STRATOVARIUS Founding Member Tuomo Lassila Confirmed For New Metal Opera From
TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON Tuomo Lassila, founding member of Finnish power metal band
STRATOVARIUS, will join his old bandmate Timo Tolkki for the recording of the drums and percussion parts on the second metal opera from
TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON, due for release on Frontiers Records in 2014.
Lassila founded Stratovarius and came up with the name of the band in 1984, so next year marks the band's 30th anniversary. Tuomo Lassila's drumming style is world famous from the first Stratovarius albums such as Dreamspace and Fourth Dimension, and his versatility as a drummer will bring to the record a great flavor of world class drumming. Lassila currently plays percussion in the Symphony Orchestra of the city of Lohja in Finland.
Timo Tolkki states: "I am extremely happy to have Tuomo on board for this album and look forward to the contributions he will give to the music".
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, with some interesting twists and surprises. It will surely guarantee another masterpiece from one of the forefathers of symphonic melodic power metal.
Simone Simons of EPICA was previously confirmed for the new album. Click her picture here for more info. She is one of the leading ladies in the female voices category in the world, however she is not singing the main role on Avalon II, which is a working title for the album. The final name will be revealed later.
To date,
Timo Tolkki has sold over 2 million records in his career, has won a Finnish Grammy and has been chosen by the readers of the American Guitar World magazine to TOP 100 as “the Fastest Guitar Player in the World” and “the Most influential Metal Guitar Player in the World”. He has released 20 albums in his career and toured the world for over 3000 shows in 52 countries.