Stratovarius - Nemesis - review
Stratovarius - Nemesis - review
Tracklist
01. Abandon02. Unbreakable
03. Stand My Ground
04. Halcyon Days
05. Fantasy
06. Out Of The Fog
07. Castles In The Air
08. Dragons
09. One Must Fall
10. If The Story Is Over
11. Nemesis
12. Kill It with Fire [Japanese bonus]
13. Fireborn [Limited edition bonus]
14. Hunter [Limited edition bonus]
15. Old Man And The Sea [Vinyl edition bonus]
A review by
R'Vannith March 14, 2013
The album reaches a high point of consistency from which it never falls and the single "Unbreakable" is just that. Unbreakable. In fact the entire album might be described as unbreakable as the songwriting is resolute and unrelinquishing in its provision of seductive hooks. Jens Johansson's keys characteristically dance in expected fashion among the saturated layering of effects. Saturated it may sound, see tracks like "Halcyon Days" with its abundance of symphonics and electronic padding, but it is nevertheless supremely catchy with bass and guitar shining through in an equitable union.
Kotipelto has no trouble in finding his way through the throng of backing vocals and bombastic atmosphere. Yet despite some stunningly conceived choruses his delivery sounds somewhat constrained at times. This all comes down to the new guy, the band's new source of rhythm. Pilve offers a bracing precision which aids considerably in establishing the album's consistency. The drums are exceptionally well accounted for throughout the album and serve as an axis point for the band's performance as a whole.
However, Nemesis isn't particularly inventive. While moments like the cascading keys in the initial bridge of "Castles In The Air" might conjure up images of a more inspired Stratovarius, the album isn't as creative as it is consistent. Much of its variance depends heavily upon the padding of layered effects rather than an abundance of fresh ideas. The less interesting track here is the ballad "If The Story Is Over"; yet it isn't throwaway material as it offers Kotipelto a chance to take precedence, and is the most differing track from Nemesis as a whole.
An equilibrium seems to have been established from which there is considerable potential to draw and take up a more diverse approach to composition. The band has made a return to form which just might inspire more creative processes in the future.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 8 |
Comments
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Posts: 79
Good Reveiw, I agree with it!
---- We are the priest of the temple of Synix
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I think it's their best since Infinite.
---- On what day did God invent Glam, and could he not have rested on that day?
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Posts: 3 Written by Irritable Ted on 14.03.2013 at 16:39 Indeed.
---- On what day did God invent Glam, and could he not have rested on that day?
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| Void Eater
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Posts: 3099 Written by [user id=111774] on 18.03.2013 at 05:11 I prefer this to most albums I've heard from them as well. Generally speaking they're not a band I've been overly impressed by but I do really like "Visions" and "Destiny." I think this one is on that level of consistency for sure. So far it's my favourite power metal release this year.
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Posts: 55 Written by R'Vannith on 18.03.2013 at 10:22
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Posts: 3099 Written by Sir Thrashalot on 21.11.2013 at 00:04 This one had me hooked from the first spin as well, something which hasn't happened with any of Strato's other albums. This one's a simpler album than some of their classic material perhaps, but it's just so damn catchy! Power metal played the way it's supposed to be with an impressionable heaviness. And yeah they still work in those tasty, sugary keys!  If this one's anything to go by they've got some gusto left in them yet, my expectations for the next one have been very much raised.
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Posts: 55 Written by R'Vannith on 21.11.2013 at 02:47
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This album is fudging perfect. I love all the songs, including the bonus tracks. It's pretty darn hard to find an album I like where I can actually say I enjoy all the songs!! The album cover is also beautiful, I use it as my desktop picture. If you've not listened to it yet and enjoy some power metal, go buy it! 
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Best album of 2013 in my opinion! Possibly the biggest Power Metal comeback for that year too, album wise. Disagree with the rating slightly though... i'd have given it an 8.5 
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Posts: 3099 Written by Sword_Chant on 20.05.2014 at 01:30 I thought so too, this one really renewed my interest in their music, and it ranks as one of their top releases from my perspective.
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