Serenity

AFM/Candlelight

For his third solo effort Stratovarius frontman Timo Kotipelto has once again taken his trademark sound to another level. While not a total departure from his previous accomplishments, the writing seems to be more straight forward than 2002’s Waiting For the Dawn with considerable elements of 2004’s Coldness creeping in at various intervals. I think it’s safe to say that the use of keyboard composition throughout the CD is more restrained and gives way to the dominant guitar sound which is really meaty and riff driven this time around. Personally I believe this will appeal to fans much more than Kotipelto’s two predecessors.

Serenity is everything a fan of this particular genre could possibly hope for yet still does not compare to Kotipelto’s primary band led by guitar virtuoso Timo Tolkki. However I find nothing to complain about here as the music is well written and the production shines. The brilliant line up of musicians utilized for the recording of Serenity once again include fellow Stratovarius band member Lauri Porra on bass, Tuomas Wainölä on guitar, Janne Wirman of Children of Bodom on keys and Thunderstone drummer Mirka Rantanen. Having parted ways with Century Media Records Kotipelto’s Serenity marks his debut with the legendary AFM/Candlelight Records.

Stand out cuts include “Last Defender”, “After The Rain”, “Serenity” and the first single and video “Sleep Well”. All in all Serenity delivers well and can be deemed a very fitting accomplishment for this rock veteran and great next step in Kotipelto’s illustrious career.

-Priest