Polaris is the first album with new recruits, Matias Kupiainen and Lauri Porra, and without their long time guitarist Timo Tolkki. Still, even with fresh blood in the band, they were able to keep their music just as great as is was before.

The first thing you will notice about the album is the wicked intros to all the songs. They heavily rely on the guitars and are the definition of what metal is. I could listen to the first 30 seconds of each song and be completely satisfied with the album. That's not saying the lyrics are bad, they just aren't what you expect after such an amazing intro.

Timo Kotipelto (what's with the first name Timo anyways?) has a very high pitched voice and while it works for some songs, they would seem more fitting with something much deeper. Still, I enjoyed listening to Stratovarius and despite a few setbacks, the band appears just as strong.