Stratovarius - Stratovarius
The last year has been difficult for Stratovarius. Main man Timo Tolkki went through a lot of stuff, including a severe depression and alcohol problems, which he choose to share with everyone through the press and the band's website.
The band went through internal struggles, including name calling in the public press, all in all leading to the departure of singer Timo Kotipelto, and introducing new singer, Miss K. We never got to hear her voice, because when the guys decided to end all the madness and games, the band was reunited. Publicity stunt or not? I guess we will never know.

So, here comes the new record. The album that should be so different and mark a new start for the troubled Finns. And actually, it does!
The self-titled record is well written, and I'll even say it has a depth, that has been pretty absent on the last couple of Strato offerings.
Gone are the huge symphonic arrangements and bombastic long keyboard solos that dominated the latest releases, Elements pt. One and Two.

One of the biggest differences is the tempo: there are no fast songs! At least not the typical Strato speed songs we are used to. The album has a much more thoughtful, reflective profile, with a touch of melancholy. The record seems honest, and it really is some dark and very personal lyrics Tolkki came up with for this release. It suits the band to slow down a bit and go more "back to basics"!

Old fans should not be alarmed, a lot of Strato elements are still intact, such as the sense for good melodies, the great interaction between keyboard and guitar, and Kotipelto's high-pitched vocals, which sound better than they have in years!

The record opens with Maniac Dance, also the song chosen for the single, and one of the more different tunes. A modern rock song with a pretty industrial sound to it. A simple structure and the catchy refrain make the song an easy hit.

Fight!!! and Gypsy In Me both have the characteristic Stratovarius trademarks such as a dominant keyboard and soothing melodies, but still a bit more atmospheric and with a slower pace. Very nicely done!

Back To Madness is a personal favorite, a song that really goes beneath the surface and gets under your skin. A bit experimental for Stratovarius and with a melancholic atmosphere. Kotipelto delivers a heartfelt and comprehensive presentation. He has never been among my favorite vocalists but here he does really well. A part with male opera vocals (not Kotipelto's, I'm sure) and cello, and a spoken Outro about the pain of life gets deep under the skin and ties the song together in an interesting and complete way.

Götterdämmerung (Zenith Of Power) should probably have been shorted down a bit, it seems a little too long and stretched out. The song is very slow, with a central chanting chorus, and in the end, it is an interesting track, and pretty untraditional for Stratovarius.

The Land Of Ice And Snow is a little sugary ballad, a tribute to Finland, where most of the Stratovarius guys come from and it's inhabitants. I'm not the biggest ballad fan in the world in general, but it's a pretty sweet (and short) little song, so I'll say it's all right.

Leave The Tribe and United belongs in the more lighthearted song category and will probably please the old fans a lot. Both melodies are happier and more easygoing than most of the album, and both are great songs.

Stratovarius is a refreshing and necessary record for the band and it's evolution. It feels good to conclude that the band after making the same sort of songs over and over for several years finally have the courage to try out at least a few new things. It was about time!

I'm sure there's plenty of stuff to enjoy for both old Stratovarius fans as well as lovers of melodic Metal in general on this album!

Written by Nina
Sunday, September 4, 2005
Show all reviews by Nina

Ratings

Nina: 7.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


This article has been shown 6605 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Huachimingo Prog.. (Anonymous) - Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Mala la wea


Comment by jernando (Anonymous) - Saturday, February 11, 2006
vayanse a la reconchasumadre











Review by Nina
None

Released by
Mayan Records - 2005

Tracklisting
1. Maniac Dance
2. Fight!!!
3. Just Carry On
4. Back To Madness
5. Götterdämmerung (Zenith Of Power)
6. The Land Of Ice And Snow
7. Leave The Tribe
8. United


Supplied by Target


Style
Melodic Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Stratovarius - Official Website

Other articles
Infinite - (Tommy)

Elements Part 2 - (Hashman)

Visions - (Tommy)

Polaris - (Alanna)

Dreamspace - (Steen)

Elements Part 1 (Reissue) - (Brian)

Elements Part 2 (Reissue) - (Brian)

Elysium - (Alanna)



Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
D:A:D - Riskin' It All
CoverThis was my first D:A:D album and in fact the first time I really started taking notice of Rock music back in the day. 1991 t....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Alanna)
Annihilator - Set the World On Fire
CoverAnnihilator is known for their speed/thrash metal and their revolving door policy regarding vocalists and band members in general. Centered around guitar god Jeff Waters, who has influenced a large ar....
Read full review






(Sandra)
Anathema - Judgement
Cover"Looking for the sun that eclipsed behind black feathered wings. Tomorrow never comes, there was only ever one day but now it's too late". These lines ab....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top