Stratovarius
Country of origin: Finland Location: Helsinki, Uusimaa Formed in: 1985 Genre: Melodic Power Metal Lyrical themes: Time, Spirituality, Life, Space, Nature, Fantasy, Poetry Current label: earMUSIC Years active: 1984-1985 (as Black Water), 1985-present Stratovarius, one of the most famous power metal bands on the planet, was founded in Finland, 1984. Before becoming an influence for metal bands all over the world and having created a sound which can be nearly defined as a genre within metal, Stratovarius worked hard to be the established name they are today. Stratovarius (a portmanteau of Stratocaster and Stradivarius) was founded by Tuomo Lassila, John Vihervä, and Staffan Stråhlman originally under the name Black Water. The name "Stratovarius" was invented by Lassila.