Timo Kotipelto
![]() | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (July 2014) |
Timo Kotipelto | |
---|---|
![]() Kotipelto at Wacken Open Air, 2016 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Timo Antero Kotipelto |
Born | Lappajärvi, Finland | 15 March 1969
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | SPV GmbH |
Associated acts |
Timo Antero Kotipelto (born 15 March 1969)[1] is a Finnish musician best known as the lead singer of the power metal band Stratovarius, whom he joined in 1994, as well as fronting his own band Kotipelto.
Biography[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Timo_Kotipelto_-_Ilosaarirock_2009_2.jpg/200px-Timo_Kotipelto_-_Ilosaarirock_2009_2.jpg)
He studied vocals at the pop/jazz conservatory 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.[2]
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 along with lead vocals with his close friend, ex-Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen and his band Cain's Offering. 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.
Discography[]
With Stratovarius[]
- Fourth Dimension (1995)
- Episode (1996)
- Visions (1997)
- The Past and Now (Compilation, 1997)
- Visions of Europe (Live, 1998)
- Destiny (1998)
- The Chosen Ones (Compilation, 1999)
- Infinite (2000)
- 14 Diamonds (Compilation, 2000)
- Infinite Visions (DVD, 2000)
- Intermission (2001)
- Elements, Pt. 1 (2003)
- Elements, Pt. 2 (2003)
- Stratovarius (2005)
- Black Diamond: The Anthology (Compilation, 2006)
- Revolution Renaissance (Demo, 2008)
- Polaris (2009)
- Polaris live (Live, 2010)
- Elysium (2011)
- Under Flaming Winter Skies – Live in Tampere (DVD, 2012)
- Under Flaming Winter Skies – Live in Tampere (Live, 2012)
- Nemesis (2013)
- Nemesis Days (DVD, 2014)
- Elements Pt. 1 & 2 (Boxset, 2014)
- Eternal (2015)
- Best Of (Compilation, 2016)
- Live At Wacken (Live, 2016)
- Visions Of Destiny (Live, 2016)
- Enigma: Intermission 2 (2018)
Kotipelto[]
- Waiting for the Dawn (2002)
- Coldness (2004)
- Serenity (2007)
With Cain's Offering[]
- Gather the Faithful (2009)
- Stormcrow (2015)
Kotipelto & Liimatainen[]
- Blackoustic (2012)
Guest appearances[]
With Gamma Ray[]
- Time To Break Free Song live (1996)
With Tarot[]
- (1998) – Backing vocals on 'Warhead' and 'Beyond Troy'
With Tunnelvision[]
- (2000) - Backing vocals
Timo Kotipelto and Klaus Flaming[]
- I Wanna Love You Tender (cover of Danny & Army) (2002)
With Warmen[]
- Beyond Abilities (2002) – Vocals on 'Spark' and 'Singer's Chance'
- Accept the Fact (2005) – Vocals on 'Invisible Power' and 'Puppet'
- Japanese Hospitality (2009) – Vocals on 'Eye of the Storm'
With Sonata Arctica[]
- Silence (2001) – Backing vocals and last line on 'False News Travel Fast'
- Stones Grow Her Name (2012) – Backing vocals
With Klamydia[]
- (2003) – Vocals on 'Metanol Man'
With Ayreon[]
- Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator (2000) – Vocals on 'Out of the White Hole (M31 – Planet Y – The Search Continues)'
Monstervision Freakshow[]
- Welcome to Hellsinki (2007)
With Ella Ja Aleksi[]
- Takapihan Tavikset (2009)
With Leningrad Cowboys[]
- I Will Stay (2006)
- Let's Have A Party (2006)
With Amberian Dawn[]
- Circus Black (2012) – Vocals on 'Cold Kiss'
Hevisaurus[]
- Räyhällistä joulua (2011) – Vocals on 'Pieni liekki'
- Bändikouluun (2019) – Vocals on '100'
Soulspell[]
- The Second Big Bang (2017)
- The End You'll Only Know at the End (2017)
- Alexandria (Apocalypse version) (2017)
Solo[]
- Out In The Fields (2009)
- Behind Blue Eyes (2012)
- Supersankarikerho (2013)
- Kuumailmapallo (2013)
- All I Ask Of You (2015)
- Burning Heart (2015)
- Burn (2018)
- I Want It All (2019)
La suma de las partes[]
- Vergel (2020) - Vocal on "Rain In The Ocean"
References[]
- ^ "About me". Kotipelto.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ "Timo Tolkki Discusses Stratovarius 'Publicity Stunt'; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
External links[]
- 1969 births
- Living people
- People from Lappajärvi
- Finnish heavy metal guitarists
- Finnish heavy metal singers
- Stratovarius members
- English-language singers from Finland
- Cain's Offering members