Stratovarius

Don't think I've heard this band discussed much here, I think they're praise worthy, especially on Elements I and II!

Listened to Elements Pt. 1 the other day and yes, it is praise worthy and I will seek out Pt. 2 down the line. My favorite (of the few I've heard) is Destiny which is my favorite. I heard of them in '99 but was never alble to find any albums. When I was overseas I found a metal merchandise store in Greece and got a Maiden and Stratovarius shirt (Visions) which I got because it looked cool. It was a year later when I finally found a store that had their albums. Apart from the ones mentioned I have Intermission (b-sides and bonus tracks) and The Fourth Dimension. I was turned off by Tolkki's anti-God attitude but have sinced gotten over it (I hear he has since ceased doing it anyways) and plan on expanding my collection.

On a side note, at the time I got the t-shirt I usually wore a large or XL (now I can't wear large...well...not gracefully anyways) and the only size for the Stratovarius shirt was large so I purchased it. I now realize that European t-shirts shrink REAL easily because I couldn't wear it anymore after a few months . Even some XLs that I've got from European companies fit like larges but XXLs are not readily availiable from those companies so I learn to live with it and show off my glorious gut when I'm in the mood to wear them.

candlemass wrote:

Don't think I've heard this band discussed much here, I think they're praise worthy, especially on Elements I and II!

Stratovarius is easily one of my favorite bands! I like all their albums, but my favorites will probably always be "Elements 1&2". These two albums are easily their masterpieces from what I've heard. I still am missing a few holes in my Stratovarius collection (have yet to pick up their earlier albums). Their last "S/T" album was a bit of a disappointment to me, but I still liked it.

I don't own anything before Infinite. It's funny, too, because everyone loves them for their power metal, but my favorite tracks from them are their mid-paced stompers; "Falling Into Fantasy" (amazing song), "Alpha & Omega," "Awaken The Giant," "Dreamweaver," "United," etc. I really want their early albums, but I've never seen them around here for cheap (or even average price). When I have seen them on ocassion used they're like $19.99, which I'm never paying.

Also, I think the self-titled album is way better than it got credit for. I knew where to find the album for $7 or $8.99, but never bought it because everyone said it sucked. Finally one day I just bought it...and loved it! Definitely a different kind of album, but definitely not bad.

I liked them before they went all "epic" on us....

I own one Stratovarius CD... the "Chosen Ones" compilation. I've had a few other CDs from time to time but I end up trading them off. Seems like that compilation is all I really need, cuz to my ears at least, if you hear one Strato CD, you've pretty much heard'em all

Fat Freddy wrote:

I own one Stratovarius CD... the "Chosen Ones" compilation. I've had a few other CDs from time to time but I end up trading them off. Seems like that compilation is all I really need, cuz to my ears at least, if you hear one Strato CD, you've pretty much heard'em all

I don't know. I hear there early stuff is more straightforward power metal, then Elements 1 and 2 are more symphonic, epic type of material. The self-titled is very different and has a lot of rock songs on it. Not sure if you'd like any of it, though.

kmorg wrote:

I liked them before they went all "epic" on us....

What do you mean? That's when they got really good!

You probably like their latest "S/T" release then don't you? They dropped the epicness on that one (which is why I was a bit disappointed in it). I still really like the "S/T" though - don't get me wrong.

Eyesore wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I own one Stratovarius CD... the "Chosen Ones" compilation. I've had a few other CDs from time to time but I end up trading them off. Seems like that compilation is all I really need, cuz to my ears at least, if you hear one Strato CD, you've pretty much heard'em all

I don't know. I hear there early stuff is more straightforward power metal, then Elements 1 and 2 are more symphonic, epic type of material. The self-titled is very different and has a lot of rock songs on it. Not sure if you'd like any of it, though.

Yea, I've heard bits and pieces of the later stuff you describe, and it didn't do much for me either.
I suppose the CHOSEN ONES comp covers their "straightforward power metal" period nicely for me, and I'm not a big one for "symphonic, epic" stuff in general either. So I've got all the Stratovarius stuff I need.
Oh yea, and Timo Tolkki is a total wack job.

I'm a huge fan of Stratovarius. I think their best albums are Episode and Visions. Followed by Elements 1 & 2 and the s/t, which I like very much because it was different. I don't think that all of their albums sound the same, in my opinion their sound allways changed over the yeard.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Yea, I've heard bits and pieces of the later stuff you describe, and it didn't do much for me either. I suppose the CHOSEN ONES comp covers their "straightforward power metal" period nicely for me, and I'm not a big one for "symphonic, epic" stuff in general either. So I've got all the Stratovarius stuff I need.

Right on. I highly recommend the song "Falling Into Fantasy." Yeah, it's a mid-paced tune, but it got that "Take Hold Of The Flame" (Queensryche) sound to it. Love that tune.

Quote :

Oh yea, and Timo Tolkki is a total wack job.

Agreed. During his little breakdown the dude made NO sense. It's one thing when people snap and start talking crazy stuff, but most often there's some sort of twisted logic to it. Timo seemed like he was just babbling about the most ridiculous crap without even knowing what he was talking about.

My fave album by this band is FOURTH DIMENSION. EPISODE and VISIONS are two other classics. FRIGHT NIGHT was the first album i bought by this band(their debut) and is special to me too. They were more straight heavy metal in their early days with TIMO TOLKKI behind the microphone.

[quote="Eyesore"]

Fat Freddy wrote:

Quote :

Oh yea, and Timo Tolkki is a total wack job.

Agreed. During his little breakdown the dude made NO sense. It's one thing when people snap and start talking crazy stuff, but most often there's some sort of twisted logic to it. Timo seemed like he was just babbling about the most ridiculous crap without even knowing what he was talking about.

Remember when he announced Stratovarius was getting a female singer? They had just signed a huge deal with Sanctuary Records and from what I heard, the label said to him "Oh, no, you're NOT!," so bye-bye female singer, hello again Timo Kotipelto. That was pretty hilarious.

Their earlier material is probably their best!

Wargod48

Wargod48 wrote:

Their earlier material is probably their best!

Wargod48

Bah, Kotipelto is a far superior singer, the music got better as well.

My favorite is "Twilight Time", and the stuff up to "Chosen Ones". I think the reason I went off them when they got more complex had to do with expecting a certain sound rather than the quality of the music. Usually I like more proggy stuff, but not in this case.

Eyesore wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Yea, I've heard bits and pieces of the later stuff you describe, and it didn't do much for me either. I suppose the CHOSEN ONES comp covers their "straightforward power metal" period nicely for me, and I'm not a big one for "symphonic, epic" stuff in general either. So I've got all the Stratovarius stuff I need.

Right on. I highly recommend the song "Falling Into Fantasy." Yeah, it's a mid-paced tune, but it got that "Take Hold Of The Flame" (Queensryche) sound to it. Love that tune.

Quote :

Oh yea, and Timo Tolkki is a total wack job.

Agreed. During his little breakdown the dude made NO sense. It's one thing when people snap and start talking crazy stuff, but most often there's some sort of twisted logic to it. Timo seemed like he was just babbling about the most ridiculous crap without even knowing what he was talking about.

Are we talking about his claim to hear the voice of Jesus talking to him while reading the teachings of the Kabbalah after years of anti-God speech?

hmmm, they get lost in a sea of similar power metal bands to me. they're ok tho, i guess

Not a big fan.but their version of JP's "Bloodstone" is very nice !

ghost wrote:

I'm a huge fan of Stratovarius. I think their best albums are Episode and Visions. Followed by Elements 1 & 2 and the s/t, which I like very much because it was different. I don't think that all of their albums sound the same, in my opinion their sound allways changed over the yeard.

I agree. None of their albums sound the same to me.

As far as Timo Tolkki is concerned, he was diagnosed with a rare depressive disorder and was givein the proper meds for it. After this - he was back to normal and has not had a breakdown since. So - I don't judge him. The guy was hurting. He's also a very talented song-writer - one of my faves.

He says he's 'found God' now too, which I think is awesome.

I also love Timo Kotipelto's vocals.

blackieboy wrote:

kmorg wrote:

I liked them before they went all "epic" on us....

What do you mean? That's when they got really good!

You probably like their latest "S/T" release then don't you? They dropped the epicness on that one (which is why I was a bit disappointed in it). I still really like the "S/T" though - don't get me wrong.

You are correct, albeit it's by far my favorite by them. I like the late 90's efforts the best.

What do you guys think of Kotipelto's solo efforts? I have "Waiting For The Dawn", I think it's pretty good.

candlemass wrote:

What do you guys think of Kotipelto's solo efforts? I have "Waiting For The Dawn", I think it's pretty good.

Love them! I picked up "Waiting for the Dawn" and "Coldness". I think I like "Coldness" quite a bit more, but both are good. Still haven't picked up his new '07 release yet, but it's on the list.

candlemass wrote:

Wargod48 wrote:

Their earlier material is probably their best!

Wargod48

Bah, Kotipelto is a far superior singer, the music got better as well.

Well it's my opinion!

BTW Kotipelto is an excellent singer but I prefer earlier Strat!

Wargod48

I have the comp The Chosen Ones. It's ok, but nothing that ever made me want to seek out anymore of their work.