Songs are rated from 4- (the worst) to 10 (the best).
Introduction
A month ago or so ago, Stratovarius announced their new album with our new guitarist. At first, I was skeptical upon hearing the demos that were posted by Jens. Even if I had this feeling, I went and pre-ordered the
Japanese edition on my usual Japanese CD order website. Upon receiving it today (May 27 2009), I was greatly surprised : even the slowest song attracted me. Something rare because I usually attracted by fast music à la "Through The Fire And The Flame" by Dragonforce and the music style Eurobeat (derived from Italo-Disco, produced in Italy, sold in Japan : Fast music from 135BPM to 170BPM). So Here we go with the in-depth review. (P.S I'm not really good at criticism and sometimes I could sound bizarre or out of place and English is my second language)
In-dept review : song by song
1. Deep Unknown (4:28 )
The song starts with keyboard then we are washed by a speed stream of drum, bass and heavy guitar. Timo sounds awesome the second he start to sing. The melody is really impressive, fast and catchy. The guitar solo is totally impressive. The song totally represents the album. It's a really good song.
10/10
2. Falling Star (4:33)
When we say that the first impression is usually false, this song can be a good representative. We could think it's a very good speedy song but things get slower after the first guitar part. That could throw some people away. But not me. The song has everything on its side to be an awesome song. Great melody, guitar, bass, drum, keyboard and vocal works and has an awesome production. We see that Porra really did a great job in writing this. So, all in all, this song is totally mind blowing too. Great job!
10/10
3. King Of Nothing (6:42)
The song starts off with some marching effects and then some piano. Byafter, all the instruments adds up and offers a great combination of heavy and soft music while having a great production. But, I feel there is something missing in Timo's vocals in some part of the song... may be it's just me. Also, the keyboard/guitar solo's (what starts at 4:37) beginning sounded a little out of place. Even by-after. It feels like it would fit something faster. Anyway, it's not a bad song but it's not my favorite.
8¾/10
4. Second Sight (Japanese Bonus Track) (4:25)
The song starts really hard : direct to the punch. The Japanese are really lucky to have some kind of
duplicate to Deep Unknown. Well, a duplicate, it's more like in the same style as Deep Unknown. The real highlight must be the chorus and the guitar solo which is super dreamy and awesome. In summary, the Japanese bonus is totally worth it. It's really good.
10/10
5. Blind (5:29)
At first sight, we could say that this song is ballad. False. It's yet another exciting song. The guitar riffs and the great vocals (although the chorus sounds off) could be the highlight. A very fast song, yet has a very great melody. I like it. I like the gentle ending.
9-/10
6. Winter Skies (5:50)
In the introduction, I said that habitually slow songs doesn't attract me. But, Winter Skies has such a great sooting melody that it's impossible to have a kick for this song. The highlight is, off course, the great melody and the vocals are totally perfect. Great production. I like it.
9+/10
7. Forever Is Today (4:41)
The song starts with a very fast guitar riff very well executed and very catchy. When the song finally take off, it's impossible to do not like it. I cannot tell how well this song hits jackpot. Everything works!! I cannot tell more than that. It's really good!
10/10
8. Higher We Go (3:48 )
One of the shortest song of the album. But it doesn't mean it isn't action packed! In fact, it's full of really good guitar and sooting melodies. The mix of ballad style song and metal in this song is just awesome. The quality can be seen during the couplet before the chorus and then the chorus. A very good production. I love this song.
10/10
9. Somehow Precious
If this album has a black cheep, this could be this song. Why? The couplet sounds off place. Just one or two strings of keyboard and vocals while the beginning was a slow-paced rock part. Then, all of a sudden, every comes back for the chorus. So? Some people could say it works, some would say it won't. I think it doesn't. I would have kept the guitar in someway and also kept the drum. However, the guiatr solo saves the day. Oh well, the song is still good but with no extra.
7+/10
10. Emancipation Suite : I Dusk (6:58 )
I think this song can easily be the masterpiece of the album due to its variety of melody and complexity. The song offers a lot of style : fast, slow and melodic. To me, it's great and all but after it's feeling old to me. Too bad, but still good.
8/10
11. Emancipation Suite : II Dawn (3:41)
The mix between the two parts is very executed congrats. The song is like the "day" side of the the first part since it's melodious and straightforward. Great melody and vocal work on this one. I totally like this one over the first part.
9/10
12. When Mountains Fall (3:03)
This is probably the strangest Stratovarius song I've ever heard. Only by the way it opens, we could think it's not Stratovarius at all. The song is a love song, one of the rare one in Strato's discography. One first hear, it should be disliked but after airplay, it's so fitting and good. Also, Timo reminds me of Koshi Inaba on this one (B'z singer, Japanese rock band - Wiki it (Btw, B'z is my favorite Rock band)). It's really impressive how this song was pulled off and it fits so much with the album in a strange way since it finishes the album. I love it.
10/10
Conclusion
All in all, it's a very good album. It proves that Stratovarius has survived the depart of Timo Tolkki and has proven that they can make some really great songs without him. Most of the album is the proof. The album itself possess a good variety of speedy and slow song. The most awkward but really fitting "When Mountains Fall" is maybe one of the surprising songs. "Deep Unknown" must be the best fast song of the album with "Higher We Go", "Second Sight (Japanese only)", "King of Nothing" and "Forever Is Today".
My top 3 :
Deep Unknown
Second Sight
Forever Is Today
My bottom 3 :
Somehow Precious
Emancipation Suite I : Dusk
??
3 Honorable Mentions :
The album art. Seriously. Best. Album. Art. EVER.
When Mountains Fall
King Of Nothing
Final grade : 9+/10
[STUFF that was Off-topic in my review above - for your curiosity only]
About Eurobeat : See
this page. Bare in mind that it's out-dated but it explains the fundamentals pretty well. If you want up-to-date info, visit the English wiki page.
I also talked about B'z. Visit this site if you are a little curious about it :
http://bz.9fishdesign.com/bznext.htm . PM me or visit YouTube if you want to hear their music.
[/STUFF that was off-topic in my review]
). I am happy to hear Lauri as a composer now - also in Strato. It sounds beautiful and TK's vocals sound exceptionally soft in this enviroment - I like it.
It's a great album with fresh energy, like a young band at the start of the career, yet it's definately Stratovarius. The best version of Stratovarius so far IMO. Not because Tolkki is out of the band, he's a great composer/guitarist, but because it's a collaboration of different great musicians with different songwriting ideas, which makes the songs more diverse, interesting and surprising.
