Type: Lyrics are included with the album, Enhanced CD-ROM
Genre: Rock
Review
It appears as though no matter what the "flavor of the month" may be on radio or MTV, there will always be a die-hard cult fan base for progressive metal. Popularized by the likes of Dream Theater, the style incorporates the tricky bits of such groups as Yes along with the metallic muscle of Iron Maiden. The top Finnish export is Stratovarius. 2005 saw the release of a self-titled studio album, which shows that the group is still following their original musical path. While the album will undoubtedly please those already converted, to others outside the group's fanatical circle, you can't help but smirk a bit at such Spinal Tap-worthy song titles as "Maniac Dance," "Fight!!!," and "The Land of Ice and Snow," or singer Timo Kotipelto's equal parts Bruce Dickinson and Sebastian Bach vocals. That said, Stratovarius is one of the few prog metal acts that actually puts songwriting ahead of mere shredding and noodling, as evidenced by quite a few tracks on Stratovarius -- including "Just Carry On." ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Jens Johansson (Keyboards), Jens Johansson (Keyboard Arrangements), Jens Johansson (Orchestral Arrangements), Max Lilja (Cello), Timo Tolkki (Guitar), Timo Tolkki (Producer), Timo Tolkki (Engineer), Timo Tolkki (Mixing), Jörg Michael (Drums), Timo Kotipelto (Vocals), Kimmo Blom (Vocals (Background)), Pasi Rantanen (Vocals (Background)), Alex Kuehr (Photography), Petri Bäckström (Tenor (Vocal)), Svante Forsbäck (Mastering), Jari Pedersen Kainulainen (Bass), Mattias Norén (Cover Art), Mikko Oinonen (Drum Engineering), Anssi Stenberg (Vocals (Background)), Mari Vaalasranta (Make-Up), Marko Vaara (Vocals (Background)), Claudia Vaihinger (Assistant)
Stratovarius is an album by the Finnishpower metal band Stratovarius. It was released after the band reunited in January 2005, following Timo Tolkki's nervous breakdown and the split of 2004. The band went on a world-wide tour to promote the album, playing for the first time in the United States and Canada. Although it wasn't intended to be so, it was the final full-length studio release of Stratovarius with long-time guitarist Timo Tolkki.
The album displays a notable change in direction for Stratovarius. The symphonic sound of the Elements albums is almost completely gone, and Timo Tolkki's signature neo-classical soloing style is notably absent. Keyboard player Jens Johansson has a more restricted role to play than on any previous release by the band and Jörg Michael's drumming features very little double bass pedal playing. Timo Kotipelto also attempts a different vocal approach, avoiding the high notes he is more well known for.
Timo Tolkki said in an interview in April 2007 that he didn't like this album because it wasn't their style at all, and it was made totally wrong.[1]
_cover.jpg)
