STRATOVARIUS announce their new album "POLARIS"
Stratovarius will release their brand new studio album, Polaris, on May 21st, 2009. This new album will see a worldwide release by the band's new label partner edel under the new imprint earMUSIC outside of Asia, and the band's long time label partner for Asia, JVC.
Jens Johansson states, "We are very happy to have found strong label partners for the future of Stratovarius who truly believe in the band and are as enthusiastic as we are. I can't wait to hit the road again and meet all fans who supported us through all our good and bad times."
Max Vaccaro, of earMUSIC / edel adds: "We are very honoured to welcome Stratovarius in our family; 'Polaris' is in fact a special album for edel. Like for Stratovarius, it's a sort of new start, we are in fact entering a new exciting chapter in our lives, the launch of a the new label earMUSIC, to coincide with the release of this fantastic new album with a renewed line-up and an overwhelming energy. One thing is for sure, Stratovarius fans will agree with us in welcoming the extraordinary talent of the new guitar player Matias Kupiainen and immediately reckon 'Polaris' to be a true Stratovarius classic."
Says Seigo Horiuchi of JVC/Victor Entertainment, Inc., Japan: "We are proud of our long and successful history with this great band and are very excited to be a part of their new beginning."
In September 2008 the band found the freedom to go into seclusion for almost a month in a cottage by the sea in a Finnish forest to relax, laugh, write songs, be creative together, and record. And they found themselves being a band reborn. The result is a melodic, powerful, fresh, tight, and technically elaborate new album. Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. There are 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.
"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios, Helsinki, Finland. It was mixed by the legendary Mikko Karmila, who has a long history with the band.
Vocalist Timo Kotipelto explains, "Polaris is a positive, powerful album that Stratovarius fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts."
The band will support the release of their new studio album with a massive world tour. The tour will start in the UK, followed by European dates.
May 15, 2009: Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England/UK tickets
May 16, 2009: Rock City, Nottingham, England/UK tickets
May 17, 2009: Cathouse, Glasgow, Scotland/UK tickets
May 18, 2009: Islington O2 Academy (aka Carling Academy), London, England/UK tickets
May 19, 2009: Jilly's Rockworld, Manchester, England/UK tickets
May 20, 2009: Button Factory, Dublin, Ireland tickets
May 22, 2009: Wacken Rocks, Kreuth / Aurich, Germany tickets
May 23, 2009: Wacken Rocks, Kreuth / Aurich, Germany tickets
May 24, 2009: Progresja music club, Warsaw, Poland tickets
May 29, 2009: CDK MAI, Moscow, Russia tickets
May 30, 2009: Glavclub, St Petersburg, Russia tickets info
June 21, 2009: HELLFEST, Clisson, France tickets info
July 11, 2009: Masters of Rock, Vizovice, Czech Republic Info/Tickets
July 19, 2009: Pro Rock Festival, Aerodrome "Chajka", Kiev, Ukraine
July 25, 2009: Zwarte Cross Festival, Lichtenvoorde, Holland
September 16, 2009: Nokia Theater, NYC, NY, USA
September 18, 2009: Opera House, Toronto, ON, Canada
September 19, 2009: Imperial de Quebec, Quebec City, Q, Canada
September 20, 2009: Medley, Montreal, QC, Canada
September 21, 2009: Middle East, Boston, Mass, USA
September 23, 2009: Sonar, Baltimore, MD , USA
September 24, 2009: Peabody's, Cleveland, OH , USA
September 25, 2009: Pearl Room, Mokena, IL, USA
September 27, 2009: Garrick Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
September 28, 2009: The Riddell at University, Regina, SK, Canada
September 29, 2009: Warehouse, Calgary, AB, Canada
September 30, 2009: Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB, Canada
October 2, 2009: Plaza Club, Vancouver, BC, Canada
October 3, 2009: Sugar, Victoria, BC, Canada
October 4, 2009: El Corazon, Seattle, WA, USA
October 6, 2009: The Grand Ballroom at the Regency, San Francisco, CA, USA
October 7, 2009: Key Club, Los Angeles, CA, USA
September will see Stratovarius playing live shows in Asia, followed by a full North and South American tour in September/October.
A European headliner tour is scheduled for January 2010.
Stratovarius is:
Timo Kotipelto - vocals
Matias Kupiainen - guitars
Lauri Porra - bass
Jörg Michael - drums
Jens Johansson - keyboards
A division of edel entertainment, earMUSIC represents the work of International Pop and Rock artists such as: Deep Purple, Status Quo, Stratovarius, Nazareth, UB40, Ice Cube, Chris Rea, Christopher Cross, Brett Anderson and many others. Working in conjunction with the edel label earBOOKS (http://www.earbooks.net), earMUSIC presents the work of its artists, by pushing the boundaries of physical formats' brand marketing possibilities, releasing music on CD, earBOOKS, digital, vinyl.
