Timo Tolkki, a name is written in golden pages in the history of metal. He was the guitarist, main composer  for  STRATOVARIUS  and also sung on their first 3 albums. Released 2 personal albums one rock opera named "Saana warrior of light" and 3 more with the band REVOLUTION RENAISSANSE not to mention that he is a killer producer capable of creating killer sound . His name is connected with the dawn and rise of power metal in the mid to early 90's, the amazing anthems he created with STRATOVARIOUS but also with the repetitive formulaic songwriting that led to a series of similar songs and one should not forget the series of mistakes he did as the band's leader that led to their demise. Tolkki tried to start from scratch with REVOLUTION RENAISSANSE recruiting musicians that weren't very well known but after 3 albums this band too came to an abrupt end.

So this time Tolkki decided to recruit some powerful names for his next band (project?). Andre Matos ex singer from ANGRA, VIRGO, SHAAMAN & VIPER the legendary Brazilian singer that sung in monumental albums like "Theater of Fate", "Angels Cry" and "Holy Land". The awesome drummer Uli Kusch who has played and recorded with bands like HOLY MOSES, GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN, RIDE THE SKY, Mikko Härkin who has played with SONATA ARCTICA and a favorite bass player of mine Jari Kainulainen former Tolkki's partner in STRATOVARIUS and also ex EVERGRAY member.

As you can imagine this is a power metal super-group we have before us with names that carru a very successful past yet this also can become a burden when it comes releasing new music.

And this is the main problem with SYMFONIA's debut, the band sticks to the same formula that worked wonders for STRATOVARIUS in the past (but even they are making efforts to depart from it in their last 2 albums) but unfortunately here it gives the impression that the songs sound that way because this is what people would expect from a guy like Timo Tolkki. The songs vary from mid to fast tempo and while there are plenty of anthemic and sing along choruses good leads and fast double base there is absolutely nothing that a fan of Tolkki's work hasn't heard before. In fact  one could characterize the music as STRATOVARIUS with ANGRA vocals  but this would be unfair since this album packs a couple of surprises.

Songs like "Rhapsody in black" sounds like an AVANTASIA composition especially in the chorus, but the real gems for this reviewer are "In Paradisum" that manages to sound powerful, sad, depressive and  at the same time mesmerizing. Andre really shines on this one hitting his famous insane high notes yet at the same time sounds expressive and haunting, bringing to mind his chilling performances from VIPER and ANGRA days. Clearly a song worthy of these power metal pioneers legacies.

"Don't let me go" a song that fits Andre's voice like a glove where he does what he knows best giving a sad-sensitive but at the same time filled with hope performance that brought "Deep blue" from ANGRA's masterpiece "Holy land"  to mind. I can't overlook the fact that Matos's sounds a bit tired in this album. Since his SHAAMAN days he has adopted a raspier vocal style that unfortunately makes his voice sound less flexible. The situation here is more or less the same while the high pitched singing still remains there is struggle in hitting the high notes. And this album is full of insanely high pitched singing up to the point that sounds tiring.

Musicianship: is up to the high standards one would expect from a band like this, Tolkki's guitar work sounds impressive as ever just check "In Paradisum" solo and Uli Kusch gives another powerful performance behind the kit. The same thing can be said about the production crystal clear sound crisp and powerful exactly what one would expected from an experienced producer like Timo Tolkki.

Closing this review two questions pop in mind. Is this album worthy of the legacy that these musicians have? The answer is no. This isn't a return to the golden days nor it will spark another power metal fire like these guys did with their own bands many years ago. This sounds close to their roots but at the same time has a more of the same feel and falls short in inspiration, especially if one would bring the masterpieces of the past to mind.

And this where the second question comes. Is this a good album? It's a good album if you 're unaware of the previous albums that Tolkki, Matos and Kusch have created, it's a good album  if you 're just getting into metal and will definitely ignite a spark to search for these guys earlier works. I really wish that SYMFONIA won't be an one album band or project and if they manage to put the  formulas of the past to rest and focus more on their strong points then there is no doubt that we 're going to listen great stuff from them in the future.