Stratovarius , considered the "gods of melodic metal," will be back in Brazil, this time to open the special 30th-anniversary edition of Monsters of Rock . The band, which has been on the road for almost 40 years, has remained at the top of melodic metal thanks to its constant evolution. In 2022, they released their most recent album, Survive , a powerful and epic work that brought positive innovations to the group's sound.
Formed in Helsinki, Finland, the band has gone through several lineup changes. Today, it consists of Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards), Matias Kupiainen (guitar), Lauri Porra (bass), and Rolf Pilve (drums).
Timo and Jens, who were very friendly, gave an interview to Wikimetal to talk about their plans, the new album and, of course, their participation in the eighth Monsters of Rock, which will take place on April 19, 2025 .
The festival will also feature hard rock and heavy metal legends Scorpions, Judas Priest, Europe, Savatage, Quensrÿche, Opeth and, of course, Stratovarius , who will take turns on the Allianz Parque stage in São Paulo to celebrate 30 years of Monsters of Rock in Brazil. A historic edition, produced by Mercury Concerts .
Check out the full interview with Stratovarius:
Timo Kotipelto and Jens Johansson talk about the post-lockdown period.
WIKIMETAL: Hello!
STRATOVARIUS (Timo Kotipelto and Jens Johansson): Hello! Good to see you.
WM: It's an honor to interview you.
STRATOVARIUS: Oh, thank you!
WM: After the pandemic and with the return of major festivals, you've been consistently booked as main headliners. Did the lockdown have any influence on this new demand and energy that the band has been showing live?
ST: Yes, we've noticed that in recent years, especially after COVID. I don't know if "demand" is the right word, but we've been getting more and more invitations and more people coming to our shows. Maybe it's because we released an album that we really like, Survive . But honestly, it's just fun playing live. We have so many songs to choose from and we can always change the setlist a bit. The last few years of shows have been very enjoyable.
Stratovarius and Brazil: A long-standing partnership
WM: Stratovarius is one of the bands that has come to Brazil the most since the beginning of their career. In fact, the Brazilian audience packed your last show in São Paulo in 2023, on the Sunset stage at the current Bangers Open Air festival. How do you feel about returning to a big festival like Monsters Of Rock in Brazil?
TK: It's fantastic! I mean, I've been hearing about this festival for as long as I can remember. It's an honor and it must be a lot of fun. Yes, we've always come to Brazil, and I think there's that meme where people comment on social media "Come to Brazil!". But Stratovarius is really coming! Monsters of Rock must be really cool. We played at Summer Breeze* (now called Bangers Open Air) last year, and people say that Monsters of Rock is even more metal than the previous one, which is a more general festival. So, it's going to be incredible.
JJ: I totally agree! When people talk about bands like Iron Maiden playing in Brazil at Monsters of Rock, and we watch those legendary videos, it's like, "Wow, I'd love to experience that at least once in my life." And now, it's happening for you guys!
TK : Exactly! It's going to be great.
Evolution and shows
WM: Having followed the band since 1999, I've had the honor of attending several shows over these three decades. Furthermore, I've clearly seen the band's evolution and synergy. For example, your show in 2000, right at the peak of your success here in Brazil, and then in 2011 when you played with Helloween—promoting the album Elysium ! And then came the 2023 festival in São Paulo. It's important to note how your audience just keeps growing; it's incredible, becoming more and more dedicated over the years, and it's exciting to see this happening with a band like Stratovarius.
ST: That's great! Thank you for your support. We really appreciate it.
WM: From this point on, what is your relationship with Brazil and the Brazilian audience, considering that you are gaining more and more fans here?
ST: Yes, we were one of the first European metal bands to tour Brazil, I think around 1997. At that time, few bands toured here, and we played five shows on that first visit. Perhaps that helped create a strong bond with Brazilian fans from early on, and we've continued to return ever since. Brazil is an important country for us, not only because of the number of shows, but also because we have great friends here. It's always a pleasure to come back.
The road so far
WM: What's the secret to staying at the top for so long, and still delivering impressive performances?
ST: Well, I think part of it comes from the lineup changes; the newer members bring a lot of energy. But we still play the old songs with passion. We try to be honest with what we do—we write the kind of music we love and hope people will enjoy it. Personally, singing live is much more fun than recording in the studio because you see the audience's reaction, you hear everyone singing along, you feel that energy. It's a mutual exchange, and that makes playing live something very special.
It's still a lot of fun. In fact, I'd say it's even more fun now than it was 10 years ago. When it stops being fun, that'll be the sign I'm ready to stop. But for now, I'm enjoying it a lot.
New releases and plans for the future.
WM: The 2022 album Survive was very well received in Brazil. Why did you decide to release two EPs in 2024 instead of a full album? Does it have to do with your tour schedule?
ST: Not exactly. The gap between Survive and the previous album was seven years. Writing and finishing a full album takes time, mainly because each of us lives in a different country and we have busy schedules. The EPs were more of a way to keep things moving. The record label put together some digital singles of unreleased material and other older tracks that they liked. Basically, we told them, “Surprise us!” It’s just a way to keep the audience engaged.
WM: How do you deal with the pressure of constantly releasing new material, considering the fast pace of the music industry today?
ST: We don't feel that pressure much. If there is any pressure, it's more related to planning tours and live performances. We only release new material when we feel ready. The record label, of course, would love an album a year, but we decided that we won't release anything unless we truly believe in its quality. That's why Survive took seven years—we spent months composing and ensuring it would be to our liking. The same will happen with our next album. It won't be released this year and maybe not next year either, but it has to be great. Otherwise, it's not worth it.
Kotipelto and Jens: On the new generation of fans
WM: At your last show in São Paulo, it was very noticeable how a new generation of fans came together—young people, families, even children accompanying their parents. How does it feel to see this growth in audience, crossing generations?
ST: It's incredible! We don't always realize it because of the stage lights, but sometimes we're surprised by the number of people in the audience. It's great to see younger fans enjoying our music, and we hope that continues to happen.
WM: Do you prefer playing at large festivals or smaller, more intimate venues?
ST: Each has its advantages. Festivals are great for reaching new audiences and sharing the stage with other bands. But in smaller venues, the energy is very intense—you're really close to the fans, and that's a lot of fun. Honestly, I love both experiences.
A message for the Monster of Rock audience.
WM: Can you give us a hint about what the setlist will be like for the April show at 'Monsters Of Rock' in Brazil?
ST: To be honest, we haven't decided yet. We have two more shows in Finland as part of our tour with Sonata Arctica, and then a show in Denmark before flying straight to Brazil. We don't even know how long we'll play at Monsters of Rock—whether it'll be 30 or 45 minutes—that'll affect the setlist. But who knows? Maybe Black Diamond will be there, if Jens agrees to play! (laughs)
WM: Do you have any message for your Brazilian fans before Monsters of Rock?
ST: Yes! We're opening the day, so arrive early! Let's have a great power metal party together!
WM: Thank you so much! It was an honor to interview you. See you at the show!
ST: Thank you! See you in Brazil!
Meanwhile, check out the music video for the classic "Hunting High And Low" on the band's official YouTube channel
Service – Monsters of Rock 30 years
Confirmed Attractions: Scorpions, Judas Priest, Europe, Savatage, Queensryche, Opeth and Stratovarius
City : São Paulo
Date : April 19, 2025 (Saturday)
Venue : Allianz Parque – Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, 1705 – Água Branca – SP
Doors : 10:00 AM – Shows start: 11:45 AM
Tickets : Eventim
READ ALSO: 30 years of Monsters of Rock: Remember the previous editions of the festival
