STRATOVARIUS — Elements Part 2 (review)

STRATOVARIUS — Elements Part 2 album cover Album · 2003 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Kingcrimsonprog
2003’s Elements Pt. 2 record is the Finnish Melodic Power Metal band Stratovarius’ tenth full-length studio album. As the name suggests it is the second part of the Elements series and was preceded by Elements Pt.1 earlier the same year. Both the Elements records saw the band, who had taken a long break prior to their recording, rethinking the formula that they’d been mining for the last few records slightly, and head in an even more Progressive direction than before.

While Pt.1 balanced typical Stratovarius singles and instrumentals with lengthy, epic-in-scope material, Pt.2 balances the usual Stratovarius ballads with mostly slower mid-paced tracks. It feels something like the band’s equivalent to the Black Album in as much as the halving of speed and the focus on more groovy, restrained styles. Opener ‘Alpha & Omega’ says it all really, it’s a big, mean sounding groover.

Luckily while it is somewhat of a departure, it gives the band a chance to try things they haven’t done so much before… there’s a lot more toms than on other records, there’s more low-register vocals, they aren’t just repeating old glories. Also; While on the Destiny album you could pick up slight hints of Queensryche if you listened carefully, this one has a few Dream Theater whiffs that make you think you haven’t heard this stuff from Stratovarius before. Its up to you whether you enjoy the change in style of course, but for me it works well and sits happily beside other records in their discography in terms of quality. ‘Awaken The Giant’ is something I’m glad I have in my collection.

If you are skeptical of too much change however, there’s still a few big sing-along moments that would be a joy in any concert, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous themed ‘Know The Difference,’ the speedier ‘I’m Still Alive’ and the Electric-Eye-reminiscent hit single ‘I Walk To My Own Song.’ These should keep fans of the ‘90s material happy.

Of the two Elements albums, I feel this one is the stronger. There are less cheesy moments, for me it feels more like an album and flows better. There’s nothing I feel the overwhelming need to skip or fast-forward through. Overall; It isn’t typical Stratovarius fare, and I wouldn’t make it my first purchase as a newcomer, but I don’t think it should be ignored either – there’s plenty to enjoy and the slower moodier stuff is a welcome string to their bow.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed