The new Stratovarius album Nemesis is upon us. As part of the American promotion for the forthcoming album, singer Timo Kotipelto and keyboardist Jens Johansson visited NYC early last week to do interviews as well as attend a meet and greet for fans at the Idle Hands bar in NYC. Dozens of followers descended upon the watering hole to meet their power metal heroes while the new disc was cranked over the stereo. On first listen, Nemesis sounds like classic Stratovarius: melodic riffs and vocal harmonies matched with double bass intensity and aggression. And it offers some fresh thoughts. The fourth track, the fast-paced rocker “Halcyon Days” (an album favorite of both Timo and Jens), has a bit of a darker flavor with some techno propulsion in spots, while the title track incorporates medieval undercurrents. Throughout the album, Johansson varies his keyboard sounds, from symphonic to New Wave-y. Overall, Nemesis sounds like a solid Stratovarius release.