Artist: Stratovarius
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Release Date: 11/04/03
Rating: 3 Skulls
| | Title: Elements Pt.2 Artist: Stratovarius Label: Nuclear Blast Records Release Date: 11/04/03 Rating: 3 Skulls | ||
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Reviewed by Kefka X (5/9/06):
Released right around the same time as Timo Kotipelto's leaving the band and Timo Tolkii's strange religious revelations, Stratovarius release their sequel to Elements Pt.1 with (gasp!) Elements Pt.2. Stratovarius continue their fashion of power metal with gothic twinges and a sweet-and-sour combination of the giddy and morose, and although I greatly enjoy the band, I have yet to find an album to excel the accomplishments of Visions. If anything, the album drags songs along with ennui, struggling with each progression to summon strength or creativity. The album's opener, "Alpha and Omega" drudges at a metallic(a) pace; the rest of the album rolls along like a Katamari ball (for all you video game junkies out there), consuming and collecting itself into a clump of songs that don't necessarily culminate in much. What's even worse is the fact the band is plagiarizing itself. "I'm Still Alive," in every note and chorus-verse transition, is a replica of their most well-known song, "Forever Free," from Visions. In fact, every song in its respectable track listing is a parallel of Visions.Well, Stratovarius still remain in the top tier with this power metal business and continue to sell records with great ease in Europe, as well as making itself known as a strengthening force in the States. And despite comparisons to their previous catalogue, this is an above-average album. Not awesome, but quite good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to a Sonic Firestorm that just erupted in the Valley of the Damned.
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