Timo Kotipelto
Encyclopedia
Timo Antero Kotipelto is the vocalist of the Finnish
power metal
band Stratovarius
and is the creator and vocalist of the power metal
band Kotipelto
. Kotipelto is currently the longest standing member of Stratovarius
, after the departure of Timo Tolkki
.
in Helsinki
, briefly singing for an amateur cover band named Filthy Asses. In summer of 1994, he applied to Stratovarius
, who were looking for a singer at the time, and was accepted. His arrival corresponds closely with the band's rise to international fame. The first album he recorded with the band was Fourth Dimension, in 1995. Stratovarius has then become a top name in the European heavy metal scene, recording seven more albums and performing in numerous notable rock festivals.
In late 2003, Kotipelto split from Stratovarius after intra-band disagreements, notably with guitarist Timo Tolkki
. After much turmoil throughout 2004, he rejoined the band in January 2005, recorded the album Stratovarius
, and performed live on tour that covered North America, South America, Europe and Asia. In 2008 Timo Tolkki made public that he and Timo Kotipelto had arguments but Koltipelto never really left the band and the announcement that he left was part of a big publicity stunt.
In 2002 Kotipelto started his solo project
, called Kotipelto. So far he has released three albums: "Waiting For The Dawn", "Coldness" and the last one, released 20 April 2007, "Serenity".
Aside from Stratovarius and Kotipelto, Timo Kotipelto has also provided additional vocals to Sonata Arctica
's Silence
album, and lead vocals for the song "Out of the White Hole", on Ayreon
's 2000 release Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator
.
Kotipelto also provided vocals for the track "Eye of the Storm" on Warmen
's 2009 album Japanese Hospitality
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
and is the creator and vocalist of the power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Kotipelto
Kotipelto
Kotipelto is a Finnish melodic power metal self-named band by Timo Kotipelto created during a hiatus in activity for power metal band Stratovarius...
. Kotipelto is currently the longest standing member of Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, after the departure of Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
.
Biography
He studied vocals at the pop/jazz conservatoryMusic school
The term music school refers to an educational institution specialized in the study, training and research of music.Different terms refer to this concept such as school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department or conservatory.Music instruction can be provided...
in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, briefly singing for an amateur cover band named Filthy Asses. In summer of 1994, he applied to Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
, who were looking for a singer at the time, and was accepted. His arrival corresponds closely with the band's rise to international fame. The first album he recorded with the band was Fourth Dimension, in 1995. Stratovarius has then become a top name in the European heavy metal scene, recording seven more albums and performing in numerous notable rock festivals.
In late 2003, Kotipelto split from Stratovarius after intra-band disagreements, notably with guitarist Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
. After much turmoil throughout 2004, he rejoined the band in January 2005, recorded the album Stratovarius
Stratovarius (album)
Stratovarius is the self-titled eleventh studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 2005 through Sanctuary Records. It is the last album to feature the band's longest-standing lineup which had been consistent since Episode , as bassist Jari Kainulainen would leave later in...
, and performed live on tour that covered North America, South America, Europe and Asia. In 2008 Timo Tolkki made public that he and Timo Kotipelto had arguments but Koltipelto never really left the band and the announcement that he left was part of a big publicity stunt.
In 2002 Kotipelto started his solo project
Solo project
A solo project usually refers to a single member of a band's work independent of their original group, yet typically without having quit their original group...
, called Kotipelto. So far he has released three albums: "Waiting For The Dawn", "Coldness" and the last one, released 20 April 2007, "Serenity".
Aside from Stratovarius and Kotipelto, Timo Kotipelto has also provided additional vocals to Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
's Silence
Silence (Sonata Arctica album)
Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, who left the band for personal reasons before Winterheart's Guild was recorded, as well as the first to...
album, and lead vocals for the song "Out of the White Hole", on Ayreon
Ayreon
Ayreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
's 2000 release Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator
Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator
Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator is a progressive metal album released in 2000 by Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen, and is the fifth album of his Ayreon project....
.
Kotipelto also provided vocals for the track "Eye of the Storm" on Warmen
Warmen
Warmen is a Finnish metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. Janne has been playing with Children of Bodom since 1997, and on the year of 2000 created a musical project focused on instrumental work, which would only have guest singers on a few selected...
's 2009 album Japanese Hospitality
Japanese Hospitality
"Japanese Hospitality" is the title of the fourth album from Children of Bodom keyboardist Janne Wirman's Warmen project. The album was released August 24 via Spinefarm Records. The album includes two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by Journey, and "Black Cat" by Janet Jackson...
With Stratovarius
- Fourth Dimension (1995)
- EpisodeEpisode (album)Episode is the fifth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1996 through Noise Records. This is the first recording to feature keyboardist Jens Johansson and drummer Jörg Michael, who would form part of the band's most stable line-up for nine years.-Track...
(1996) - VisionsVisions (Stratovarius album)Visions is the sixth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1997 through Noise Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, background vocals, mastering, production...
(1997) - The Past and NowThe Past And NowThe Past and Now is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. This album was originally released in 1997 as a promotion CD in Japan. The track "Fire Dance Suite" was composed by Stratovarius but was released only in Timo Tolkki's solo album Classical Variations and...
(Compilation, 1997) - Visions of EuropeVisions of EuropeLive Visions of Europe is a live album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. The album was recorded in Italy and Greece during their tour for their album Visions.- Disc 1 : - Disc 2 :-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto - Vocals...
(Live, 1998) - DestinyDestiny (Stratovarius album)Destiny is the seventh studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1998 through Noise Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, engineering, production...
(1998) - The Chosen OnesThe Chosen OnesThe Chosen Ones is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. It is an official compilation album released by Noise Records after Stratovarius changed labels and signed with Nuclear Blast.-Track listing:...
(Compilation, 1999) - InfiniteInfinite (Stratovarius album)Infinite is the eighth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 2000 through Nuclear Blast.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto – vocals*Timo Tolkki – guitar, engineering, production*Jens Johansson – keyboard...
(2000) - 14 Diamonds (Compilation, 2000)
- Infinite VisionsInfinite VisionsInfinite Visions is a live DVD by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. The album isn't technically a live album, but more just a collection of home videos by the band from 1988 to 2000. It chronicles the change of the band through those 12 years, from Fright Night up to Infinite...
(DVD, 2000) - IntermissionIntermission (Stratovarius album)Intermission is a compilation album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. This album is compiled of covers, live and bonus tracks, and four new songs.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Timo Kotipelto - Vocals...
(2001) - Elements, Pt. 1Elements, Pt. 1Elements, Pt. 1 is the ninth album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius.-Track listing:A limited 2cd box was also released through the Stratoshop, and featured the following:-Info:...
(2003) - Elements, Pt. 2Elements, Pt. 2A limited 2 cd box set was released through Stratoshop and featured the following:LP track listing is as follows:SIDE A:SIDE B:-Personnel:* Timo Kotipelto - Vocals* Timo Tolkki - Guitar* Jari Kainulainen - Bass* Jens Johansson - Keyboards...
(2003) - StratovariusStratovarius (album)Stratovarius is the self-titled eleventh studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 2005 through Sanctuary Records. It is the last album to feature the band's longest-standing lineup which had been consistent since Episode , as bassist Jari Kainulainen would leave later in...
(2005) - Black Diamond: The AnthologyBlack Diamond: The AnthologyBlack Diamond: The Anthology is a compilation album of the group Finland power metal Stratovarius. This disc contains the 30 most famous songs on the group throughout its history.-Track listing:...
(Compilation, 2006) - Revolution Renaissance (2008)
- PolarisPolaris (Stratovarius album)-Japanese track listing:On 7" Vinyl Collector's Edition:- Reception :-2010 Re-Release:On May 21, 2010, Polaris was re-released along with a live album called "Polaris Live" with the following track listing:# Destiny# Hunting High and Low# Speed of Light...
(2009) - ElysiumElysium (Stratovarius album)Elysium is the thirteenth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on January 12, 2011 through Victor Entertainment and on January 14, 2011 through Edel Music .-Background:...
(2011)
Kotipelto
- Waiting For The Dawn (2002)
- ColdnessColdness (album)Coldness is the second album by power metal band Kotipelto, released in 2004 while Stratovarius was in hiatus.- Track listing :All music and lyrics written by Timo Kotipelto# "Seeds of Sorrow" - 4:09# "Reasons" - 3:46# "Around" - 5:24...
(2004) - SerenitySerenity (Kotipelto album)Serenity is the third album by power metal band Kotipelto, released in 2007 while Stratovarius was in hiatus.-Track listing:#"Once upon a Time" - 3:21#"Sleep Well" - 4:16#"Serenity" - 3:32#"City of Mysteries" - 4:20#"King Anti-Midas" - 4:06...
(2007)
With Tarot
- For The Glory Of NothingFor the Glory of NothingFor The Glory Of Nothing is the fifth album by Finnish metal band Tarot, released in 1998 by Blastic Heaven. The album saw the guest musicialship of Timo Kotipelto of Stratovarius, appearing as a backing vocalist on the song "Warhead".-Track listing:...
(1998) - Backing vocals on 'Warhead' and 'Beyond Troy
With Warmen
- Beyond AbilitiesBeyond AbilitiesBeyond Abilities is the second studio album from progressive metal band Warmen. Beyond Abilities includes more tracks with vocals than its predecessor Unknown Soldier. The CDs name and title track, as well as the track Salieri Strikes Back come from the movie Amadeus.-Track listing:# "Beyond...
(2002) - Accept the FactAccept the FactAccept the Fact is the third studio album from power metal band Warmen. Like its predecessor, Beyond Abilities, the CD's name and title track are based on the movie Amadeus...
(2005) - Vocals on 'Invisible Power - Japanese HospitalityJapanese Hospitality"Japanese Hospitality" is the title of the fourth album from Children of Bodom keyboardist Janne Wirman's Warmen project. The album was released August 24 via Spinefarm Records. The album includes two cover versions — "Separate Ways", originally recorded by Journey, and "Black Cat" by Janet Jackson...
(2009) - Vocals on 'Eye Of The Storm
With Sonata Arctica
- SilenceSilence (Sonata Arctica album)Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, who left the band for personal reasons before Winterheart's Guild was recorded, as well as the first to...
(2001) - Backing vocals and last line on 'False News Travel Fast
With Ayreon
- Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the MigratorUniversal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the MigratorUniversal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator is a progressive metal album released in 2000 by Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen, and is the fifth album of his Ayreon project....
(2000) - Vocals on 'Out of the White Hole (M31 - Planet Y - The Search Continues)