Scarlet Records
2009
1. The Age of Aquarius
2. So She Wears Black
3. Ixion's Wheel
4. Kyrie Eleison
5. Revolution Has Begun
6. Sins of My Beloved
7. Behind the Mask
8. Ghost of Fallen Grace
9. Children of the Future
10. The Heart of All
Age Of Aquarius is Revolution Renaissance's second album in name, but really this is their first time out as a band. The first RR album was already written as a Stratovarius album and sounded like one minus the many guest singers handling vocals. On this album Gus Monsanto, formerly of Adagio, takes up the vocal duties.
There were a lot of questions as to what this album would sound like and what sort of direction Timo Tolkki would take the band in on this one. Would this be the continuation of Stratovarius or something entirely different? The answer is really somewhere between the extremes. Gus Monsanto sounds similar to Kotipelto at many times on this album and a lot of the music reminds me of certain Stratovarius songs. However, this album never picks up the trademark Stratovarius speed or happiness. Really, this sounds more like a melodic power album with some hints of the old. The best comparison I can think of would be songs more like The Kiss Of Judas made into an album. Other than that there are some ballad moments and one strangely out of place attempt at heaviness called Behind The Mask which stands out like a sore thumb. Chuggy riffs and some raspy vocals make this one a headscratching moment that was best not attempted. Another miss is the attempt at celtic folk influences in the closing track Into The Future which doesn't seem to blend well.
In the end this isn't bad, but pretty missable. This may be better than some of the later Stratovarius albums, but standing by itself... I've heard better melodic power metal albums and there are no really great songs. Some descent ones, but that is about it. Personally speaking I think I'm more interested in what the rest of the members of Stratovarius can make out of that band.
Highlights: Ixion's Wheel, The Age Of Aquarius
Rating - 3.0/5
2. So She Wears Black
3. Ixion's Wheel
4. Kyrie Eleison
5. Revolution Has Begun
6. Sins of My Beloved
7. Behind the Mask
8. Ghost of Fallen Grace
9. Children of the Future
10. The Heart of All
Age Of Aquarius is Revolution Renaissance's second album in name, but really this is their first time out as a band. The first RR album was already written as a Stratovarius album and sounded like one minus the many guest singers handling vocals. On this album Gus Monsanto, formerly of Adagio, takes up the vocal duties.
There were a lot of questions as to what this album would sound like and what sort of direction Timo Tolkki would take the band in on this one. Would this be the continuation of Stratovarius or something entirely different? The answer is really somewhere between the extremes. Gus Monsanto sounds similar to Kotipelto at many times on this album and a lot of the music reminds me of certain Stratovarius songs. However, this album never picks up the trademark Stratovarius speed or happiness. Really, this sounds more like a melodic power album with some hints of the old. The best comparison I can think of would be songs more like The Kiss Of Judas made into an album. Other than that there are some ballad moments and one strangely out of place attempt at heaviness called Behind The Mask which stands out like a sore thumb. Chuggy riffs and some raspy vocals make this one a headscratching moment that was best not attempted. Another miss is the attempt at celtic folk influences in the closing track Into The Future which doesn't seem to blend well.
In the end this isn't bad, but pretty missable. This may be better than some of the later Stratovarius albums, but standing by itself... I've heard better melodic power metal albums and there are no really great songs. Some descent ones, but that is about it. Personally speaking I think I'm more interested in what the rest of the members of Stratovarius can make out of that band.
Highlights: Ixion's Wheel, The Age Of Aquarius
Rating - 3.0/5
