Review : STRATOVARIUS – “Polaris”

Stratovarius – “Polaris”
released May 20, 2009 on Armoury Records

The Finnish power metal quintet undergoes another lineup change for their 12th studio album, replacing longtime guitarist Timo Tolkki and bassist Jari Kainulainen. This inner turmoil renders the result no less effective, perhaps even amplifying their might. Promising indeed, with so much to love: the vibrancy of the lead track; the unabashed hookiness of 2; the majesty of 3; the thrashing charge of 4; the dirge vs. delicacy of 5; the guitars interwoven with keyboards through 6. We start to lose traction with 8, but manages to regain ground in 9 with one of the album’s strongest choruses. The second half of the “Emancipation Suite” and a tepid ballad leave a bland taste/sound in your mouth/ears, so cut early for maximum satisfaction. Listen for Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica on 1 & 3.

FCC OK
Try 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

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

Rating:  

~Matt Longo