Kotipelto - Coldness
Century Media Records - CD 8208-2 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
Prepare for a shock - this is a CD full of melodic, bombastic power metal tracks that I actually, on some level, enjoy. Perhaps it's because Timo Kotipelto has been kind enough to eschew the usual cringeworthy mid-album ballad which is so often a pre-requisite for these types of album. Perhaps it's because the material within was born in a sudden flurry of creativity rather than an extended period of contemplative studio labouring (thus preventing too much pompous progressive layering working into the songs and turning them into self-indulgent noodlefests). Whatever it is, I hope it happens more often, because this is an energetic, driving collection of hard rock inflected European power metal tracks with a more aggressive approach than the norm.
The riff is king within this album, and thanks to the shiny, clear production afforded as standard by ELK-Studios and Beyond Abilities Studios engineering jobs and the mixing at Finnvox Studios, Mike Romeo and Juhani Malmberg's straight-outta-the-80s metal riffage is given maximum impact. Janne Wirman's keyboards are thankfully quite tastefully implemented throughout, with the exception of the odd ivory-tinkling solo moment, but even these don't dent the pace of the tracks too much. The bass drives the rhythm section along on a foundation of mid-to-fast tempo double-kick drumming, and over all presides Kotipelto's pleasantly melodic, controlled and most importantly restrained vocals. No air-raid siren attempts for Timo, just solid, controlled performances throughout.
Yeah, it's cheesy. Sure, it sounds dated. And okay, so it's not exactly setting new standards in originality or musical progression. But this is a consistently entertaining, if somewhat disposable slice of melodic metal. Definitely one for Stratovarius fans who are tired of that group's later output and recent troubles, and worth checking out for all 80s hard rock and metal fans too.
7/10
Official Kotipelto website
Century Media Records
Century Media Records - CD 8208-2 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
Prepare for a shock - this is a CD full of melodic, bombastic power metal tracks that I actually, on some level, enjoy. Perhaps it's because Timo Kotipelto has been kind enough to eschew the usual cringeworthy mid-album ballad which is so often a pre-requisite for these types of album. Perhaps it's because the material within was born in a sudden flurry of creativity rather than an extended period of contemplative studio labouring (thus preventing too much pompous progressive layering working into the songs and turning them into self-indulgent noodlefests). Whatever it is, I hope it happens more often, because this is an energetic, driving collection of hard rock inflected European power metal tracks with a more aggressive approach than the norm.
The riff is king within this album, and thanks to the shiny, clear production afforded as standard by ELK-Studios and Beyond Abilities Studios engineering jobs and the mixing at Finnvox Studios, Mike Romeo and Juhani Malmberg's straight-outta-the-80s metal riffage is given maximum impact. Janne Wirman's keyboards are thankfully quite tastefully implemented throughout, with the exception of the odd ivory-tinkling solo moment, but even these don't dent the pace of the tracks too much. The bass drives the rhythm section along on a foundation of mid-to-fast tempo double-kick drumming, and over all presides Kotipelto's pleasantly melodic, controlled and most importantly restrained vocals. No air-raid siren attempts for Timo, just solid, controlled performances throughout.
Yeah, it's cheesy. Sure, it sounds dated. And okay, so it's not exactly setting new standards in originality or musical progression. But this is a consistently entertaining, if somewhat disposable slice of melodic metal. Definitely one for Stratovarius fans who are tired of that group's later output and recent troubles, and worth checking out for all 80s hard rock and metal fans too.
7/10
Official Kotipelto website
Century Media Records
