The band was founded in August 1984 as Black Water, consisting of Lassila as singer and drummer, guitarist Staffan Stråhlman, bassist John Vihervä, and, later, keyboardist Antti Ikonen. In Summer 1984, the band changed its name to Stratovarius, which was soon followed by line-up changes. Tolkki replaced Stråhlman in 1985, and with this line-up, the band released its first album Fright Night in 1989, with Tolkki as sole songwriter. While going through many bassists, the band released the albums Twilight Time in 1992 and Dreamspace in 1994. In 1994, Kotipelto replaced Tolkki as lead vocalist, and after the release of Fourth Dimension in 1995, Lassila and Ikonen and both left the band and were replaced by Jörg Michael and Jens Johansson respectively.
The band was founded in August 1984 as Black Water, consisting of Lassila as singer and drummer, guitarist Staffan Stråhlman bassist John Vihervä, and, later, keyboardist Antti Ikonen. In Summer 1984, the band changed its name to Stratovarius which was soon followed by line-up changes. Tolkki replaced Stråhlman in 1985, and with this line-up, the band released its first album Fright Night in 1989, with Tolkki as sole songwriter. While going through many bassists, the band released the albums Twilight Time in 1992 and Dreamspace in 1994. In 1994, Kotipelto replaced Tolkki as lead vocalist, and after the r,elease of Fourth Dimension in 1995, Lassila and Ikonen and both left the band and were replaced by Jörg Michael and Jens Johan,sson respectively.