Guitarist TIMO TOLKKI (ex-STRATOVARIUS) has updated his official blog, Conversations With Myself. An excerpt from his latest post is available below:

"The year 2013 as a whole was very happy time for me. I learned a lot. I learned to listen and be more humble. I learned that I am just a human being, not a god, and that I actually have the right to be a human being.

Now what does that mean, being a human being? Well, to me, again:to me it means that I am fundamentally human. That I cannot hurt anyone consciously. In my life I have hurt a lot of people but I ask for forgiveness and usually I get it because I am sincere, simple and straight person.

I released my 21st album, The Land of New Hope, in May and it surpassed all the expectations I had. It sold very well. Thank you all who have supported me on my journey deeper and deeper into myself. I found the joy of making music again with AVALON and that is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. In this moment I am starting to mix a sequel to The Land of New Hope. It is called Angels Of The Apocalypse. It is not Biblical album, although some of the predictions of the Bible seem to have found itself into the story. I myself don’t believe in any kind of deity but I do believe in Mother Nature as a caretaker and nurturer. We have very close relationship."

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Angels Of The Apocalypse, and is slated for a May release through Frontiers Records.

The singers that will appear on the album are: Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH), Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE) and Caterina Nix (who will release her debut album produced by Tolkki, later this year).

Other musicians which will appear on the album include two other former members of Stratovarius: Tuomo Lassila on drums and Antti Ikonen, the original keyboard player.

Timo Tolkki also announced a contest for guitar and keyboard players. Now you have the chance to play a solo with Timo on one song on the album. Please send one MP3 that contains your solo playing to solos@tolkki.org. The winner will receive a backing track and will play his/her solos to this. The MP3’s for the contest has to be sent by February 16th.

Visit this location for updates and video blogs from the recordings.