New cover is gorgeous

I heard some samples of their upcoming album on YouTube and it was impressive!

Got my limited edition Polaris in the mail a few weeks ago, it's absolutely stunning. Easily the best thing they've done since Visions, in my opinion...

Written by Zelse on 17.06.2009 at 18:24

Got my limited edition Polaris in the mail a few weeks ago, it's absolutely stunning. Easily the best thing they've done since Visions, in my opinion...

Soo the new album is good even without tolkki?

Written by Wyrd on 17.06.2009 at 22:24

Written by Zelse on 17.06.2009 at 18:24

Got my limited edition Polaris in the mail a few weeks ago, it's absolutely stunning. Easily the best thing they've done since Visions, in my opinion...

Soo the new album is good even without tolkki?

It's not that bad, but it's not their best. There are some cool tunes, but also quite a few fillers, but I've only heard it once, so it might be better (or worse)

In my opinion, there aren't any fillers.. It's a damn great album. Getting rid of Tolkki is exactly what they needed. Deep Unknown, Falling Star, King of Nothing, the Emancipation songs are all a good taste of the new Stratovarius, while the rest are all reminiscent of classic Stratovarius ballads and fast catchy power metal anthems. Forever Is Today is my favorite out of all of them.

I think they are better off w/o TT as well. Not saying the new album is great as there are some not-so-amusing moments here and there (maybe I'm just a bit annoyed at the vocals, but I was nvr impressed by TT's vocals anyway), but some tracks are definitely better than before imo like "Deep Unknown"

Written by Zelse on 17.06.2009 at 23:37

In my opinion, there aren't any fillers.. It's a damn great album. Getting rid of Tolkki is exactly what they needed. Deep Unknown, Falling Star, King of Nothing, the Emancipation songs are all a good taste of the new Stratovarius, while the rest are all reminiscent of classic Stratovarius ballads and fast catchy power metal anthems. Forever Is Today is my favorite out of all of them.

I agree, this is the Stratovarius i want to hear!

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

Written by [user id=37538] on 22.06.2009 at 14:05

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

uhh I haven't got Polaris yet :O

Written by Janne on 23.06.2009 at 01:33

Written by [user id=37538] on 22.06.2009 at 14:05

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

uhh I haven't got Polaris yet :O

GET IT GET IT GET IT.

Written by [user id=37538] on 23.06.2009 at 11:59

Written by Janne on 23.06.2009 at 01:33

Written by [user id=37538] on 22.06.2009 at 14:05

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

uhh I haven't got Polaris yet :O

GET IT GET IT GET IT.

it's in progress

Written by Janne on 24.06.2009 at 00:47

Written by [user id=37538] on 23.06.2009 at 11:59

Written by Janne on 23.06.2009 at 01:33

Written by [user id=37538] on 22.06.2009 at 14:05

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

uhh I haven't got Polaris yet :O

GET IT GET IT GET IT.

it's in progress

Great.

Written by [user id=37538] on 24.06.2009 at 10:13

Written by Janne on 24.06.2009 at 00:47

Written by [user id=37538] on 23.06.2009 at 11:59

Written by Janne on 23.06.2009 at 01:33

Written by [user id=37538] on 22.06.2009 at 14:05

Polaris kicks ass. "Higher We Go" is a masterpiece.

uhh I haven't got Polaris yet :O

GET IT GET IT GET IT.

it's in progress

Great.

Nah, finally, I got it. I'm listening to it the first time right now.

Written by Janne on 24.06.2009 at 13:58

Nah, finally, I got it. I'm listening to it the first time right now.

Do you like what you hear?

Written by [user id=37538] on 25.06.2009 at 09:59

Written by Janne on 24.06.2009 at 13:58

Nah, finally, I got it. I'm listening to it the first time right now.

Do you like what you hear?

I can't deciede after 1 listening but as some said Higher We Go is a great song!

Written by Janne on 25.06.2009 at 13:37

Written by [user id=37538] on 25.06.2009 at 09:59

Written by Janne on 24.06.2009 at 13:58

Nah, finally, I got it. I'm listening to it the first time right now.

Do you like what you hear?

I can't deciede after 1 listening but as some said Higher We Go is a great song!

Yeah, it is.

You know I really hate power metal, but I have to admit that I love Legion, The Abyss Of Your Eyes, and Holy Light.

Their debut is really underrated from what I've seen, but still nothing amazing to me.

Here are my all-time Top 10 european / melodic / neoclassical power metal albums - including Stratovarius's Visions => http://metalstorm.ee/users/list.php?list_id=83 - with a little description to each one.

OFF: I have a band called Mandara and I'm the keyboard player. Our style is very similar to these bands but I think it's unique at the same time. We are still recording our first 2 demos - planned to be released around May & August. The 1st one called "Meadow Of Dreams" contains 4 songs - Endless Night Momentary Dawn, Embrace My Dream, Hypocrite Reality and Holy Prophecy. I'll upload some stuff to myspace when we are ready - I hope you will enjoy my/our music!
Sorry for the adv!

New Revolution Renaissance album with Bob Katsionis: http://www.metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=11137. I hope it will be better than the last one or Polaris...

I liked both rev. ren. releases more than polaris !

I've got to be honest. I've listened to both Polaris and Elysium and it's just not the same Stratovarius. Timo Tolkki may be a bit of an art snob and a jerk but his guitar is essential to the sound of Stratovarius for me. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that Matias is a good guitar player, he just doesn't have the neo-classical chops that Tolkki had. However, I listened to the first Revolution Renaissance album and all I got were some bad Stratovarius B-sides (haven't gotten to the other two or Symfonia yet). The new line-ups albums are still good power metal, but they just don't have the same feel as the classic stuff. I've basically come to the conclusion that the magic of Stratovarius wasn't just in Tolkki or the other guys, but the fivesome together (especially Episode through to Infinite). Even great things must come to an end I guess.

But then, what do I know, when I consider the Stratovarius album ("Maniac Dance" et al) to be some of their best material!

Written by Guib on 16.02.2009 at 04:04

Written by [user id=35853] on 08.01.2009 at 10:17

Yep, that song sounds like Queensrÿche. Other songs sounds like Helloween.

Lol like Helloween ? I wouldn't say that

No band sounds like Helloween

Seriously? I think there are a lot of bands that sound like Helloween! Gamma Ray (obviously), Edguy, Metallium, the list goes on. Helloween is incredibly influential for the European Power Metal sound. And Tolkki wears his Helloween influence on his sleeve! (Go listen to "Fright Night" and tell me you don't think of "Halloween!" Or what about "I'm Still Alive," the spiritual sequel to "I'm Alive?"). I've been under the impression that all Tolkki listens to is Classic Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Malmsteen (of course).

Written by bj_waters on 09.07.2011 at 00:14

I've got to be honest. I've listened to both Polaris and Elysium and it's just not the same Stratovarius. Timo Tolkki may be a bit of an art snob and a jerk but his guitar is essential to the sound of Stratovarius for me. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that Matias is a good guitar player, he just doesn't have the neo-classical chops that Tolkki had. However, I listened to the first Revolution Renaissance album and all I got were some bad Stratovarius B-sides (haven't gotten to the other two or Symfonia yet). The new line-ups albums are still good power metal, but they just don't have the same feel as the classic stuff. I've basically come to the conclusion that the magic of Stratovarius wasn't just in Tolkki or the other guys, but the fivesome together (especially Episode through to Infinite). Even great things must come to an end I guess.

But then, what do I know, when I consider the Stratovarius album ("Maniac Dance" et al) to be some of their best material!

Written by Guib on 16.02.2009 at 04:04

Written by [user id=35853] on 08.01.2009 at 10:17

Yep, that song sounds like Queensrÿche. Other songs sounds like Helloween.

Lol like Helloween ? I wouldn't say that

No band sounds like Helloween

Seriously? I think there are a lot of bands that sound like Helloween! Gamma Ray (obviously), Edguy, Metallium, the list goes on. Helloween is incredibly influential for the European Power Metal sound. And Tolkki wears his Helloween influence on his sleeve! (Go listen to "Fright Night" and tell me you don't think of "Halloween!" Or what about "I'm Still Alive," the spiritual sequel to "I'm Alive?"). I've been under the impression that all Tolkki listens to is Classic Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Malmsteen (of course).

Yep, this guy knows what he's talking about. +1

Written by Vacant Throne on 10.07.2011 at 00:47

Written by bj_waters on 09.07.2011 at 00:14

I've got to be honest. I've listened to both Polaris and Elysium and it's just not the same Stratovarius. Timo Tolkki may be a bit of an art snob and a jerk but his guitar is essential to the sound of Stratovarius for me. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that Matias is a good guitar player, he just doesn't have the neo-classical chops that Tolkki had. However, I listened to the first Revolution Renaissance album and all I got were some bad Stratovarius B-sides (haven't gotten to the other two or Symfonia yet). The new line-ups albums are still good power metal, but they just don't have the same feel as the classic stuff. I've basically come to the conclusion that the magic of Stratovarius wasn't just in Tolkki or the other guys, but the fivesome together (especially Episode through to Infinite). Even great things must come to an end I guess.

But then, what do I know, when I consider the Stratovarius album ("Maniac Dance" et al) to be some of their best material!

Written by Guib on 16.02.2009 at 04:04

Written by [user id=35853] on 08.01.2009 at 10:17

Yep, that song sounds like Queensrÿche. Other songs sounds like Helloween.

Lol like Helloween ? I wouldn't say that

No band sounds like Helloween

Seriously? I think there are a lot of bands that sound like Helloween! Gamma Ray (obviously), Edguy, Metallium, the list goes on. Helloween is incredibly influential for the European Power Metal sound. And Tolkki wears his Helloween influence on his sleeve! (Go listen to "Fright Night" and tell me you don't think of "Halloween!" Or what about "I'm Still Alive," the spiritual sequel to "I'm Alive?"). I've been under the impression that all Tolkki listens to is Classic Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Malmsteen (of course).

Yep, this guy knows what he's talking about. +1

Yeah he probly knows more about power metal than I do I actually only listen to Strato, Iced Earth, Helloween, Blind Guardian...

Written by Guib on 12.07.2011 at 01:11

Yeah he probly knows more about power metal than I do I actually only listen to Strato, Iced Earth, Helloween, Blind Guardian...

You give me more credit than I deserve. I've only been listening to metal for five years and I still really haven't listened to Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray (what's wrong with me?!?!), most of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Malmsteen, Rhapsody of Fire, Symphony X, and Twilightling. I've got a long ways to go!

I love this band. Infinite and Elements I are two of my favorite albums.

Check this: http://www.scribd.com/doc/86117086/Timo-Tolkki-Loneliness-of-a-1000-Years

^I feel sorry for Tolkki, he's really fucked up in the head.

What do you think 'bout Nemesis?

I Just get it and im about to listen it... damn.. a lot of time since I listen to this guys