STRATOVARIUS guitarist Timo Tolkki was assaulted in the center of Granada, Spain on Sunday (Feb. 29) as he was taking a walk, Finland's Sonera Plaza is reporting. According to STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, who witnessed the attack, the alleged attacker was extremely agitated and had "a Hispanic looking appearance". During the assault, the attacker shouted "Tolkki." He was armed with what seemed to be a box cutter.

Tolkki was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to emergency care. He had two stab wounds on his left arm and a facial contusion. His wounds were cleaned and bandaged and he was released from hospital care.

Anybody with any information about the attacker is being asked to contact the police.

Tolkki commented that he is "shocked and horrified" by what happened. "Apparently this guy had been stalking me. The bastard attacked me from behind," Tolkki said. "I can take anything, but that was such a cowardly act, you know. He got me with the knife twice and punched me in the face. Then he ran away. The whole thing lasted just seconds. Now I am thinking that this might be the end of my career. I do not want to end up like John Lennon. I don't know if I want to continue STRATOVARIUS anymore".

When asked if he thinks that the attack has something to do with the resent changes in STRATOVARIUS lineup and the death threats he has received, Tolkki commented: "Of course I feel there is a connection to that. Why would anybody attack me like that otherwise? What possible other motive this guy could have had than that? I think he tried to kill me, but this time I was lucky".

STRATOVARIUS performed on Saturday night as a headliner of Piorno Rock Festival in Granada, Spain.

just because they have a female singer now? wtf? people are nuts!

those fans are friggin crazy. timo tolkki is out of his mind too, but his fans are worse. the guy is just a guitar player. he didn't do anything wrong. damn. if mikael akerfeldt kicked everyone out of opeth and changed it into something shitty, i'd be disappointed, but i wouldn't try to hurt him. it's only a friggin band.

tolkki has a long way to go before he's the next john lennnon. i know he didn't mean it that way, but i felt like being an asshole and pointing that out.

well he meant the idea of a crazy fan killing him, it was probably the first similar situation that came to his head.

Blue, watch out. Ryan from Phantom Limb is out to stab you.

Wow,That sucks.But he shouldn't stop touring cause of a retard attaker.

that's just taking music too seriously, if they change just don't listen to them anymore, it's as simple as that, fuck man!

WTF!! that bastard who tried to stab him needs to be killed.

He deserves it for making such gay music.

hahahah

MarkKevorkian said:


that pretty much sums it up

that looks ouchie and i can't quite
figure out the look on his face...

great way to fuck up a tattoo.

what the hell is the tattoo of anyway? it
doesn't even look that cool.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

remember:Enthroned Baby Unicorn <--- i don't get it, but it's funny

i wouldn't be suprised if he stopped stratovarius and i really couldn't blame him. people have taken it way too far

Gay music yes but sick guitar work

haha you call those stab wounds?? those are pussy ass paper cuts

the keyboardist pissing on TIMO.