Congrats to Mike (my keyboard tech) for the upcoming gig:
Former
STRATOVARIUS mainman
Timo Tolkki has enlisted keyboardist
Mike Khalilov for his new
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE band. "[
Mike] was born in the city of Baku on May 7th, 1986," says
Timo. "Currently living in New York,
Mike has been playing classical piano for nearly 12 years. He picked up keyboards when first hearing
Jens Johansson ripping it up on an
YNGWIE record back when he was about 14 years old. His favourite composers are
Mozart,
Haydn,
Bach, and
Beethoven. Favourite bands include
STRATOVARIUS (of course),
CHILDREN OF BODOM,
SKYFIRE,
SONATA ARCTICA, and
FIREWIND.
Mike is a great keyboard player full of enthusiasm and with a great sense of humor. His classical influences are a welcomed addition to his capabilities and will surely add a lot to the sound of
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE."
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE will release its debut album,
"New Era", on June 6 via
Frontiers Records. According to a press release, the CD "is a masterpiece of melodic power metal, taking the listener straight back to the
'Visions'-era
STRATOVARIUS. In fact,
'New Era' is the album that was meant to be the next
STRATOVARIUS album.
"
Timo called a few friends for the recording sessions and the album features all the lead vocals from such legends as
Michael Kiske [
HELLOWEEN] and
Tobias Sammet [
EDGUY,
AVANTASIA], along with
Timo's blistering lead guitar lines and melodic power metal anthems that made him one of the pioneers of the style and trademark performers of the style.
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE witnesses a rebirth, a new era for
Timo Tolkki and his music."
Other musicians that reportedly appear on
"New Era" include
Pasi Rantanen (vocals;
THUNDERSTONE),
Mirka Rantanen (drums;
THUNDERSTONE) and
Pasi Heikkilä (bass;
45 DEGREE WOMAN).
"Revolution Renaissance" track listing (singer of each song listed next to its title):
01.
Heroes (Sammet)
02.
I Did It My Way (Kiske)
03.
We Are Magic (Rantanen)
04.
Angel (Kiske)
05.
Eden Is Burning (Rantanen)
06.
Glorious And Divine (Sammet)
07.
Born Upon The Cross (Rantanen)
08.
Keep The Flame Alive (Kiske)
09.
Last Night On Earth (Kiske)
10.
Revolution Renaissance (Kiske)
Download an MP3 of the song
"Last Night On Earth" at the
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE MySpace page.
Check out more audio samples at
this location.