3 December 2023
Founded in Helsinki in 1984 by members of the current lineup, Stratovarius was an ordinary band that not many people had known about until the album Episode, released in 1996 with a brand new lineup. With this album, guitarist Timo Tolkki who handed over the vocals to Timo Kotipelto made a great breakthrough by appointing the Swedish Jens Johansson, one of the most talented musicians to come to the metal world, to the keyboard position, and the German Jörg Michael, who had played in many important bands (incl. Running Wild) to the drums position and turning his band to an international all-star team. With Episode and the subsequent Visions, Stratovarius managed to become a serious success. But the real fatal blow would come with Destiny, released in 1998. After this album, the band’s name was now associated with giants of the genre like Helloween. Destiny made Stratovarius one of the most important music formations in Finland, with its many hits and commercial success.
Of course, such great successes also bring with them great pressure. The troubled times that Helloween had gone through after Keeper Of The Seven Keys ended with Kai and Kiske leaving the band. The same thing happened to Stratovarius. Although they managed to continue with the same members after Destiny, they could not give the old taste musically. The band was now performing music in a more progressive style. In my personal opinion, Tolkki exhausted the ammunition he had and sought new pursuits. After Stratovarius, released in 2005, tension within the group gradually increased, and the war between the Tolkki and Johansson/Michael fronts ended in separation. Tolkki left the band, saying that he wanted to continue with Revolution Renaissance. With Tolkki’s departure, bassist Jari also left the band. They were replaced by Matias Kupiainen (guitar) and Lauri Porra (bass). Polaris, the first album released by the new lineup together, was a serious recovery album. Matias, who was wondered whether he would be able to shoulder the team after Timo, also proved himself with his quality and received generally positive reviews.
Although they clearly gained momentum after Polaris, I can say that I did not listen to either Polaris or the subsequent album Elysium, perhaps because I was so disconnected from the band. Sometimes I’m so alienated from a band that I miss the good work they did afterwards.
There was a forced lineup change in the band before Nemesis. Jörg Michael (R.I.P.) had to say goodbye to the band because he had cancer. His replacement in this album is Rolf Pilve (25), a young name. I don’t know how they found the member, but I think he did his job well throughout the album. The guys abandoned their progressive mindset and made a complete power metal album. Throughout the album, there was no song that bored me or made me want to move on to the next song. Attacking, fast drum parts, keyboard and guitar solos, which we can call the trademarks of Stratovarius, remain in their place. Choral vocals used in many tracks add enthusiasm to the music. Apart from that, the rhythm guitars are also really great. The music is extremely enjoyable, as good power metal should be.
It’s really hard to name standout songs. But if I must, I can first recommend the wonderful ballad If The Story Is Over. It is a beautiful song that included far eastern melodies, brought to life by Kotipelto with his wonderful voice. I can also recommend the first single from the album, Unbreakable, and the wonderful songs Stand My Ground, Out Of The Fog and Castles In The Air. I can’t believe that even Kotipelto’s funny-accented English is still there after all these years. I don’t know how they managed to capture this enthusiasm after so many years, but did it really well.
9/10
