ELEMENT'S PT 2 ALBUM
this album right here. Holy shit, I cannot believe Strato could top Elements Pt.1 (which was my top pick of the year until now) but they did.
While Pt.1 was bit more experimental (successful in most parts but not all), Pt.2 is taking the progression of Pt.1 and adding the good ole power metal of Strato from years past (Visions and Episode) and delivering one monster of an album. With Pt.1, Strato had balls and let the metal world know they can progress and take a few chances. With Pt.2, Strato just plain shouts out how they are one of the best (if not the best) power metal band in the world.
I'd also like to mention that this album gets to the point in about 50 minutes. No filler. Just a tight selection of power metal tunes of the highest quality. As for the songs:
Alpha & Omega - Ok, so the album starts out with an epic number but this is not your typical epic. This is moving, haunting, and very powerful. Koti seems to be not be trying as hard and this is a good thing. There is a more of a flow to his singing. The lyrics are more of the inspirational type that you expect from Strato but are more to the point. The music has a pounding riff and a brilliant solo by Timo. Amazing is the best adjective to describe this song.
I Walk To My Own Song - This song is more in the vein of Strato openers like Hunting and Eagleheart. Its up tempo but has more meat to it than those 2 songs. Its crunchy and catchy at the same time which is when Strato is at their best. Great sing along chorus thrown in with another spectacular solo.
I'm Still Alive - Typical power metal title, right? Yeah, but this is done with skill and mastery that most power metal clones don't have. This is what sets Strato above most of the others. Fast but executed perfectly. A headbanger, for sure.
Season of Faith's Perfection - The first ballad on the album but the first half of the song is a bit different than other Strato ballads. Its a different melody for the band and for Koti but it works. Its also a little proggy which is some of the leftover influence of Pt.1. Then the song explodes into a loud chorus which fits into the Strato ballad forumula.
Awaken The Giant - Drums start this song and you just know that your head will be banging shortly..............yup, there is the banger of a riff and now you are banging wildly and enjoying every minute of it. In come some distorted vocals by Koti which is a different but nice touch.
Know The Difference - This song opens up with some great keyboard work by Jen. He really is a master of his instrument and you know why everyone uses him for recordings. The song then turns into another speedy number. Nothing special here but still very well done.
Luminous - This song could have well been on Pt.1. Its a ballad with different tones and sounds and shows Strato expanding as musicians. Some might not like the band's progression but I do. The band tries different arrangements but still stays within their boundaries as a power metal band. Good singing by Koti on this one.
Dreamweaver - Whoa! 2 words to describe this song - kick ass! This sounds like a Rush song with a more metallic twist. Again, top notch songwriting and performance.
Liberty - The album ends with a very uplifting type of pianoy ballad. Again, some won't like this but Strato pulls it off with great execution and leaves feeling really good by the end of this.
All in all, another masterpiece by Strato in the same year! Not as progressive as Pt.1 but more a straight up release by one of the best power metal bands in the universe. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Daftar lagu
1. Alpha & Omega 06:38
I am the earth and sky
I am the low and high
I am the snowflake in the winter evening
I am the birth and death
I am your final breath
I am the one that gave you life and freedom
Choosing your own way
Everything you've ever known
Every seed that you have sown
Came from me i made you
My creation is supreme
This is all my perfect dream
No mistakes in God's great perfect cosmic play
I am the Alpha I am the Omega
I am the beginning and the end of time
I am the Alpha I am the Omega
My whole creation stands before me tonight
I am the dark and light
I am the day and night
I am the mirage
I am the echo
I am the fear and anger
I am a familiar stranger
I am the shadow i m a star that guides you
Until the end of time.
2. I Walk to My Own Song 05:03
I'm walking the streets and i hear what you say
Advicing me tilling me how to play
I know your name it's called Mr.Mean
One thing i've learned you don't know beans
High i fly
I touch the sky
Far above the frozen minds
You can't kill my dreams
You can't kill my spirit
I was born to be free
I walk to my own song
Every day the power grows stronger in me
I walk to my own song
Head up proud
I'm the master of my own destiny
You think you know what is better for me
Holding me lectures of how i should be
Shrugging my shoulders i leave you behind
Anyway i look at it you are blind
3. I'm Still Alive 04:50
Look around turn around
You just might fall to the ground
Sail away break away
Danage done nothing to say
All my life i've felt like an outcast
But not anymore, a thing of the past
Feel the sun, got to run
Feels like life has just begun
All is new, different view
so many things that i will do
I'm leaving behind the things i don't need
and with confidence i'm planting the seed
I'm still alive
I'm ready to feel the wind in my hair
And i know there are so many things to share
I will write my story again
Masterplan of a new kind
I was lost but now i'm found
I'm still alive
4. Season of Faith's Perfection 06:09
Seasons they come seasond they go
Observing them in their perfect flow
Changing my life as they pass me by
Drying my tears letting them die
In the sunrise i am born again
In the sunset i die again
What will you do when all fails?
When you feel like a ship without sails
When desperation fills your mind
And the pain makes you blind
In my silent truth i scream these words
THE HOPE IS LOUD!
Never give up
Season of faith's perfection
Hold on to your good thing
Every day there's a new chance
To start once again
Season of faith's perfection
Forgive yourself
Let go of the past
Be gentle, understand...
5. Awaken the Giant 06:37
I'm staring at the wall
Sick and tired of all
Manic depression makes me crawl
It makes me small
I need some peace of mind
The prssure makes me blind
The labyrinth of pain,
The exit i must find
It's all inside of me,
The answers lie within
And all that i can win
I'll take for myself
I'm the one who holds the key
To all that i can be
My spirit yearns for truth,
It's learning to be free
Through the years
I was doing things the wrong way
But now i've changed it is time to say
Awaken the giant
Don't let it sleep
Awaken the giant
Look deep within
I won't give up the fight
Until i see the light
I won't give in
To the gloominess of life
The end is in my sight
In the middle of darkest night
I see my future's bright
I'm reaching for new heights
Through the years
I was doing things the wrong way
But now i've changed it is time to say
Awaken the giant
Don't let it sleep
Awaken the giant
Look deep within
6. Know the Difference 05:39
To see the things in a brand new light
Not to give up without a fight
To surrender is not in my sight
I'm a child of the universe
In the noisy confusion of life
Where uncertainty rules my way
It's so easy to go astray
I got to keep strong and bold
Give me a way to accept things
I cannot change anymore
The courage to change I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
In the midst of the darkness
There's a voice that you know so well
Lifts you up from the madness where you dwell
Don't give in to the hopelesness
Keep the innocence in your heart
And the end before your start
Be the warrior of the light
Don't give up without a fight
Give me a way to accept things
I cannot change anymore
The courage to change I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
7. Luminous 04:49
Luminous we shine
Like the stars on the evening sky
Through the universe
And centuries
They are calling
Hear them calling
Luminous moonshine
Is guiding my travel through life
I hear angels calling
Hear them calling
No tree has branches so foolish
As to fight among themselves
We share the same biology
We are one
We are luminous
Luminous when we die
We return to the great ocean
Of the living energy
It is calling
Hear it calling
Luminous my life
A breath in the cosmic play
Without reason or rhyme
Its calling
Hear it calling
No tree has branches so foolish
As to fight among themselves
We share the same biology
We are one
We are luminous
Luminous...
Luminous...
8. Dreamweaver 05:53
Lying alone in your bed
Images from the past filling your head
You try to run, you try to hide
But there is no escape, your eyes are open wide
Long time ago you felt alive
Now only emptiness is blackening your life
The time has come to break away
Or you go astray
Dreamweaver - there is so much more to see
Dreamweaver - There is a deeper way to feel
Dreamweaver - misery takes a hold of you paralyzes your soul
Dreamweaver - find a way to understand
Dreamweaver - You hold your fate in your own hand
Dreamweaver - break your chains and make your move
Or you might just see a dreamweaver's fall
Things that you started are still undone
While you are wasting you precious life
The sleepless nights won't leave you be
You're going astray
9. Liberty 05:02
Sun is shining
Sky is so blue
I'm filled with hope
It's promising
The course my life is taking
Searching of my truth has brought me here
Facing things with confidence
That all will be ok
Past is gone
Life goes on
Memories remain
I break the chain of misery and pain
Marching to a different drum
Shines my liberty
It's growing stronger every day
I feel it in me
Leading me to a different world
Freedom shows the way
It's there for you and me to find
It's heaven on earth
I'm standing here today and understand
There is no reason to hide anymore
So many things to see so many things to gain
My life is not in vain
Marching to a different drum
Shines my liberty
It's growing stronger every day
I feel it in me
Leading me to a different world
Freedom shows the way
It's there for you and me to find
It's heaven on earth
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