Dreamspace
Encyclopedia
Dreamspace is the third album
by the Finnish
power metal
band Stratovarius
. This is the last album to feature Timo Tolkki
on vocals before Timo Kotipelto
was brought into the band, as well as the first on which Jari Kainulainen
played bass. It is one of Stratovarius's darkest albums with many of the lyrics dealing with the pressures of modern life, although their more recent self-titled album
reveals a more personal side in Tolkki's lyrics, dealing with his mental breakdown and the recent turmoil within the band. Tolkki's low power chords on the guitar and dramatic voice pitch gave the songs a sad atmosphere that contrasted with its fast beats, an effect later referred to by fans as "sad rush". Almost all songs were dropped from live performances except "Hold on to Your Dream". The album was eclipsed by the arrival of Timo Kotipelto, and the band leaned towards the more formal power metal
sound of the two following releases, Fourth Dimension and Episode
.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
. This is the last album to feature Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki
Timo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
on vocals before Timo Kotipelto
Timo Kotipelto
Timo Antero Kotipelto is the vocalist of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and is the creator and vocalist of the power metal band Kotipelto...
was brought into the band, as well as the first on which Jari Kainulainen
Jari Kainulainen
Jari Kainulainen is a Finnish born bassist of the metal band called Devil´s Train. He was previously a member of, Stratovarius and the progressive power metal band Evergrey.Kainulainen plays Ibanez 6 string basses and uses Ampeg amplifiers...
played bass. It is one of Stratovarius's darkest albums with many of the lyrics dealing with the pressures of modern life, although their more recent self-titled album
Stratovarius (album)
Stratovarius is the self-titled eleventh studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 2005 through Sanctuary Records. It is the last album to feature the band's longest-standing lineup which had been consistent since Episode , as bassist Jari Kainulainen would leave later in...
reveals a more personal side in Tolkki's lyrics, dealing with his mental breakdown and the recent turmoil within the band. Tolkki's low power chords on the guitar and dramatic voice pitch gave the songs a sad atmosphere that contrasted with its fast beats, an effect later referred to by fans as "sad rush". Almost all songs were dropped from live performances except "Hold on to Your Dream". The album was eclipsed by the arrival of Timo Kotipelto, and the band leaned towards the more formal power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
sound of the two following releases, Fourth Dimension and Episode
Episode (album)
Episode is the fifth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1996 through Noise Records. This is the first recording to feature keyboardist Jens Johansson and drummer Jörg Michael, who would form part of the band's most stable line-up for nine years.-Track...
.
Track listing
Personnel
- Timo TolkkiTimo TolkkiTimo Tapio Tolkki is a Finnish musician best known as the former guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the power metal band Stratovarius. He left Stratovarius in 2008 and formed a new band, Revolution Renaissance. To this day, with his tenure extending for more than twenty years, Tolkki was the...
— Guitars, Vocals - Jari KainulainenJari KainulainenJari Kainulainen is a Finnish born bassist of the metal band called Devil´s Train. He was previously a member of, Stratovarius and the progressive power metal band Evergrey.Kainulainen plays Ibanez 6 string basses and uses Ampeg amplifiers...
— Bass - Antti Ikonen — Keyboards
- Tuomo Lassila — Drums and Percussion
- Sami KuoppamäkiSami KuoppamäkiSami Kuoppamäki is a Finnish drummer who has been a very prolific jazz and popular music session musician after the break-up of his early-90s band, Kingston Wall. His current, most active group in which he plays in is called Zook...
— Session drums on tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, and 13
Info
- Cover by Markus Itkonen
- Logo by Susane Nokelainen
- Photography by Lasse Lehtiranta
- Engineered by Timo Tolkki
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Japanese Chart | #43 |