Polski opis

Gatunek :	Power Metal
Rok Wydania :	2009
Jakość :	WavPack
Okładki :	Tak
Ripper :	fallsonata

Opis:
Powermetalowa fińska grupy STRATOVARIUS wypuści niedługo nowy album pt. "Polaris".

"Polaris to mocny, pełen pozytywnej energii album, który bez wątpienia chwyci za serce fanów na całym świecie" - przekonuje wokalista Timo Kotipelto. Zespół 24 maja wystąpi na koncercie w warszawskiej "Progresji". Materiał na płytę powstał jesienią 2008 roku w helsińskich studiach "Hastholmen" i "5by5".

Źródło: metal.mpra.pl

 English description

Genre :	Power Metal
Year :	2009
Quality :	WavPack
Covers :	Yes
Ripper :	fallsonata

Description:
After the much publicized drama in the STRATOVARIUS camp over the last several years it's a wonder how the band is still at a functional capacity. The recent departure of founder/guitarist Timo Tolkki hasn't seemed to shake the foundation that much, perhaps because the other core members are still ambitious enough to make it work, but the fact remains - filling Tolkki's shoes is not an easy task. His style is much too complex and diversified to duplicate. Then there is the matter of the band's name. Instead of just having a clean break from Tolkki and forming a new band under a different moniker, the remaining members chose to keep the STRATOVARIUS flame alive and move forward with a new guitarist, the young Matias Kupiainen.

With "Polaris", STRATOVARIUS have undertaken the task of proving that they can make an album that follows in the vein of such staples like "Episode", "Visions", "Destiny" and "Infinite". If they wanted to make any sort of impact, they pretty much had no choice but to do something substantial with this one, especially after the lukewarm response from their last self-titled outing in 2005. "Polaris" sounds like a STRATOVARIUS album, containing all the various ingredients you would expect - powerful, melodic keyboard / double kick / guitar-driven anthems layered with Timo Kotipelto's multi-dimensional, soaring vocals.

The selection of songs are varied - some slow, some mid-ranged, and don't worry, there are the signature fast ones too. The hard-rocking "Falling Star" is a great expression of synths/guitar work fused with Kotipelto's magnificent vocals. "Blind" and "Forever Is Today" will appeal to those fans that thrive on the fast ones, as it dives right into the speedy Power Metal of songs like "Millenium, "Black Diamond" and "Father Time". Slowing things down to the ballad level, "Winter Skies" features a nice collaborative effort on the part of keysman Jens Johansson and new blood Kupiainen. Another few worth mentioning are the futuristic-sounding "King Of Nothing", the "Emancipation Suite" pair, and "When Mountains Fall", which is very reminiscent of the band's classic "Forever".

When all is said and done, the big question here is "can STRATO survive without Tolkki?" The music on this album definitely sounds like STRATOVARIUS, but at the same time, there is that piece of the pie missing. Tolkki was a key architect of all their past works, and his absence can be felt in the songs because of the unique style he brought to the music. However, with "Polaris", Kotipelto and the boys fulfill the obligation of moving STRATOVARIUS in the right direction, but not without some minor adjustments. There are more progressive elements added in on this recording, along with more melody, but not to the extent that is dilutes the material so much that it becomes unrecognizable - not even close. This is pretty solid stuff, and worth listening to. After all, it is still STRATOVARIUS, and the band have managed to turn an unfortunate situation into a positive one that will keep the ball rolling.

Source: metaleater.com