STRATOVARIUS Bassist Mourns Passing Of Finnish Pop Music Legend

November 25, 2006

STRATOVARIUS bassist Lauri Porra has issued the following message:

"Yesterday Juice Leskinen, one of the great figures in Finnish popular music, passed away. I had the honour to work with him on the album 'Senaattori ja Boheemi' (2004),which was his last studio album. I also played a small tour with him and Mikko Alatalo, which is documented on a live double album and DVD called 'Klassikoiden Ilta' (2005). He was always very kind to me, always very cheerful and witty. I am truly honoured to have had the opportunity to have known and worked with him. A true legend whose work will live among us Finns forever. Godspeed Juice!"

STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki (guitar) and drummer Jörg Michael recently completed the basic demos in Germany for the band's new album (whose title consists of two separate words that both start with "R"). The actual album recordings are expected to begin in February for a tentative late 2007/early 2008 release.

STRATOVARIUS' latest, self-titled effort was released in the U.S. in September 2005 via Sanctuary. A video for the album's first single, "Maniac Dance", was shot in April 2005 in Helsinki by director and Tolkki's old schoolmate Antti Jokinen (BEYONCÉ, WYCLEF JEAN, KORN, MISSY ELLIOT, NIGHTWISH, SHANIA TWAIN, CELINE DION).

As previously reported, Tolkki will produce the debut album from the Madrid, Spain-based metal band INFERNOISE between November and January 2007. The CD will be recorded in Madrid and mixed at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

For more information on INFERNOISE, click here.

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