Sonata Arctica - Silence

I remember when I first heard of Sonata Arctica some years ago; first I thought it was some forgotten Stratovarius release, it sounded like the Episode-days of them. But I was told that it was a new young metal band that had emerged in to the metal scene, Sonata Arctica. I bought the CD (it was, as you for sure already knew, Ecliptica) at once and it quickly became one of my favorite CD’s. There were though two flaws: 1. The singer’s english was quite bad and the all the stuff that Sonata Arctica had produced had someone else done several times before them. But still it was powerful stuff, songs like My Land stayed in my head for a very long time. Splendid melodic power metal with a lots of guitar solos and keyboards slings.

So, when I heard that Sonata Arctica was going to release some new stuff I was excited but at the same time a bit worried because I wasn’t too impressed with their EP, Successor, that they released last summer. But then I recieved their single, Wolf & Raven, and all my worries went flying in to the sky. It was just two songs, but it was some of the best powermetal I’d heard in some time. So now I was eagerly waiting for the full length CD to appear in my hands, and I’ve got even more exciting when Spinefarm promised this CD to “Silence is the best thing that ever happended to the fans of power metal. Ever” So, now S.A. had Some expectations.

So let’s see what a band that have a exceptional good guitarist, a wonderful bassist, a fantastic keyboardist, a fast tight drummer and one of the best highpitch singers are able to do.

1. ...of Silence (1.18) A short keyboard intro, where you’ll hear an old man introduce the story (I will not tell you much about it, it will be a surprise for you...). It is a pretty cool ending to this intro, where the music accelerates and introduces us to...

2. Webgallery (3:51) ...A very fast and wonderful power metal song. The keyboard is the engine in this one. I was quite relieved when I heard this, because I recognize that Tony’s English is much better than it was on the previous release. Well enough about this, what about the music? Well it’s very heavy and symphonic. The chorus is quite cool, intensive stuff is what is being deliverd to us, reminds me a lot of Stratovarius’ speedmetal songs on Episode. Keyboard driven speed metal with some cool solos.

3. False News Travels Fast (5:18) Yet again the songs starts with a keyboard just to, some seconds later, explode in to an intensive powermetal song. The Mph is about the same as in the previous song, but this is less symphonic and even more intensive. Tony gives us some impressive moments where he shows that he’s one of the best powermetal singers out there. After 2:20 the songs suddenly slows down a bit and we recieve some (usual) solos, then Tony starts to sing and how he does it, he is very emotional and full of energy to bring us some quality singing lessons. I love this track.

4. The End of This Chapter (7:01) After some words have been spoken the song again starts with a smooth keyboard intro. This is a midtempo song with many interesting parts. It has even some, though they are very short, growl vocals. Which fits perfectly in to the song. It is quite symphonic and Tony shows us again once again his capacity as a singer. I also love the tempo swifts that they use on some places.

5. Black Sheep (3:40) After a slower song the audience are shouting after a faster one and here they are. A true speed metal song with many cool riffs and solos. Tony is again singing exceptional well here, he shows that he is just not a highpitch singer, that he can handle the lower tones as well. A great song.

6. Land of the Free (4:24) First of all: No, this is not a cover of Gamma Ray’s song with the same name. But you can find some similiar elements from their song. Well, let’s check it out.We once again get things warmed up with the keyboard setting up the right atmosphere. Then after some seconds we get blown to the ground when the song explodes to some very heavy stuff. It is a quite fast song with many intresting phases. A descent song but not any of my favorites.

7. Last Drop Falls (5:14) So, now it’s time for some slower stuff or what would say about a power ballad? Often the ballads have some tendencies to become either boring or too greasy for the true metalears. But somehow S.A. succedes to create a darn good song, filled with all the elements that are required to create a good song. It is heavy, it has well written lyrics and an awesome chorus. This is one of my alltime favorite S.A. song. This one kicks some major asses. If I can relate this one is, surprisingly, to Stratovarius’ song Before the Winter, but this one is more powerful and it better constructed. It is simple beautiful, something for every boy to play for his girlfriend, and something for every girl to request that her boyfriend shall play for her...

8. San Sebastian (revisited) (4:37) Hmm, where have I heard this song before...oh now I remember (goes to his CD collection and looks at Sonata Arctica’s CD, Successor, and realizes that this song has the same title...) It says that it is revisted, and I agree there...a bit. For if I shall be honest I do not notice SO much difference between the versions. Anyway we have here a heavy power metal with a very catchy chorus that will remain in your head. I like it, not anything special but a great song.

9. Sing in Silence (3:52) This one starts with some atmospheric keyboard intro, making one think that we’ll have a common ballad. When the singer starts to sing our hopes/fears are confirmed...until 0:53 has passed of the song. Then we realize that this is a rocky midtempo song that explodes in to a quite fast one in the chorus. The bridge and chorus is fantastic here, it is very catchy and makes you want more of it. This is not a usual Sonata Arctica song, at least I don’t recognize it from their earlier releases, well perhaps the song Replica a bit, but not much. A pretty cool guitar solo is found here, and I like the bassist handles the bass. This is a great song that almost makes you cry, it’s filled with emotion and it a bit heartbreaking too, believe me or not, at least you shout try it out!

10. Revontulet (1:30) Here is a very short instrumental piece. It is filled with energic solos from both the guitarist and the keyboardist. But once again I think it is way too short.

11. Tallulah (5:20) Another keyboard driven power ballad. It starts with Tony singing just supported by the keyboard. After 1:35 the other musicians join and make this to a really power ballad. Once again Tony shows us that he owns a special gift in singing in an emotional way. It is truely heartbreaking stuff. Perhaps too soft for me, I like more the heavy stuff. But if you like anykinds of ballads you will love this one. I think this song is good to introduce metal to “newbies”. So now you know what to play when your relatives come and visit you. (Tips:if you want them to leave quickly play Alice Cooper’s Brutal planet at 110 decibel)

12. Wolf & Raven (4:16) This song was also found on the single that was relases some weeks ago. It is fast and filled with power. I think that this is what a “true S.A. fan” (what the heck is a true fan anyway?) will love this one. It has many cool guitar solos but all the musicians show what they are able to do. This is simply amazing stuff. I love the chorus and I love the verses. So as you understand this is one of “the songs” that you’ll be playing over and over again. If you’re new to S.A. go and buy the single with this song. This is S.A. at its best.

13. The Power of the One (11:39) Well, as you know (if you’ve read my earlier works) that I love epic songs. And here we go again. This is truely epic stuff, reminds me about Stratovarius’ song Visions. The songs starts with the singer singing quite slowly and filled with emotion. Then it exlodes with the guitarist playing some T.Tolkki influenced solos, this is just as it could be in the song visions. It accelerates up some levels halfway in to the song with some very strong vocals performance, I think that there is nobody in the world singing with so much emotion as Tony do. At around 5mins the song slows down and Tony once again shows that he can sing like nobody else. Just before the clocking time hits 6mins we recieve some wonderful works by the guitarist and the keyboardist, fantastic stuff! But the best thing with this song is the tempo change at 6:56, that is frightening! As we move towards the end of this epic song we get some cool solos and another awesome performance by the singer. This could be one of the best epic powermetal songs made by man.