Customer Reviews

Episode

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is it! The Strato album with loads of emotion and most thoughtful compositions. Goes almost hand to hand with Dreamspace for the best Strato album ever. Songs like "Father Time", "Will the Sun Rise" and "Speed of Light" were fantastic and fresh at the time. "Eternity" and "Night Time Eclipse" deliver amazing lyrics and emotions. "Season of Change" being maybe my favourite track with "Eternity" on this album. Listening to it is like waiting a flower to burst to all its glory. Kotipelto's performance might also be at its best in this song and he is singing some fantastic lyrics in the end that go directly in your heart and soul.

Episode is remarkable album that changed the musical style of the band into more melodic and symphonic. I think this is "the" album where to start listening (or maybe Visions) the band if haven't heard anything from them. Anybody who claims this is an uninspired album doesn't understand anything about music! PERIOD! Musicianship from the whole band is top notch and Tolkki is one of the best guitarists/songwriters ever! I've spoken.

This is an excellent cd. It's quite a jump from their original cds and songwriting however, it's for the better. I love the musicality and intricacies. I also like the addition of an epic feel to songs like Eternity and Stratosphere. The singing is a little different but I grew accustomed to it. Overall I would recommend this to any power metal fan.

I heard of this band off one of my metal head friends. And let me tell you, if you like power metal, this band is definitely for you. Stratovarius is one of the best true power metal bands out there today. The only band who can come close to these guys is Sonata Arctica. This is probably Stratovarius' best CD. I've listened to this CD many, many times and it never gets old or boring. Timo Tolkki's guitar playing is simply awe-inspiring with his sheer speed and skill. For an example of Tolkki's skill, just listen to Speed Of Light. The best songs on this CD are Father Time, Will The Sun Rise, Speed Of Light, and Babylon. This is a must have CD for all power metal fans.

It is the best kind of Classical power metal I have ever heard. The songwriting of Timo Tolkki is perfect, and he is a very good guitarist. The songs sounds fresh (not like a cheap copy of the groups of the 80`s). The songs have much power, the voice of Timo Kotipelto is heavenly. I enjoy this CD everyday. If you like classic metal like Helloween (of the 80`s) then it is the right one for you!!!

As superb as power/progressive metal gets, Stratovarius, along with Symphony X, are the kings of the genre. Defined by supreme guitar work and superlative vocals, this album is without a doubt one of their finest, and some would say their crowning moment.

It is unfortunate that some choose to compare this band to Metallica, whose musicians cannot (by any standards) be compared to Stratovarius'.

Do not buy this album if you are looking for something along the lines of Metallica, or any other radio-friendly heavy metal bands for that matter. Buy this album for what it is: a modern masterpiece of metal, delivered with a unique excellence.

This album straddles two eras of the band. There is plenty of clunky early style stuff. But just when you thought that this might be like Dreamspace or Fright Night they pull out stuff like Father Time. Personally I prefer the live version on the Visions live double CD but this is still a cool track. Not to mention the fey sort of feelings invoked by listening to Forever. Try it with the lights out! However I can't justify more than three stars due to the feeling that these Finns were only just seeing beyond the front door and hadn't yet escaped their musical isolation.

Though I was tempted to make this four stars due to the excellent Season of Change.....

This release (to me) is the 2nd best Stratovarius record, neck and neck with "Destiny" The songwriting on this record is phenominal, light years above and beyond other power metal bands. In fact, a couple songs are borderline THRASH! Once they get going, they don't screw around! Not only is Timo's guitar work right on par with Yngwie Malmsteen or Jason Becker, but Jens keeps up with him the whole time on the keys. Drumming is intense and well produced as always. Vocals are super clear, but not to shrill. Timo #2 makes sure to retain some, well, balls! No silly "dragonslaying" lyrics or "medieval" stuff, just varying subjects about life, not dwelling on the past, other dimensions, etc. I've always liked Stratovarius' lyrics, even with the language barrier. Very recommended.

This one's another good album in the so called power-metal sub-genre. But I still think that Visions is Stratovarius Best.

After hearing some of their other albums I decided to get this one. Sure enough, this album turns out to be wonderful, just as I expected. I'll admit, I do think the other albums I got by them ("Visions" and "Infinite") were a little better, but that doesn't mean that this album isn't extremely increadible either. All the songs on this one are really good, except for "Babylon", which is just okay. When you hear a Stratovarius album you can definately tell that they truly put a lot of work and time into their songs. Their songs are really epic and powerful. Timo Tolkki has written some of the best songs I have ever heard. Not only that, but the lyrics are so different from what you would expect on a metal album. Despite this being a great album, I wouldn't recomend this for a first time Statovarius listener. This album is more like for people who already appreciate their music. Another thing, for those of you people who don't like this album, try listening to it again will you?

This is maybe the best album of Stratovarius,or at least one of the best...the album starts with the powerful and stratovarius classic "father time"(kotipelto lyrics) and continues with
"will the sun rise?" a very good song as well.
The song "babylon" sounds pretty epic,with choirs that blows you away...
"nightime Eclipse" is a very beautiful song,with a beautiful guitar.
"uncertainty" is great song,music and lyrics by Kotipelto.
and finally the all time favorite Stratovarius Ballad "forever" blows you away!
this album is perfect ,Kotipelto voice as always is clean and sometimes sensual,Tolkki Guitars are incredible,keyboards by Jens Johansson are beautiful.Enjoy it!