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 BrianRatingsBrian: 8.5/10Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 3 ratings.
Member ratings
 | Stuart (Staff)
Rating: 7.5/10
Learning To Fly is one of my all time favourite Stratovarius songs. I actually really like... · Read more · |
 | Steen (Staff)
Rating: 6.5/10
Good album but it I find it lacks the excitement of earlier Stratovarius releases.... · Read more · |
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