internet (forums) between TT and JJ, sometimes I just feel like this is something to get attention again (stunt part 2). Like someone said before "why don't they fix their problems alone, without having to say it (interviews) or post it on here (internet)?".

I guess all I can have now is faith in this new stratovarius. I love this band so much that I would not resist another marketing thing. I'm sorry for being so stubborn, but sometimes I get very dazed and confused.

Stratovarius, higher you'll go!

To JJ, TK, LP, JM, MK. My favorite band ever.

Peace out,

Eduardo.

[fernandotcl]

I think we as a community don't know when to STFU either.

[Iou1Soul]

For the love of God, this matter HAS to be laid to rest. The dead horse has been flogged enough. Everyone seems o be searching for a comfy little conclusion, but it will never happen.

I love Stratovarius. I don't like RR, but that's not because I think it;s bad, it just not my cup of tea.

However, I have no real problem with Tolkki. As a bipolar sufferer, it is comforting to know that there are more of us out there.

God bless Tolkki, Kotipelto, Johansson, Micheal, Kupiainen and Porra. God bless Strato. God bless RR.

None of this trivial bullshit as to who is to blame. It's irrelevant and it is slightly annoying.

[hiro23]

I'm sure there will be an end to it,however it's debatable as to how long it's going to take.

[JensJohansson]

For the love of God, this matter HAS to be laid to rest.

It is at rest. As for me I'm as usual just pretty much happy I am involved in making music. End of story.

[Ragehead91]

For the love of God, this matter HAS to be laid to rest.

It is at rest. As for me I'm as usual just pretty much happy I am involved in making music. End of story.

Well, it seems that certain other people haven't laid it to rest yet. Or rather love to bring it up whenever they can.