Frontiers Records has announced it will issue TIMO TOLKKI's Saana-Warrior Of Light Part 1: Journey To Crystal Island album on March 14th.

The label states: "Since Timo Tolkki (main songwriter and guitar player for the legendary Finnish heavy metal band STRATOVARIUS) had the idea for a Rock Opera two years ago, a lot has happened. After signing the record deal with Frontiers Records, he has been working hard on this project. It has been a monumental task that has just been getting bigger and bigger.

“Composing, writing the story, casting from hundreds of people, and putting this all together has been very refreshing and interesting for me”, says Tolkki. “I think it is the next logical step for me ”, he continues.

“This album has just basically one long song, but there are 18 themes that are bound together by a story in which I have used my long time interest in philosophy, psychology and spirituality. At the end of the day it really has just two main themes: love and the fight between good and evil. As the name indicates, there will be another part to this saga. It really is a very interesting story about an old theme, but I think I have managed to take it somewhere that no one has been before”, Tolkki finishes.

Featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Sowle, Aino Laos, Heikki Poyhiä and Janette Sainio, this album is a breathtaking experience of emotions. The singers were each carefully chosen for their respective roles and they will enhance the musical journey in a way that has never really been heard before. Timo Tolkki calls it “A Classical Rock Opera”.

Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums handled by Mirka Rantanen).

Tracklisting is: 'Saana Mountain', 'Saana’s Theme', 'The End', 'Sadness Of The World', '3 At 7', 'Silence Of The Night', 'Sunrise At Saana Mountain', 'Journey To Crystal Island', 'Crystal Island', 'Freya’s Theme', 'You’ve Come A Long Way', 'The Letter', 'Who Am I?', 'Freya’s Teachings', 'Warrior Of Light', 'Journey To The Azores'."