STRATOVARIUS mainman/guitarist Timo Tolkki has issued the following update:

"[My new solo album] 'Saana - Warrior of Light' is a work in progress.

"[For the past] two years I have had this idea in my head and it won't leave me be. It will be a rock opera, but not in a sense that many of the records using 'rock or metal opera' are. All the singers in this are carefully chosen and I have been auditioning singers already six months. So it's not just that I invite some famous names to sing something. The character that sings the part really has to fit and feel the meaning of the music and lyrics. I have spent quite some time with the top candidates to get to know them personally. This is very important when I will write the music. And I prefer them to be new talents.

"During Christmas I have been writing the story and it just pours out of me. I am writing it in Finnish, but I will translate it in English after it's ready. I have been negotiating with several record companies about this release and the interest has been very good. There will be a press release in about a month and a website dedicated for this project. Then the cast will be revealed as well.

"There have been some rumours about Tarja Turunen (ex-NIGHTWISH) playing the main role but those are untrue. Although I first wanted a Finnish person for the main role, the story has evolved so much that it is not necessary anymore."

Tolkki and STRATOVARIUS drummer Jörg Michael recently completed the basic demos in Germany for the band's new album (whose title consists of two separate words that both start with "R"). The actual album recordings are expected to begin on February 25, 2007 at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland for a tentative late 2007/early 2008 release.

STRATOVARIUS' latest, self-titled effort was released in the U.S. in September 2005 via Sanctuary. A video for the album's first single, "Maniac Dance", was shot in April 2005 in Helsinki by director and Tolkki's old schoolmate Antti Jokinen (BEYONCÉ, WYCLEF JEAN, KORN, MISSY ELLIOT, NIGHTWISH, SHANIA TWAIN, CELINE DION).

Tolkki is currently producing the debut album from the Madrid, Spain-based metal band INFERNOISE. The CD was recorded in Madrid and will mixed at Sonic Pump.

This will bomb.

I wouldn't assume that yet. The fact that he's auditioning unknown vocalists is intriguing enough. Having a wide variety of singers to write for could bring something more interesting and creative out of him than we've seen in recent years.

STRATOVARIUS guitarist TIMO TOLKKI has inked a deal with Frontiers Records for his classic rock-opera project, "Saana - Warrior of Light".

According to a press release, "Saana - Warrior of Light" will feature "seven characters and numerous musicians (including Tolkki himself) who will collaborate in this ambitious project. The result is a unique sound, unlike anything ever heard before… from soaring majestic heights to soft and gentle moments and everything in between. It also tells a very dramatic tale.

"'Saana - Warrior of Light' is the story of a woman who makes an unforgettable journey that changes her life and view of the universe forever. On her journey, she will discover the biggest secret of mankind… and her own destiny."

"Warrior of Light" introduces 29-year-old Jennifer Sowle from the USA as Saana, the main character. She is a classically trained opera singer with a master's degree in music.

"Saana - Warrior of Light" will be released in the fall.

Here's an update:

For more information, visit www.saana-warrioroflight.com.

Here's an update:

For more information, visit www.saana-warrioroflight.com.

Lame.

Bah I liked the pre-hype site with the nice logo and the pic of the gal ..And whose introduction let me thinking of the new Nightwish singer Maybe not though.. or who knows?

Right there is the problem. I can't stand chick fronted bands and he's gonna have a chick sing on every song? Pass.

The last round of casting for the characters of Saana is on its way. It means I have to do some travelling in the next weeks to come. Still writing the story too. All I can say that what I am doing has never been done before in music and in lyrics. I could easily write 20 Stratovarius styled songs and invite some known guests and call that "rock opera". But I don´t wanna do anything like that. Saana will be something totally different, both musically and lyrically. I call this a Classic Rock Opera and you will know why. To me this is like a film turned to music. And maybe one day, someone makes a film about this. The story would fit....perfectly.
I was in touch with ex Strato, current Mess bass player JARI KAINULAINEN and asked him to play the bass on this one and he said sure. I am happy because he is one of the best bassplayers in the world.
And somewhere in between all travelling, I´m gonna spend time in Venice Italy in producing a new VISION DIVINE album called "25th hour".


www.myspace.com/ttolkki

Here's another update:

He seems "pretty" confident about this project.

TIMO TOLKKI ANNOUNCES THE SECOND VOCALIST FOR HIS UPCOMING ROCK OPERA “SAANA – WARRIOR OF LIGHT”

After choosing classically trained American coloratura soprano Jennifer Sowle to sing the leading character in his Classic Rock Opera, Timo Tolkki chose the second singer for his 3rd solo album. He is Heikki Pöyhiä from the Finnish band TWILIGHTNING.

“I got to know Heikki when I mixed his band’s debut album and I really loved his versatile vocals immediately”, says Tolkki. “I also saw him live and he was just as good. He has a very powerful voice, but he can also sing very softly when needed. His character, like all the characters on this album, is very challenging for the singer, since they each portray a lot of different human feelings”.

Tolkki continues: “This project will challenge the form and content of “rock opera”! My aim has been to create something totally new and yet maintain the best parts from traditional rock opera and opera. I did not want to just compose 10 songs, come up with some quick story and invite 7 famous metal singers and call that a “rock opera”. I have spent a lot of time choosing the vocalists and that has been a very difficult job, because each and every one of them is unique, although they are not big names. The whole concept is quite unique. More about that later”.

The release date of SAANA-WARRIOR OF LIGHT will be in early 2008 on Frontiers Records and will contain exclusive bonus DVD with videos, interviews and lot of extras.

Timo Tolkki is still searching for vocalists for both SAANA and for other projects his production company Goldenworks is preparing. Anything from opera to pop to whatever is welcomed. If you are interested and you think you’ve got what it takes, then send two mp3s, two photos (including one full body) and a little bio about yourself to: goldenworks@elisanet.fi

I'm a huge fan of Twilightning (minus their most recent crap bomb).