The first "official" review

[JensJohansson]

http://www.bravewords.com/hardwares/1001449

It makes me happy, it's a bad omen if the first published review is horribly bad.

Hopefully more people will like it... but of course, not everyone will. That's how life is.

[icecab21]

cool review, what is he thinking about the lyric thing though?

[Star_Ocean]

I don't think it's a negative review, which is good. In fact, they don't really state much of an opinion on it.

And the score is a 7.0/10. I don't know how that score is in Europe, but in a lot of places in the US, it is considered good. Not amazing, but good.

[Metalcentral]

Good review. I wouldn't call "Emancipation Suite Part 1" a ballad though..

[browneyedgirl]

7/10 is pretty good. What did they give the other StratoAlbums?

Reviews are more or less the reviewers opinion, so when they give mediocre scores its nothing to really take seriously. Reviewers try to be objective, but its the nature of reviews to give a heart-felt opinion.

I have read reviews where Elements got, like a 5/10. Some others gave a 8/10. So, review scores are just reference points, so to speak.

[icecab21]

more than a few of Timo Kotipelto’s lyrics seem to skewer his former bandmate, including ‘King Of Nothing’ (utilizing jackbooted marching sound effect), ‘Blind’ and the aforementioned Emancipations (“It’s time to break these chains and head to freedom. I will be free”).

That part seems so troll. I mean with King being about kings and wars of Sweden, tolkki hardly fits that description unless Jens somehow thinks that tolkki is the reincarnation of a Swedish king. With a song called emancipation, what does the guy expect the lyrics to have, and why would he assume it was something about the band?

[Texidor]

Good review. I wouldn't call "Emancipation Suite Part 1" a ballad though..

What is your review of the album! You know we are dying to know !

[NightScreamer]

because i have never heard it i always think of king of nothing with kiss of judas lyrics and tune:

the knight awaiiiiiits
the king of nooothiiiiiiing, holds me me once again

[hiro23]

Every review is a bit on the bias side, however I agree with jens in the fact that if good reviews are outweighing the bad ones that is a good sign.

[JensJohansson]

more than a few of Timo Kotipelto’s lyrics seem to skewer his former bandmate, including ‘King Of Nothing’ (utilizing jackbooted marching sound effect), ‘Blind’ and the aforementioned Emancipations (“It’s time to break these chains and head to freedom. I will be free”).

That part seems so troll. I mean with King being about kings and wars of Sweden, tolkki hardly fits that description unless Jens somehow thinks that tolkki is the reincarnation of a Swedish king. With a song called emancipation, what does the guy expect the lyrics to have, and why would he assume it was something about the band?

The copies for the reviewers don't have lyric sheets, and apparently the information about who wrote what fell out from the promo copy sleeves.

You remembered the story of the Deluge of Poland, that's great The Polish leadership overreached and miscalculated heavily too. Their empire really was the one that was most heavily decimated...

[Bathory Killcraft]

because i have never heard it i always think of king of nothing with kiss of judas lyrics and tune:

the knight awaiiiiiits
the king of nooothiiiiiiing, holds me me once again

Ey Nightscreamer stop using my @#!!!@#@#avatar!

[icecab21]

The copies for the reviewers don't have lyric sheets, and apparently the information about who wrote what fell out from the promo copy sleeves.

I wonder what the guy will be thinking when he finds out who wrote what and the lyrics? It looks like everyone came up with some pretty interesting stuff.

[RazielSR]

I think it's a very very good review. Damn, I can't wait to get the album! . This part is a complete hyyyppeeee!

Introducing virtually every tune, keyboardist Jens Johansson appears to have benefited most from the lineup shuffle, playing a more prominent role in the music. Greater use of backing vocals from other members too. The concluding ‘When Mountains Fall’ is a grand finale, complete with orchestral strings and acoustic guitar.

[Texidor]

:luv1: I read the review and its getting more and more excited for this album! ALL HAIL POLARIS!

[dupinguez]

I work myself for a french webzine : www.leseternels.net

How can I contact your new label (earMusic?) for reviewing Polaris?

[Ragehead91]

The review sounds great! I can't wait! This and the Heaven and Hell Album are my most anticipated albums of 2009!

[Star_Ocean]

The review sounds great! I can't wait! This and the Heaven and Hell Album are my most anticipated albums of 2009!

I've heard the Heaven & Hell album (I got a promo because I write reviews for a local Newspaper and its website). And it is very good. A bit too slow, but anyone who enjoys the old school Sabbath Doom Metal will adore "The Devil You Know."

[hiro23]

This year is going to kick ass when it comes to metal, I believe 2009 is THE year for metal.

[NeverendingAbyss]

because i have never heard it i always think of king of nothing with kiss of judas lyrics and tune:

the knight awaiiiiiits
the king of nooothiiiiiiing, holds me me once again

Ey Nightscreamer stop using my @#!!!@#@#avatar!

He's not the only one!!!11!!11!111

[NeverendingAbyss]

This year is going to kick ass when it comes to metal, I believe 2009 is THE year for metal.

I agree completely on that!

[Ragehead91]

The review sounds great! I can't wait! This and the Heaven and Hell Album are my most anticipated albums of 2009!

I've heard the Heaven & Hell album (I got a promo because I write reviews for a local Newspaper and its website). And it is very good. A bit too slow, but anyone who enjoys the old school Sabbath Doom Metal will adore "The Devil You Know."

Old Sabbath Doom Metal with Dio? :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1:

[hiro23]

This is funny, seems a lot of people are using the same picture now

I've got a huge amount of albums I need to get this year.

[Ragehead91]

The Bathory army is taking over!

[Bathory Killcraft]

He's not the only one!!!11!!11!111

Ahem... what is going on?! Seems like an organised conspiracy here...Hope not everyone in the forum turns up with a Bathory avatar now...though now that I think of it...how cool would that be!

[Star_Ocean]

Old Sabbath Doom Metal with Dio?

It's not pure Doom Metal a la Warpigs, but it is definitely closer to that than say, The Mob Rules. Imagine a mixture of old school Sabbath with the Heaven & Hell album, with Dio's voice.

Anyways, is anyone getting a really happy and positive vibe from the sound clips? I am, and not just because of the music. Even if I end up not liking the music, it is still giving off a great vibe that is making me happy.

[Burning Reflection]

I think the review is written horribly. "Timo Tolkki the least loved or visible?" I like how he decides who is the most or least loved and how we will like it. And he calls the band finns when in fact only 60% of the band are finns.

Glad you're happy about the review though Jens.

[Ragehead91]

Old Sabbath Doom Metal with Dio?

It's not pure Doom Metal a la Warpigs, but it is definitely closer to that than say, The Mob Rules. Imagine a mixture of old school Sabbath with the Heaven & Hell album, with Dio's voice.

:luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1: :luv1:

[Babylon]

I never really pay much attention to album reviews, they are nothing more than someone's personal opinion. Like hiro23 said, they will always be biased. Some of my favorite albums have got terrible reviews I mean really, who cares what some journalist who got their copy for free thinks?

[hiro23]

What matters really is what the fans think and also what the band thinks.
You know you've got a great album if the majority of your fans have got a copy of it, you know you have a classic album if not only many of your fans have it but also some people who've never even heard of the band before.

[AMBR@BEC]

Well, my webmaster was true to his word and our review of Polaris has been published today.

So, check it out on BeyondEarCandy.com, and as soon as we get the real deal, we'll have the album on the radio as well. Hopefully, some recorded interviews too. Cheers!