Starting in Elysium

Recently I was already on the appetizer "Dakest hours", which is the new and now thirteenth full-Lenghth disc 'Elysium' preceded report. Now I can finally write about the entire plant and its nine songs.

Clear are still skeptics say that STRATOVARIUS can not exist without Timo Tolkki, but I have to deny, because who has heard 'Polaris', should have realized that the Finns are still a guarantee for Nordic Power Metal.

But now from in's "Elysium". The EP title track "Darkest Hours" is selected as relaxed entry and will be replaced after four minutes of "Under Flaming Skies". Even a relatively short track, but provided with some more progressive elements, creating STRATOVARIUS effortlessly a beautiful fusion of catchy prog and power metal. Thanks beautiful keyboards, a catchy chorus and double bass and easy access is guaranteed. Also "Infernal Maze" We already know from the debut.

To date, the album sounds loose, open and informal, which is an advantage to its predecessor, because this was nevertheless a trace bulky, but this is understandable, a lot of pressure on the MKII version of STRATOVARIUS, from which one can now talk confidently lay yet because with Timo Tolkki the last "quasi" -Gründungsmitglied's disappeared from the scene.

Although it will be epic and progressive, yet remains so this informal feeling. "Fairness Justified" begins with chanting and acoustic guitar, passes into a stomping equipped with bombast part over and increases for a nice solo by Mattias always more. Before the heavy stuff is unpacked (we still expect a 18-minute film), let the men again shake the mats and cheerful chorus of "The Game Never Ends" warble. A typical STRATO hit the mark "Hunting High And Low" or "Eagle Heart" - live is a must, but if it develops into a classic of this caliber, of course, remains to be seen.

"Lifetime In A Moment" begins with a voice intro, which consists only of various background sounds. It put the guitars and one feels bombastic Stampfer as "Soul Of A Vagabond" or 'Alpha & Omega' recalls, however, only by the her mood, because the song is very independent, which is also due to the guitar work of Mattias largely who brings more and more, but without altering the STRATOVARIUS sound too much. Logical development might call this. Note also that Mr. Kupiainen has co-composed and in six of the nine songs. Wonderful are the solo duels with Flitzefinger Jens Johannson, who shakes repeatedly unexpected melodies and solos impossible from his sleeve.

Now Timo Kotipelto to, the course must not go unmentioned. Of course, who does not like his voice, they will never like, but also on "Elysium" he proves his skills and enchanted in a successful ballad "Move The Mountain" just as he believes in the other songs.

After the accelerator pedal is depressed again. Although drummer Jörg Michael is no longer the youngest, but he takes the double bass by still, ignoring losses. After this refreshing trip to UpTempo climes, a kidnap the STRATOS in the 18-minute "Elysium" and show all known elements, trademarks and facets of the band - and even more. A wahrlicher listening, which is impossible to describe, but wants to be heard.

More there is not to say, except that the tape even after these many setbacks, it can not be beaten and matures into new strength and growing together.