Timo Kotipelto
Serenity

Third solo chapter (2007) for the frontman of the glorious power metal band Stratovarius, in which Timo, together with the ever-renewed Finnish entourage composed of: Janne Barman (Children of Bodom), keyboards; Lauri Porra (Sinergy, Warmen), bass; Mika Rantanen (Warmen, Thunderstone), drums, and Tuomas Wäinölä (Thunderstone), guitar - assembles another piece of melodic power metal, with well-placed 80s AOR inflections, related to the keyboards, in addition to an infusion of hard rock in some riffs; whose overall sound brings to mind Kingdom Come and Firehouse. Although obviously we are not talking about the heirs of Rainbow, but about power metal.

The contribution of the instruments functions as a pyramid, the base of which raises and supports Timo's vocal skills, reworking the technique among others of Michael Kiske, in addition to drawing upon the glories of "Destiny" and so on, from Stratovarius themselves. Which have inspired, among others, bands like Powerquest and Infinity.

"Once upon a time", the first track, offers a rhythm based on the basses echoed by Timo's nevertheless very high voice. It is followed by the mid-tempo single "Sleep well", which metrically somewhat resembles "Reasons", from the album "Coldness", only slightly faster, with a proud refrain perfectly punctuated always on the basses, and a bifurcated melody, with a moderate pace which the following title track "Serenity" continues. Accompanied by very sonorous riffs. On the lyrical level, here as in the album, the emotional and suggestive cue prevails, an impression produced by a poetic and uncertain vision of the future as well as of love, as evidenced by the verses: "By the river all alone /Staring deep inside of my soul/Speaking to my intuition/But the words disappear/As the waters rise and fall/So the tides they are within me/Running to a place unknown/To a place that I fear/Where lies my peace of mind/Tranquil serenity."

The following tracks successfully perpetuate the melodic amalgam intoned by Kotipelto, producing various variations on the theme, although easily relocatable, and shedding light, in addition to the vocal lines, on the well-articulated keyboards, even if on chords certainly not infrequent. "King anti-Midas" is centered on the legend of King Midas, and the unfortunate fate resulting from the "gift" granted to him, musically contrasting groove tones with cruder ones. A thematic transformation is provided by "After the rain", much slower and romantic with a more particular intonation. While "Mr know it all" is more disdainful in its lyrics, concerning presumption indeed.

The concluding "Last defender", probably the most beautiful, is partly slow and partly violent, where the acoustic parts are also imbued with deep sadness deriving from a scenario of desolation, also relatable to the outcome of wars, as already hinted by the previous "Angels will cry."

Returning to the album, it has been quite successful, especially in Finland, where it reached the tenth position. It is nothing elitist, especially if you already possess some chapters by Stratovarius; but for those who have placed the latter at the top, this album should not be neglected either. Moreover, Timo Kotipelto is a complete singer.

the tracklist:

1. Once Upon A Time

2. Sleep Well

3. Serenity

4. City Of Mysteries

5. King Anti-Midas

6. Angels Will Cry

7. After The Rain

8. Mr. Know -It-All

9. Dreams And Reality

10. Last Defender