Since
Timo Tolkki recently announced the 'Project Strato: Return To Dreamspace' album, to be released later in 2009, I felt it was time to dig out this little piece of metal history from my archives.
Dreamspace is a very interesting album. It is varied and easy to get into yet it holds a special atmosphere that has made me listen to the album frequently ever since I bought it about 15 years ago. Even if it's not a completely amazing album with loads of standout songs there is something fascinating about it. It was my first
Stratovarius album and it remains among my favorites along with
Episode and
Visions. Dreamspace differs quite a lot compared to those other two. Instead of being in-your-face power metal it takes some experimenting detours with success.
For
Stratovarius fans only familiar with the
Kotipelto catalogue Dreamspace will be a curiosity that might turn out to be a very special surprise.
Dreamspace was the third
Stratovarius album, released in 1994. At that time their line up was the following:
Timo Tolkki : Vocals & Guitars
Jari Kainulainen : Bass
Tuomo Lassila : Drums
Antti Ikonen : Keyboards
No particular member stands out but together their performances mesh very well. The lack of individual stand out moments gives the impression of a well functioning band and works in favor of the songs.
Tolkki's production is nicely balanced and gives room for the bass which is great. I like his vocals as well. Tolkki's voice is mid-level high pitch with a certain touch of melancholy which fits the songs and lyrics well. The lyrics are pretty straight forward througout and don't stand up to close scrutiny.
From the first time I listened to
Chasing Shadows I've wondered about the glitch in the opening guitar melody. Is it a mistake or not?
Chasing Shadows opens the album in a pretty straight forward manner, strong melody, good buildup and a memorable chorus.
With
4th Reich things take a darker turn musically, evident at the first note as the melody slowly transcends. The atmosphere is strong and reminds me of Queensrÿche's
Rage for Order era. The opening vocal distortion works as a tension-building effect. The chorus is a highlight and holds the tension. Great song.
Eyes of the world continues the darker atmosphere with a slowly descending guitar intro. The chorus is once again memorable and throughout the song keeps its melancholic atmosphere intact.
Hold on to Your Dreams is one of the simplest songs on the album. It's enticingly melodic and an instant standout but two things bogs the song down in the long run; 1. The lyrics deliver its message in an agonizingly simple way. 2. The bouncing keyboard melody in the background of the chorus sounds like it was sampled from either an old C64 computer game or a TV game show from the 80'ies and doesn't work at all. Whoever came up with that keyboard sound must have been pretty high on something. I have some fond memories of this song but today it doesn't quite hold up anymore.
Magic Carpet Ride unfolds in an interesting and unpredictable way.
We are the future picks up speed and is the closest the album comes to a highlight. Excellent buildup, good bridge section and the chorus is one to sing along to.
Tears of Ice is a great ballad. Tolkki sings with conviction and gives the song its needed emotion.
Dreamspace, the title track, is the most varied and challenging song on the album. The various passages fit pretty good but the song lacks a peak.
Thin Ice goes beyond normal and has a quite psychotic side. The song is a curious experiment which doesn't work.
Abyss and
Reign of Terror are average songs and fail to make a lasting impression.
Shattered speeds up for a final flash before the album ends in a mid-tempo pace with
Wings of Tomorrow.
Wings of Tomorrow shows signs of what was to come with
Galaxies (A song I absolutely love) on the next
Stratovarius album. The music flows very well and it is a great way to end the album as it has a timeless feel to it.
This is my favorite non-
Kotipelto Stratovarius release and definitely worth checking out.
Written by
Steen Thursday, October 8, 2009
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