Sonata Arctica Podium Hardenberg, 15/04/2000"


Boy, these guys must've had the time of their live tonight! Not many bands release a debut album and are promptly doing a European tour with two major bands, thus playing a solld out venue 40 days in a row. The exitement surely must've caught on to the band, because I have never seen a debuting band open so fabulous. I am absolutely lost for words...

I already own the bands debut cd, and I would reccomend it to any one who likes classic metal with influences from the hardrock. The lyrics deal with all kinds of issues: dreams, longing for an impossible love, the search for an identity and the struggle of the individual within this world ruled by money and greed. During the show the band played a selection of the best songs of the album: 8th commandment, My land, Replica and the magnificent Fullmoon. The audience responded quite good, and the band had already gathered a small following that was singing along with the lyrics. With an exelent sound, a professional podium-stance and a good setlist there really wasn't much to fault about this gig. Despite the fact that none of these members is over 23 years old, I see a bright future ahead of them, and I can't wait to see them performing again. Absolutely marvelous.