Polaris encompasses all that is great about Stratovarius, it has tons of variety while maintaining a fine balance of speedy, old school power metal pieces; the up-tempo neo-classical bits and the slower, more epic, progressive, power ballads. The progression is almost natural and album runs like a well oiled machine. On occasion, pieces and riffs do seem to be a bit derivative.
Johansson's keyboards find a prominent place throughout the album and it's heartening to see that they aren't buried underneath all the percussion and bass. Kupiainen is almost like a Tolkki clone at times, reproducing the classic Stratovarius style with neo-classical, Malmsteem-esque overtones. Lauri Porra is a great new find and does a splendid job on the bass. Kotipelto's vocals soar throughout the album and age hasn't done much to diminish the man's vocal prowess. Jorg Michael resonates the same thought showing that he too hasn't slowed down and is still able to pound the skins.
The lyrical theme of the album deals with regions far beyond terra firma, celestial topics now seeming to be a favourite for the band.
Polaris kicks off with Deep Unknown, a fast paced, roaring power metal song that is very reminiscent of Blood Diamond. Kupiainen's prog tinted composition goes through the motions effortlessly. A slightly off-kilter start, but not a bad one nonetheless.
Falling Star makes a big mark on the album. With great choruses, hooky, emotive riffing akin to the style in Fourth Dimension, this is a steadfast Stratovarius number that will appeal to the older bunch of fans.
What is probably the most powerful song of the album makes it's entry at position 3. The epic King of Nothing is an intense, melodic masterpiece that will not cease to stun throughout it's entirety. The focal point of the song is Johansson's keys, instead of merely backing up the guitars, he steals the show right from the start. Beautiful composition, that with its military rhythm, majestic soloing and melodic riffing shows you that new lineup shows some promise and that if the current lineup is stable, the fans have something to look forward to.
Up next is the neo classical Blind. The breakneck paced, melodic thrash of this track is a sort of letdown after King of Nothing, but then again isn't bad given that it's just a filler.
Almost midway through the album we encounter the heavy power ballad Winter Skies. One of the slower songs of the albums, it's quite unlike anything they've done before, but is extremely enjoyable. Kotipelto's unique wail fits brilliantly with the mood of the song. The keys again aren't there just to accentuate the guitars but add that certain something to the track especially during the solo. One of the better songs of the album.
Forever is Today, power metal staple or sorts is a sudden jolt after Winter Skies. Nothing particularly outstanding about the track, yet another necessary filler. Though the solo towards the end is the savior of the track.
Higher We Go continues in the same vein, another charged, melodic number. Interesting rhythm sections and great choruses save the song. Excellent neo classical soloing, as I mentioned before - like something out of a Malmsteem album, finishes the song. Standard Stratovarius from start to stop.
The elegant Somehow Precious comes in at position eight. Another slow ballad, it does not have the panache and style that Winter Skies did but feels poignant for some reason. This is Kotipelto's song all the way, yet another great vocal performance.
The extensively progressive, two pronged epic Emancipation Suite brings in the rear of the album. Filled oriental influences that alternates between drop dead heavy riffing, and slower melodic parts. Together, these are some the highlights of the album. The first part has the best soloing throughout the album. This is where Stratovarius truly return to form and you can really see the band working as a cohesive, multifaceted unit. Kotipelto hits some incredibly high pitches during the second part, which is again vocally driven. All is all, a well crafted opus that is a certifiable classic in the years to come.
The surprisingly short When Mountains Fall ends the album. The simple, vocally driven song that endears itself to the listener easily. If you listen hard, you'll notice Kotipelto's thick accent for the very first time on the album, seems like he loses himself emotionally on this particular piece.
Overview : Polaris is definitely a return to their old glory days. A renaissance for Stratovarius was long in order given the nightmarish turn their career had taken and Polaris is exactly the revival they needed. The infusion of new blood does not the see the band changing the proggy-power metal they pioneered, rather bringing it back in a grandiose manner. The same old Stratovarius sound that the fans have come love is still there, it's just got a brighter sheen with Polaris. Matias Kupiainen is a fine addition on the guitars. It almost seems like Tolkki's departure did little to spoil the sound of the album. In the end, a solid effort from Stratovarius.
Genre : Progressive Metal, Power Metal
Genre : Progressive Metal, Power Metal
Track Listing :
Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1."Deep Unknown" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 4:28 |
2."Falling Star" | Porra | 4:33 |
3."King of Nothing" | Johansson | 6:43 |
4."Blind" | Johansson | 5:28 |
5."Winter Skies" | Johansson | 5:50 |
6."Forever is Today" | Porra | 4:40 |
7."Higher We Go" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 3:47 |
8."Somehow Precious" 9."Emancipation Suite (Part I : Dusk)" 10."Emancipation Suite (Part II : Dawn)" 11."When Mountains Fall" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen Porra Porra Porra | 5:37 6:57 3:40 3:12 |
Total Album Time : 54:55
Personnel/Contributors :
- Timo Kotipelto - Lead Vocals
- Matias Kupiainen - Lead Guitars
- Lauri Porra - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Jorg Michael - Drums
- Jens Johansson - Keyboards
Release Date : 15 may 2009
Recorded : September-December 2008
Supporting Tour : Polaris World Tour
Live Albums : Polaris Live
Trivia : This is the first Stratovarius album not to feature Timo Tolkki
