Stratovarius- Visions(1997)- Rock/Metal Album Rating(#19)

Finnish neoclassical power metal act Stratovarius makes its debut on my ranking list with one of its strongest releases, Visions,  a concept album based on the prophecies of Nostradamus. Here's how I rate the 10 tracks on this record: 

1. The Kiss of Judas- 9.5(fantastic)- an amazing opener with outstanding guitar solos and a catchy chorus as well.

2. Black Diamond- 10(stellar)- probably their biggest hit; the guitar and keyboard work together perfectly to create an extraordinary neoclassical sound, while the vocal delivery and the chorus are mind-blowing.

3. Forever Free- 9(great)- a speedy, more typical power metal track that kees the energy at high levels.

4. Before the Winter- 8.5(very good)- the first ballad, a moody and atmospheric tune with a great chorus as well.

5. Legions- 9(great)- another upbeat,  fast power metal tune destined to keep the spirits high.

6. The Abyss of Your Eyes- 8(solid)- a slower, but nevertheless heavy tune, bringing more diversity to the record.

7. Holy Light- 8(solid)- an instrumental track allowing the musicians to show off their remarkable abilities.

8. Paradise- 10(stellar)- another dynamic tune with great lyrics and an insanely catchy chorus that will stick to your mind for quite a while after hearing the song.

9. Coming Home- 9(great)- the second ballad, a beautiful song which adds more atmosphere and melancholy to an album already filled with emotion.

10. Visions(Southern Cross)- 10(stellar)- an epic track with multiple facets, taking the listener on a 10-minute ride full of variety: from typical, fast power metal sections and another fabulous chorus to slower and more progressive parts, this song has all the ingredients to keep you engaged until the end.

ALBUM RATING: 9.10

TOP 3 SONGS:

1. Black Diamond

2. Visions(Southern Cross)

3. Paradise

Final Thoughts

An epic, sometimes melancholic, but also empowering and upbeat record, Visions deserves to be ranked high in a chart of the greatest power metal albums of all time. It is part of a streak of albums, from 1996 to 2000, which showed Stratovarius at the peak of their creativity, so I will definitely explore their other works from that golden age as well. 

Stronghold

                  

            

      Ancient house of wisdom

      Built with tears and sweat

      Gone's your glory hour

      But you stand strong yet.

      Rulers came to your gate

      Keen to kill and plunder

      Greed has sealed their fate

      They were struck by thunder!

      Many tried to tear your down

      But they failed and you're still well

      Like a jewel of the crown

      Full of great stories to tell!

   

Time(with Graphic Representation)

Dreamer- My Lyrics, AI pictures

Black Sabbath- Master of Reality-Rock/Metal Album Rating(#18)

I'm back after quite a while to rating rock/metal albums with the 3rd creation  from Black Sabbath's classical Ozzy era, but with a new approach. I'm going to rate each track in chronologocal order, see which tracks are in my top 3 and give the album my final rating, so here we are:

1. Sweet Leaf- 9.5(fantastic)- an outstanding opener; Tony Iommi coughing at the beginning of the song perfectly illustrates the source of inspiration for this remarkable track.

2. After Forever- 9(great)- a fast-paced song dealing with religion, it makes you think about some serious topics.

3. Embryo- not rated- Just a short instrumental which could be seen as an intro to the next tune.

4. Children of the Grave- 10(stellar)- one of the greatest anti-war heavy metal songs and a strong contender for my favourite Black Sabbath songs thanks to its powerful riff and chilling lyrics dealing with the ever present threat of a nuclear disaster. Simly brilliant!

5. Orchid- 8(solid)- the second instrumental of the album positioned between two great tracks gives the listener a short break before returning to heaviness.

6. Lord of This World- 9.5 - more fabulous riffs and exceptional lyrics expressed by Ozzy's unique voice. An amazing tune as well.

7. Solitude- 8(solid)- time for some melancholy with a beautiful ballad dealing with the unpleasant feelings of being alone after breaking up. 

8. Into the Void- 10- what a banger to close the album with! An outstanding doomy track with menacing riffs and once again excellent lyrics full of dread when referring to the end of the world, but also of hope, represented by the "freedom fighters" who manage to leave the Earth and head "into the void", where they will find a new planet to land on and start a new civilization. It's a scenario that is very likely to become reality one day!

Album Rating: 9.14

My Top 3 Tracks:

1. Children of the Grave

2. Into the Void

3. Sweet Leaf

Master of Reality, the 3rd album from the pioneers of heavy metal, could only get a high rating from me as it shows a young band at the peak of its creativity, a trend that would last for a few more years and bring us more great albums in the 70s! 

The Building of Illusions

           

       

   I'm standing lonely in the square

   A gentle breeze flows in the air

   The winter light shines on my face

   As I explore this special place.

   Behind me lies a building wide

   Where time and echoes seem to hide

   A mighty structure, stern and deep

   With lots of memories to keep.

   Within this palace and its walls

   The lust for rule and power calls

   And countless dramas still unfold

   Whose dark tales will one day be told.

   Temptation, greed, and lure of glory

   Are ingrained in this building's story

   Where people fight to reach great goals

   But many lose their hearts and souls!

Post Apocalyptic World

      Welcome to the land of snow

      To the white and freezing show

       Where  the good is lost and gone

       And the dark obscures the sun.

      Welcome to the world of sorrow

      Where there's no better tomorrow

      And no children left to laugh

      And each day is sad and tough.

     That will be the future world

     Full of grief, fear and cold

     If we let people in power

     Do as they wish every hour!

    We must not allow those fools

    To spread and enforce their rules

    And believe their web of lies

    If we do, then all hope dies!

The End of Summer

        

               

The end of summer days is near

The grass still green, the sky still clear

But soon the leaves will start to fall

And dark times will come for us all. 

There will be clouds, thunder and rain

Spreaders of sadness, gloom and pain

Yet not even the pitch black night

Can take our souls away from light!

Space Trip

                   

           

      Let's go on a lengthy trip

      Out of this world on a ship

      Far beyond the reach of man

      To fulfill our daring plan.

     Let us leave the Earth behind

     On a quest for peace of mind

     And fly towards the unknown

     Where no signs of life are shown.

     Let us be the ones to land

     On the first planet at hand

     Under clear and reddish skies

     Free of the terrestrial ties.

     We might stay there for a while

     Moving on with ease and smile

     Flat soil and rocks all around

    Till we climb on higher ground.

    Time will come for us to leave

     So much left there to achieve

     But don't worry, we'll return

     To discover, search and learn!

     

Wishes

                     

     Wish I had the wisdom

     To make each day great

     Wish I found the freedom

     To control my fate.

    Wish there were more sunlight

    On my dusty, narrow trail

    Wish I fel no pain nor fright

    Wish I had no way to fail!

    Wish I had some wings to fly

    Over fields, forests and hills

    Be the watcher from the sky

    And enjoy a life of thrills!