Stratovarius - Elements Part 1 (Reissue)
Originally released in 2003 and now re-released by Metal Mind with bonus tracks, 'Elements 1' polarizes opinion, even among Stratovarius fans, never mind the wider rock and metal community. 

Written and produced almost entirely by erstwhile band guitarist, Timo Tolkki, the albums were clearly designed by the band to be their magnum opus, their stake in the ground, maybe even their epitaph.
There's nothing subtle or sophisticated here. There is no urbanity of tone to 'Elements 1'. It's powerful and it's metal, but it's not power metal.
It's got elements of progrock, symphonic metal, neoclassical rock and lots of other sub genre, niche market driven pigeonhole descriptions.

 But what it really is, is this : one man's vision on how the music he'd written should sound. Arguably, it's adult rock as seen through the eyes of a child.
Tolkki lines up all the major colours on his palette, and paints huge, broad, musical brushstrokes in the studio, coating each track with a veneer of grandeur. There's a primitive beauty to his brilliantly grandiose, pomp peppered metal. He's constantly and very clearly reaching for that awesome moment when progressive metal and symphonic rock fuse together, creating one heartstopping, transcendent piece of music.
And a lot of tracks on 'Elements pt1' get damn close.

Take the ten minute epic, 'Fantasia', an aria from an imaginary rock opera, highly reminiscent of Canada's Klaatu and their unsung classic album, 'Hope'. And 'Papillon', an extraordinary musical journey, one minute delicate and restrained, the next blazing with passionate vocals and loud, spine tingling orchestration.

But absolute standout track just has to be the 11 minute title cut, 'Elements'.
You couldn't get it more theatrical than this, punctuated by a thick cut metal riff and dramatic keyboards, it smokes and smoulders, accelerating gradually toward a climactic, eminently operatic punchline. 
Tolkki's command of orchestral and choral arrangements is simply breathtaking. Strings swoop, harmonies soar, rhythms sway, guitars seeth.

Elsewhere, 'Eagleheart', a Euro-metal, rock romp with pop sensibilities opens the album with a stall setting flourish. 'Learning To Fly' follows the hi speed, hi energy power metal formula, as does 'Find Your Own Voice', but with Stratovarius, joining the dots always results in a pretty picture.

In revisiting classic rock, 'Soul Of A Vagabond' should seem out of place here, but given that the current rock and metal scene can be traced back to Dio, Deep Purple and others, it fits like a glove.

 Many of the songs are lyrically disingenuous, but we should credit Tolkki for putting his heart on the line, imagining a fairy tale world where war and hate are non existent, a childlike yet welcome antidote to the surround sound clichés of sex and drugs and rock'n'roll.

So, clearly 'Elements Part 1' is an ambitious album and one that hits most of its targets. A hugely impressive recording, with more highs than most bands enjoy over a whole career.
Symphonic metal for dreamers perhaps, but hell, what's wrong with that.

Written by Brian
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Show all reviews by Brian

Ratings

Brian: 8.5/10

Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 3 ratings.



Member ratings

RevelationZ StaffStuart (Staff)

Rating: 7.5/10
Learning To Fly is one of my all time favourite Stratovarius songs. I actually really like... · Read more ·
Profile pictureSteen (Staff)

Rating: 6.5/10
Good album but it I find it lacks the excitement of earlier Stratovarius releases.... · Read more ·
This profile has not added a pictureProgPower87

Rating: 8.5/10
No review was posted

This article has been shown 3653 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Review by Steen (Staff) - Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Profile picture

View Profile


Comments: 518
Good album but it I find it lacks the excitement of earlier Stratovarius releases.

Rating: 6.5/10

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Review by Stuart (Staff) - Friday, January 8, 2010
RevelationZ Staff

View Profile


Comments: 116
Learning To Fly is one of my all time favourite Stratovarius songs. I actually really like this album, it's just on the right side of overblown.





Rating: 7.5/10

Posted by Stuart (Staff)
Friday, January 8, 2010

Comment by ProgPower87 (Member) - Wednesday, April 20, 2011
This profile has not added a picture

View Profile


Comments: 5
Ratings: 1
I have always found it interesting that Strato fans tend to gravitate toward the band's early work - largely around their typical uptempo songs. I'm in the minority as I think "Episode" was their strongest work, prior to "Elements Part 1." I don't know that I could ever use the word, "heavy" to describe Stratovarius' music, but I prefer their work that leans in that direction - which tends to be mid-tempo. There just feels like so much more drama and atmosphere, well beyond guitar shredding.

Posted by ProgPower87
Wednesday, April 20, 2011










Review by Brian

Released by
Metalmind Productions, Poland - 2009

Tracklisting
Eagleheart
Soul Of A Vagabond
Find Your Own Voice
Fantasia
Learning To Fly
Papillon
Stratofortress
Elements
A Drop In The Ocean
Papillon (French version / bonus track)
Run Away (bonus track)
Find Your Own Voice (Demo version / bonus trk)

Originally released in 2003


Style
Symphonic Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Stratovarius - Official Website

Other articles
Infinite - (Tommy)

Elements Part 2 - (Hashman)

Visions - (Tommy)

Stratovarius - (Nina)

Polaris - (Alanna)

Dreamspace - (Steen)

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

(Tommy)
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
CoverLooking back at the Megadeth discography, this one has always been my favourite. The high amount of technical abilities and ultra fast rhythm section is a very special feature on this release. The....
Read full review






(Steen)
Sieges Even - A Sense of Change
CoverExploration and discovery. Two themes which are essential for your enjoyment of this album. Even after 13 years and several hundred listens I have still not reached a journey's end when it comes to "A....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































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