Revolution Renaissance
Encyclopedia
Revolution Renaissance was a multinational power metal band founded by guitarist Timo Tolkki
after he left Stratovarius
in 2008. The band released three studio albums before disbanding in 2010.
album was Michael Kiske
, Tobias Sammet
and Pasi Rantanen
on vocals, Pasi Heikkilä on bass, Joonas Puolakka on keyboards, and Mirka Rantanen on drums. Tolkki himself is the only one included in the permanent lineup, which was announced later.
with a permanent lineup. The band said that it was "by far the darkest, heaviest and most symphonic album that Tolkki has ever been involved in.". In October 2009 Timo Tokki announced that both Justin Biggs and Mike Khalilov have left the band due to musical differences.
On November 1, 2009, Blabbermouth.net
reported that Magnus Rosén
(former bass player for HammerFall
) joined Revolution Renaissance.
and Outloud Keyboarder Bob Katsionis was the new Keyboardplayer of the band and that they were currently mixing their third and final album, "Trinity"
, which was released in fall.
On July 28, Tolkki announced the break-up of Revolution Renaissance. He commented by saying:
"Due to my private problems, the lack of interest in Revolution Renaissance, shows by the promoters, and the current situation in the music industry that affects to everything including the production budgets, it has become impossible to continue the band. We have tried to book shows in these last three years, but we haven't been able to do so. A rock band cannot exist without direct contact to its fans. Therefore I have no other choice but to make the decision to stop the band and its activities due to the above-mentioned reasons. The third and final album of the band will be released at the end of September. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all the fans of my music throughout the years. It's been a great journey."
The third Revolution Renaissance album, titled "Trinity"
, was released later in the year through Napalm Records.
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...
after he left 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...
in 2008. The band released three studio albums before disbanding in 2010.
New Era
The studio lineup for the New EraNew Era (album)
New Era is the debut album of Finnish power metal pioneer Timo Tolkki's band, Revolution Renaissance. After Tolkki's split from Stratovarius in 2008 he used what fan's knew the album to be titled R... R.... as the namesake for his new project...
album was 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...
, Tobias Sammet
Tobias Sammet
Tobias Sammet is the vocalist and primary songwriter of the German Power metal band Edguy, as well as the creator of the metal opera Avantasia and a member of the metal project Final Chapter. He also made guest appearances on the Rob Rock album Holy Hell and the metal opera Aina...
and Pasi Rantanen
Pasi Rantanen
Pasi Rantanen is a Finnish singer. Best known for his power metal band Thunderstone, which he was a member of from the band's creation in 2000 until 2007....
on vocals, Pasi Heikkilä on bass, Joonas Puolakka on keyboards, and Mirka Rantanen on drums. Tolkki himself is the only one included in the permanent lineup, which was announced later.
Age of Aquarius
In March 2009, the band released their second album Age of AquariusAge of Aquarius (album)
Age of Aquarius is the second studio album by the Finnish power metal band Revolution Renaissance. It is the first album featuring singer Gus Monsanto, drummer Bruno Agra, bassist Justin Biggs and keyboardist Mike Khalilov. It was released on 25 March 2009 in South-East Asia by JVC/Victor...
with a permanent lineup. The band said that it was "by far the darkest, heaviest and most symphonic album that Tolkki has ever been involved in.". In October 2009 Timo Tokki announced that both Justin Biggs and Mike Khalilov have left the band due to musical differences.
On November 1, 2009, Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
reported that Magnus Rosén
Magnus Rosén
Klas Magnus Rosén is a Swedish musician, born 1963 in Gothenburg, and is best known for being the bassist of the Swedish band HammerFall during the years 1997-2007....
(former bass player for HammerFall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
) joined Revolution Renaissance.
Trinity and breakup
In an interview with the Finnish news website kp24 published on May 10, Timo Tolkki announced that Greek FirewindFirewind
Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
and Outloud Keyboarder Bob Katsionis was the new Keyboardplayer of the band and that they were currently mixing their third and final album, "Trinity"
Trinity (Revolution Renaissance album)
Trinity is the third and final album by Revolution Renaissance, released on September 24, 2010.-Tracklist:#"Marching with the Fools" - 5:07#"Falling to Rise" - 4:12#"A Lot Like Me" - 4:32#"The World Doesn`t Get to Me" - 4:24...
, which was released in fall.
On July 28, Tolkki announced the break-up of Revolution Renaissance. He commented by saying:
"Due to my private problems, the lack of interest in Revolution Renaissance, shows by the promoters, and the current situation in the music industry that affects to everything including the production budgets, it has become impossible to continue the band. We have tried to book shows in these last three years, but we haven't been able to do so. A rock band cannot exist without direct contact to its fans. Therefore I have no other choice but to make the decision to stop the band and its activities due to the above-mentioned reasons. The third and final album of the band will be released at the end of September. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all the fans of my music throughout the years. It's been a great journey."
The third Revolution Renaissance album, titled "Trinity"
Trinity (Revolution Renaissance album)
Trinity is the third and final album by Revolution Renaissance, released on September 24, 2010.-Tracklist:#"Marching with the Fools" - 5:07#"Falling to Rise" - 4:12#"A Lot Like Me" - 4:32#"The World Doesn`t Get to Me" - 4:24...
, was released later in the year through Napalm Records.
Last line-up
- 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 (2008–2010) - Gus Monsanto - vocals (2008–2010)
- Bruno Agra - drums (2008–2010)
- Magnus RosénMagnus RosénKlas Magnus Rosén is a Swedish musician, born 1963 in Gothenburg, and is best known for being the bassist of the Swedish band HammerFall during the years 1997-2007....
- bass (2009–2010) - Bob KatsionisBob KatsionisBabis "Bob" Katsionis , born on February 17, 1977 in Athens, Greece, is the rhythm guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Firewind, Revolution Renaissance and Outloud.-Appearances:...
- Keyboards (2010)
Session members
- Michael KiskeMichael 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 - Tobias SammetTobias SammetTobias Sammet is the vocalist and primary songwriter of the German Power metal band Edguy, as well as the creator of the metal opera Avantasia and a member of the metal project Final Chapter. He also made guest appearances on the Rob Rock album Holy Hell and the metal opera Aina...
- vocals - Pasi RantanenPasi RantanenPasi Rantanen is a Finnish singer. Best known for his power metal band Thunderstone, which he was a member of from the band's creation in 2000 until 2007....
- vocals - Pasi Heikkilä - bass
- Joonas Puolakka - keyboards
- Mirka Rantanen - drums
- Magdalena Lee - vocals (Tears Of Magdalena)
- Iva Gluhak - vocals
Studio Albums
- New EraNew Era (album)New Era is the debut album of Finnish power metal pioneer Timo Tolkki's band, Revolution Renaissance. After Tolkki's split from Stratovarius in 2008 he used what fan's knew the album to be titled R... R.... as the namesake for his new project...
(2008) - Age of AquariusAge of Aquarius (album)Age of Aquarius is the second studio album by the Finnish power metal band Revolution Renaissance. It is the first album featuring singer Gus Monsanto, drummer Bruno Agra, bassist Justin Biggs and keyboardist Mike Khalilov. It was released on 25 March 2009 in South-East Asia by JVC/Victor...
(2009) - TrinityTrinity (Revolution Renaissance album)Trinity is the third and final album by Revolution Renaissance, released on September 24, 2010.-Tracklist:#"Marching with the Fools" - 5:07#"Falling to Rise" - 4:12#"A Lot Like Me" - 4:32#"The World Doesn`t Get to Me" - 4:24...
(2010)