We dared not really believing and yet, the group proves able to make us vibrate again. Without radical change of recipe, but with the inspiration and the plume more, Stratovarius found a little of his past flamboyance. The album starts honestly with the single "Darkest Hours" which, without having the force of a "Father Time", a "Kiss of Judas" or even a "Deep Unknown ', remains a heavy title, efficient and driving. But it was with "Under Flaming Skies" and "Infernal Maze" album that truly takes off. The first is a title taken tempo, the intro has a slightly oriental atmosphere, and the riff that would see with Kamelot. The melodies and arrangements are fly, we want more ... and that's good because the next song is in a similar line. Note fine workmanship in the arrangements (keyboards Jens Johansson shine throughout the disk) and cleverly knitted solos, including "Infernal Maze" where the guitar and keyboards will respond with a great dexterity.
The band's style is easily recognizable but it is darker than on very rare occasions in the shameless plundering of compos glorious past (large group default that once recycled riffs and melodies awkwardly that had already been proven). As such, the refrain of the very friendly "The Game Never Ends" seems a little easier (but so effective, it must be said) and "Event Horizon" by far the most speed track on the album, we spring double bass drum rigor, accompanied by harpsichord and round trips guitaristic high neoclassical trend already heard a thousand times. Probably a little too familiar to be honest, this composition still has the merit of having what it takes or where it is necessary, and finally achieve its goal as her breath away.
The progressive or symphonic appearance of Finns is not forgotten and reveals more on slower tracks like "Fairness Justified" (with its refrain of majestic choirs) or "Lifetime In A Moment" which, despite a fairly repetitive hand works well, thanks to a heavy and dark atmosphere worked well, the catchy melodies (beautiful verse) and a mixing break organ and choirs that we would believe out of a church. The ballad "Move The Mountain" is not shabby either and, finally, the title track of eighteen minutes (!) Is generally interesting and contains many beautiful passages ... even if the end seems a bit long and firefighter.
The radius of qualities, we therefore note a majority of inspired and effective compositions, a set rather punchy (read: Tension is less than previous discs), as well as its all simply huge (nothing new regarding this last point, it is a real constant in the group).
The radius of deficiencies: risk-taking, after all, minimum, and Timo Kotipelto which sometimes even tries to sing for dogs (or dolphins, I'm not sure) ... but which fortunately abuse very little of this type of flights not always the best effect. In addition, although it does not happen it is known to rise so high on stage ... those who doubt hear the recent "Polaris Live 2009".
Despite its few flaws, "Elysium" is an album in which I ceased to immerse myself throughout last week, and this with the same pleasure every listen ... it had not happened (with Stratovarius) for a good ten years. 2011 starts with a surprise therefore that we will not hesitate to describe as good ... if not unexpected! Doing so run the new: the beast is still moving.
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