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Review: Stratovarius - Destiny
Stratovarius
www.stratovarius.com
Destiny

Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Year released: 1998
Duration: 59:01
Tracks: 11
Genre: Power Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: February 13, 2004
Reviewed by: 4th Horseman
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4.27/5 (85.37%) (41 Votes)
Review

Given the current metal scene, I think it would be safe to state that no other band is more laughed at right now than Stratovarius. The loss of the only two band members who had any real talent and the seemingly endless list of babooneries on the part of the band's founder, Stratovarius seem nothing more than a horrid publicity stunt. I now see them in the same light as I have always seen Eminem. The only difference is, Strato were once upon a time a mighty power metal band that actually dictated and set the standards for other power metal acts to follow. Destiny was such an example.

In 1998, here were Stratovarius holding their ground as leaders of the power metal genre. It is quite apparent from the song writing and well…pretty much everything in the music that Strato have run out of ideas and put all their efforts into doing what they have always done best – the same old Stratovarius style of metal. But here is where the product came out particularly sweet! Destiny was Strato's greatest album in my opinion and I doubt it can be topped by them. Everything after this was pretty much a downward slump until Elements which weren't the greatest albums, but lived up to their name nonetheless.

Here's a disc that is Strato's 'most metal' album. We all know about the band's excessive reliance on the vocals, keys and the drums…well, pretty much everything BUT the guitars. But Destiny is where the guitars actually took a primary role. Tolkki's Steel-smoldering riffs, Michael's speedy drum work, and Kotipelto's Earth shattering vocals make this Stratovarius' finest album to date. Everything from the flawless production, to the band's enthusiasm in playing their music, this album has the nuts and bolts for a classic. Anthem of the World and the title track particularly have very cool riffs that bring out Strato's big guns and tell you that here is a band that can do this over and over again while making it better every consecutive time.

Even with all the horsing around Tolkki has done recently, Stratovarius are still in a strong position as far as purely music is concerned, since the Elements albums were not bad at all.

But only time will tell if the new Strato can live up to the name they had made for themselves on albums such as Destiny. But it doesn't look too good.

There is nothing new in Destiny, just plain and simple kick ass power metal prescribed by the big guys of the genre. If you are going to get anything from Stratovarius, Destiny would get my highest recommendation.

More about Stratovarius...
Review: Darkest Hours (reviewed by Bruce Dragonchaser)
Review: Elements Pt. 1 (reviewed by Christian Renner)
Review: Elements Pt. 1 (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Elysium (reviewed by Adam Kohrman)
Review: Elysium (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Elysium (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Episode (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Eternal (reviewed by Bruno Medeiros)
Review: Infinite (reviewed by Michel Renaud)
Review: Infinite Visions (reviewed by Pierre Bégin)
Review: Nemesis (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Polaris (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: Polaris (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: Stratovarius (reviewed by Christopher Foley)
Review: Visions (reviewed by Risser)
Interview with Jörg Michael (drums) on February 1, 2003 (Interviewed by Christian Renner)
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