Customer Reviews

Stratovarius

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

 

 

For most bands, the release of album number eleven isn't typically any different from the ten that came before it or any particular reason to celebrate ~ unless you're a Stratovarius fan. Considering the troubles the band encountered at the end of 2003 to the beginning of 2004, the fact that this release contains the "classic" line-up that has been together since 1996's Episode is a blessing. That said, this album has somewhat of a head start due to the nostalgia factor.

As for the album itself, "Stratovarius" is the album that Elements Pt.2 should have been. The album starts with "Maniac Dance," which is your typical made-for-radio single. Fortunately, it's length is the only typical thing about it, as Stratovarius breaks their tradition of using the usual happy-go-lucky song as the first single, as "Maniac Dance" is a very, very angry song that finds Kotipelto using his voice in a way like never before. I originally didn't care for it, but after a few listens I couldn't get it out of my head. "Maniac Dance" is followed by "Fight," which is the typical up-beat song with with those corny, trademark lyrics about never giving up (not that there is anything wrong with that). "Just Carry On" pretty much carries on the themes introduced in "Fight" and is another up-beat track as well.

"Back to Madness" is a dark track that carries on the emotions found in "Maniac Dance", only the track is much, much slower (I like how Tolkki is exploring the darker aspects of life, much like on Dreamspace, probably due to his personal problems - it's a welcome change). Is that Tolkki talking at the end of the track? "Gypsy in Me" has got to be my favorite track, being an upbeat, synth-happy track (although it's strange to hear Kotipelto say "gypsy in me" for some reason - don't ask).

Unfortunately, as good as the first part of the CD is, the album comes to a grinding halt with the track Gotterdammerung (no, I'm not putting the accents in because I'm an arrogant American). I thought "Awaken the Giant" from Elements Pt.2 was a snooze fest. Described as a "real Stratovarius epic", this song is a half baked idea at best (which becomes extemely apparent when Kotipelto repeats the lyrics "zenith of power" over and over for half the song's duration). Please, can we use the word "epic" for songs like "Visions," "Destiny" and "Elements" ~ songs actually deserving of such a title.

"Land of Ice and Snow" is a decent power ballad, but nothing I'd write home about (although I though Sonata Arctica was the only band that wrote songs about the frigid Finnish tundra). "Leave the Tribe" is slow-paced rocker that is worthy of attention and "United" is a good, yet typical Stratovarius album closing song with a very likeable hymn-like quality.

The only other gripe I have about this album in general is that Kotipelto's pronunciation is not good as it has been in previous releases. However, this is mainly due to some of Tolkki's wording in the lyrics and how they coincide with the music (not gonna be like other people and complain how Kotipleto says the word universe). In the end, Stratovarius' "Stratovarius" is a worthy addition to any heavy metal music collection.

First off I would like to say that I own every studio album by Stratovarius including Intermission and Visions from Europe. I also own the Infinite Visions DVD and I have a shirt and a hoodie (Elements 2). Needless to say, I love this band.

A few things that I'd like to mention next for the picky metal fan: 1) There are no songs faster than an up-tempo song (like Hunting High and Low or Eagleheart's speed). 2) Several of the songs aren't anything new for the band; its as if they copied themselves for several songs. 3) This is not on the Nuclear Blast label. Its on Sanctuary Records, I believe.

There's a video for Maniac Dance on this enhanced digipak version. It was done by the same people who did Wish I Had an Angel and Nemo (both by Nightwish) and also a few of the major American mainstream bands. That surprised the daylights out of me; I was expecting an awesome video, something along the lines of Infra Galaxia by Samael, When the Eagle Cries by Iced Earth, or At the Mountains of Madness by Orphanage. Nope - there's not really a "story" acted out by actual characters; its just watching the band play and ...if my memory's correct, a girl getting into an old tub wearing a bikini. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I was happy with the opener (Maniac Dance), but it wasn't as good as most of the Stratovarius singles, such as Hunting High and Low, SOS, I Walk to My Own Song, and Eagleheart. Timo sings surprisingly low often during this song. Certainly a switch from the title track on Elements 1.

Going back to the title of the review, many of the songs are longer (3 in the 7 minute range) and sound like the Babylon-style song from the Episode album. BUT - this isn't "Episode 2"; the band took what they learned from their experiment with the 2 Elements albums and combined it with their old style to obtain yet an even newer style. Its now a unique sound that sounds as if this was a classic rock band releasing their 15th studio album (here in the year 2005). Well, Stratovarius HAS been around since the 80's and certainly must have a lot of influences from the classic rock, progressive rock, and neoclassical bands.

The songs on here are often positive (Back to Madness certainly isn't; its got a doom-metal like dialogue that ends the song) and easy to listen to. If you want more challenging music, look at bands like Time Requiem and Spiral Architect.

If you're one of those people who listens to HIM, Mnemic, Soilwork, In Flames, Messhugah, and Children of Bodom and claim to be a euro metal fan, think again - Stratovarius has once again defined an important component in European metal as a whole.

Some of you are probably scared about what I said about the music sounding unoriginal. Straight up - not all of the songs are. "Fight!!!" is a really happy but unoriginal song. In other words, they seemed to copy bands who once copied Stratovarius. Same story with "Just Carry On." Then we get to the good songs. (I don't quite get it myself, but tracks 2 and 3 just angered me in the unoriginality, especially looking back at previous songs the same songwriter has written.) "Back to Madness" is saved by the dialogue at the end; its lyrics are a bit vague, but that's good sometimes. I like this one a bit more, but I don't LOVE it.

Now we get to the songs you can have fun with. "Gypsy in Me" has an Egyptian feeling to it and is a bit more of an epic metal kind of song. Anyone who enjoys "taking off with" or "diving into" a song will love this one. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to think of "Zenith of Power"; its not a bad or unoriginal song, but I just can't seem to get into it.

"The Land of Ice and Snow" is a phenomenal near-vocal-solo "ballad" that's very original and enjoyable. "Leave the Tribe" sounds like a "part II" to Edguy's "King of Fools."

I'm under the impression that several people think "United" is the best song, yes? I agree! Musically, it's a lot like "Liberty", but lyrically, its more of a "Mother Gaia", "Infinity", or "Anthem of the World" song.

Ah! I almost forgot solos! Maniac Dance has a great solo, but for the most part, like I said - they're slow, Babylon-like / Soul of a Vengabond-like / Awaken the Giant-like songs. Jens doesn't do nearly as much on the keyboards as he did back in the Visions and Destiny era, but he's there when he's needed, like what you hear with the band Brainstorm and Trail of Tears' new album.

Overall, I recommend this to just about anyone. Now that I've heard it, I realize I shouldn't have been DYING to hear this album - I only felt that way cause it was my favorite band releasing a comeback album. This is no Visions or Episode; there's several 8.9 / 10 songs, but no like 99999/10 songs like Black Diamond or Father Time.

Also, anyone interested in whatever happened with that female singer "Miss K" that the band signed right after Timo Kotipelto left before the band broke up? I can say that she does not appear on this album.

Well as the last reviewer said, "listen to it more than once" well i have and i'm still shaking my head wondering what happened? Where are the "Tradmark Guitar & Vocal Melodies? The superb Double Bass Drum Drum work of Jorg Michael? The incredible dynamic's that have been their signature sound? This is NOT Euro Metal, sounds like their trying to sound American. The Single "Maniac Dance" is the worse song on the CD, not even a good Single B-side or Japanese Bonus Track. Well Timo T. says on the "Rockumentary" portion of the CD "This is the "NEW" Stratovarius" and apparently thats why Timo K. re-joined the band. I guess maybe he wanted to go a more "Commercial" direction, and get away from the High range Vocals of the material of the past. Well they should take a listen to the new Nocturnal Rites CD to hear Melodic Metal with a commecial edge done right! I just hope when i see them in their First West Coast Appearance this week, they don't play too many songs from this CD, cause i can't really pick one i'd like to hear live. The song i enjoyed the most was the Vocal solo that they have done on most of their recient CD's "The Land Of Ice and Snow" I hate to say anything Bad about Timo T in light of his Personal problems he's had to try to get through the last few years, but i just don't hear any Heart in his playing here. Just sounds like he's "Going throught the motions" The only time the guitar really stands out is when his solo comes up. BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT!

First off I would like to say that I own every studio album by Stratovarius including Intermission and Visions from Europe. I also own the Infinite Visions DVD and I have a shirt and a hoodie (Elements 2). Needless to say, I love this band.

A few things that I'd like to mention next for the picky metal fan: 1) There are no songs faster than an up-tempo song (like Hunting High and Low or Eagleheart's speed). 2) Several of the songs aren't anything new for the band; its as if they copied themselves for several songs. 3) This is not on the Nuclear Blast label. Its on Sanctuary Records, I believe.

There's a video for Maniac Dance on this enhanced digipak version. It was done by the same people who did Wish I Had an Angel and Nemo (both by Nightwish) and also a few of the major American mainstream bands. That surprised the daylights out of me; I was expecting an awesome video, something along the lines of Infra Galaxia by Samael, When the Eagle Cries by Iced Earth, or At the Mountains of Madness by Orphanage. Nope - there's not really a "story" acted out by actual characters; its just watching the band play and ...if my memory's correct, a girl getting into an old tub wearing a bikini. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I was happy with the opener (Maniac Dance), but it wasn't as good as most of the Stratovarius singles, such as Hunting High and Low, SOS, I Walk to My Own Song, and Eagleheart. Timo sings surprisingly low often during this song. Certainly a switch from the title track on Elements 1.

Going back to the title of the review, many of the songs are longer (3 in the 7 minute range) and sound like the Babylon-style song from the Episode album. BUT - this isn't "Episode 2"; the band took what they learned from their experiment with the 2 Elements albums and combined it with their old style to obtain yet an even newer style. Its now a unique sound that sounds as if this was a classic rock band releasing their 15th studio album (here in the year 2005). Well, Stratovarius HAS been around since the 80's and certainly must have a lot of influences from the classic rock, progressive rock, and neoclassical bands.

The songs on here are often positive (Back to Madness certainly isn't; its got a doom-metal like dialogue that ends the song) and easy to listen to. If you want more challenging music, look at bands like Time Requiem and Spiral Architect.

If you're one of those people who listens to HIM, Mnemic, Soilwork, In Flames, Messhugah, and Children of Bodom and claim to be a euro metal fan, think again - Stratovarius has once again defined an important component in European metal as a whole.

Some of you are probably scared about what I said about the music sounding unoriginal. Straight up - not all of the songs are. "Fight!!!" is a really happy but unoriginal song. In other words, they seemed to copy bands who once copied Stratovarius. Same story with "Just Carry On." Then we get to the good songs. (I don't quite get it myself, but tracks 2 and 3 just angered me in the unoriginality, especially looking back at previous songs the same songwriter has written.) "Back to Madness" is saved by the dialogue at the end; its lyrics are a bit vague, but that's good sometimes. I like this one a bit more, but I don't LOVE it.

Now we get to the songs you can have fun with. "Gypsy in Me" has an Egyptian feeling to it and is a bit more of an epic metal kind of song. Anyone who enjoys "taking off with" or "diving into" a song will love this one. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to think of "Zenith of Power"; its not a bad or unoriginal song, but I just can't seem to get into it.

"The Land of Ice and Snow" is a phenomenal near-vocal-solo "ballad" that's very original and enjoyable. "Leave the Tribe" sounds like a "part II" to Edguy's "King of Fools."

I'm under the impression that several people think "United" is the best song, yes? I agree! Musically, it's a lot like "Liberty", but lyrically, its more of a "Mother Gaia", "Infinity", or "Anthem of the World" song.

Ah! I almost forgot solos! Maniac Dance has a great solo, but for the most part, like I said - they're slow, Babylon-like / Soul of a Vengabond-like / Awaken the Giant-like songs. Jens doesn't do nearly as much on the keyboards as he did back in the Visions and Destiny era, but he's there when he's needed, like what you hear with the band Brainstorm and Trail of Tears' new album.

Overall, I recommend this to just about anyone. Now that I've heard it, I realize I shouldn't have been DYING to hear this album - I only felt that way cause it was my favorite band releasing a comeback album. This is no Visions or Episode; there's several 8.9 / 10 songs, but no like 99999/10 songs like Black Diamond or Father Time.

Also, anyone interested in whatever happened with that female singer "Miss K" that the band signed right after Timo Kotipelto left before the band broke up? I can say that she does not appear on this album.

The Good
What's a good power metal album without an inspiring anthem? "Fight" is that anthem, and Stradivarius loads this one with lots of energy, driving riffs, and over-the-top vocals. Every superhero should have a theme song similar to this. "Just Carry On" forces you to look at yourself for the answers and not depend on others. The verse sections rely mostly on drums and vocals. The bridge kicks in with some great vocal melodies and power chords, while the chorus does the same. "Back To Madness" is an intricate journey into the mind of someone losing their grip on reality. There's an interesting operatic section where I believe the main character has finally lost it. Lots of tempo changes here to please the fans.

"The Land of Ice and Snow" is a ballad that emphasizes keyboard effects and tuneful vocals. As the track climbs closer to its conclusion, thick riffs and pounding drum make their presence known. The Meaning of "United" can be take two ways actually; it can either be about coming together in a relationship or coming together to fight a common enemy. The track is full of empowering arrangements and enduring vocal melodies.

The Bad
The album's first single "Manic Dance" is a little goofy. Not only is the main riff so basic a beginner could nail it, but the electronic version that precedes the track doesn't help. Although I can't stop humming it (maybe I should move this to good). Most of the songs could have been cut off by a minute or two. The instrumental segments don't seem to add to the track because they don't differ in tempo or arrangement from the rest.

The Verdict
Stratovarius establishes themselves as the Queensryche of European power metal on their latest album. Not only do you get the standard constructions of the genre, but you also get a lot of progressive elements that help set the group apart from their peers.

This album is a strange beast. Most of the tracks are slower than one would traditionally associate with Stratovarius. Its also very dark. I understand the guitarist (who is the principle song writer) was having some uh, emotional difficulties (ie. went a bit mental). And actually if you listen to it with that in mind, it plays better - it allows you to see where he's coming from on tracks like Back to Madness and Maniac Dance. As with all Stratovarius I find the drums too heavy and pronounced, making the slower, softer songs a little disjointed. Listen to their old stuff first, when they were happy, before coming to this album.

If your a Stratovarius fan of the old then this CD is not for you. There is no heart, no Power, no Layering, No imagination, No.... there is nothing here. this CD was a absolute disappointment and after another week or two of trying to "get it" I can see this on being put on a shelf and collecting dust. Memo to Jorg, get back to the double bass basics and what happened to your "classic snap" sound of your stick bouncing of your drum heads. This new style in contagious though as Hammerfall has also released a boring CD Chapter V.

This isn't were Elements I or II left off but its a great start to what is to come. After the turmoil of the moment that seperated the band for a while, this CD was a good come back for them. I actually appreciate Timo's voice on this CD. The reason why I gave it a 4 instead of 5 is because this is a CD that is an apology for the events that happened and that shouldn't be put on album, check out Maniac Dance, Fight, Leave The Tribe and United and you'll understand what I mean. It's still a great album, but leave your problems for us not to hear about it. Thanks. Your FAN(S)

This album shouldn't exist. I tried to force myself to like it but it didn't happen. Too me the last good album from these guys was Infinity. There is no depth to any songs on this album and the production is really bad compared to their previous albums. A few tracks sounded like they had potential but didn't and the rest are basically fillers. If they ever put out another album hopefully it will be alot better than their last 3 attempts.

Well, it?s not a bad album. But it?s not a really good one either.At least not what fans of this band are expecting. Don?t get me wrong, I like the album, in fact is more hard rock than power metal and of course i like hard rock, but this is not our good old Stratovarius. So if you want speed get Sonata Arctica, or get dissapointed with this cd.