Prior to the release of the upcoming TIMO TOLKKI'S AVALON album, The Land of New Hope, France's Hard Force caught up with Tolkki to talk about the album. Listen to the audio interview below:

Hard Force Interview - Timo Tolkki (AVALON) by Hard Force Webmagazine on Mixcloud

Frontiers Records recently announced the digital release of the second single from The Land of New Hope, entitled 'A World Without Us'. Featuring lead vocals from three singers - ROB ROCK, ELIZE RYD and RUSSELL ALLEN.

The single can be downloaded now from iTunes or Amazon. Listen to the song via the YouTube clip below, which features different "in the studio" candid shots, taken from the making of the album, which is included on the bonus DVD, to be included with the album's deluxe edition.

Inner Wound Recordings recently announced the release of a limited 12" double gatefold edition of The Land Of New Hope. A deal was inked with Frontiers Records, and the release date is set for June 19th. The edition is strictly limited to 700 copies. Pre-order at this location.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1

Side A:

'Avalanche Anthem'

'A World Without Us'

'Enshrined In My Memory'

Side B:

'In The Name Of The Rose'

'We Will Find A Way'

'Shine'

Disc 2

Side A:

'The Magic Of The Night'

'To The Edge Of The Earth'

Side B:

'I'll Sing You Home'

'The Land Of New Hope'

The Land Of New Hope is due out in North America on May 21st (May 17th in Europe). The Land Of New Hope takes place more than 40 years in the future when most of the planet has been destroyed by natural disasters. The title of the opera refers to the safe haven that a small group of survivors seek. The Land Of New Hope is composed by one of the forefathers of the power metal genre, former Stratovarius main songwriter and guitarist, Timo Tolkki.

The album will be available in two formats: a standard CD and a deluxe edition featuring a 30-minute documentary on the making-of the album and two videos.

For this unique concept album, Timo Tolkki was able to gather some of most accomplished international singers: Michael Kiske (UNISONIC), Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI), Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION) and Tony Kakko (SONATA ARCTICA). Rounding up the lineup of this album are world-renowned musicians Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE) on drums, Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) and Mikko Härkin (Sonata Arctica) on keyboards, and Tolkki himself taking care of all guitars, bass and production duties.

Check out an album EPK below:

The Land Of New Hope came about as the result of a discussion that began years ago between Timo Tolkki and Frontiers Records President Serafino Perugino. Perugino, a longtime Stratovarius fan, suggested Tolkki return to the original Stratovarius sound in a more symphonic fashion. In August, 2012 Tolkki began work on what would become The Land Of New Hope.

Tolkki explained, "I sort of rediscovered myself musically in the process of making this album. I wrote the story first and started composing the music after that. My aim was to write memorable songs with good melodies that would support the story. In Stratovarius back in the early 90's, I was one of the creators of the power metal genre, so it is only natural that people may associate this music style with me...but on this album you will find lot of dynamics including fully-orchestrated songs that sound very, very big."

With the full support of Frontiers Records and Serafino Perugino's executive production, The Land Of New Hope opens a new chapter in Tolkki's career.

Tolkki added, "The Land Of New Hope is one part of the story, the end of it actually. The story is longer and goes back to the time before this album's concept, so two more metal operas are likely to follow to complete a trilogy. In general, I find the metal opera concept fascinating and logical to me at this point of my career. I love classical music and just like in classical opera, in metal opera you can also create stories and have almost limitless possibilities musically. It is not so easy to stay fresh after a 25 year career, but this album is truly something special."

Check out teasers below: