Is The Chosen Ones a good place to start with Stratovarius?

Yes, The Chosen Ones is recommended as a starting point for new Stratovarius listeners. Epic power metal anthems intertwine soaring melodies with intricate instrumentation, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound. The Chosen Ones marked a significant entry in Stratovarius's discography as their fifth studio album, released in 1999. This period followed the band's acclaimed 1996 album, Visions, and showcased a refined sound that would define their style moving forward. At this point, Stratovarius had solidified their reputation within the power metal genre, balancing complex arrangements with accessible songwriting.

Who is The Chosen Ones for?

The Chosen Ones works well if you're into steady mid-tempo progression, epic melodies for reflection and intricate guitar work appreciation.

How many songs are on The Chosen Ones?

The Chosen Ones has 16 tracks, running approximately 77 minutes.

The Chosen Ones

Stratovarius · 1999

77 min · 16 tracks · power metal

Epic power metal anthems intertwine soaring melodies with intricate instrumentation, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Diamond Start here — This track features powerful vocals and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the band's signature blend of melody and aggression while showcasing exceptional guitar work.
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Father Time — The song is characterized by its poignant lyrics and emotive melodies that reflect on time's passage, providing a contemplative contrast to the album's heavier tracks.
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The Kiss of Judas — With its dramatic storytelling and theatrical composition, this track illustrates the band's ability to weave narrative depth into their music alongside intricate arrangements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and orchestration, though its pacing and length could be tighter.

What we noticed

The first four tracks feature fast tempos and intricate guitar solos, while the fifth track introduces a slower ballad with piano accompaniment.
Several songs incorporate orchestral elements, particularly strings and choirs, enhancing the epic feel of the arrangements.
The album features recurring lyrical themes of hope and perseverance, often delivered through soaring vocal lines that dominate the mix.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo progression
epic melodies for reflection
intricate guitar work appreciation
soaring vocals inspire grandeur

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Stratovarius's reputation in power metal, achieving notable commercial success.
Themes: time's passage· theatrical storytelling
Career context: The Chosen Ones marked a significant entry in Stratovarius's discography as their fifth studio album, released in 1999. This period followed the band's acclaimed 1996 album, Visions, and showcased a refined sound that would define their style moving forward. At this point, Stratovarius had solidified their reputation within the power metal genre, balancing complex arrangements with accessible songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors: Helloween· Blind Guardian· Gamma Ray