Search - Stratovarius :: Visions of Europe: Live

Good cd for Novice and Experienced listeners of Stratovaius

S M | 09/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WHAT IS PLAYED: Of the 15 songs performed, 2/3rds are from the "Visions" (5 songs) and "Episode" (5 songs) cds with another 3 songs coming from the "Fourth Dimension" cd.SOUND and PERFORMANCE: The production is superb and the performance is tight where band is playing together as a unit without getting in each others way, yet not rigid that the live songs are not just copies of the studio versions. There is plenty of guitar and keyboard soloing not found in the studio versions of certain songs that add a dimension to them and avoid being a vehicle to showcase the 'chops' of the musicians.RECOMMENDATION If you have both "Visions" and "Episode" cds, this cd will showcase many of such studio recordings being played live with the added dimension mentioned aboveIf you are unfamilar with Stratovarius's sound this is a good cd to investigate them. If you like what you hear, I recommend you get the studio versions of "Visions" and "Destiny" where the other songs not played on this cd are just as well done.This cd is a good representation of Stratovarius's overall sound, which does not change all that much throughout their recordings, BUT, why should they when they do something so well.In other words, Stratovarius is Blues equivilant of Power/Progressive metalTo quote Frank Zappa: "While (Bluesman) Elmore James basically played the same slide guitar style in all his recordings, they were still great because when he did it you know he ment it"For the value it offers plus the production and performance makes this cd a 9/10"

This just makes me wonder....

realspeedmetalsinger | Mexico D.F., D.F. Mexico | 02/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok,I must admit it.When I first listened to this CD,what I thought was that the guys were a real top quality live act.They sounded clear,and neat,no mistakes,and Kotipelto sounded good.But after attending a Strato live show,I wonder how the guys did it on this CD.I was upset when I had the chance of seeing them live.This CD was what made me run to buy the tickets for the show!!!I thought that they would sound as good as they did in this!!!But no.Kotipelto is a horrid live singer(I guess that some rabid Strato fans just don't notice that),and the set was plain and without grace.To me,now it's better to listen to this CD than remembering the absolutely forgettable and non repeatable experience of going to a live gig of this guys."

Best concert I have ever heard!

S M | 03/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This live album kicks ass. My favorites were Father Time, Forever Free and the best one in here was Holy Solos: The duel between the guitarist, Timo Tolki and the keyboardist, Jens Johansson was incredible!! What I like about Stratovarius is the vocals from Timo Kotipelto. The entire concert was great."