Stratovarius – Eternal (2015)

As one of the most anticipated releases of 2015, today we have Stratovarius and their latest opus “Eternal”. Filled with over 54 minutes of music separated in ten tracks, this release nicely continues the band’s reinvention to a fresher and even more dynamic outfit since their “Polaris” release back in 2009. Featuring tons of epic tracks and led by the vocals of Timo Kotipelto, this a typical Stratovarius release that you do not want to miss.

The band delivers the first punch with the amazing opener “May Eternal Dream”. In this very dynamic song, the band sets a very upbeat tempo and establishes a very fluid relationship between the epic guitar and keyboard solos, warning the listener they are in for a treat in this release. Timo Kotipelto vocals constantly deliver the level of performance that is expected from such a legendary singer, and on tracks like “Shine in the Dark”, “Man in the Mirror” and the ballad “Fire in Your Eyes” they gave us goose bumps since they are terrific and very well crafted into the music.

Showcasing the band’s undeniable musical talents, “Rise Above It” and “Feeding The Fire” deliver some playful guitar/keyboard passages that are just magic. The very epic and soaring nature of tracks like “Lost without a Trace” and “In My Line of Work” perfectly hit the spot with Kotipelto providing the guiding light on them. A personal favorite song is the mesmerizing “Man in the Mirror”, featuring a super catchy chorus section and brilliant drumming from Rolf Pilve.

With the band feeling more confident with each release they seem to explore more melodic avenues like on the track “Few Are Those”, which has a lighter and more melodic vibe than the rest. The band’s most ambitious song in this release is the 12-minute monster “The Lost Saga”. Featuring a mixture of old-school Power Metal with interesting atmospheric elements, this song brilliantly showcases Matias Kupiainen and Lauri Porra’s undeniable virtuosity in a very subtle and integrated way.

Overall, the band has come a long way since its humble beginnings and with “Eternal” they really continue the evolution and refinement of their explosive sound. Filled with super catchy and technically proficient tracks, this album has something for even the most demanding fans of the band and the genre. If you like a release filled with dynamic and exciting Melodic Power Metal, Stratovarius has managed to deliver something well above their own expectations, so be sure to get a copy of this excellent release.

Label: earMusic

Release: September 11th, 2015 (Europe) / September 18th, 2015 (North America)

Genre: Melodic Power Metal

Country: Finland