Customer Reviews

Elements 1

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Few CDs, if any, have such a large percentage of songs on it that I love. You know that feeling? How many of your CDs do you spend most of your time listening to just waiting for your 2 favorite songs? I do that a lot. Not on this CD (or any of Stratovarius's CD for that manner). The album is about 62 minutes long, also.

It is important for you to know that I own 12 Stratovarius CDs (Fright Night, T.T., D., Fourth Dimension, E., V., Visions of Europe, D., I., Intermission, Elements 1, and Elements 2), the DVD Infinite Visions, and a shirt for this band. Only one other band do I own more than 3 albums by. And that band is Nightwish. Needless to say, I enjoy Stratovarius a LOT. About 45 of my about 400 favorite songs are by Stratovarius - far more than by any other band. Off this album, those songs include Find Your Own Voice, Fantasia (fav. of the album), Papillon, Stratofortress, Elements, and A Drop in the Ocean. Get that? 2/3 of the songs! Sorry - I don't find Eagleheart that great. Its also the least Strato-like song I think they've ever recorded, musically.

What most people hate about this album is what I love - orchestration, Timo's wailing, 2 epics, and the instrumental Stratofortress. What I don't like is the no double-bass songs. Well... at least `not enough' of them. I know we're never gonna get another Father Time since the band's no more, but it would have been nice to have another song to be similar to that. It seems that the really fast songs were only on their older albums.

The funny thing with this album is the atmosphere. The cover art really does make you feel like you're in the sky! Just give Elements or A Drop in the Ocean one listen and try to tell me different. The solos on Stratofortress also give that feeling. The whole album does, but it's the strongest at the end of the album.

The albums "real" opener is Soul of a Vengabond, which I am not too fond of at the time. Find Your Own Voice is the closest to older Stratovarius you'll hear on the album. Fantasia's a lot like Mother Gaia and The Power of One in the sense that its like "what would our world be like if there were no wars or religion?" Learning to Fly is semi-filler to me, but Papillon is one heck of a powerful song. Its wicked slow, but in-your-face loud. Lots of wailing in that song, and in the title track. I recently looked at the lyrics to Elements (the song) closely - it looks like its simply a guy (Timo) asking "why are humans so selfish?" and such, and the answer he gets is 8 elements in 2 sets: wind, water, fire, earth, and then fear, anger, sorrow, joy. That song should give you chills, even though its not quite as good as it could have been. I've read that A Drop in the Ocean is Celestial Dream, Part II (from Infinite), but I'm not sure about that. They're both drumless ballads, but I don't see the relationship.

Seriously - for any fan of euro metal of any kind (or if you like Rammstein for the orchestration), you just gotta give this album a (2nd, in some situations) try. As a whole, this is my favorite Stratovarius album. Visions, Fourth Dimension, and Infinite are in a close 2nd. Then probably Twilight Time and Destiny. Episode and Elements 2 are next, and I don't wanna go further than that.

I hope I helped you in deciding whether to or not purchase this (wonderful) album. If I helped, please say so! I have a lot of other reviews (and now, I have my own list here on amazon!), so read them when you get a chance. Type in "Tunnelvision" and you should get to the list.

I'am finnish music fan and I have been fan of Stratovarius for many years. This album left me simply breathless yes it is little proge for the band but how cares it works. My favourite track is Learning to fly and weaker tracks were Papillon and Stratofortress, but after listening to them they were also good songs. The theme of the album Elements is big and powerful so the music's have to be also big and powerful. There's lot's of Orchestra and choir arrangements and this time they really are beautiful and big especially in songs Soul of a vagabond(this is a geat tribute to old Dio and Black Sabbath), Fantasia, Papillion, Elements and A drop in the ocean(simply a daydreaming this will light up your day). Stratovarius has used Orchestra and choir arrangements since Episode(1996) and that is the one of the many things which gives this band so unique sound. If you are trully a friend of this kind music this album you must buy. But also people how havent listent this kind of music add this album to your record collections it is a classic.

Straovarius can only be sumed up on one word...origional. While the world of heavy metal music is pretty much on the verge of death, Stratovarius steps in to say "Hell No!" Stratovarius shows the listener that metal does not have to be dark and depressing and does not need to include graphic content. The lyrics and vocals as well as the amazing musicianship fills you with motivation and hope in a time where it is needed the most. Strat has come a long way from "Fright Night" taking a one of a kind blend of blood pumping guitar and mixing it perfectly with a beautiful classical score. The album includes great concepts from political messages towards the war on terror, to a song dedicated to the movie "The Neverending Story." My only dissapointment was the fact that the song "Run Away" which is included on the "Eagleheart" single was not included on the actual album. I recommend this album to anyone who is looking for a sound with depth and meaning rather than pointless bubble gum pop. Their sound is truthful and wholesome, but very very loud! Elements Pt.1 ranks up there with Strat's other masterpieces such as Visions and Infinate I highly suggest looking into those albums as well I am eagerly awating Pt.2.

I don't think this is the best I've heard from Stratovarius, but it is quite good. Standout tracks are the Eagleheart (this is in the style of classic Stratovarius metal anthem), Learning to Fly, Stratofortress, and Elements. Timo Tolkki does a fantastic job on guitar here. Unfortunately, Timo Kotipelti is not quite up to par. He's a very talented singer, but he's really trying to hit notes so high that they just can't sound right even in key. It really hurts the ears in some places in that regard. The addition of the orchestra is a plus on this album. This album also takes more of a progressive turn than their older stuff, using less of the same old steady beat power metal. One other thing worth mentioning is that it seems that a lot of this music is aimed at being a stab against concepts of religion and God. I won't get into the specifics; read the lyrics if you need to know. While this doesn't bother me at all, readers who are strongly religious may want to take this into consideration.

If your a fan of bands that can actually play then Stratovarius is right up your alley. I've been told that Dream Theater are the masters of the Progressive/Power Metal arena but (even tho John is an insane guitarist) I think they've been ursurped. The problem I find with most of the progressive metal bands is that they are shred driven.. the guitarist seems to want to show that he can shred 24/7 which is great but it lacks the "soul" that makes great music (and yes I play guitar). Stratovarius doesn't have this problem, even though Timo Tolkki can shred when necessary, their songs never seem to lack the emotional quality necessary.

Soul of a Vagabond absolutly knocked my off my chair the first time I listened to it. The riff is great and that drum is absolutly intense, but when Kotipelto comes in and everything fades out except for the bass and drum lines... you just can't help but feel the longing in his voice.

And I'm not even going to get into the shredfest of stratofortress... my fingers hurt just listening to that.

Excellent album by an incredible band... I can't recommend either highly enough.

I cannot fathom the fact that someone could give Elements 1 a bad rating! Artistry and power metal go hand in hand. Anyone who believes this record to be "way too artistic" is not a proper power metal fan; they are most likely a death or noise metal fan. I bought the Elements Pt. 1 limited box set for about $... The first thing that caught my attention was the fabulous images and art work of the box. Wow! Perhaps the best cover I have ever seen- absolutely stunning! This brilliancy continues throughtout the CD insert and onto the disc itself. Stratovarius dropped some major cashola on the album art, let me say. Of course the graphics are merely frosting, what matters is the music- Stratovarius do NOT disappoint. Elegant and extremely well produced songs from beginning to finale! The music is not all lightning fast as the band mixes slow material with the blazers- this is really smart. Many power metal bands just cook throughout their albums which makes for a boring experience as there are no aural dynamics. Elements has beautiful choral arrangements coupled with pertinent lyrics. Jorg Michael's drum attack is powerful and awe inspiring. He happens to be one of my favorite drummers. Timo Tolkki's guitar work is most deliciously tasteful; it does not dominate every song- this allows the compositions to "breathe" with meaning and fire. Kotipelto's voice is stunning and smooth, he is a real singer, not a screamer. My box set came with an additional CD of bonus material- 3 tracks. There's also a cool sticker and an expanded booklet separate from the CD insert. My only gripe (and it's a small one at that) is that the main disc came as a standard jewel case, not as a digipak. A digipak set-up of Elements would have been the perfect last touch. Be that as it may, overall presentation (music and art work) deserves more than just a five star rating! Buy this album! It will be on everyone's top ten list come the end of 2003, just you wait and see!-David Newman

I must say that this is a spectacular album. I wasn't expecting to like it THIS MUCH! It thought it would be a good Strato album (which makes it amazing compared to modern music today). I will not say this is their best but It's close so far...This is about tied with Elysium (see my review for Elysium to get an idea of how much I like it). And one reviewer said he like "Timo's Wailing" on this album. What wailing?! He just has a higher range than any of us could ever dream of having! He's by no means wailing!

Music:

Eagleheart- I seriously love this song with a passion. It is so uplifting and it makes me wanna touch the sky. GREAT melody and I love the chorus. It's not as good as Hunting High and Low, tho because it's too short!

Soul of a Vagabond- Another favorite. The opening guitar is heavy and then it evolves into one of those slow, hypnotizing songs that you have to fight not to like...and the chorus of this is very interesting: "In silence, I scream, But no one listens to me, Absolution, Salvation, My sins won't leave me be, The first cry, The last breath, We are born to die..." A very interesting chorus indeed. I think this is a very high point in the album.

Find Your Own Voice- Great song. Fast and has a good message. I like it, but Learning to Fly is in a similar style and much, much better!

Fantasia- First of only 2 songs on the album that I don't like as much. I think it might grow on me, but for now, I think it's just an average Strato song.

Learning to Fly- GREAT MELODY, Awesome chorus, and Amazing song in general. I think this shoulda been released as a single as well.

Papillon- Great song, the chorus isn't as great as the verse but never the less, a good song.

Stratofortress- An instrumental. This is the other song I find not up to par with the rest. I like it kinda but it isn't a favorite. One of my family members said it sounds like Tom and Jerry chasing each other on mega speed!

Elements- Nothing I can say will be good enough to fully describe this song...

A Drop in the Ocean- A slow acoustic song. Good ending to a Great album.

Verdict: If you liked Infinite, then get it. If you have Elements Pt 2, then get this one. If you are a Stratovarius fan, Kamelot fan, or Power Metal fan, then BUY IT. That is all. Thank you for viewing this review. Please Exit carefully, the "buy" button is near the top of the page and the "This Review was Helpful" button is below.

The first time i heard Stratovarius i didnt really like them too much...they were good and very talented but something was missing. I went out and bought Elements Pt. 1 and i loved the entire CD (except a drop in the ocean). Every other song is great. Everyone claims Eagleheart is the best...not in my opinion...i like it but not as much as Soul of a Vagabond and Find Your Own Voice. The song elements is an 8 minute epic that is just awesome. And the best song on the CD is Fantasia....a ballad that is just great...the singer soars and after the breakdown it gets heavy. Timo has great solos on this album especially in Soul of a Vagabond. I refer it to the Shredder Ballad Solo. All and all this CD is a must if you are a Stratovarius fan or even just a metal fan in general. 5 stars isnt enough for this CD and it has become one of my Top 10 favorite albums of all time. GREAT CD!!!

I enjoy artistic albums and this CD could not get any more artistic. It is wonderful and very addictive. Once you listen to it once, you'll want to listen to it again. I was expecting it to be something like Infinite, but it's not and it is definatley origanal. If you have never heard Stratovarius, then it would be fine to start here. If you are a Stratovarius fan, I reccomend this CD. I also have a very flexable taste in music, so opinions my differ from mine. But this is just what I personally thought of this CD.

After a 3 year wait Elements pt.1 is a bit of a disappointment. It's not that this album is bad, it's just that I expected better, particularly after Infinite, Destiny, and Visions. Jens Johansens' keyboards are probably the strongest part of this album, they never fail to impress me. The same could be said of Jorg Michael's drums. However, Tolkki and Kotipelto didn't seem to have their heart in these songs. Honestly, if you have to choose between this album and Pt.2, buy Pt. 2.