Former STRATOVARIUS vocalist Timo Kotipelto has posted the following message on his web site regarding his departure from the group:

"Maybe you have seen in it on the STRATOVARIUS homepage (or read it somewhere else), that [drummer] Jörg [Michael] and I are no longer members of the band. That is unfortunately true.

"I (might) give my comment about it later. At the moment I don't have enough energy for that.

"I want to sincerely thank all the people who bought those STRATOVARIUS albums (and my own 'Waiting for the Dawn') that I am on.

"Also a big THANK YOU for the excellent and memorable live experiences I've had a chance to share with you! I will never forget those. A hello to all those cool people I have met during these years!

"At the moment I am concentrating only on my new album. I thank everybody for those posts on my guestbook. I am sorry but I don't have enough time to reply them all. But I DO read them all!

"Thank you for your support!

"Rock on!

"Timo Kotipelto"

Band profile:

Stratovarius