STRATOVARIUS frontman Timo Kotipelto would release his debut solo album 'Waiting For The Dawn' through the German Century Media label. The record, a conceptual piece based on Egyptian mythology and clad in artwork by the famed IRON MAIDEN artist Derek Riggs proved to be much harder edged affair than the Symphonic inclinations of STRATOVARIUS, boasted a major haul of guest sessioneers.

Included would be STRATOVARIUS colleague Jari Kainulainen, Mike Romeo of SYMPHONY X, ROLAND GRAPOW of HELLOWEEN and MASTERPLAN, WARMEN's Sami Virtanen, Janne Warmen of WARMEN and CHILDREN OF BODOM, Mikko Harkin of SONATA ARCTICA and WINGDOM, drummer Mirka Rantanen of WARMEN, THUNDERSTONE and TUNNELVISION and drummer Gas Lipstick from H.I.M. Japanese versions of the album on the Avalon Marquee label added an exclusive track 'Secret Name'.

Kotipelto revealed plans for a follow up 2004 album billed as 'Coldness'. The preceding single, 'Reasons' issued in March, added an extended version of the track 'Viziers', which included an extended guitar solo from SYMPHONY X guitarist Mike Romeo. 'Reasons' went straight into the Finnish charts at number 1. Alongside Romeo's appearance on the Kotipelto produced album, the singer invited the cast of guitarist Juhani Malmberg of TUNNELVISION, Jari Kainulainen on bass, Janne Wirman on keyboards and drummer Mirka Rantanen.

Although the singer's relationship with STRATOVARIUS seemed fragile at best with guitarist Timo Tolkki's obvious health issues he did stick out the band's Summer festival shows. A 7th July solo single, 'Take Me Away' featuring a full band version of 'Beauty Has Come', would be restricted to just a Finnish release. Keyboard duties for the band's European summer festival appearances were handled by CHILDREN OF BODOM's Janne Wirman.

In a rather unique event Timo Kotipelto, alongside female vocalist Maija Vilkkumaa, performed several classic heavy metal covers with Finland's HEAVY LILJA ORCHESTRA on 26th August at the Manala bar in Helsinki. Kotipelto vocalised on renditions of DEEP PURPLE's 'Highway Star' and BLACK SABBATH's 'Heaven And Hell' before encoring on a medley of 'Paranoid/Smoke On The Water'.

Gigs in South America, flanking EDGUY, and Finland witnessed a band line up of HEARTPLAY and NYLON BEAT guitarist Tuomas Wäinölä, TUNNELVISION bassist Lauri Porra, keyboard player Jens Johansson and drummer Mirka Rantanen. Subsequent European gigs saw a shift in the band line up, incorporating Mikko Harkin of SONATA ARCTICA and WINGDOM on keyboards. The year would be topped off by a support gig at a special performance by NIGHTWISH at the Helsinki Jäähalli on 26th December.

The band announced a return to the European touring circuit in March of 2005, partnering with EPICA and KAMELOT. The revised roll call of members now comprised Kotipelto alongside guitarist Tuomas Wäinölä, bassist Lauri Porra, THE FLOWER KINGS keyboard player Robert Engstrand and QUINTESSENCE drummer Mikko Kaakkuriniemi. Lauri Porra joined STRATOVARIUS as their new bassist in June.

Kotipelto utilised Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki in August 2006 to cut a new album. In January 2007 the single 'Sleep Well' entered the Finnish chart at number 5. KOTIPELTO, lining up an album deal with German label AFM Records for European territories, teamed up with CHRIS CAFFERY, ELIS and Norway's TRIOSPHERE for a European tour in April.