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: : REVIEW : :
Finally, the new album from Finland’s reigning Gods of Power Metal has arrived. For
all fans alike, it always is a given that these guys will put an album out that will
be stuck in our CD players for a long time.
This being their first conventional album since 2000’s Infinite, (excluding
2001’s Intermission, which was a collection of b-sides, live, material, and a
few newly recorded cuts) Stratovarius has diversified their production while keeping
a more edgy approach to their sound. No need to panic, its not any step away from
their prevailing sound. For Elements, they have continued to fuse their
complex neo-classical compositions and musicianship with solid songwriting, which
has always been their staple in the Metal world. The diversity comes in with the
addition of a choir and an orchestra showcasing a plethora of arrangements of
strings and brass.
Looking at this band, we are actually coming off the heals of two major solo
projects from members that were released last year, axeman Timo Tolkki’s Hymn to
Life, which expressed him not only as a virtuoso musician, but as a songwriter
with great pop sensibility. The other being vocalist Timo Kotipleto’s project,
respectively titled Kotipelto (Waiting for Dawn), which was an album that
showcased a more stripped down power metal sound (and not to mention his wide vocal
range). Like their past albums, Elements opens up with an up tempo cut called
Eagleheart, which will defiantly remind fans of Infinity’s Hunting
High and Low and Destiny’s Save our Soul. In fact, Eagleheart
has a more guitar-oriented sound, with Jens Johansson’s Keyboards being used
sparingly pushed back in the mix. The question can be asked, have they gone for a
more stripped down sound? Not at all, it is when we have only reached the second
track on the album; the dark sounding Soul of a Vagabond stands out with a
complete orchestra, and everything comes forward. Find Your Own Voice soon
follows with the neo-classical progressions of the harpsichord and intense double
bass drum, which has been the foundation for Startovarius’ sound. Cuts like
Fantasia and Elements (which I might say are extended tracks being ten
and twelve minutes long, respectively) showcase the bands ability to put a ballad
and rocker in the same song. Two ballads are also present on this album, the first,
Papillon which features Tolkki’s guitar work going from light acoustic to
full blown heavy among a children’s choir. A Drop in the Ocean (which closes
this album) is a sweeter ballad completely acoustic among the orchestration.
I personally could not really find any weakness on the album. When they played with
the orchestra, it was perfect, and they didn’t overdo it. When they played alone,
they gave us more “classic” Stratovarius songs. There are your improvised solos from
keyboardist Johansson, and of course Tolkki’s phenomenal guitar work that lays out
all the groundwork. A must have for any Metal collection.
Rating: 7.5 of 10
Reviewer: Chris Alo
Visit the artist website:
http://www.stratovarius.com
:: DISCOGRAPHY ::
Fright Night - 1989
Twilight Time - 1992
Dreamspace - 1994
Fourth Dimension - 1995
Episode - 1996
Visions - 1997
Destiny - 1998
Infinite - 2000
Intermission - 2001
Elements Part I - 2003
Elements Part 2 - 2003
Record Label: Nuclear
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