44.STRATOVARIUS
INFINITEPower Metalreleased February 28th, 2000
via Nuclear Blast Records
1. Hunting High and Low [4:08]
2. Millennium [4:10]
3. Mother Gaia [8:18]
4. Phoenix [6:13]
5. Glory of the World [4:53]
6. A Million Light Years Away [5:20]
7. Freedom [5:03]
8. Infinity [9:22]
9. Celestial Dream [2:30]
INFINITE is
Jens Johansson (Keyboards)
Jari Kainulainen (Bass)
Timo Kotipelto (Lead vocals)
Jörg Michael (Drums)
Timo Tolkki (Guitars / Backing vocals)
WITHA whole lot of orchestral and choral musicians Look at that bonkers artwork. It's awesome. I love it.
Disclaimer: It's no secret I love Stratovarius. They are my single favorite metal band of all time - actually, they're my favorite band of any genre. The years 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 saw Stratovarius release 6 of the most classic albums in power metal's history. This lineup released 7 studio albums together, and those 5 guys together are the embodiment of the best years in all of power metal. Infinite is the 4th album released under this lineup and the 8th Stratovarius record overall. No, I'm not biased at all...
Stratovarius's songwriting is known for its speed, melodies, Timo Kotipelto's distinct voice, the extreme dexterity of its musicians, and Timo Tolkki's trademark spiritual lyricism, embracing hope and positivity, environmental concerns, and the well-being of the planet. Infinite is no exception. There's a sad anthem for Mother Nature, there are some songs about humanity needing to find a new way to live in the new millennium, there are songs about embracing individuality and inner strength and remaining positive. All that good hippie jazz.
And that's the magic of this album. Timo Tolkki is the Lord Commander of Catchy Power Metal. He took what Helloween first did and perfected it (and he did it before Tobias Sammet hired Michael Kiske to sing his Stratoween-style songs for him!). He chooses simple chords, and he might generally play some of the most boring guitar parts known to metal next to Nightwish and Sonata Arctica in the verses, but his mastery of catchy chord progressions and seemingly endless capability to wring an earworm out of the same half dozen chords every single time is something to be admired.
“Hunting High and Low” and “Phoenix” are two of the greatest power metal songs of all time and I need you to go listen to those if you've made it this far because you obviously have nothing better to do. Jens Johansson's layering of harpsichord with the synth lead is highly influential on me personally and “the” power metal keyboard sound combo, in my opinion. Those keys are VERY important.
Timo Kotipelto's voice isn't for everyone - his accent is thick - but for me, he is the definition of 'great power metal singer.' Timo Kotipelto's high notes are unparalleled in my opinion. When he hits a high note, to me it feels like he's putting every ounce of strength into it, and even when it's super high, there is a strength and weight to it that blows my mind. If I was to boil down a specific section that shows everything I love about power metal, it's any Stratovarius song with double bass drums, fast guitars, and Timo Kotipelto holding a solid Eb5 with no vibrato. Makes me want to open a window and scream “I HAVE THE POWER!!!” at the top of my lungs.
Also Jorg Michael's drums are always recorded so fucking loud and this sound is something a lot of metal bands don't have. MAKE YOUR DRUMS HUGE! The first thirty seconds of “Infinity” really make his drums sound enormous. The man beats the shit out of his drums and I'm here for every second of it.
In Summary: I wish every non-symphonic power metal band with keyboards would strive to be like this album. If they did, the world would be a better place... The sounds on this record helped inspire me to be in a band and write music and become a better keyboardist when I was younger. It's still a special album today. I wish I could play keys like Jens, or sing like Timo, or write songs like Tolkki, or play drums like Jorg. When I hear this album I want to fly away like a bird into the sky. I love everything about this band so much.
Katt's Favorites: Hunting High and Low,
Millennium,
Phoenix