Another Step Forward for the Legendary Guitarist - A Review of Timo Tolkki's Classical Variations and Themes 2​:​ Ultima Thule

One never really knows what to expect when listening to a new record by legendary Finnish guitarist Timo Tolkki. He has been producing anything from outstanding power metal classics to boring ambient albums to absolutely dreadful neoclassical disasterpieces. I'm relieved to inform anyone reading this review that Classical Variations and Themes 2: Ultima Thule is indeed a very good album and probably Timo Tolkki's strongest effort since The Land of New Hope eleven years ago.

This album was already supposed to be released more than a decade ago before the legendary guitarist started working on Frontiers Records' Timo Tolkki's Avalon. It's great news that Timo Tolkki has left the Avantasia clone behind and that that he has finally released this new solo effort. This album features atmospheric, mysterious and warm keyboard sounds, excellent melodic mid-paced guitar play and at times cleverly placed bass guitar sounds. The songwriting varies cleverly between shorter atmospheric songs of only two minutes and playful epics of almost seven minutes. Six songs are entirely instrumental while four songs feature vocals by three different singers.

American singer Jeff Scott Soto has a gritty yet melodic voice that works particularly well in beautiful title track "Ultima Thule" that sounds better than any Stratovarius tune released since Nemesis eleven years earlier. This catchy, harmonious and uplifting song grows with every spin and deserves more acclaim, attention and respect from international power metal fans.

The second vocalist is Polish guitarist, pianist and singer Agnès Milewski. I must admit that I have never heard of her before but Timo Tolkki has made an excellent choice by including her vocals on "Soul of the World". This song oozes with atmosphere, creativity and passion from start to finish and deserves multiple spins. Here's hope to hear from this excellent singer in the context of a metal project again in the near future.

The third and final vocalist is Timo Tolkki himself on short album closer "Karjalan Kunnailla". In the late eighties and early nineties, Timo Tolkki was one of the most underrated heavy, power and progressive metal vocalists in the world whose energetic, soaring and soulful vocals have left a lasting impression. About a decade ago, his vocals sounded broken, old and rusty and made fans and supporters worry about the Finnish legend. This time around, the final result lies somewhere in between. Timo Tolkki sounds a little bit rusty but his unique charm from the early days can be detected again. He certainly needs practice and training but his vocal efforts offer hope and promise to a certain degree.

Not everything on Timo Tolkki's Classical Variations and Themes 2: Ultima Thule is perfect. The drum play is serviceable at best, the bass guitar could be more domineering at times and some songs are quite average in the end and rush by without leaving any impression. However, this record is nonetheless the best we have heard from Timo Tolkki in more than a decade. Any fan of neoclassical music and melodic power metal can purchase this release digitally for just three euros. Here's hope that a third installment in the series will see the light of day in the near future. Timo Tolkki still has much inspiration and I will keep listening to his releases.