What do you expect for the next album?

[Polaris]

I don't like the idea of a woman singer in a Stratovarius album.

Neither I

[Intiaani]

I think TK did some good job on Polaris but he could still improve on it a lot and Also one thing I would like to hear is better vocal melodies. Not that there was anything wrong in them but They weren't as good as they could have been.

They were recycled ideas, used in the old songs. I've always thought of Kotipelto a very great but melodically a little basic singer. He uses the little what he has noticed that works.

More prog... possibly. Now that they've had time and they have been sure they will be playing in the band in the future, I wait for a polished album with style. I hope Lauri gets to compose a lot of different songs like in Polaris.

I more hope than expect a changed song order. The ballad doesn't always have to be the last song. I usually find a ballad ending after a breathtaking epic song as bit of a bad idea. :/ Maybe something new. Deep Unknown being the hit song instead of Higher We Go was fresh idea that worked, though. So long those cheap and forced "hit" songs like I Walk to My Own Song?

A stronger third quarter would be nice, too! That's normally the part where every good (Strato) album is at its worst.

Actually I don't really want to expect anything. The band has never let me down, and I don't think they are able to. They are the only band for me I seem to automatically like, that I need to take sides with. Somewhere above the usual good band with good records and good music.

[icecab21]

give examples of vocal melody used in other songs if you are going to say he used the same melody

[ggonza43]

That would be really great, a duet between Timo and a woman, but not a ballad duet, a more heavy one, like Kamelot does so perfectly: heavy duet songs!!!!

I think we should leave this duet to bands like Kamelot. I just don't see Strato beign sooo symphonic, besides I sincerelly don't like female voices in a song THAT much

[lcecab21]

I sincerelly don't like female voices in a song THAT much

Prove you don't like female voices then.

[JPR]

Well I just want to put the example of Sonata Arctica out there, they started very power metal and have developed in there last album to be quite progressive, as fresh as there change was in Unia and DOG I still prefered their early material.

With Stratovarius, I'm open to them become more progressive and in fact I expect it with the current line up, though I look forward to seeing a progressive Strato with elements of Episode to Infinite mixed in but also hopefully with less programing in it I just think the more raw sound of late 90's Metal is better than the current standard, it's too technology based

As much as I still like Sonata Arctica, I hope Strato doesn't become a overly artistic arrangement of self induced drool (me thinks Tony Kakko is going slowly insane)

In conlusion: More progressive, with Episode to Infinite elements maintained and less programing

Peace \m/

[rikkertje]

I would also love the Episode sound! Perfect amount of keyboards, perfect amount of guitars. Just perfect!

[ggonza43]

Yesterday I was thinking a little, and what the next album MUST have (or at least consider the idea) is another instrumental

[rikkertje]

Yesterday I was thinking a little, and what the next album MUST have (or at least consider the idea) is another instrumental

YES! I was listening to Stratosphere just a few minutes ago. And I totally agree with you!

[RazielSR]

I agree too.

[Arkash]

Definitly: Episode, Stratosphere, Holy Light... another one is definitly needed!!!

[Rebel]

I've been meaning to type this for awhile. But here I go.
From an instrumentation standpoint, there has never been cause for complaint with this band, Tolkki was always a sufficient partner to Jens' blazing solos, and Jari K. provided a good bass compliment to Jorg's thundering drums. Lauri is a tremendous upgrade over Jari, and I believe Matias is a really special talent.
Timo's vocals showed noted improvement on Polaris over recent works as well.
It's the composition that worries me.
While no one song (With the possible exception of Somehow Precious) stands out as sub-par, the compositional team, Lauri in particular, has a long ways to go.
I find myself agreeing with Tolkki that although Kotipelto is a tremendous composer in his own right, his style may not be the most fitting for Stratovarius. The more I listen to Polaris, the more SP bugs me, and Higher We Go was never a standout compared to songs like Blind and Forever is Today.
I look forward however, to further compositions from Matias.
Unfortunately on Polaris, it wasn't just Matias' composition that got pushed in the back, but his guitar playing as well.
In moments like the end solo of Emancipations Pt. II, it was clear that Matias was an extremely capable guitarist, and by no means a step down from Tolkki, but then in songs like Falling Star, you would think the band was using a studio guitarist, given the complete lack of any meaningful guitar solo, this is POWER METAL.
That responsibility falls on Lauri. He is appearing to be the most proficient composer of the bunch, and he stays in the Stratovarius archetype quite well with songs like Forever is Today, and When Mountains Fall. His Emancipations suite was brilliant as well, but for him to really be successful, he needs to find a way to meet somewhere in between Forever is Today and Emancipation Pt. I. Again, these are both brilliant tracks, but the best service to the band is to, while moving forward into a new world for Stratovarius, still maintain the legacy that was so hard fought for.

Jens, being a veteran of Stratovarius, I think understands this best, all three of his compositions are successful in taking the distinct sound of Tolkki-era Stratocarius, into a new post-Tolkki age. His songs are fresh but not alien.

Matias, as well, understands this quite well, Deep Unknown took me a few listens to get the hang of, but from the instant I heard "Second Sight" on youtube, I knew he was going to do great things for Stratovarius.

I'm in no way advocating that Lauri have a restricted role in the creative process of the band, in fact, I think he's probably just as prolific a musician as Jens, but my sincere hope for the next album is that we get more of a melting pot of the various ideas that we saw presented in Polaris. We need more songs that are co-written by various band members, and we need full participation from everyone on board, and maybe if we're lucky, a bass solo.

[mayhem-for-all]

Definitly: Episode, Stratosphere, Holy Light... another one is definitly needed!!!

Don't forget Stratovarius and Stratofortress.
(And Also Metal Frenzy and the rest)

[ggonza43]

What I would like is an instrumental including all kind of solos: Guitar and keyboard as well as drums and bass (why not? Jorg and Lauri have a great potential, specially Lauri. The duet with Matias showed he has awesome skills )

[Empathica1928]

What I would like is an instrumental including all kind of solos: Guitar and keyboard as well as drums and bass (why not? Jorg and Lauri have a great potential, specially Lauri. The duet with Matias showed he has awesome skills )

God yes. I've rarely seen a bassist rip the shit out of his own instrument the way he did when he and Matias took the stage. Matias is fucking great and we expected an excellent solo duel (which we got) but I don't know if anybody expected Lauri to pull out the big guns. An instrumental on the next album that put these guys in the spotlight would make me a very happy person.

[RazielSR]

Damn...can't wait for the next album...I just hope that the guys release some live album before that...

Do you people think they have right now something? I mean, some pieces of songs, some ideas, some demos? I say it because Jens said some time ago the thing about Matias and his 30 minutes song

[hiro23]

I'm putting my faith in the members, I'm sure they will no doubt give us an album we will all enjoy, plus I'm also sure this one will have more of a definite sound then the last one did as I consider polaris as sort of an experiment to test the waters.

[ggonza43]

Do you people think they have right now something? I mean, some pieces of songs, some ideas, some demos? I say it because Jens said some time ago the thing about Matias and his 30 minutes song

I'm sure that as soon as they finish the tour, they will go into the studio and record awesome stuffs ! And I bet they've got some material too, with no doubt.
And about the 30 minutes song... Wanna hear that of course

#1001

[icecab21]

I think a lot of this stuff cancels out
We have all the X Y Z songs are the weakest and the X Y Z songs are the strongest.
looks like a lot of the people that say the songs are the strongest complement the songs beauty and a lot that say its weak complain about it not having enough power to them. We also have “X song is the most memorable” and “X song is the least memorable”. The band can’t please all the alternative viewpoints. Not really sure what a band is suppose to do when some one just says “this song is weak” with no further description of the persons taste or how the person thinks the song would be improved. The band put it on the album; I assume the band enjoyed the song enough to do so. Its one thing if you guys want to give some finite suggestions about music theory and changes that can be measured, but the stuff like “write stronger songs” or “write catchier melodies” is just too subjective to mean anything.

[Arkash]

No you're right, but they must at least, have fun reading the fans points of view, of course we all have different points of view, but if they ever read this, they'll have fun, it should be always fun to see people commenting on your work!! ^^

[doc_holliday]

doc, dont' you like progressive? Don't you like bands like DT or SymphonyX? )

DT, I didn't listen much, but Symphony X, from what I've heard so far, I only like "Out Of The Ashes". I'll check out the DT songs you mentioned tho...

[RazielSR]

icecab symphony , but if you read the topic title is: what do YOU expect.

People have the rights to have their own opinions based in whatever. The band won't make the album based in some opinions here, is just that we like to talk about the possibilities, etc, etc. And we see the possible directions the band could take...or not.
For example, you said that New Era have some songs that you like more than some songs in Polaris (me too), that's because you have an opinion based in your thoughts/taste.

And the band reads this, and they think about it too, of course. Then, they will release what they want and based in their thoughts and opinions.

You know, opinions, people talking about something, it's life.


JPR:

I just think the more raw sound of late 90's Metal is better than the current standard, it's too technology based

I completely agree, that happens to me in Gather the faithfull, it's like being listening some disco music sometimes.


ggonza I suppose that this 30 minutes song will be reduced if its gonna be in the album. But, that shows how Matias can work.

[JPR]

JPR:

I just think the more raw sound of late 90's Metal is better than the current standard, it's too technology based

I completely agree, that happens to me in Gather the faithfull, it's like being listening some disco music sometimes.

It work's for CO but I don't think so much for Stratvarius, but this Doesn't mean take away the powerful orchestrations. Just the overly synthesied parts, much like CO have done xD

[icecab21]

I was just giving a critique on people giving advice such as "write better" instead of something a band can actually use.
If the stuff was more based on stuff they can actual measure it would be easier to implement

A album with 10%ballads 20% epics 30% midtempo, 40% speed metal

80 minute album

Use of pelog and other scales not mainly used in metal

Use of Pythagorean tuning

[NeverendingAbyss]

An album with 10%ballads 20% epics 30% midtempo, 40% speed metal

Nice percentile! I agree with hellboy on this one.

Use of Pythagorean tuning

Maybe a trigonometric rythm, too.

[RazielSR]

[icecab21]

There actually is a Pythagorean tuning, not sure why your rolling your eyes.

[AGAG]

There actually is a Pythagorean tuning, not sure why your rolling your eyes.

Why not some Bohlen-pierce scales here and there?

[AAAAAAAAAA]

An album with 10%ballads 20% epics 30% midtempo, 40% speed metal

Nice percentile! I agree with hellboy on this one.

Use of Pythagorean tuning

Maybe a trigonometric rythm, too.

I hope Matias uses some isosceles chord progressions

[ggonza43]

ggonza I suppose that this 30 minutes song will be reduced if its gonna be in the album. But, that shows how Matias can work.

Totally true, but maybe they should make an EP just like DT made with "A Change Of Season", including this 30 minute song. What you say?

#1028