Tuomo Lassila, the founder of the legendary Finnish power metal band STRATOVARIUS, will join his old bandmate Timo Tolkki for the recording of the drums and percussion parts on the second album of TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON metal opera, due for release on Frontiers Records in 2014.

Tuomo formed STRATOVARIUS and came up with the name of the band in 1984, so next year marks the band's 30th anniversary.

Lassila's drumming style was featured on the early STRATOVARIUS albums like "Dreamspace" and "Fourth Dimension" and his versatility as a musician will bring to the record a great flavor of world-class drumming.

Tuomo currently plays percussion in the Symphony Orchestra of the city of Lohja in Finland.

Tolkki said: "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 web site at this location.

The entire cast of musicians will be revealed one by one in separate video blogs. Fans will be able to interact and take part to different phases of the production through the web site and in the social media pages.

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.

The first singer from the cast is Simone Simons of EPICA. 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.

Finnish composer/producer and guitar player Timo Tolkki has set "Angels Of The Apocalypse" as tht title of the follow-up to TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's debut album, "The Land Of New Hope". Due in May via Frontiers Records, the CD will feature guest appearances by the following singers:

* Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP, AFTER FOREVER)
* Simone Simons (EPICA)
* Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA)
* David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE)
* Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE)
* Caterina Nix

Other musicians which will appear on the album include two other former members of STRATOVARIUS: Tuomo Lassila (STRATOVARIUS' founder) on drums and Antti Ikonen, the original keyboard player of STRATOVARIUS.

Timo Tolkki has also announced a contest for guitar and keyboard players. Now you have the chance to play a solo with Timo Tolkki in one song of the album. Please send one MP3 that contains your solo playing to this email address: solos@tolkki.org. The winner will receive a backing track and will play his/her solos to this. The MP3s for the contest have to be received no later than February 16 to be considered.

Frontiers Records will release TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON's sophomore album, "Angels of the Apocalypse" on May 16 in Europe and May 20 in North America.

Following the release of the debut album "The Land of New Hope", the "Metal Opera" was met with critical and fan acclaim, entering the national album charts in seven European countries, including a Top 10 entry in Tolkki's home country, Finland. In August 2013, Tolkki flew to Greece to seek the right inspiration for the follow-up album and upon his return he managed to develop a sound that is even more grandiose and symphonic and yet heavier and darker in direction as compared to the debut album.

"In August 2012, I planned to release a Metal Opera that had to be a trilogy," says Tolkki.

"I am following a specific storyboard in a musical format and this time the musical direction is heavier and darker than the previous AVALON. This was deliberate since the Apocalyptic scenes described in the lyrics demanded that".

As for the players on the album, Tolkki finally managed to reunite the legendary STRATOVARIUS "Dreamspace" lineup, calling Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila to play keyboards and drums respectively. "It was really nice and brought good vibes and freshness to the album," says Timo. "Definitely the right move."

The amazing cast of vocalists appearing this time includes NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen — who takes care of the lead vocals on the first single, "Design The Century" — along with Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex-SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE), plus Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) — who appears again after contributing to the first album — and the stunning Chilean singer Caterina Nix, who is working on her debut album, which is also produced by Tolkki.

Il a formé CHAOS MAGIC avec la chanteuse chilienne Caterina Nix (Timo Tolkki's Avalon).

CHAOS MAGIC sortira son premier album "Chaos Magic" le 03 juillet via Frontiers Music.

TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON sortira le vendredi 14 juin 2019 son nouvel album Return To Eden via le label FRONTIERS RECORDS

TRACK LISTING
01. Enlighten, 02. Promises, 03. Return To Eden, 04. Hear My Call, 05. Now and Forever, 06. Miles Away, 07. Limits, 08. We Are The Ones, 09. Godsend, 10. Give Me Hope, 11. Wasted Dreams, 12. Guiding Star

FORMATION
Timo Tolkki: guitare, basse, claviers
Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering): chant (invité)
Eduard Hovinga (Elegy): chant (invité)
Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania): chant (invité)
Todd Michael Hall (Riot V): chant (invité)
Zachary Stevens (Savatage): chant (invité)

INFINITE VISIONS, the new band formed by ex-STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki, has announced that Timo's longtime STRATOVARIUS bandmate Jari Kainulainen has joined the lineup as bassist.

Timo states: "I would like to welcome my old friend Jari Kainulainen to INFINITE VISIONS. Having played and toured with him makes me really happy and lucky. Jari Kainulainen is the best bass player in the world for me. I cannot wait for the tours!"

Jari was in STRATOVARIUS from 1993 through 2005, recording and touring behind such classic albums as "Episode", "Visions", "Infinite" and "Elements". Jari is also the bassist of MASTERPLAN.

The INFINITE VISIONS lineup is rounded out by Timo on guitar, Jorge Segersbol (ANCESTRAL DAWN) on vocals and Jimmy Pitts (ETERNITY'S END) on keyboards, with the drummer to be revealed early next month. The band is currently in the midst of recording a five-song demo to be presented to labels worldwide.

The debut album by INFINITE VISIONS will be titled "Union Magnetica" and feature 10 songs, including "Voice Of Tomorrow", "You Rock My World", "Sonata Black", "Dangerous" and "Infinite Visions". The disc will be recorded at the end of 2020, with plans to tour for the album when it is released next year, and to perform at festivals as well in 2021.