Eternal

Eternal is the fifteenth studio album by Stratovarius and represents the third chapter of the band's 'post-Tolkki' era. Following the creative rebirth of Elysium and Nemesis, Eternal consolidates their modern sound - a blend of classic neoclassical power metal and contemporary progressive elements. The album is notable for its songwriting contributions from the entire band, particularly guitarist Matias Kupiainen, who also handled production duties. The centerpiece of the record is 'The Lost Saga,' an 11-minute epic that showcases the band's ability to weave complex narrative structures with symphonic grandeur. Critically, the album was praised for its consistency and for maintaining the band's high technical standards three decades into their career. It stands as a definitive document of 2010s power metal, balancing the genre's traditional tropes with a sleek, modern aesthetic that avoids the 'retro' trap many of their peers fell into.