Stratovarius
Destiny

THE REVIEW

One minute of cloying choruses introduces us to this Destiny concerning the band that invented "modern" power metal.
Strong neoclassical influences, with endless virtuosity and dualism of guitar and keyboard, all seasoned with VERY easy-listening melodies, vocal lines almost always teetering between falsetto and normal voice, and double-bass drumming in helicopter style (it's no mystery that Jorg Michael's style is imitated by all power metal drummers).

The five Finns, after a masterpiece like Visions, which came after four moderately well-crafted albums, have rested on their laurels, enjoying the success and the rightful title of Masters of Power Metal, making the total lack of innovation from this Destiny forward their "best" weapon.
Nice songs, some majestic and epic (the over 10 minutes of Anthem of The Worlds are stunning), others delirious speed songs for continuous headbanging (No Turning Back or Cold Winter Nights). Solos as fast as they are simple churned out repeatedly by the Johansson-Tolkki duo, the latter being the true mastermind of the group.

On one hand, we have very beautiful songs like those already mentioned, to which I would add Playing With Fire, Venus In The Morning, and S.O.S. On the other hand, there are a couple of unbearable ballads, 4000 Rainy Nights or Years Go By, the very boring title track, and the unnecessary Rebel.
Too little for a band from which miracles were expected after the exhilarating Visions, and from which only half-flops have arrived, where the songwriting has remained virtually unchanged, and sooner or later the chords will run out.

Fortunately for me, after this Destiny, I had the foresight to get their Best Of before proceeding with further purchases... believe me, that (+Visions) will be enough to know everything about Stratovarius.