TIMO TOLKKI – Renaissance Acoustica [2023]

Finland’s Metal legend and former Stratovarius guitarist TIMO TOLKKI is releasing an acoustic album titled “Renaissance Acoustica” with acclaimed vocalist Alessandro Conti (Twilight Force, Trick Or Treat), and will be a tour in support of this album.
It is a collection of songs Tolkki composed for Stratovarius. The versions are not always following the originals, he has in fact, created something quite new. ”Renaissance Acoustica” is acoustic, however there’s some electric guitars and a lot of synth orchestrations. Conti feels comfortable in this acoustic environment and performing these epic songs with passion.
Some tracks work better than others in this format, “Forever”, “The Land of Ice and Snow”, “Celestial Dream” and “Coming Home” stand out. On the other hand, numbers like “Key to the Universe 2023” lacks the complete band punch.

Speaking of “Key To The Universe”, this album is accompanied by three bonus tracks: the original, electric version of ‘Key To The Universe (feat. Michael Kiske vocals)’ and Are You The One? (feat. Sharon Den Adel vocals), both from Tolkki’s solo album ‘Hymm To Life’ and completely remastered, in addition to ‘Lord Of The Rings’, from the album “Classical Variations and Other Themes”.

There good, re-worked songs here and when you have a good song always is a good song. Alessandro Conti puts a lot dedication to make these acoustic versions work, while Tolkki does a strong guitar work helped by Akseli Kaasalainen keyboards / synth orchestration and atmospheres.
Highly Recommended

01 – Winter
02 – The Land Of Ice And Snow
03 – Season Of Faith’s Perfection
04 – Key To The Universe 2023 (with Alessandro Conti)
05 – Coming Home
06 – Celestial Dream
07 – Before The Winter
08 – 4000 Rainy Nights
09 – Forever
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Key To The Universe (feat. Michael Kiske vocals)
11 – Are You The One? (feat. Sharon Den Adel vocals)
12 – Lord Of The Rings (from Classical Variations and Other Themes)

Vocals: Alessandro Conti
Keyboards: Akseli Kaasalainen
All Guitars: Timo Tolkki
Mixed & Mastered by Timo Tolkki December 2022 – February 2023

BUY
tolkki.art/product/renaissance-acoustica/