STRATOVARIUS „Stratovarius”

Music: Melodic Hard Rock/Power Metal
Country: Finland
Website: http://www.stratovarius.com
Duration: 49.23


Cool Songs: Maniac Dance, Fight!!!, Götterdämmerung (Zenith Of Power), Leave The Tribe

The fact that we’ve got a new Stratovarius album in 2005 is nothing short of a miracle. In 2004, in literally all metal dictionaries around the world, the word ‘Stratovarius’ was the proverbial definition of a train wreck! The usual musical differences cited between main man guitarist Timo Tolkki and vocalist Timo Kotipelto, drummer Jörg Michael and keyboardist Jens Johansson saw them dismissed from the band. Then, Tolkki recruited a new female vocalist in Katriina Wiiala (who was a member of Aurora K) and all sorts of stories surfaced about the new direction Tolkki was to take his band (much to the chagrin of his fan base). To top it off, Tolkki was then stabbed; he apparently attempted suicide and then finally suffered a total mental breakdown. Tough gig this metal shit hey?

Seemingly with his life spiralling out of control, Tolkki realised that he does in fact love his former band mates and in late 2004, we learn that the band was to reunite and all differences are forgiven. As if to hint of a new beginning, the 11th studio album from Stratovarius is self titled; the cover art is a stark minimalist affair with just their name and a gleaming gold three pronged motif. Not surprisingly, the changes that Stratovarius have made are not restricted to the aesthetics. Musically, this is a Stratovarius album like no other.

If you asked a Stratovarius fan to describe the bands signature sound – the reply would undoubtedly include such words (among others) as speedy, double kick, melodic, bombastic, chorus laden power metal. In 2005, Stratovarius no longer adhere to such a mandate. Oh sure, the melodic chorus aspect is still very much a given, but if you were expecting more of the same, then I’m afraid ‘Stratovarius’ may take some getting used to. ‘Stratovarius’ is bereft of anything to do with their speed driven, double kick past. Not ONCE on this new album will you find drummer Jorg Michael break into the repetitive left/right kick combinations that so enamours their past deeds. In this sense, ‘Stratovarius’ is pretty much a back to basics, stripped back ‘Hard Rock’ album. Less bombastic moments, less cheese and far less progressive than anything they’ve done before. If that sounds like a ‘fresh’ move after 10 albums then you’ll enjoy the different feel that ‘Stratovarius’ has to offer.

On the other hand, it must be stated that with a far more simplistic song writing approach, this new album lacks a little bit of fire. I admire their balls in rejecting past glories for this album, but for me Stratovarius have always been about being ‘epic’ and this just doesn’t have anything that matches or replaces that kind of feeling. ‘Stratovarius’ is a much darker sounding affair also – the opening track (and first single and promotional video clip from the album) ‘Maniac Dance’ is indicative of what you can expect from the majority of the album. It’s a moody piece of music that’s almost cathartic-like with the opening line ‘This year has been a nightmare. I’ve been so low, I don’t care’ giving rise to frame of mind that Timo Tolkki was in during the writing of this album.

Song wise, ‘Stratovarius’ is very much a mixed bag. Accepting its melodic hard rock persona, it is still difficult to view these new songs as anything more than solid, if slightly unspectacular (hell, lets even try ‘dull’) compositions. And perhaps they even try too hard to be so ‘Un-Stratovarius’. In terms of memorability, it’s moments like Fight!!! (that’s with THREE exclamation marks folks), ‘Maniac Dance, Leave the Tribe’ and perhaps the controversial Hitler-themed ‘Zenith of Power’ that stand out. The rest is, quite frankly, forgettable – the operatic ‘Back to Madness’ finds Kotipelto straining in the higher register (to the point of sheer annoyance), ‘Gypsy in Me’ is just plain average and the less said about the excruciatingly hideous ballad ‘The Land of Snow and Ice’ the better.

Listen, the Stratovarius fan base are obviously a rather accepting bunch and this new album will probably be welcomed with open arms (particularly as most thought it would never happen), but really that would just be a case of accepting that any Stratovarius is better than none. Still, I’m not convinced that this new stripped back Hard Rock approach is the path they should continue to pursue. The song writing just isn’t as strong as it could be. Stratovarius have obviously tired of the ‘typical’ power metal anthem, but to my mind, that is still what they do best. Maybe a compromise can be found in the future.

note: Quote: 5.5

Tracklist

Maniac Dance
Fight!!!
Just Carry On
Back To Madness
Gypsy In Me
Götterdämmerung (Zenith Of Power)
The Land Of Ice And Snow
Leave The Tribe
United

Line-up

Timo Tolkki (g)
Timo Kotipelto (v)
Jari Kainulainen (b)
Jens Johansson (k)
Jörg Michael (d)