Polaris (Stratovarius album)
2009 studio album by Stratovarius
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Polaris is the twelfth studio album by power metal band Stratovarius, released on 15 May 2009. It is the first Stratovarius album to feature bassist Lauri Porra and guitarist Matias Kupiainen, following former bassist Jari Kainulainen's departure from the band in 2005 and former guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008.
| Polaris | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 15 May 2009[1] | |||
| Recorded | September–December 2008 at Finnvox Studios, Hästfittan Studios and 5 by 5 Audio in Pitäjänmäki; Musicworks; Timo Kotipelto's home; Der Bunker | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 54:55[2] | |||
| Label | Edel | |||
| Producer | Stratovarius | |||
| Stratovarius chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
.jpg) Vinyl edition | ||||
| Singles from Polaris | ||||
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Timo Kotipelto, who at the time of Polaris' release had been a member of Stratovarius the longest (since 1994) among the current members, considered Polaris to be "the album that saved the band" and said that "without it there would not be any Stratovarius."[6] More time passed between the release of Stratovarius' eponymous album Stratovarius in 2005 and the release of Polaris than between any other two consecutive albums released by the band. Stratovarius in 2006[7] had recorded a demo album called Revolution Renaissance, performed one Revolution Renaissance song live in August 2007 ("Last Night on Earth") and according to Kotipelto had intended to release a completed version of the album in 2008.[8] However, the songs of that album were re-recorded and released in 2008 as New Era, the first album of Tolkki's new band, Revolution Renaissance, which acquired the album's prior name.
Polaris reached No. 2 on the Finnish albums chart, as well as reaching the top 70 in five other countries.[1][9] "Deep Unknown" was released as a single, reaching No. 20 on the Finnish singles chart.[10] In its first week of release, the album sold around 800 copies in the U.S.[11]
Background
In September 2008, with past tensions behind them, the band withdrew to a secluded cabin near the Finnish coastline for several weeks. There, surrounded by forest and sea, they focused on reconnecting as a group — spending time together, and began writing, creating, and recording new material. The experience revitalized them, leading to a renewed sense of purpose and resulting in an album that was melodic, dynamic, polished, and musically intricate.[12]
Reception
Greg Prato writing for AllMusic stated “The signature Stratovarius sound and approach are very much still intact, as evidenced by their 12th studio album overall, Polaris.” Also commenting on the “bombastic production, and all the elements that longtime Stratovarius connoisseurs demand in a new album by their Finnish heroes.”[13] Blabbermouth.net gave the album a positive review commenting on the “Powerful melodies mingle with sophisticated arrangements, strong anthems stand alongside heavy songs. 11 songs full of energy, musicianship, and a positive outlook.[12]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Deep Unknown" | Timo Kotipelto | Matias Kupiainen | 4:28 |
| 2. | "Falling Star" | Lauri Porra | Porra | 4:33 |
| 3. | "King of Nothing" | Jens Johansson | Johansson | 6:43 |
| 4. | "Blind" | Johansson | Johansson | 5:28 |
| 5. | "Winter Skies" | Johansson | Johansson | 5:50 |
| 6. | "Forever Is Today" | Porra | Porra | 4:40 |
| 7. | "Higher We Go" | Kotipelto | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 3:47 |
| 8. | "Somehow Precious" | Kotipelto | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 5:37 |
| 9. | "Emancipation Suite Part I: Dusk" | Porra | Porra | 6:57 |
| 10. | "Emancipation Suite Part II: Dawn" | Porra | Porra | 3:40 |
| 11. | "When Mountains Fall" | Porra | Porra | 3:12 |
| Total length: | 54:55 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Deep Unknown (Mikko Raita Vinyl Mix)" | Kotipelto | Kupiainen | 4:46 |
| No. | 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. | "Second Sight" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 4:25 |
| 5. | "Blind" | Johansson | 5:28 |
| 6. | "Winter Skies" | Johansson | 5:50 |
| 7. | "Forever Is Today" | Porra | 4:40 |
| 8. | "Higher We Go" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 3:47 |
| 9. | "Somehow Precious" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 5:37 |
| 10. | "Emancipation Suite Part I: Dusk" | Porra | 6:57 |
| 11. | "Emancipation Suite Part II: Dawn" | Porra | 3:40 |
| 12. | "When Mountains Fall" | Porra | 3:12 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Second Sight (Mikko Karmilla Polycarbonate Mix)" | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | |
| 2. | "King Of Nothing (Matias Kupiainen Death Star Mix)" | Johansson |
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Destiny" | Timo Tolkki | Tolkki | 10:12 |
| 2. | "Hunting High and Low" | Kotipelto | Tolkki | 5:07 |
| 3. | "Speed of Light" | Kotipelto | Tolkki | 3:14 |
| 4. | "The Kiss of Judas" | Kotipelto | Tolkki | 6:54 |
| 5. | "Deep Unknown" | Kotipelto | Kupiainen | 5:08 |
| 6. | "A Million Light Years Away" | Tolkki | Tolkki | 5:33 |
| 7. | "Bach: Air Suite" | (instrumental) | Johann Sebastian Bach | 2:17 |
| 8. | "Winter Skies" | Johansson | Johansson | 5:19 |
| 9. | "Phoenix" | Tolkki | Tolkki | 6:08 |
| 10. | "SOS" | Tolkki, Kotipelto | Tolkki | 3:55 |
| 11. | "Forever is Today" | Porra | Porra | 5:15 |
| 12. | "King of Nothing" | Johansson | Johansson | 6:39 |
| 13. | "Father Time" | Kotipelto, Richard Johnson | Tolkki | 5:19 |
| 14. | "Higher We Go" | Kotipelto | Kotipelto, Kupiainen | 4:07 |
| Total length: | 75:07 | |||
Personnel
Stratovarius
- Timo Kotipelto – lead vocals, background vocals, production
- Matias Kupiainen – guitar, background vocals, engineering (vocals, guitar, bass), production
- Jens Johansson – keyboard, background vocals, engineering, production
- Jörg Michael – drums, production
- Lauri Porra – bass, background vocals, production
Additional credits
- Seppo Rautasuo – strings (track 11)
- Heikki Hämäläinen – strings (track 11)
- Heikki Vehmanen – strings (track 11)
- Kari Lindstedt – strings (track 11)
- Perttu Vänskä – strings arrangement (tracks 1, 8), strings programming (tracks 1, 8), engineering (acoustic guitar; track 11), additional Pro Tools editing
- Pessi Levanto – strings arrangement (track 11)
- Alexi Parviainen – background vocals
- Marko Waara – background vocals
- Tipe Johnson – background vocals
- Tony Kakko – background vocals
- Tommi Vainikainen – engineering (strings; track 11)
- Mikko Karmila – mixing
- Mikko Raita – mixing (track 11)
- Svante Forsbäck – mastering
Release history
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[16] | 2 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[17] | 62 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18] | 55 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[19] | 32 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI)[20] | 47 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[21] | 32 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] | 57 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[23] | 57 |