Customer Reviews

Dreamspace

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It took a bit longer than expected, but I finally got my copy of 'Dreamspace' (1994), the third studio record from Finland's metal gods, Stratovarius. I must say that I own 'Visions' as well as this, and I must say, comparing this to 'Visions' is like comparing apples to oranges.

1. There are only four members, just two of which played on anything after 'Fourth Dimension' (1995).
2. Antti Ikonen is more of a backing keyboardist, there are no keyboard solos.
3. The basic sound of the guitar and bass is COMPLETELY different than the more modern Stratovarius. The bass sounds much cleaner (as opposed to a more slapstick sound used on later releases), and the guitar sounds a lot crunchier.

All those differences aside, 'Dreamspace' is a terrific album, and for the time, the production by Timo Tolkki is certainly far from bad. Timo Tolkki is not as good of a singer as Timo Kotipelto, but when listening to this record, I could instantly picture Kotipelto singing a vast majority of the songs from this album. Jari Kainulainen is his usual self, though at the time of this record's release, it would be hard to say that, since this was the band's first recording with him on bass. I really must say, I don't pay as much attention to Antti Ikonen as I would to the godly keyboardist Jens Johanssen (who replaced Antti not long after 'Fourth Dimension.') Drummer Tuomo Lassila is actually a lot better than his replacement, Jorg Michel. It's not that he's BAD, it's just that Tuomo has a bit more technical skills.

And now, the highlights of this album. Opener "Chasing Shadows" is a typical power metal opening tune: fast and frantic. Very heavy, with a bone chilling intro riff. Track 4, "Hold On To Your Dream," is my personal favorite of the album, the little lead at the beginning is really cool, and I love the buildup of the song, it begins with the lead, then for the first part of the verse, we get no guitar, just a simple bassline, but then the guitar kicks in for a simple tune that crunches along at a perfect tempo. Then, there's the title track (track 8), which has a very interesting intro. The riff is one I can expect to hear in a planetarium, and the bass line...I picked it up right off the bat, it's not hard at all. However, it is one of the lengthiest tunes on the album (a straight 6 minutes) and really shifts around a lot. Ultimately, this is the band's most unpredictable album, and I would highly recommend it to fans of any of Stratovarius' other albums: 'Fright Night,' 'Twilight Time,' 'Fourth Dimension,' 'Episode,' 'Visions,' 'Destiny,' 'Infinite,' and the Elements series. Also recommended for fans of Finnish metal like Nightwish, Thunderstone, Sonata Arctica, and Children of Bodom or power metal like Helloween, Edguy, Blind Guardian, and Gamma Ray.

DEATH TO FALSE METAL!-Manowar

Even though this album might sound strange and very different than their other albums, it might also be the reason why Dreamspace is their best. The songs are very varied, emotional and progressive at the same time. Something you can't find from any of their other album. The sound is very cold, some may say it's flat, but I think it suits this album perfectly. It might be even intentional, who knows, not a lack of production. This is the creative peak of Tolkki and could actually be his solo album rather than 3rd Stratovarius album, it's that much experimental. This is the Strato album I listen to most.

"Chasing Shadows" has a haunting guitar sound with irresistible drive.
"4th Reich" has the most creative sound in this album, something I can't even describe.
My absolute favourite piece is "Eyes of the World", pure genius! Tolkki sings so beautifully in this one and the lyrics are really touching, not to mention the guitar solo that is one of his all time best (it's not about how fast you play, it's the emotion you deliver and how great it fits into the song overall). Only con is that it might get too repetitive in the end but it doesn't bother me really cos I like the chorus sooo much.
"Hold on to Your Dream" is one of those incredibly catchy and positive songs.
"Tears of Ice" is very beautiful ballad with great atmosphere.
"Dreamspace" is the most progressive song they've ever made and also one of their best. Includes some finest riffing in the middle of the song and also notice how high Tolkki reaches with his yell.
"Reign of Terror" is very angry song with crunching riffs and funny lyrics. It's about the time when Matti Nykänen (skijumper champion from the 80's) made a horrible song in the beginning of the 90's and it was somekind of a "success". Lyrics go like this: 'What the hell is going on, skijumpers making music that sells gold'. Very funny indeed.
"Thin Ice" is the only track I still don't understand.
"Abyss" one of the best with great keyboard melody.
"Shattered" a nice trash metal piece with the most furious riffs ever from Tolkki.
"Wings of Tomorrow" a great ending and one of those cheerful and positive songs.

I could go on forever. Too bad this album seems to be heavily underrated by many people who just want to listen to those stereotypical power metal songs. Tolkki actually sings quite well and his voice definitely fits these songs better than Kotipelto's would. On their DVD "Infinite Visions" is a bonus acoustic live video of "Hold on to Your Dream" sung by Kotipelto and it sounds quite bad. He tries to reach too high with his voice and just messes the whole song, too bad. I recommend this album to everyone who likes the band or doesn't like (yep, it's that different, believe me). No matter what kind of albums Stratovarius makes nowadays and in the future, these oldies will live forever!

I dont know if its me or not but this album sounded disturbingly dark to me. I have all the Stratovarius albums, and it seems like up to this 3rd album, they've always tried to catch a dark mood. Dreamspace is the peak point of this. Dont get me wrong, its a great album, but is somewhat different than the last Strato albums. If you're used to the new style, it might take a little time get used to Dreamspace. Actually if you dig in, you'll find some really interesting stuff. There are much more progressive elements in Dreamspace than the other albums, capturing another side of Stratovarius. "Chasing Shadows" "4th Reich" "Hold On to Your Dream" "Tears of Ice" "Dreamspace" "Shattered" and "Wings of Tomorrow" are great songs, especially "Wings of Tomorrow", which stands out in the whole bunch, sounding like a graduation theme, closes the album very well. Timo Tolkki isnt great on vocals, but he has some moments. There arent any keyboard-guitar duels in this album, infact the keyboard isnt used as much, just fillers and background strings. I think Tuomo Lassila is a much better drummer than Jörg Michael. He just doesnt pound on the double bass throughout the whole song, and plays much diverse rhythms and variations. The recording quality is not outstanding but instruments are well balanced and clear, and Tolkki's guitar tone is not as dijital as the last albums.
Overall, it's a different album, and great for those who want to discover a new side of Stratovarius

I picked this cd up cheap and i knew it wud b great but i didnt know how great coz it has timo tokki and not timo kotipelto on vocals. Tokkis vocals are more mid range and i like them just as much as kotipeltos on the later cds.

This cd is more straight forward heavy metal than on later albums, so if ur after the strong neoclassical sounds, i wud suggest visions or infinite.

It has some amazing songs on it, notably hold onto your dream, we are the future, reign of terror, and wings of tommorow and 4th reich.
get this album!!!!!

hi everyone!, if you are new to stratovarious, that is ok, this is a perfect cd to start with( it was the first one i ever bought and i now have thier entire collection),,other of thier cds get more recognition(visions,eternity,episode),,,but this one is truly unique and powerful."4th Reich" is an amazing track!!as are all the tracks...if you have other cd's by stratovarious, and enjoy thier music..this one is a must have//original,powerful,and pretty [darn] close to flawless throughout,,no real weak or repetitive moments.GET THIS ALBUM!

I've had INFINITE for a while, and finally one of my friends said "Dreamspace is the best!", so I went ahead and picked it up. Being a fan of all kinds of Scandinavian/Euro power metal, I knew I would like it, but I didn't expect the profound effect it would have on me. There is an unseen power in their music that reaches out not only to fans of power metal, but anyone who will shut their "metal-music-sucks-but-xxxx-rules" attitude up for a second and just...listen. As a member of my student goverment last year I convinced our board to play "Wings of Tomorrow" as our graduation walk song...the response from students and parents was tremendous!! Long live Stratovarius! I hope they decide to continue to release such epic albums after their long-needed break! We'll be waiting for ya!

Dreamspace is an early Stratovarius album, preceding the personnel changes that were associated with the neoclassical style for which this band is best known. Most of the later Stratovarius releases blended power metal with progressive and classical elements. In this early incarnation, the band's style was closer to melodic hard rock. Guitarist Timo Tolkki supplied the lead vocals, as well as writing the music. While Tolkki was reportedly dissatisfied and wanted to move the band in a different direction, this CD stands on its own extremely well. This music was less intellectual but more direct, the lyrics more sincere, the melodies more engaging. If the later Stratovarius releases tended to become somewhat formulaic, here the melodic themes are both memorable and original. This is an underrated album with several outstanding tracks.

The songs Wings of Tomarrow and We Are the Future are the two best. Nearly all of them are so dam good. Not only is Timo Tolkki one of the best guitarists of all time but he was one of the best singers of all time.

Dreamspace is the third Stratovarius album and last to feature Timo Tolkki in vocal duties. It retains the 80's sound but definately shows drastic improvement in comparison to the first two albums. The art work is wicked cool too! (the same can't be said for the actual cd :/)

Onto the songs:

1. Chasing Shadows: The standard intro song with a repetitive chorus. Cool song but only in the album. 7/10

2. 4th Reich: SOme may love it. SOme may like it. I don't for some reason. Can't explain this one...maybe it's the Nazi reference, I don't know. 4/10

3. Eyes of the World: Oh yes...this is a wonderful song! I love the intro and the lyrics. This is definately a sing along and should be a fan favorite next to Black Diamond and Hunting High & Low. 10/10

4. Hold on to your Dream: Another awesome song! Inspiring lyrics, great riff, just a cool song! 9/10

5. Magic Carpet Ride: I'll admit the title just isn't cool. That aside, Ride is a cool song with the typical Arabic influence. 7/10

6. We are the Future: Here we have another great happy song, Timo's voice is sounding good now! Another album classic. 8/10

7. Tears of Ice: A slow ballad with some neat atmosphere. Took me two listens to really get into it, but it's a solid song really. 8/10

8. Dreamspace: Everyone can relate to this song about your childhood "happy place". This song is creepy and cool, you have to listen to explain this one. 9/10

9. Reign of Terror: Aside the opening lyric, this upbeat shredder shows Tolkki didn't want to many happy songs here. It sounds like a slaughter fest, and that's a good thing! 8/10

10. Thin Ice: This a a WEIRD song! I like it, but it's not a typical "song". Only listen to this one at night when you are alone. It's very creepy. 7/10

11. Atlantis: A short intro to Abyss, it sounds like what it should, and is very cool. I like instrumentals! 9/10

12. Abyss: Here we go! This song is freaking wicked! This song is so great, it makes you imagine you are falling down below the depths into a black void of nothing. Tis song has atmosphere (a theme of this album you may notice!) Awesome song! 10/10

13: Shattered: In tribute to Chasing Shadows and Reign of Terror, Shattered goes all Judas Priest (ugh!) on you and doesn't stop! Cool song, a bit repetitious. 7/10

14: Wings of Tomorrow: The intro...the intro...so...80's B movie (Europe's Final Countdown anyone?) . Yikes. It's a good song really but the intro can ruin it for you. 7/10

Overall:
Dreamspace is a greta album that is the end of the Tolkki era and opens up for Timo K. in Fourth Dimension. A great album, but not for new Startovarius fans. For your first few Strato albums, stick with Episode, Visions, Infinity or Elements Pt. 1.

Similar Bands I recommend:
Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, Angra, Edguy, Heavenly, Dragonforce

This album reminds me of growing up. That's 1 reason I love it so much. The other reasons though, are straight up great lyrics, instrumentation, production, etc.....It's all Good! Definitely their best album, & I really miss Tolki on lead vocal.