Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live in Tampere

Farewell concerts tend to be a depressing exercise, standing as a culmination of sorts of everything a band has accomplished, but also the end of the game. For Stratovarius, the end has not come in the form of the complete band's demise, which seems a real possibility during the latter half of the preceding decade given all the turmoil and the eventual exodus of earliest member Timo Tolkki, but rather with the retirement of another seminal member of the band in Jorg Michael. Known not only for his massive contribution to this band's back catalog, but also most of Axel Rudi Pell's consequential early works and several important albums with the likes of Running Wild, Grave Digger, Rage and even a respectable one album showing with Saxon, words like irreplaceable are not out of order in relation to Michael as a percussionist. In keeping with all of this, it stands to reason that it would be the chops of this drumming extraordinaire that would stand front and center on any farewell performance, and with Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere, this would prove a massive understatement.

There is a certain balance that needs to be achieved between any brilliant performance that takes into account the core fan base and also the occasional consumer, and this requires a combination of singles/hits (aka bangers) and for the power metal maniac, fast songs and shameless displays of virtuosity. This performance definitely leans a bit more on the latter features, but also takes care to keep the sing-along fanfare close behind the flaming fret boards and keyboards, as well as reminding the audience that Jorg's contributions to the band didn't begin and end with the Episode through Visions era and includes some stellar performances of post-millennium material, with particular moments of glory being displayed on "I Walk To My Own Song" and "Eagleheart", both of which are touched up with fancy guitar elements courtesy of newcomer Matias Kupiainen, who comes dangerously close to stealing the show from Jorg on multiple occasions with his even closer and fancier nods to Malmsteen than his predecessor Timo Tolkki.

Surprisingly enough, despite all that has happened since their seminal 1997 album Visions, said album has the greatest representation of any on here despite all but the entire album enjoying an even greater lion's share on their previous live outing Visions Of Europe. Most of these songs find the entire outfit excelling the most, particularly the fan favorite speeder "Legions", the grueling epic "Visions (Southern Cross)" and the shameless nod to late 80s Malmsteen "The Kiss Of Judas"; though it is somewhat hard to miss that Koltipelto is being a bit conservative with his high notes compared to the last live album, though this is understandable for a two hour set consisting of so many fits of vocal gymnastics. It's particularly impressive how crisp and strong his voice remains throughout the performance, showcasing a smooth and flawless croon midway through on the ballad "Coming Home", and coming back incredibly strong with that barrage of Michael Kiske-inspired high notes that makes up the vocals of "Father Time" towards the end of the performance.

Basically this performance is so powerful that were it not for the included interview with Jorg, it's easy to forget that he is leaving the fold after all is said and done. Between the various solo slots devoted to the guitar, bass and drums (the bass solo being a particular masterpiece of technique out of Lauri Porra that recalls both Les Claypool and Cliff Burton), one has little difficulty seeing how Stratovarius is often seen as one of the best if not thee best standard bearer for everything that Malmsteen and others paved the way for during the early to mid 80s. At the end of the day, this proved to be another brilliant stroke in Stratovarius' still ongoing career, as well as that of Jorg Michael, who has thinned out his schedule a bit ever since but has still been an active force in the metal world. It's almost of the same caliber as Visions Of Europe song for song, and actually surpasses it in terms of sheer intensity and flair when looking at individual performances. Nothing short of a brilliant end and new beginning for a band that still stands tall amid the power metal masses.