CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist: Stratovarius
Album: Polaris (2009 Victor/Ear Music/Edel Music/Armoury Records)
Tracks: 11
Artist website: http://www.stratovarius.com
OVERVIEW
Timo Tolkki? Nope. He’s gone. As much as he may have claimed to have been the “heart and soul” of the band, this new Stratovarius sounds fresh! It isn’t often that the departure of a leading band member goes well. In this case, I’m glad to see that it has not affected Stratovarius adversely. We do wish Tolkki all the best in his new band, Revolution Renaissance, and will hope to have the chance to review the new record Age Of Aquarius soon.
Now, back to the new Stratovarius and Polaris. I would call this album a “back to form” album for these veteran nordic power metallers who have some new blood amongst them. Matias Kupianen’s guitars are a formidable force on this record. His playing style is definitely different from Tolkki’s.
Kotipelto’s vocals are awesome! Johansson, Michael, and Porra have all brought their A+ game to this record. The album is also perfectly paced.
In my native language of Finnish, I have only one thing to say: “Upee levy!” (Roughly translated it means: “What a great record!”)
HIGHLIGHTS:
King Of Nothing, Winter Skies, Higher We Go, Emancipation Suite (both parts)
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – Deep Unknown
Great opening track! It had my attention from the very start. That happens very seldom.
Track 2 – Falling Star
Awesome vocal parts. I love the power this song has but also the mellow guitar and keyboard parts. Contrast!
Track 3 – King Of Nothing
Beautiful track! Very expressive.
Track 4 – Blind
Hauntingly gorgeous intro that turns into one furious power metal song. Get ready to bang your head to this! \m/
Track 5 – Winter Skies
Awesome Power Metal Ballad. There are not a lot of these and this one is awesome! Am I over using that word, “awesome”? Not in this case. The piano solo that warps in to this wall of sound guitar solo is just jaw dropping! Fantastic!
Track 6 – Forever Is Today
I know this is power metal, but would it be possible to put a little more variation among the chugga-chugga? I’m not knocking this song at all. I think it is a great song. But Jorg Michael is an awesome drummer and having him play practically the same beat for 4+ minutes does not make sense to me. I do think it is amazing that Michael’s double pedal stuff is as even as it is.
Track 7 – Higher We Go
What power! What expression! Big, huge chords. So majestic. The backing vocals on this track are huge too.
Track 8 – Somehow Precious
This is definitely a very good piece to study if one wants to understand how to use dynamics effectively in a song. It is also a very pretty song.
Track 9 – Emancipation Suite: I Dusk
WOW! (enough said)
Track 10 – Emancipation Suite: II Dawn
(part 1 segues seamlessly in to this track) The awesomeness continues!
Track 11 – When Mountains Fall
This song could have been left off the album. The album could have ended perfectly at the end of the Emancipation Suite. It’s a pretty track, but not very Stratovarius. Quite medieval. It’s different.