for the Stratovarius fans. Knowing that Episode and Fright Night are only 'meh' in my books, I was floored by Nemesis. Any other essential albums that are more like Nemesis?
As wolfie mentioned, Elysium is probably the closest to Nemesis, and Polaris after that. Though unlike him I think Nemesis is twenty times better than Elysium.
I haven't really been able to get into either Polaris or Elysium, but like you I was floored by Nemesis.
As for the Tolkki stuff...if you didn't like Episode all that much, the early albums probably aren't going to do much for you, so go with some of the later albums. Three of the albums wolfking mentions - Elements part 1, Infinite, and Destiny - are all good.
And... two people (they know who they are) have landed on the Mystery Band list, and both chose to double their bet.
How many of these Mystery Bands are there?