Kotipelto Bio

Magnificent, compelling, the voice of Timo Kotipelto is one that commands the listener's attention and through the last decade his voice has captivated audiences worldwide. Fans who have listened in adoration to the now classic sound of Stratovarius are sure to rally around his second solo recording, Coldness, which continues the sound and legacy of the now dissolved premier power metal band. Without equal Kotipelto's voice has inspired audiences with its purity, intensity and breathtaking delivery.
A prominent member of Finland's premier power metal band, Kotipelto joined Stratovarius in 1996 after five years of intense training at Helsinki's renowned Academy of Music. Wanting to express his own vision, he began recording his first solo record, 2001's Waiting For The Dawn, in his downtime between Stratovarius records. Putting together an unmatched cast of musicians the KOTIPELTO albums are a testament to the vocalist's masterful song-writing. Within Coldness' tracks can again be found inspired performances by the world's finest power/progressive musicians - guitar virtuoso Mike Romeo (Symphony X), keyboardist Janne Wirman (Children Of Bodom, Warmen), drummer Mirka Rantanen (Thunderstone, Tunnelvision, Warmen), bassist Jari Kainulainen (Stratovarius), as well as axeman Juhani Malmberg (Tunnelvision) and guest lead guitarist Antti Wirman (Warman, Craydawn).
Like the sweeping winds that herald a tremendous thunderstorm "Seeds Of Sorrow" opens the disc with its dynamic thunder. Classic metal song structures form a solid foundation from which the ever-talented musicians are able to springboard. Kotipelto's vocal harmonies, and ascending range complement guitarists Romeo and Rantanen skilled untiring rhythms and flawless melodic solos. Like sunshine Wirman's keyboards break through the unrelenting torrential musical deluge at the end of "Around," reminiscent of fellow Finn's Nightwish. "Can You Hear The Sound," an epic mid-tempo-ed song, is fraught with tension and Kainulainen's bass lines excite those listening to the multi-layered musicality. Never does Coldness fail to electrify.
Engineered by Janne Wirman at Beyond Abilities Studios (Children Of Bodom, Warmen) and by Tero Kostermaa (Thunderstone, Throes of Dawn) at High and Loud's ELK-Studios, as well as Helsinki's famous Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Sentenced, Children Of Bodom) where the album was mixed by Mikko Karmila (Amorphis, Avantasia) and mastered by Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Eternal Tears of Sorrow). The production came together to give this album unrivaled clarity and depth. With passion and conviction, majestic vocals, melodic heavy guitars and exhilarating keyboards, Coldness is an album sure to please any Timo Kotipelto/Stratovarius fan.