Stratovarius - Polaris
| Release date: | 15 May 2009 |
| Style: | Power metal |
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Owners: |
446 have it 27 want it |
01. Deep Unknown
02. Falling Star
03. King Of Nothing
04. Blind
05. Winter Skies
06. Forever Is Today
07. Higher We Go
08. Somehow Precious
09. Emancipation Suite: I Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite: II Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall
12. Second Sight [Japanese bonus]
13. Second Sight [Polycarbonate Mix version] [Vinyl Collector's Edition bonus]
14. King Of Nothing [Death Star Mix version] [Vinyl Collector's Edition bonus]
[Polaris Live - 2010 reissue bonus disc]
01. Destiny [live]
02. Hunting High And Low [live]
03. Speed Of Light [live]
04. The Kiss Of Judas [live]
05. Deep Unknown [live]
06. A Million Light Years Away [live]
07. Bach: Air Suite [live]
08. Winter Skies [live]
09. Phoenix [live]
10. S.O.S. [live]
11. Forever Is Today [live]
12. King Of Nothing [live]
13. Father Time [live]
14. Higher We Go [live]
02. Falling Star
03. King Of Nothing
04. Blind
05. Winter Skies
06. Forever Is Today
07. Higher We Go
08. Somehow Precious
09. Emancipation Suite: I Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite: II Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall
12. Second Sight [Japanese bonus]
13. Second Sight [Polycarbonate Mix version] [Vinyl Collector's Edition bonus]
14. King Of Nothing [Death Star Mix version] [Vinyl Collector's Edition bonus]
[Polaris Live - 2010 reissue bonus disc]
01. Destiny [live]
02. Hunting High And Low [live]
03. Speed Of Light [live]
04. The Kiss Of Judas [live]
05. Deep Unknown [live]
06. A Million Light Years Away [live]
07. Bach: Air Suite [live]
08. Winter Skies [live]
09. Phoenix [live]
10. S.O.S. [live]
11. Forever Is Today [live]
12. King Of Nothing [live]
13. Father Time [live]
14. Higher We Go [live]
Guest review
Lyrics Timo Kotipelto - vocals
Jens Johansson - keyboards, backing vocals
Matias Kupiainen - guitars, backing vocals
Jörg Michael - drums
Lauri Porra - bass, backing vocals
Additional musicians:
Tipe Johnson - backing vocals
Aleksi Parviainen - backing vocals
Hepa Waara - backing vocals
Tony Kakko - backing vocals
Perttu Vänskä - programming, string arrangements
Strings by Seppo Rautasuo, Heikki Hämäläinen, Heikki Vehmanen, Kari Lindstedt
Additional info
This is the first Stratovarius album featuring Matias Kupiainen and Lauri Porra, and also not featuring long-time guitarist Timo Tolkki.
Produced by Stratovarius.
Recorded September-December 2008 and mixed in Winter 2008/2009 at Finnvox.
Mastered at Chartmakers, Helsinki.
Track 1 music by Matias Kupiainen; lyrics by Timo Kotipelto
Tracks 3, 4, 5 by Jens Johansson
Tracks 7, 8 music by Timo Kotipelto, Matias Kupiainen; lyrics by Timo Kotipelto
Tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, 11 by Lauri Porra
Japanese Bonus Track:
12. Second Sight (Matias Kupiainen/Timo Kotipelto)
Digipak Bonus Track:
12. Deep Unknown (Mikko Raita Vinyl Mix) (4:46)
Some versions contain a bonus 7":
A. Second Sight (Mikko Karmila polycarbonate mix)
B. King of Nothing (Matias Kupiainen death star mix)
Released in the US via Armoury Records on May 26.
Rating:
8.2
8.2
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Rating: 8.2 |
In 2009 the legendary band Stratovarius rose from its ashes like a phoenix presenting us an all new album Polaris which is the first one they have made without Timo Tolkki who pretty much made Stratovarius into what it came to be. Now how did the band manage to make one of the best records of 2009 after someone who almost fully composed and produced all their previous releases left the band? First of all, Polaris contains lots of positive surprises and reaches the quality of past Stratovarius classics. The performance is great as ever and the new guitarist Matias Kupianen really shows he has what it takes to replace a legend. There are no complaints to be made about the overall performance of the band even if it isn't their best. Songwriting methods were new but the songs remind the old Stratovarius even if there are new and fresh spices added to the classical style of the band]. This time around the whole group contributed to the songwriting and they managed it well. The different type of songs made by different members of the band really work out as a whole and the album is quite balanced. The only thing one could complain about is some sloppy vocal melodies but Timo Kotipelto saves the day with his good performance making even the less good parts sound quite good. The album has a good amount of variety and that is why choosing some few highlights of the album is difficult. However, the most memorable moments of this album are the songs "Forever is Today" and "Deep Unknown" which mix the old and new Stratovarius in a perfect way. Even production is very good. The sound is crystal clear and even if it lacks some kick it sure fits the style of this album well. Overall the new Stratovarius managed to make a good power metal album that instantly lifts the listener into a very positive mood. Even if Polaris doesn't reach the high quality of the golden years of Stratovarius in the late 90s it sure is a worthy addition to their large discography Read more ›› |
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Comments
Comments: 12
Visited by: 554 users
| Mountain King K i K o Posts: 1361  |
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| MacofMetal Posts: 6 |
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| fade Son of Sweden Staff Posts: 3771  |
This album was very uninspiring and really awful, and this is coming from a fan. I felt like this album was rushed out of production to get it out so people would not lose faith in their music. Well I think that has already happened throughout the years with all the drama. I do hope the next release is a huge improvement.
---- The troubles of avoiding horseshit. My Music database: http://www.racksandtags.com/northernsky/
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| Sword_Chant Posts: 717 |
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| Stratoman Posts: 73  |
I have to admit that i'm willing to listen to the extended version with the live show i bet is far better than Visions of Europe where you can see that Tolkki is not confortable at all playing in concerts... And yes i agree with Sword_Chant saying that these albums are great works, just listen to Forever is Today, Deep Unknown, When Mountains Fall or Higher we go in Polaris or Infernal Maze, Event Horizon, The game never ends and of course Elysium in the new album.
---- Metal Is Made For All Men, But Not Every Man Is Made For Metal
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| Savior Posts: 3 |
Everyone should start looking back about 60 years in finnish history just to hear what finnish love songs sounded... And When Mountains Fall sounds just like Olavi Virtas love songs  Well, Kotipeltos voice isn''t as good as Virtas but still...
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| Silent_wolfer Posts: 45 |
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| Berserk Posts: 164  |
I thought this was a pretty good album. Some of the sings bring a new, interesting touch to stratovarius, while other's seem a little boring. The song "King of Nothing" is what made me knock up my vote from 7 - 8. Epic!
---- Fear the Old Blood
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| DragonSavior X10 Posts: 111  |
A couple meh songs, but the good ones are amazing. Highlights include Deep Unknown, Blind, Forever is Today. Higher we Go, and When Mountains Fall.
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| LordHypnos Account deleted |
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| ScnD361 Posts: 73 |
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| Ruchesko Posts: 435  |
A very patchy first post-Tolkki outing - probably to be expected under the circumstances.
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