metalhead gallery

Stratovarius

Stratovarius’ second album since the departure of last “founder” Timo Tolkki, Elysium represents a creative spirit that shows they can function just fine without Madman Tolkki. Elysium is a comeback of sorts, not because the band has shifted away dramatically since the departure of Tolkki, but because it features track after track of music that isn’t mediocre. Now, I’m sure that Stratovarius fans will be in up in arms over this statement, but Stratovarius has been known to release very mediocre albums mainly due to a lack of originality, or just creative songwriting within their framed style. Elysium represents a return to what made Stratovarius an innovator within the power metal genre, with grandiose solos and melodies, a soaring, epic vocal performance by Timo Kotipelto, and a particularly powerful opus known as “Elysium.”

In particular, the opening two songs “Darkest Hours” and “Under Flaming Skies” are really stand out songs, the first with some really great melodies, and the second with some inclusion of groove which is completely unexpected and a welcome follow up to “Darkest Hours.” “Infernal Maze” is a song that is a combination of Kamelot’s sultry vocal style as a lead in, which delivers us to a pleasant, Stratovarious style speedy neo-classical number that doesn’t drag, or sound like a stagnant carbon copy of any number of the band’s other tunes.

“Elysium” is the centerpiece of the album, and the ultimate aural description of the epic song, as well as the power metal motif. A strong sense of atmosphere, instrumentation, and high melody with over arching crescendos and diminuendos create a real treat for those metal fans that look for songs that have no problem filling 18 minutes. I wouldn’t say that “Elysium” marks a new level for the epic metal song, as tunes like Iced Earth’s “Dante’s Inferno” stand firmly atop the mountain. The only thing that holds “Elysium” back is it’s lack of aggression. Now, a lack of aggression in any Stratovarius album is not uncommon, but when you create an 18 minute metal song, you need to have balance, and when the entirety of your song tends to be on the more lighter side, it will never reach the levels of greatness that are often expected of songs with such length.

In the end, those who are not fans of power metal, Stratovarius in particular, will not find much value in Elysium. Those who will be most intrigued by this album will be those fans of the band who have become a bit disillusioned over the years because of lackluster albums. I think many old fans will become pleasantly surprised by Elysium, and it’s representation of a new found vigor for it’s creator. Highly recommended to any fan of the genre.