Fourth Dimension (Stratovarius album)

Fourth Dimension is the fourth studio album by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, released in 1995 by T&T Records. It marked a significant turning point in the band's sound, incorporating a more melodic and symphonic style that would become their trademark.

The album features a combination of fast-paced, technically proficient power metal tracks and more introspective, keyboard-driven compositions. It is also notable for being the first album to feature Timo Kotipelto on vocals, replacing Timo Tolkki as the band's lead singer (though Tolkki remained the primary songwriter and guitarist). Kotipelto's powerful and versatile voice became a crucial element of Stratovarius's subsequent success.

Key tracks on Fourth Dimension include "Against the Wind," a fast-paced power metal anthem, and "Distant Skies," a soaring ballad showcasing Kotipelto's vocal range. The album explores themes of fantasy, mythology, and personal struggle, typical of the power metal genre.

While Fourth Dimension was not an immediate commercial success, it is now considered a classic album by Stratovarius fans and is regarded as an important milestone in the development of the band's signature sound. Its influence can be heard in many subsequent power metal releases.