Listen.
I really don't know if it's just fanboyism or objective shock. But Eternal is a fucking brilliant album from, in my opinion, the absolute masters of true power metal. I didn't think anything could top Nemesis. But this album is like Infinite made sweet love to Nemesis, and the result is Eternal's silky smooth musical beauty.
Everything about this album is amazing. From the production to the songwriting to the electronic, Halcyon Days-inspired musical effects in Man In The Mirror, Stratovarius hasn't sounded this strong ever.
All the songs are written perfectly for Timo Kotipelto's modern range and never push him too hard and yet they're all exquisite, unique and infectious to the bone. I can't get enough of these hooks. Even the verses are as sweet as molasses. Jens has a whole lot going on, Matias's riffs are great, you can hear Lauri's bass in the mix, and Rolf, holy shit, he is really letting loose on this one. Definitely a step up from Nemesis, and if I didn't know there was a lineup change, I'd swear that was Jorg Michael behind the skins. Rolf is a POWERFUL drummer and a tour de force in Stratovarius.
I'm truly amazed that, this far into their career, they're managing to put out music this strong, with no shortage of ideas. Truly robbed of recognition in the western hemisphere, no exaggeration in my opinion, Stratovarius are the fucking kings of power metal and Eternal is solid proof of that.