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I recently decided to grab some of their stuff.  I had a few songs of theirs but not their entire collection.  Then I put a bunch on my ipod and decided to take them for a spin at work.  I have to say that they are (were?!?!?!) an incredible band!

I knew about these guys about 10 years ago back when I was into joshi puroresu. A friend in New York showed me a few of their songs (along with Gamma Ray), but at that time, I wasn't really into power metal.  Lately though, I've really been getting into the whole power metal genre, mostly because its the perfect music to compliment my cardiovascular exercises.  Nothing like a heavy, hard, fast beat to get you jamming!

Stratovarius though isn't just a simple fast playing band.  I find their music ethereal, contemplative, well orchestrated.  I hate saying this, but the guitar playing, for instance, is like Yngwie Malmsteen if he could compose well focused songs rather than just blazing solos.  Add some Maiden and Priest influence with Queensryche-like vocals and you got an amazing mix.

I think some of their mid-career stuff is truly excellent.  It feels darker, more atmospheric.  They don't just play in one key or rhythm, but really delve into the whole power metal genre.  Take for instance, "Twilight Tonight."  The song uses some interesting chords to create a dark feeling at the beginning; then add in the synthesizers with the strings generating an orchestra and you can really get into the tune.  But the tune slows down and builds to a climax at the end.  In some ways, a tune like that reminds me of something that you could place in an epic action movie.

Originally, I wasn't too fond of their stuff earlier.  But at work I have a great opportunity to really let the music sink in.  So I'm discovering tunes here and there that are amazing and really grow on me.  Stratovarius sadly is a band I wish I had discovered earlier, considering that they had a major falling out and disbanded.  Definitely, one of those bands I would've loved seeing in concert.