NEMESIS ALBUM
Originally published at http://suite101.com
I can honestly say that this is the first Stratovarius album that I’ve ever been excited for. I could never get into the material helmed by former guitarist Timo Tolkki and I only bought Polaris in 2009 to see how much damage it was going to cause. Of course, no such train-wreck ever took place and it was one of the strongest albums of that year, effectively serving as a new beginning and hinting at a bright future. Two years later, the band is still going at a steady momentum and has already put out their thirteenth studio album. But while this album was the first to top the charts in their native Finland in nearly a decade, it may also be their last with longtime drummer Jorg Michael, who is departing on a quite friendly note due to illness.
On a superficial basis, there are many tropes on here that align with the sounds of the last release and Stratovarius albums past. The keyboards and guitar constantly compete for supremacy, the vocals are high-pitched and thickly accented, a number of symphonic elements are employed, and the songwriting is almost always uplifting and enthusiastic. But while Polaris was a very direct affair with occasional nods to prog metal, Elysium does have a noticeably more progressive feel. Even the power metal tunes get some structural complexity with the opening “Darkest Hours” having a classic Dream Theater feel and “Infernal Maze” has a soft, elaborate introduction before it goes into faster paced fare. And that’s not going into the closing title track, which is the longest Stratovarius song to date with an over eighteen minute duration!
And with everything going on, the band members manage to sound pretty good though there aren’t too many dramatic deviations from their usual performances. The keyboards and vocals are among the more noteworthy contributors as Jens Johansson brings forth a variety of effects and Timo Kotipelto show off some smooth vocal lines that make up for his occasionally goofy phrasing. But the real standout member on here is guitarist Matias Kupiainen. While the guitars are the most important part of any power metal band and Polaris certainly had plenty of great guitar moments, he really comes out on his own here as both a songwriter and performer. The former is especially worth noting as he is responsible for writing more songs on here than on the previous effort, effectively making him out to be Tolkki's most fitting successor.
Going off that, there seem to be three kinds of songs at work on here. While the title track appears to be a song all its own and encompasses the rest of the album’s elements, the rest of the release seems to go between fast and mid-tempo songs. Predictably, the faster songs are the most immediate and arguably most enjoyable that the album has to offer. The previously mentioned “Darkest Hours” and “Infernal Maze” are enjoyable for their upbeat tempos and complexity, but “Under Flaming Skies” and “The Game Never Ends” are probably the most entertaining. The former is made memorable by its eastern touches while the latter is a sugary power metal run-through with a particularly memorable chorus that should make “Eagleheart” eat its heart out.
The slow songs also manage to be pretty solid. “Moment In A Lifetime” manages to be another highlight as it is a slow, dramatic track in the vein of “King Of Nothing.” In addition, the transitions on “Move the Mountain” work quite well and “Fairness Justified” seems to go between the two songs with its snail pace and uplifting chorus. As expected, the title track manages to be pretty noteworthy. While its extensive length makes it a song that I personally don’t play often, it does go through a bunch of sounds in its three-part cycle. The first part with its soaring mid-tempo melodies is probably the most memorable segment on here though the second part’s faster hooks are also quite welcome and the third part is another sweet ballad.
If Polaris was the reborn Stratovarius’ debut album, then Elysium is surely the sophomore release that thoroughly avoids the slumps that are normally associated with albums of that nature. I hate to say that Tolkki was holding them back all this time, but the success of these last two albums and the mixed feelings that have come with his own recent projects does make one think along those lines…
If you liked Polaris, then I would definitely advise you to give this album a chance if you haven’t already. I’m not sure if it’s quite as powerful but it is an enjoyable release that follows it up nicely and a lot to offer on its own terms. Hopefully this can work for a while longer; I think European power metal is starting to get its balls back!
Current Highlights:
“Under Flaming Skies”
“Infernal Maze”
“The Game Never Ends”
“Lifetime In A Moment”
“Move the Mountain”
Daftar lagu
1. Abandon 04:52
I’m waiting for a train
To take away the pain and ease my mind
I hear the tracks squeal
It makes me want to scream and let the world know how I feel
(One way journey, no need for a seat)
I’m beat, I won’t be coming back
(And what I’m learning, this life will be turning)
Around at the end of the tracks
Freedom, the life of a drifter
Who know, if I’ll ever find home
When it’s time to go I’m already there
I’m never scared, I’m living one day at a time
Freedom is my crime
Another hazy night
Nothing is in sight, no hope in the air
Would I leave behind
All that’s on my mind, would I forget, would I dare
(One way journey, no need for a seat)
I’m beat, I won’t be coming back
(And what I’m learning, this life will be turning)
Around at the end of the tracks
Freedom, the life of a drifter
Who know, if I’ll ever find home
When it’s time to go I’m already there
I’m never scared, I’m living one day at a time
Freedom is my crime
The sun ain’t burning the skies aren’t blue
For me it’s a sign to move on
(And what I hear has made it so clear)
I’m heading towards the new dawn
Freedom, the life of a drifter
Who know, if I’ll ever find home
When it’s time to go I’m already there
I’m never scared, I’m living one day at a time
Freedom is my crime
2. Unbreakable 04:37
Reckless wheel of time, we follow how it flies by
We still keep believing in wide and comforting lies...
When it’s our turn, together we stay stronger
We lay still and silent and watch how hours burns... for eternity...
You carry me away, tomorrow we’re unbreakable
I hold my breath and wait, this moment is unbreakable
I can feel it deep within my heart and my soul
You make me whole
I want to live this second forever
Always together, forevermore
I hold my breath and wait
Reckless wheel of life, we see how years keep flying by
I never really cared until I opened my eyes...
The final day awaits, and the firestorms getting closer
Under falling stars we will seal our fate... for eternity...
You carry me away, tomorrow we’re unbreakable
I hold my breath and wait, this moment is unbreakable
I can feel it deep within my heart and my soul
You make me whole
I want to live this second forever
Always together, forevermore
I hold my breath and wait till the end, until my role
We’re unbreakable
You carry me away, tomorrow we’re unbreakable
I hold my breath and wait, this moment is unbreakable
I can feel it deep within my heart and my soul
You make me whole
I want to live this second forever
Always together, forevermore
We are stronger than ever, always together, forevermore
We are stronger than ever, always together, forevermore
I hold my breath and wait till the end, until my role
We’re unbreakable...
3. Stand My Ground 04:14
This is my way, these are my rules
These are my rhymes, this is my song
Don’t take me for some bloody fool
For I still dream, you can’t hurt me, I’m strong
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
I will rise and I’ll be fighting back
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
There’s no way you can break my will
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
My dreams are guiding my every step
I have a destiny to fulfill
No one can bring me down
I will defend my beliefs
And I will stand my ground
I need to see where it leads
No one can bring me down
I will defend my beliefs
And I will stand my ground
No one can bring me down
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
I will rise and I’ll be fighting back
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
There’s no way you can break my will
(You can try to bring me down, to keep me down)
My dreams are guiding my every step
I have a destiny to fulfill
No one can bring me down
I will defend my beliefs
And I will stand my ground
I need to see where it leads
No one can bring me down
I will defend my beliefs
And I will stand my ground
No one can bring me down
And I will stand my ground
No one can bring me down
4. Halcyon Days 05:30
What I feel inside my mind
Is driving me insane
It's so hard to explain
What lies behind it all, what goes around
So I'm twisting here within loneliness
And all the pain inside now
Don't matter anyhow
There's something in the air
Something isn't there
Something that I had just yesterday
Every time I try
Reaching for the sky
Something's coming up and blocks my way
And I know that I just need
To walk away from this
There's something in the air
Something isn't there
The storm rages on
I'm waiting for my halcyon days
I will try to avoid it all
But they try to pull me back
If I try will I fall off this track
I don't care ‘cause I'm free
I'm still twisting here within loneliness
And all the pain inside now...
Don't matter anyhow
There's something in the air...
5. Fantasy 04:19
Reach a star, travel so far or find out who you really are
Climb a hill, learn a skill, all of your dreams you can fulfill
Take a dream, make it real, don’t let yourself give in to fear
Come with me, you can make it anywhere!
Sing along, to this song, and let it show that you’re strong
Don’t pretend, help a friend, they are with you until the end
You will see, you can be whatever you would like to be
Come with me, you can make it anywhere!
Fantasy, I want to meet you there
You will see, fantasy can become reality
Come with me, this is my fantasy
I believe, fantasy can become reality
Can you be my fantasy?
Take your time, it’s not a crime cause life it’s always in its prime
Show you care, if you dare, because true friendship’s really rare
Take a dream make it real, don’t let yourself give in to fear
Come with me, you can make it anywhere!
Fantasy, I want to meet you there
You will see, fantasy can become reality
Come with me, this is my fantasy
I believe, fantasy can become reality
Can you be my fantasy?
Fantasy, I want to meet you there
You will see, fantasy can become reality
Come with me, this is my fantasy
I believe, fantasy can become reality
Can you be... yeah?
(Fantasy)
Oh... you will see
Become reality, oh
6. Out of the Fog 06:58
Black day is dawning
All prayers unanswered, laid to rest
If there’s a god he ain’t here now
In daunting darkness we will march
Towards the end with desperate hearts
Too tired to hope, too scared to dream
Let innocence fade, make no sound
Let blood that we’ll shed stain the ground
No turning back now, the orders are clear
It’s time to attack, let the shadows appear
Heeding the call, brave, standing tall
Relentless and ready to die
There’s fear in the wind, there is death in the air
Thousands of souls screaming out in despair
Falling for honor, dying for freedom
Making the last sacrifice...
Rising higher flames will burn
A mournful choir of souls that yearn
Red rain is falling
Baptized in blood and sin we see
Everyone was someone’s son
A soldier fighting for someone
Just a man defending what he believes in
If we found out that we were betrayed
Misguided and fallen from grace
No turning back now, the orders are clear
It’s time to attack, let the shadows appear
Heeding the call, brave, standing tall
Relentless and ready to die
There’s fear in the wind, there is death in the air
Thousands of souls screaming out in despair
Falling for honor, dying for freedom
Making the last sacrifice...
Rising higher flames will burn
A mournful choir of souls that yearn
Let innocence fade, make no sound
Let blood that we’ll shed stain the ground
No turning back now, the orders are clear
It’s time to attack, let the shadows appear
Heeding the call, brave, standing tall
Relentless and ready to die
There’s fear in the wind, there is death in the air
Thousands of souls screaming out in despair
Falling for honor, dying for freedom
Making the last sacrifice...
Rising higher flames will burn
A mournful choir of souls that yearn
7. Castles in the Air 06:02
When the day turned into night
When the stars run out of light
Will you be there to sing my song?
I call your name
To maybe shield the flame
‘Cause the night is dark and long
(Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...)
In the kingdom of the visible
In the kingdom of the sun
Was a man who saw the years go by
He was always on the run
And the clock ticks fast for everyone
Father time wins every race
And the kingdom of the fading sun
It’ll pass without a trace
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But maybe there is no one to answer your prayer
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But you can help me smile on this road to nowhere
(Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...)
There’s a small black hole inside my heart
And it’s just the size of you
And the road goes on forevermore
And we will turn to dust
Holding on to hope against the hope
While the silence rages on
We would like to try to shield the flame
While we climb a burning rope
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But maybe there is no one to answer your prayer
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But you can help me smile on this road to nowhere
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But maybe there is no one to answer your prayer
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But you can help me smile on this road to nowhere
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But maybe there is no one to answer your prayer
Our castles in the air
We build them in despair
But you can help me smile on this road to nowhere
(Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...)
When the day turned into night
When the stars run out of light
Will you be there to sing my song?
I call your name
To maybe shield the flame
‘Cause the night is dark and long
8. Dragons 04:04
You wanna go to heaven but you never want to die
A silent scream for freedom turn to
Fire turn to water turn to
Stone’s the same, the sky’s the same, it doesn’t roll away
The other side where life goes on is
Close and yet you know it’s just a lie
But you’re stronger than they are
Feel the wind in your hair
And you’re faster than they are
And it feels that you’re lighter than air
When you’re drawn to the ground by the dragons
Would you raise up your head, would you gaze at the sky
When you’re drawn to the ground by the dragons
Would you raise up your head, would you cry
And all the wicked prisons that they built inside your mind
And all the wicked borders that unite us, that divide us, until
Death ever different will embrace us in the end
But roll away the stone, and hear the
Wind will whisper out your name
But you’re stronger than they are
Feel the wind in your hair
And you’re faster than they are
And it feels that you’re lighter than air
When you’re drawn to the ground by the dragons
Would you raise up your head, would you gaze at the sky
When you’re drawn to the ground by the dragons
Would you raise up your head, would you cry
9. One Must Fall 04:28
Take all that I have left
Take everything I have spared for you
Tear down all my veils
Tear down ‘til you see my naked core
Burn down my Eden
Burn down all that I had built for you
Save me – it is all that I have
Spare me – or we all will be damned
Save me, save me, save me, save me!
One must fall and stay in the shadow
There’s no thrall, no hope, no salvation
One must fall under the black rainbow
Fight no more and maybe there is a better day!
But in the end no one will be saved
Bring down the rain on us
Bring it down so we can drown in the flood
Harvest the seeds I’ve sown
Harvest until you have drained my blood
Save me – what are you fighting for?
Spare me – or there’s no tomorrow
Save me – your reign is no more!
Save me, save me, save me, save me!
One must fall and stay in the shadow
There’s no thrall, no hope, no salvation
One must fall under the black rainbow
Fight no more and maybe there is a better day!
But in the end no one will be saved
One must fall and stay in the shadow
There’s no thrall, no hope, no salvation
One must fall under the black rainbow
Fight no more and maybe there is a better day!
But in the end no one, no one, no one will be saved
10. If the Story Is Over 06:06
Once upon a time I was the scribe of all my dreams
I’ve seen the years turn into dust, now feel the rust in me
I’ve walked the shores of Avalon, I’ve seen the seasons change
I’ve laughed and cried, I’ve lived and died, but only on the page
Now all I have, all I am
All I ever was is here, on the page
It’s all the same, it never mattered anyway
It’s all a lie so let it burn...
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own
(Ah...)
I hope it’s not too late to learn to live and learn to love
I yearn to fight, to turn the tide before the tender dark
For I never drew the sword from stone, there’s no Helen in my Troy
I stand alone, I stand forgotten, just gazing into the void
Come night, test my will, test my soul
Test my faith and test my heart, torn apart
Make me strong, make me whole again
And guide through the dark ‘til the morning comes
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own
(Ah...)
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own...
11. Nemesis 06:33
The night turns to dawn
The city’s left behind
Those who’ve been blind they will be saved
White stripes on the road they’re guiding my way
Reciting my prayers the road is paved
Through all the years I’ve carried the flame
In the darkest nights as the lightning strikes
I’m bringing hope to those who walk in the shadows
As I drive alone my mission is unknown
Will it be revealed for me ‘cause now I’m calling out for
Power, streaming through me
I will let out the angel or the beast
This power, will make you see
As the lightning strikes your pain will be released
Free me, that’s what I hear you
Screaming, in misery
Free me, from this pain while
Screaming, kneel before mighty
Power (oh...), my power (oh...)
This power (oh...), my power (oh...)
Calling out for
Power, streaming through me
I will let out the angel or the beast
This power – will make you see
As the lightning strikes your pain will be released
This power, streaming through me
I will let out the angel or the beast
This power, will make you see
As the lightning strikes your pain will be released
Free me, that’s what I hear you
Screaming, in misery
Free me, from this pain while
Screaming, kneel before mighty
Power (oh...), my power (oh...)
This power (oh...), my power (oh...)
Mighty power... (oh...)
This power... (oh...)
My power... (oh...)
My power... (oh...)
(Oh... oh... oh...)
(Oh...)
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for any of this material!
Copyright belongs to Stratovarius
and ear MUSIC Recordings!
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