Hymn to Life (album)
Encyclopedia
Hymn to Life is the second solo album by Timo Tolkki
. Unlike the first one, Classical Variations and Themes
, Hymn to Life does not present Tolkki as a fast and classical heavy metal
guitarist, but as a diverse songwriter. The album deals with Tolkki's personal beliefs and thoughts about life and encourages the listener to believe in him/herself. Despite some song names, Tolkki uses strong criticism against religions.
Musically the album is for most parts anything but metal. Tolkki added a lot of different influences; pop
, rock
and classical
. The song "Father", which is Tolkki's expression about his late father, also has doom metal
elements in it. Perhaps due to its very non-Stratovarius
style, the album did not have a very cheerful welcome from the metal audience. On the other hand, the album was never meant to be metal, but a solo album free of the style of Stratovarius.
Guest vocal appearances on the album are Michael Kiske
on the track "Key to the Universe" and Sharon den Adel
on "Are You the One?".
Produced and mixed by Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
. Unlike the first one, Classical Variations and Themes
Classical Variations and Themes
Classical Variations and Themes is the first studio album by former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki, released in October 1994 through Goldenworks Ky and Victor Entertainment .-Background:...
, Hymn to Life does not present Tolkki as a fast and classical heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarist, but as a diverse songwriter. The album deals with Tolkki's personal beliefs and thoughts about life and encourages the listener to believe in him/herself. Despite some song names, Tolkki uses strong criticism against religions.
Musically the album is for most parts anything but metal. Tolkki added a lot of different influences; pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
. The song "Father", which is Tolkki's expression about his late father, also has doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
elements in it. Perhaps due to its very non-Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
style, the album did not have a very cheerful welcome from the metal audience. On the other hand, the album was never meant to be metal, but a solo album free of the style of Stratovarius.
Guest vocal appearances on the album are Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske
Michael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
on the track "Key to the Universe" and Sharon den Adel
Sharon den Adel
Sharon Janny den Adel is a Dutch singer and composer, best known as the lead vocalist and one of the main songwriters in the Dutch symphonic metal/rock band Within Temptation...
on "Are You the One?".
Track listing
- "Primal (intro)"
- "Key to the Universe"
- "Now I Understand"
- "Divine"
- "Little Boy I Miss You"
- "I Believe"
- "Are You the One?"
- "Father"
- "Fresh Blue Waters"
- "Dear God"
- "It's Xmas Morning"
- "Hymn to life"
Credits
- Timo TolkkiTimo TolkkiTimo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
- guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards - Anssi Nykänen - drums
- Mika Ervaskari - piano, keyboards
- Michael Kiske Michael KiskeMichael Kiske is a singer best known as the lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween, from 1986 to 1993. From 1996 up to 2009, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, while he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist...
- vocals on track 2 - Sharon den AdelSharon den AdelSharon Janny den Adel is a Dutch singer and composer, best known as the lead vocalist and one of the main songwriters in the Dutch symphonic metal/rock band Within Temptation...
- vocals on track 7
Produced and mixed by Timo Tolkki