Elements Pt.2 [Extra tracks, Import]

Stratovarius | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Seoul Record
• ASIN: B00012QKJC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,633 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Alpha & Omega

2. I Walk to My Own Song

3. I'm Still Alive

4. Season of Faith's Perfection

5. Awaken the Giant

6. Know the Difference

7. Luminous

8. Dreamweaver

9. Liberty

Editorial Reviews

Limited edition-1000 pieces worldwide on clear vinyl. Nuclear Blast Records. 2003. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Album, November 7, 2003

By 

Ashkael (Central America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements 2 (Audio CD)

Elements Pt.2, which comes almost right out after Pt.1, is completely different from its predecessor. This album is more direct, in-your-face music. If you were unhappy with the heavy use of orchestration in Pt.1, then you should be pretty happy with Pt.2, as orchestration is not at the spotlight this time.

This album sounds like a cross between the Stratovarius of old (namely Episode and Visions albums), borrowing some elements form more recent albums (such as Infinite) while still retaining the fresh sound that was found in Elements, Pt.1. One thing that may turn fans away from this album is that the ratio of fast to slow songs is the same as that found on Pt.1: there are two very fast songs, two mid tempo songs, three ballads and two slow, yet powerful and hypnotic songs.

Another of the main complaints with Pt.1 was Kotipelto's use of high notes, which could turn annoying some times. In Pt.2, high notes are used only in choruses and not throughout the song, and this time around they are done very well. There's only one song, though, in which Kotipelto's use of high notes can be annoying, and that song is Alpha & Omega.

Let me give you a short review of all the songs in the album:

1. Alpha & Omega (4.0/5.0) - This can be considered the epic of the album, but is not so much of an epic. The song starts with the sound of rolling waves, which would be the link between Pt.2 and Pt.1, because the latter ended with the sound of waves. Still, I think is a poor choice for an album opener. This is a very slow, powerful song with hypnotic drumlines. The bridge to the chorus is ballad-like. Overall a nice song, but Kotipelto's voice can be annoying some times.

2. I Walk To My Own Song (4.5/5.0) - The single of the album. Your classic mid-tempo Stratovarius song. The melody gets in your ears quickly, and the solo is amazing.

3. I'm Still Alive (5.0/5.0) - An awesome fast song which could've belong to the Visions album. Great chorus, and the vocal performance is very good here. There's a very good drum solo at the end.

4. Season Of Faith's Perfection (4.5/5.0) - If you're a sucker for ballads, like me, you'll love this song. This is an orchestral ballad (like Papillon from Pt.1, but only in style). The song starts very nicely until a very haunting keyboard interlude. The chorus is awesome.

5. Awaken The Giant (5.0/5.0) - Soul of a Vagabound, Pt.2. Much more heavier and direct than Vagabound. Again, another hypnotic song with a very nice drum beat.

6. Know The Difference (5.0/5.0) - A lightning-fast masterpiece. Sounds like a cross between Stratofortress and Find Your Own Voice, without the annoying high vocals of the latter. The chorus is excellent, and the use of keyboards is really good. Watch out for the cool solo.

7. Luminous (3.5/5.0) - The weakest song in the album. A very peaceful ballad. If you've ever listenned to Into Deep Blue, Pt.1's bonus track, then you know exactly how this song sounds. Great lyrics, but overall it doesn't do too much to me.

8. Dreamweaver (5.0/5.0) - A very agressive song. Easily the best one in the album. The song is mostly mid-tempo, but it can get fast at some points because of the constant time-changes. The chorus is one of the best for a Stratovarius song.

9. Liberty (5.0/5.0) - A power-ballad and a fantastic finale for the album. This feel-good song is the complete opposite of Forever, and I predict it will become the official closer for Stratovarius concerts.

All in all, a very good album which sounds very fresh. Personally, I found this album waaaay better than Pt.1, which was less-direct music because of the heavy use of orchestration. Pt.2 is more direct, and that's what I like when listening to power metal.

Heavily recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm am no longer jaded..., November 7, 2003

By 

John. N (Big Run, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements 2 (Audio CD)

I'll be honest, if it wasn't for Stratovarius and my friend introducing me to their music about two years ago, I would probably still be listening to the crap some people call music in this country.

But after pracrically listing to almost everything that the band has to offer, and what other metal bands have and are pumping out nowadays, Stratovarius is, a least to me, losing some of it luster. Don't get me wrong, I am still a fan and always will be, and Stratovarius is a great band, but I can't help but feel they are a little overrated by people, kinda like how Rhapsody is at times...

Now about the new album. After the first Elements, I was contented, it was a good album, with a great balance of speed, mid-tempo, slow, and epic songs. Everything was is in its correct place and all was right with the world.

But after listening to Elements Pt.2, I can't shake this feeling of how "unbalanced" this CD really is. In essence, you have three really fast, catchy songs, and you have six mid-tempo/slow/ballad songs that you can't really bang your head to. I mean, the songs are good, Stratovarius seal of quality, but I just cannot sink my teeth and chew into it's heavy-metal goodness. One reason it may seem this way is technically no epic on this cd (but it was on the last one). Another reason may be that the instumental is also on the first CD is well, making the variety here somewhat slim.

All and all, I still glad I grabbed up this CD, but it doesn't really hold a special place in my heart like Dreamspace, Twilight Time, and Elements Pt.1 does.

However, since early 2002 the band has really been encountered a lot of difficulties and rumors fly abound, and this is why I may feel the way I feel. I always though of Stratovarius as a well oiled metal machine, and maybe these recent rumors have damaged this view of mine. Oh well, we are at least going to see three more Stratovarius releases before the band is done, due to their recent contract signing with Sancuary records, so I should quit complaining.

In closing, buy it your a fan, but start with a different Stratovarius release if your new to the band (Dreamspace, Episode, Visions, Destiny, Infinte, or Element's Pt.1).

-Added Nov. 24 2003-

Guess all of us fans of Stratovarius worst nightmares have come true. A recent news post by Tolkki at www.stratovarius.com has informed us that some of these rurmors are not rumors, but indeed truth. Tolkki plans to keep the band going, and possible line-up changes are inevitable.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Record, Great Band, Terrible Leader, November 26, 2003

By 

"raven363" (Lima, Lima Peru) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elements 2 (Audio CD)

This record is a great improvment over Elements pt1, it has a very good production and good songs overall. Its a shame, Strato used to be my favorite band but in the last 5 years it has go down to the 5th or 6th place in my list (of course X Japan is the best band ever!), all this because of Timo Tolkki leader of the band's childish attitude; Ive heard 3 members will leave the band and i wish the best for them, and the remaining member too, but Timo you can go to hell for screwing one of the most promising bands in metal.
Now lets go to the review:

ALPHA & OMEGA (3,5): I dont mind much about this song,butits ok, i still think Elements should have been only 1 album so all the fillers will get dumped and have the best Strato album, but its done already, so just wait til next record.

I WALK TO MY OWN SONG (5,0): First single, similar to Eagleheart, Save our Souls and Hunting High and Low.

I'M STILL ALIVE (5,0): Very Good song, sounds a lot like old Strato, will please old fans.

SEASON OF FAITH'S PERFECTION (4,5): Reminds me of Visions era ballads, nice effort.

AWAKEN THE GIANT (3.0): Boring and overrated, just like Soul Of A Vagabond, this is what u call boring,extremely slow paced metal.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE (4,8): I like the keyboards here, like Find your own voice; i dont know why ppl complain about Koti singing high notes, it doesnt sound that bad.

LUMINOUS (4,8): I dont know whats in ppl heads, this is a very good song, just what Strato needs which is exploring new sounds without screwing up, i must say Tolkki did a good job with this song; hope he's as good in attitude as he is writing songs.

DREAMWEAVER (4,5): Heavy song, its ok.

LIBERTY (5,0): Nice ending for a nice album, very good song not like A Drop in the Ocean which is Celestial Dream pt2

Overall rating (4,5)