''Hymn to Life'' is the second solo album by

Timo Tolkki Timo Tapio Tolkki (born 3 March 1966) is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. With his tenure lasting for more than twenty years, he was the longest standin ...

. Unlike his first solo album (''

Classical Variations and Themes ''Classical Variations and Themes'' is the first studio album by former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki, released in 1994 through Goldenworks Ky (Europe) and Victor Entertainment (Japan); and reissued in 2004 through Irond Records. Background ...

)'', ''Hymn to Life'' does not present Tolkki as a fast and classical heavy metal guitarist, but as a diverse songwriter. The album deals with Tolkki's personal beliefs and thoughts about life and encourages the listener to believe in themselves. Despite the implication of some song names, Tolkki uses strong criticism against religions. Tolkki took inspiration from a variety of genres, including pop,

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

, and classical music. Doom metal characteristics may also be found in the song "Father," which is Tolkki's tribute to his late father. The album did not receive positive reception from the metal audience, maybe owing to its non-

Stratovarius Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1985. Since their formation, they have released sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums. In its history, the band has gone through many chaotic lineup changes, and after fo ...

sound. Guest vocal appearances on the album are

Michael Kiske Michael Kiske (born January 24, 1968) is a German singer and lead vocalist for the German power metal band Helloween. Kiske has released four solo albums, two albums with the hard rock band Unisonic, has participated on various metal and rock ...

on the track "Key to the Universe" and Sharon den Adel on "Are You the One?". The track "Hymn to Life" includes a speech from the film ''

The Great Dictator ''The Great Dictator'' is a 1940 American anti-war political satire black comedy film written, directed, produced, scored by, and starring British comedian Charlie Chaplin, following the tradition of many of his other films. Having been the onl ...

'' delivered by

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consider ...

Track listing

#"Primal (intro)" - 0:20 #"Key to the Universe" - 4:05 #"Now I Understand" - 4:24 #"Divine" - 4:32 #"Little Boy I Miss You" - 4:37 #"I Believe" - 5:27 #"Are You the One?" - 5:05 #"Father" - 6:24 #"Fresh Blue Waters" - 4:16 #"Dear God" - 5:09 #"It's Xmas Morning" - 4:21 #"Hymn to life" - 11:36 Japanese Edition includes a string version of "Key to the Universe".

Credits

- guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards *Anssi Nykänen - drums * Mika Ervaskari- piano, keyboards *

- vocals on track 2 * Sharon den Adel - vocals on track 7 Produced and mixed by Timo Tolkki

References

2002 albums Timo Tolkki albums {{2000s-album-stub