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: I Dusk
10. Emancipation Suite: II Dawn
11. When Mountains Fall
12. Deep Unknown (Mikko Raita Vinyl Mix)[Bonus Track]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30669 in Music
• Released on: 2009-05-18
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

'Polaris' - a classic STRATOVARIUS album!
Welcome to a new era of STRATOVARIUS. For years the band has relied heavily on the craftsmanship of guitarist Timo Tolkki, who wrote 95% of the material on the ten albums to date. Following Tolkki's departure from the band last year, critics would have you believe that the future of the band was in grave danger. However, with Tolkki waiving the rights to the name, the rest of the band have carried on regardless, and 'Polaris' is the first release for the new line-up.

Frontman Timo Kotipelto has released a few respectable solo efforts, and does have a writing credit on some of the very best STRATOVARIUS songs including 'Black Diamond' and 'Hunting High and Low' - so, bearing this in mind, there was always hope that 'Polaris' could re-vitalise the career of the Finish five-piece, now that they have broken away from the mental illness stricken Tolkki.

Musically, the album sounds very much like classic late 90's STRATOVARIUS, with the soaring vocals of Kotipelto and the thundering drums of Jorg Michael, alongside the neo-classical team work of keyboard supremo Jens Johansson and new guitarist Matias Kupiainen. Timo Tolkki was legendary for his neo-classical solos, but on 'Polaris', Kupiainen matches him every step of the way, proving a more than worthy replacement in the musical department.

The only band member not mentioned above is new bass player, Lauri Porra, who is in fact a key part of the 'Polaris' jigsaw puzzle. In the ferocious 'Forever Is Today' and the infectiously catchy 'Falling Star', Porra has single handedly written two absolutely outstanding tracks, as well as three other decent solo penned efforts on the album. Many would argue that STRATOVARIUS are the kings of the fast paced classic power metal, and awesome tracks like 'Blind' and 'Higher We Go' will certainly add to the justification of such an arguement. Lead single 'Deep Unknown' is a slighly more progressive affair, but surprisingly serves well as the album's opening song.

As well as some terrific metal tunes, STRATOVARIUS have always been capable of producing a good slower track, and such a track is delivered on 'Polaris' via the excellent 'Winter Skies'. 'Somehow Precious' also impresses as the albums only variation into ballad territory.

So can STRATOVARIUS go on without Timo Tolkki?...damn right they can! In fact, it seems that the departure of Timo Tolkki has actually given STRATOVARIUS a completely new lease of life. 'Polaris' is arguably the best STRATOVARIUS album of all time, and at the very least is the best album since 1997's classic 'Visions' record. This record is an absolute must for fans of the band - a classic!

No radical change, still at the top of the genre!!
I have just received this masterpiece (after ordering it yesterday afternoon, thanks Amazon). I am also back from their gig at the Cathouse in Glasgow. It went well despite Timo being a bit ill. Only regret is that they did not play much of the new album but that is another story.

Polaris has a great opener in 'Deep unkown'. To me it is actually the best song, fast paced , nice proggy influenced middle section ( but not too much...just enough to keep you entertained and making you beg for more!!). First thing you realise is what a great replacement they found for Timo Tolki. His guitar playing skill is way above Timo and from what I have seen last sunday he can play all the back catalogue without any diffculty. His songwriting skills are more than compatible with Strato and each solos on this album are breath taking.

Falling star: it is a good mid tempo song, big chorus with backing vocals. Nice keyboard shreding solo.

King of nothing; another mid tempo, nice synth driven opening. Very anthemic song. Great keyboard solo again.

Blind: ok it starts with the same sound as Black Diamond but the song has got nothing to do with BD. This is a fast paced song. Very typical of strato... power chords/ bass/drum and timo 's voice the usual then fast paced chorus. Now it is definately the weakest link in that album. The chorus is bad, very bad ' I am blind..........but I can see you....In my mind....' come on....that is so uninspired. Keyboard solo again, nice...but would have been great to have a guitar solo.

Winter skies: very well written song. Very balladesque. The chorus is alright but it is when you hear the midle section that this song starts kicking really, the piano bit is so delicate and when the whole band joins in druing the guitar solo it is just so uplifting!! Best solo I have heard in ages. It is the one thing you remember the most after listening to the song once. it makes you want to hear it again and again.

Forever is today: fast paced, typical Strato with a great chorus that you will sing along to in their next gigs!! No surpise, nothing new in that one but it still works.

Higher we go: fast paced song: a bit like a new ' Hunting high and low' . They played this one and everybody was singing the chorus.

Somehow precious: slow paced tune with a beautiful arrangement. Amazing guitar solo, great great vocals.

Emancipation suite ; well it is a bit like the song 'element'...big arrangements, and instead of having the gang vocals singing 'elements' ..well they sing 'emancipation' instead. The solos are great with a bit of a guitar/synth duel. Quite a slow paced song as well with nothing really exciting about it. It is well done but it will leave you with a taste of boredom.

Emancipation suite part 2 : well I keep skipping that one.

When mountains fall: cute song. very much like forever. it is not as good as forever though. but why not...

Deep unkown remix: It is great to hear someone else's mixing skills on the same song. However this one does not justify the 'bonus track' status. Maybe you hear the guitars a bit more. it is good but is it usefull? I do some mixing and mastering jobs in my free time and I honestly struggle to hear the changes made to that song.


I gave the 5 stars because I have enjoyed this new album very much. TK's voice is still fabulous and Jens Johansson is well still Jens. The Rythmic section is solid as ever. Mattias is just teh perfect match for Strato he brought a new dimension to the whole thing. I recommend teh album to everyone who got tired of the old strato with the same solos,same arrangements, same overall sound. This is fresh, yet very Strato. Hope you will enjoy this as much I do.

Back On Form
Stratovarius are definitely back on form with Polaris, after their slightly disappointing last album. This should appeal to all rock fans as well as "metal-heads", very melodic throughout. There's a few tracks with the old trademark speed drumming and pace but plenty which take things down a bit and provide some more ambient moments.

The softer proggy tracks made me think this is what Genesis could have sounded like if they had stayed together and continued making music into the new millenium. In fact, the new guitarist sounded eerily like Steve Hackett on some tracks, with dreamy chords and strumming. It's also reminiscent of Yes in some places.

No hesitation in giving this one Five Stars!