Date of Birth: March 15th, 1969
Origin: Lappajärvi, Finland
In Stratovarius: since 1995
Facebook: officialkotipelto
Instagram: @rock_the_metal
Website: www.kotipelto.com
History: Timo Kotipelto studied vocals at the Pop/Jazz Conservatory in Helsinki. In the summer of 1994 he was invited to join Stratovarius, and his arrival closely coincided with the band's rise to international recognition. His first album with the band was Fourth Dimension (1995), followed by twelve more studio albums that helped establish Stratovarius as one of the leading names in the worldwide power metal scene.
In 2002 he launched his successful solo project, Kotipelto, releasing the albums Waiting for the Dawn, Coldness and Serenity. He has also contributed vocals to Sonata Arctica's Silence, Ayreon's Universal Migrator Part II: Flight of the Migrator, and numerous guest appearances throughout his career.
In 2009 Kotipelto won the first Finnish season of Battle of the Choirs (Kuorosota). The same year he formed Cain's Offering together with Jani Liimatainen, releasing the critically acclaimed albums Gather the Faithful and Stormcrow, followed by extensive touring in Japan and Europe. The pair also collaborated on the acoustic project Blackoustic.
With his instantly recognizable high-powered voice, Kotipelto has become one of the defining characteristics of Stratovarius and is the band's longest-serving member. Alongside performing and recording, he also works as a vocal coach for a select number of students.
