Although Serenity may not be a completely accurate title for Timo Kotipelto's third solo album, it does mark a musical shift for the Stratovarius vocalist. Save for the by-the-numbers opener "Once Upon a Time" and "Angels Will Cry," this bold disc finds Kotipelto navigating less intensive but no less impressive material, singing in a lower register and, lo and behold, revealing more than an inkling of emotion. Backed by a crack band that includes members of Children of Bodom, Thunderstone, Warmen and Tunnelvision, Kotipelto pours his soul into these 10 tracks, with songs like the title cut, the eight-minute closer "Last Defender," "King Anti-Midas" (which rivals the best Stratovarius ever had to offer) and the first single "Sleep Well" becoming instant favorites. Not only does the Finnish singer improve upon his two previous solo efforts, Waiting for the Dawn and Coldness, he also proves he no longer needs that band with the other Timo (Tolkki). Indeed, it's not a stretch to now call Kotipelto more relevant than Stratovarius.
Track Listing:
1) Once Upon A Time
2) Sleep Well
3) Serenity
4) City of Mysteries
5) King Anti-Midas
6) Angels Will Cry
7) After the Rain
8) Mr. Know-It-All
9) Dreams and Reality
10) Last Defender
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