Sonata Arctica's Reviews

Silence

(Average Rating: 9.34 out of 10)

Young hopes like I've never heard before

(Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by starbreaker from France

I don't know any other band like Sonata Arctica. Some reviewers rank this band in the power-metal genre, but I think Sonata Arctica is beyond that. They have their own fresh style. This album is their second one, but I can't believe this. It's young and mature at the same time. Did Stratovarius reach that level with their second release ? No ! Although the singer Tony Kakko was 26, the members of the group were just more than 20, and they already show us they are great musicians.

What attracted me first on this album was the cover art. I've hardly ever seen such a beautiful picture, and I think it has to be taken into account, though some people may tell me it's not important. some bands don't seem to care about the covers of their albums. Genesis, for example, always had mediocre covers.

From the moment you hear the intro, to the moment you hear the first tornado of sound of Weballergy, you are instantly surrounded by the cold atmosphere of Finland. Indeed, Sonata Arctica is a Finnish group, which you may already know. The band is in fact mixing the fast and melodic music of power metal (for that they are close to 'Children of Bodom') but the singer has the clean vocals of Finland mainstream music. The Finnish accent can be easily noticed and it brings a tastier sound to the english vocals, who could just have been boring British.

However, the lyrics are strange. Sometimes mature, sometimes not. On 'Last drop falls', I'm not the first to say it, it's about 'waiting in the cold night air without underwear'. At the opposite, the lyrics of the 11 minutes epic 'The power of one' are simply brilliant.

This album is wonderful. Don't hestitate if you don't have it already. This is a must have. And I guess the next album will simply be better again : it's called 'WINTERHEART'S GUILD' and will be released on march, 17th.

Buy this album on Amazon at $14.99