Stratovarius: Kotipelto talks about the band split at new interview
Added Tuesday, March 16, 2004 From Lords Of Metal metal E-zine: "The recent split between singer Timo Kotipelto and Timo Tolkki’s Stratovarius was the result of years of alcoholabuse and non-communication. The previously booked concerts might be cancelled after the disastrous Piornorock performance. This was revealed by singer Timo Kotipelto in a recent chat with Lords Of Metal. 'It lies in the Finnish mentality not to openly talk about problems', says Kotipelto. That is what ultimately ended Stratovarius. 'For all those years we never spoke about our problems but kept them to ourselves, which allowed trouble to build them up.' The first problems started arising during the ‘Destiny’-tour when the guitarist Timo Tolkki started drinking heavily. During the following years to problems became worse and worse when little annoyances and Tolkki’s persistence in keeping Kotipelto out of the creative process. 'Everybody could see the split coming from miles away. That is why the band choose not to support the ‘Elements Pt 2’-album with a tour and decided to take a break. Well, we sure managed to do that', Kotipelto adds rather cynically. The alcohol-abuse of various bandmembers contributed to the explosive situation within Stratovarius. Concerts where Timo Tolkki would be drunk on stage, such as the recent Piornorock in Spain, complicated matters. The fistfight that eventually ended the co-operation between Tolki and Kotipelto was shrouded in an alcoholic haze. 'I do not remember anything of that night', says Kotipelto. After the disastrous performance at Piornorock, guitarist Timo Tolkki is considering to abandon the remaining festivaldates in the old line-up. 'I personally would not mind if those concerts got cancelled', Kotipelto concluded."
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