Polaris (Stratovarius album)

Polaris
Studio album by Stratovarius
Released 20 May 2009 (Japan), 15 May 2009 (Europe), 26 May 2009 (USA)
Recorded September–December 2008
Genre Power metal, Progressive metal
Length 54:55
Label Victor, Ear Music, Edel Music, Armoury Records
Producer Stratovarius
Stratovarius chronology
Black Diamond: The Anthology
(2006)		 Polaris
(2009)		 Elysium
(2011)

Polaris is the twelfth studio album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. It is the band's first album featuring new members, guitarist Matias Kupiainen and bassist Lauri Porra, and also the first Stratovarius album not featuring long-time guitarist Timo Tolkki, who left the band in 2008. As such, Polaris marks the first Stratovarius album not to feature any founding member of the group. Vocalist Timo Kotipelto describes Polaris as "a positive, powerful album that Stratovarius fans all over the world are certain to take to their hearts".

The album was recorded in late 2008 and mixed by Mikko Karmila. The cover art was done by Gyula Havancsák.

Contents

Track listing

[1]

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Deep Unknown"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 4:28
2. "Falling Star"   Porra 4:33
3. "King of Nothing"   Johansson 6:43
4. "Blind"   Johansson 5:28
5. "Winter Skies"   Johansson 5:50
6. "Forever Is Today"   Porra 4:40
7. "Higher We Go"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 3:47
8. "Somehow Precious"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 5:37
9. "Emancipation Suite (Part I: Dusk)"   Porra 6:57
10. "Emancipation Suite (Part II: Dawn)"   Porra 3:40
11. "When Mountains Fall"   Porra 3:12
12. "Deep Unknown (Mikko Raita Vinyl Mix) bonus track on DigiPack"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 4:46

Japanese track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Deep Unknown"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 4:28
2. "Falling Star"   Porra 4:33
3. "King of Nothing"   Johansson 6:43
4. "Second Sight" (Japan Bonus) Kotipelto, Kupiainen 4:25
5. "Blind"   Johansson 5:28
6. "Winter Skies"   Johansson 5:50
7. "Forever Is Today"   Porra 4:40
8. "Higher We Go"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 3:47
9. "Somehow Precious"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen 5:37
10. "Emancipation suite part I: Dusk"   Porra 6:57
11. "Emancipation suite part II: Dawn"   Porra 3:40
12. "When Mountains Fall"   Porra 3:12

On 7" Vinyl Collector's Edition:

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Second Sight (Mikko Karmilla Polycarbonate Mix)"   Kotipelto, Kupiainen  
2. "King Of Nothing (Matias Kupiainen Death Star Mix)"   Johansson  

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]
Danger Dog [3]
Lords of Metal [4] (85/100)
Metal Express Radio [5] (8/10)

2010 Re-Release

On May 21, 2010, Polaris was re-released along with a live album called "Polaris Live" with the following track listing:

  1. Destiny
  2. Hunting High and Low
  3. Speed of Light
  4. Kiss of Judas
  5. Deep Unknown
  6. A Million Light Years Away
  7. Bach: Air Suite
  8. Winter Skies
  9. Phoenix
  10. S.O.S.
  11. Forever is Today
  12. King of Nothing
  13. Father Time
  14. Higher We Go

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Finnish Albums Chart[6] 2
Japanese Albums Chart[7] 32
Italian Albums Chart[8] 47

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Metalfromfinland.com
  2. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1568774
  3. ^ http://www.dangerdog.com/reviews_2009/stratovarius-polaris-review.php
  4. ^ http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=14688&lang=en
  5. ^ http://www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=reviews&id=3122
  6. ^ Suomen virallinen lista
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ [2]
Stratovarius
Timo Kotipelto  · Jens Johansson  · Jörg Michael  · Lauri Porra  · Matias Kupiainen
Timo Tolkki  · Jari Kainulainen  · Antti Ikonen  · Tuomo Lassila  · Jyrki Lentonen  · Staffan Stråhlman  · John Vihervä
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
DVDs
Singles
Tours
Related pages