Ex-STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki has issued the following REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE update via his official MySpace page:

"Revolution Renaissance has signed a three album deal with Napalm Records. With their strong promotional capabilities and a separate office in the USA, the band is expecting to get much better exposure than with Age Of Aquarius album and also finally do touring.

On a sadder note the band has also bad news for you. They have parted ways with the bass player Justin Biggs and the keyboard player Michael Khalilov.

During the recordings of Age of Aquarius it became evident to everybody that RR was not the right band for the guys. Justin is more of a trash guy and Mike expected the music to be something totally different. Out of these reasons the decision has been made that it is better to go separate ways. Both are great guys and the remaining members Timo Tolkki, Gus Monsanto and Bruno Agra wish them well and best of luck on their musical endeavours. Check out the new album of Mike's band EMPYREON from iTunes and Justin's band DESCEND.

The remaining members have been writing songs for many months now and you can expect the follow up to Age Of Aquarius some time next year."

As previously reported, BW&BK; recently received the following press release:

Timo Tolkki is one of the most respected guitar players in the heavy rock scene, with sales of 2.5 million records, a Finnish Grammy and three Gold discs with his former band STRATOVARIUS.

In the renowned American Guitar World magazine, Tolkki has been ranked the 27th fastest guitar player in the world, as well as placing 84th of the 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time.

Having played over 2,000 shows around the globe and seeing many different cultures, Tolkki has decided to create, from the growing demand, a Master Class Music Workshop. This even is primarily intended for guitar players but also for other musicians and people who are interested in music in general or to people who would like to have a music as a profession.

In the seminar Timo Tolkki talks about his unique view on how music is connected to life and emotions, with the intention of helping the musician to be able to express himself better through his instrument... that instrument being guitar, drums, vocals or any other.

He also gives insider's information about the world of music industry and where it is heading, plus shares a lot of valuable knowledge from his 25-year career, while giving advice to musicians about the dangers that lie within it. In the end of the seminar he will answer questions from the participants.

Contact information and questions: infinity@goldenworks.fi

Music Beyond Infinity workshop dates:

November

12 - Venue TBC - Mexico City, Mexico
13 - Venue TBC - Quito, Ecuador
14 - Venue TBC - Bogota, Columbia
16 - Venue TBC - Santiago, Chile
17 - Venue TBC - Concepcion, Chile
19 - Venue TBC - Buenos Aires, Argentina
23 - Araraquara - São Paulo, Brazil
24 - Goiás - Rio Verde - Brazil

25 - Goiás - Goiania, Brazil

26 - Distrito Federal - Brasilia, Brazil
27 - Juazeiro do Norte - Ceará, Brazil
28 - Venue TBA - Fortaleza, Brazil

December

1 - Caruaru - Pernambuco, Brazil
2 - João Pessoa - Pernambuco, Brazil
3 - Salvador - Bahia, Brazil
4 - Venue TBA - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5 - Venue TBA - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6 - Venue TBA - São Paulo, Brazil
7 - Santos - São Paulo, Brazil
8 - Sorocaba - São Paulo, Brazil
9 - Londrina - Paraná, Brazil
11 - Foz - Paraná, Brazil
12 - Venue TBA - Ascuncion, Paraguay
13 - Cascavel - Paraná, Brazil
14 - Toledo - Paraná, Brazil
15 - Curitiba - Paraná, Brazil
16 - Joinville - Santa Catarina, Brazil
17 - Pomerode - Santa Catarina, Brazil
18 - Camboriu - Santa Catarina, Brazil
19 - Floripa - Santa Catarina, Brazil
20 - Içara - Santa Catarina, Brazil

(Thanks: Metal From Finland)