Elements, Pt. 2

Infobox Album | Name = Elements, Pt. 2
Type = studio
Artist = Stratovarius


Released = 2003
Recorded = Finnvox Studios,
April 2002-February 2003
Genre = Power metal, neo-classical metal
Length = 50:37
Label = Nuclear Blast
Producer = Timo Tolkki
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jvfexqtald0e link]
Last album = "Elements, Pt. 1"
(2003)
This album = "Elements, Pt. 2"
(2003)
Next album = "Stratovarius"
(2005)

"Elements, Pt. 2" is an album by the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius.

Scandinavian prog-power-metal specialists Stratovarius begin their sequel to 2002's Elements, Pt. 1 with a neo-classical dirge called "Alpha and Omega," which showcases their melodic muscle and top-notch playing. Musically, the group are masters of fantasy-metal excess, but bereft of the Dungeons & Dragons hyperbole employed by similar artists. The series as a whole draws from blueprints laid out by Helloween's Keeper of the Seven Keys series, borrowing liberally from their nursery rhyme choruses, ferocious double-basslines, and operatic vocals — lead singer Timo Kotipelto channels Helloween crooner Michael Kiske throughout — without the thematic focus. There are some inspired moments — the brutal "Awaken the Giant" — and anthems like "Season's of Faith's Perfection," and the soaring "Liberty," succeed with bombast and Queensrÿche-like melodrama. Elements, Pt. 2 may disappoint some fans with its lack of epics and torch-heavy balladry, but there's a strange charm to these songs that serves as a testament to Stratovarius' offbeat sincerity, though it is hard to forgive lyrics like "I know your name, it's called Mr. Mean/One thing I've learned you don't know beans."

Track listing

All music and words by Tolkki.
#"Alpha & Omega" – 6:38
#"I Walk to My Own Song" – 5:03
#"I'm Still Alive" – 4:50
#"Season of Faith's Perfection" – 6:08
#"Awaken the Giant" – 6:37
#"Know the Difference" – 5:38
#"Luminous" – 4:49
#"Dreamweaver" – 5:53
#"Liberty" – 5:01
#"Ride Like The Wind" - 4:49 (bonus track for Japan)

A limited 2cd box set was released through Stratoshop and featured the following:

#"Alpha & Omega (demo)" - 6:35
#"Vapaus (demo)" - 6:07
#"Season of Fate's Protection (demo)" - 6:18
#"Soul Of A Vagabond (live)" - 8:02
#"Destiny/Fantasia (live)" - 9:07
#"Father Time (live)" - 4:58
#"Hunting High And Low (live)" - 5:10
#"Paradise (live)" - 5:42

Personnel

*Timo Kotipelto - Vocals
*Timo Tolkki - Guitar
*Jari Kainulainen - Bass
*Jens Johansson - Keyboards
*Jörg Michael - Drums