Kotipelto is the heavy/power metal solo project of Timo Kotipelto, Stratovarius's current singer. Timo Kotipelto (born March 15, 1969) is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. He studied vocals at the pop/jazz conservatory in Helsinki, briefly singing for an amateur cover band named Filthy Asses. In summer of 1994, he applied to Stratovarius. In late 2003, Kotipelto split from Stratovarius after intra-band disagreements, notably with guitarist Timo Tolkki.