A new fresh start ...

The years after the publication of the "Elements" slithers were not easy for Stratovarius. After Tolkki to brought after an argument singer Kotipelto and drummer Michael, to pack their bags, he gradually threw all the other band members and presumably himself from the band, a singer took on board and Jens' brother Anders Johansson on drums. After countless recriminations and verbal mudslinging between Kotipelto and Tolkki and an attack of fans Tolkki with a knife this to consign after hospitalization equal to a mental hospital in which a majority of the texts for the 2005 published "Stratovarius" had emerged. After reunion album, on which, contrary to all expectations, together took the original lineup once again, it was hoped in the power metal world that everything is back to butter. But in early 2008 was followed by a message saying that Tolkki will dissolve the band now but what was the best solution given the current mood among the band members. However wanted the other four continue to carry on their music and thus rendered Tolkki all naming rights to the remaining band members. During the year, followed by the new guitarist Matias Kupiainen and with two new men in the lineup (Jari Kainulainen was founded in 2005 by Lauri Porra already replaced) made you look at the work to become the twelfth studio album.
2009 you published finally released the long-awaited by fans album "Polaris", on which after three fairly progressive and bleak tinged albums sought the path of the light-hearted and catchy music of the late 90s the band.
And the results speak for themselves:
With "Depp Unknown 'follows at the beginning a typical Stratovarius opener which immediately" The Kiss of Judas "is reminiscent of a mix of" Hunting High and Low "and. The next song "Falling Star" and "King of Nothing" can hold loose the high level of the first track, but the first really good song is mMn the fourth track "Blind" of me a bit of the Stratovarius classics "Black Diamond" recalls. The power ballad "Winter Skies" makes the heart melt every fan, as a romantic keyboard solo and a deafening guitar solo of the song is driven to the peak. The two subsequent high-speed numbers "Forever Is Today", "Higher We Go" and held pretty mid-tempo "Somehow Precious" are the absolute highlights of the album, you loose on "Infinite" could be found.
The 10-minute number "Emancipation Suite", which have been divided into two parts "Dusk" and "Dawn", seems a bit long and its length to uneventful, but the second part has a great Gitarrenoutro which strongly to the recent 3 minutes from "Mother Gaia" recalls.
The final ballad "When Mountains Fall" is introduced with classical instruments and scores by Timo's excellent vocal, though his English leaves something to be desired. The strong Finnish accent sometimes makes that a roll up the toenails. Nevertheless, the song, which serves as a kind of love song is somewhat untypical of the band, a great final stroke for the album.
Conclusion: "Polaris" Stratovarius have proven that they can conjure up a world-class Power Metal album without Tolkki. About the new musical direction of the band is open to debate, but Tolkkis outlet was the best thing that has happened Stratovarius after all these years. World-class entertainment \ m /
4/5 stars