Finnish melodic rock kings have recently announced plans for an album and tour
Sonata Arctica were formed in the north Finish city of Kemi in 1996, originally called Tricky Beans. After some line-up changes in 1997, they changed their name to Tricky Means, releasing demo ‘Full Moon’ in 1999. This new demo was the first effort for the band within heavy metal waters. Their new trademarks were a faster and more melodic sound; keyboard oriented heavy metal with clear and high vocals. It was how destiny wanted it, and with help from Athi Kortelainen and the Tico Tico Studios their demo ‘Full Moon’ gained the band their first successes. Tricky Means soon became Sonata Arctica.
The release of their first true full length and legendary album ‘Ecliptica’ came in the autumn of 1999. At first it was only sold in Finland, but other countries soon followed. Shortly after this release Tony Kakko decided to concentrate more intensely on singing, as opposed to singing and playing keyboards at the same time. Their successes continued when‘Winterheart’s Guild’ was released in 2003, the band signing to Nuclear Blast shortly after.
Sonata Arctica have since released five new studio albums through Nuclear Blast: ‘Reckoning Night’ (2004), ‘Unia’(2007), ‘The Days Of Grays’ (2009), ‘Stones Grow Her Name’ (2012) and most recently ‘Pariah’s Child’ (2014).
This latest release saw Sonata Arctica returning to their metal roots – moving away from the more hard rock approach of its predecessor. Some might say the record is a good definition of the band past and present, predominantly showcasing their straight up melodic metal style.
