Stratovarius - Polaris

January 18, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

Finnish prog metal legends Stratovarius have recently put forth their twelfth studio album, Polaris, this past Spring. This release marks a point of transition for the band. Longtime mastermind/writer/guitarist Timo Tolkki has bid the band farewell and has decided to focus his energy on his new project, Revolution Renaissance. Veteran Bassist Jari Kainulainen has also departed to join the ranks of Evergrey. Polaris marks the first studio album featuring bassist Lauri Porra and guitarist Matias Kupiainen. Fans did not know what to expect from a Stratovarius album sans Timo Tolkki, who has been a mainstay in the band for over twenty years.

The updated lineup decided to move into complete seclusion, deep in the forests of Finland, to "focus on making the perfect record," according to Stratovarius's label's press release. Fortunately, the classic Stratovarius sound was largely intact on Polaris, as singer Timo Kotipelto, keyboardist Jens Johansson, and drummer Jörg Michael learned a thing or two over the course of their long careers with the band.

Freshman bassist Lauri Porra took an unexpectedly active role in writing the material for Polaris. Porra is no stranger to the genre of Power Metal, having played in bands such as Warmen, Tunnelvision, Sinergy, and of course Timo Kotipelto's solo band. Porra's songs "Falling Star" and "Forever is Today" are reminiscent of Stratovarius's signature fast/melodic sound found on albums like Episode and Visions, while his epic double track "Emancipation Suite" brings a more modern power metal sound, strikingly similar to that found on Elements Pt. II, to Polaris.

When I heard that Stratovarius was releasing an album without Timo Tolkki, I got worried. His contributions to the band in terms of songwriting, arrangement, guitar solos, and of course backing vocals cannot be overlooked. The songwriting and arrangement on Polaris was relatively solid throughout, as other members of the band such as Jens Johansson have decades of experience. Matias Kupianen is definitely a skilled guitarist. Significantly younger than the other members of Stratovarius, it is safe to say that he cites Timo Tolkki as one of the primary influences on his guitar technique. Sweep-picking, hammer-ons, and chromatic runs are prevalent throughout his solos.

That leaves us with the outstanding issue of backing vocals. Timo Kotipelto is a great singer. That is not to be disputed. I personally enjoyed Timo Tolkki's backing vocals during choruses on past releases. I guess the rest of the band also realized this fact during the time they spent in their cottage deep in the woods, as they called on notable Finnish vocalists Aleksi Pervainen, Tipe Johnson, and Tony Kakko (of Sonata Arctica fame), among others to fill the void left by Tolkki's departure.

Production throughout Polaris was extremely refined. Jens Johansson knows how to produce a power metal record properly, while the expert mixing skills of Mikko Karmila were once again called upon to make Polaris sound like classic Stratovarius. Timo Kotipelto's vocals were strong from start to finish, although he used his upper register less on this album than he has on past releases. Jörg Michael's drumming was as fast and precise as it has ever been. Tracks like "Blind" and "Forever is Today" highlight his double bass skills, while "Emancipation Suite" showcases his (and the band's) ability to function in different time signatures.

Jens Johnansson was given an opportunity to write more songs on Polaris, no doubt due in part to Tolkki's departure. Johansson's keyboard solos did not fall short of my expectations at all. Fast and intricate, yet not usually over the top, they are guaranteed to please the ears of the power metal fan.

Polaris is an extremely well-executed power metal album by the "new" Stratovarius. Laced with the typical light-hearted lyrical themes, the album has a nice balance between a few ballads, a few high energy power metal tunes, as well as the obligatory acoustic song ("When Mountains Fall"). Polaris is bound to bring a smile to the face of anyone who enjoys some good power metal!

Release Date: May 26th, 2009
Label: Edel Music

TRACK LISTING

1. Deep Unknown 
2. Falling Star 
3. King of Nothing
4. Blind
5. Winter Skies
6. Forever Is Today
7. Higher We Go 
8. Somehow Precious
9. Emancipation Suite Part I: Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite Part II: Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall

Total playing time: 49:08

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