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
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