Frontiers Records has released the following statement regarding STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki's claim that Frontiers "hasn't fullfilled its contractual obligations" regarding the release of Tolkki's recently completed classical rock opera, "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island", and that he has "terminated the contract between my production company Goldenworks and them":

"Frontiers Records would like to inform all press and fans that the release of TIMO TOLKKI's 'Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island' rightfully belongs only to the label for the entire world.

"Frontiers has indeed signed a regular exclusive License Agreement for it which, notwithstanding the statements of Mr. Tolkki, is still rightful and legal and all due sums have been paid against the production of the record.

"There is indeed a controversy about it which is treated in the due seats as it should.

"We hope that people and fans will not be bothered by this story by any means and get concentrated on the music which is the thing that counts the most."

Tolkki claimed in his most recent statement that Frontiers is "going to release 'Saana' anyway without my permission even though they don't have the material to be able to produce the CD at all. They only have MP3 files which are not adequate to produce a high-quality CD. Also they have absolutely no graphic material for the booklet, information regarding the songs or even the lyrics."

Tolkki wrote, mixed, produced and played all instruments (except drums, which were handled by Mirka Rantanen).

"Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island" track listing:

01. Saana Mountain
02. Saana's Theme
03. The End
04. Sadness of The World
05. 3 at 7
06. Silence of the Night
07. Sunrise at Saana Mountain
08. Journey to Crystal Island
09. Crystal Island
10. Freya's Theme
11. You've Come a Long Way
12. The Letter
13. Who Am I?
14. Freya's Teachings
15. Warrior of Light
16. Journey to the Azores

Tolkki previously stated about "Saana - Warrior of Light Part 1: Journey to Crystal Island", "Composing, writing the story, casting from hundreds of people, and putting this all together has been very refreshing and interesting for me. I think it is the next logical step for me."

He continued, "This album has just basically one long song, but there are 18 themes that are bound together by a story in which I have used my long time interest in philosophy, psychology and spirituality. At the end of the day, it really has just two main themes: love and the fight between good and evil. As the name indicates, there will be another part to this saga. It really is a very interesting story about an old theme, but I think I have managed to take it somewhere that no one has been before."

Featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Sowle, Aino Laos, Heikki Poyhiä and Janette Sainio, this album is a breathtaking experience of emotions. Each singer was carefully chosen for her/his respective roles and they will enhance the musical journey in a way that has never really been heard before.