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Biography
The story of how Sonarta Arctica became the band that they are today is half absolutely normal, and half the complete opposite of what a band normally does just after it forms. To wit, the band began life with the name Tricky Beans. A patently ridiculous name I’m sure you’ll agree, but nothing out of the ordinary, and then as the band members got more serious about what they were doing they changed their name to the more agreeable (for a metal band) Sonarta Arctica.
So far so normal, right? Then you take into account what they were doing musically at the same time. The band started life as a raucous hard rock band, describing their sound as “a mixture of Megadeth and Spin Doctors”, and at the time they decided to get more serious with their ambitions as a band… they started playing power metal.
A serious band becoming ludicrous I can understand. Vice versa, I can understand. A band balancing the ludicrous and serious I can understand. But a band swapping the reasons why they’re ludicrous and serious over, and effectively becoming a photo negative of the band they formed as? It’s just as well that Sonarta Arctica own it and are a truly great band in their own right, cos otherwise they’d be insufferable.
The band came together in 1995, spent two years playing as Tricky Beans and built up something of a cult following with near constant touring and three demo E.P’s which were sold on the road. 1997 was the point that they started to rethink the band’s sound, which was obviously the right thing to do since the very first thing they recorded with the new line-up and updated sound got them signed to Spinefarm Records. By the time they’d released their first single on the label, they’d signed further deals all around the world, the stage, it’s fair to say, was set.
Their debut album “Ecliptica” was released in November 1999 and left enough of a legacy to justify a completely rerecorded 15th anniversary release in 2014. It was a top twenty hit in their home country, eventually going Gold as have seven of the eight albums they released after it, and with each successive album their profile across Europe as a whole has gotten bigger and bigger. They’re a band that any fan of heavy metal at its most silly and sublime should cherish like few other things in life, and they come highly recommended.
Live reviews
Speed metal, gnarly riffs, key boards, metal, and fantasy lyrics, every nerds dream. Sonata Artcica is an amazing speed metal band that focuses on fantasy lyrics and old time themes. They shred the guitars hard and fast to bring and gets the crowd amped. They bring fast hard riffs, along with the melody of a nice keyboard which is what makes a lot of their music unique and pop.
When they enter the stage there is a ambient keyboard tune to bring the band on, once each member is on stage, they blast off with a song. The crowd usually sings along since they vocals are not growling but more like serenading. They keep the crowed in tune with clapping and singing for the most part. They do a lot of explaining of the songs they do which is good for the first timer.
I've seen Sonata three times now (2007 in Chicago, 2011 in Milwaukee, 2016 in Atlanta), but all fairly intimate venues holding between 200 and 1000 fans. I continue to be amazed at how true they are to (studio) sound. Even at this most recent show (the last of this current tour), when even Tony admitted to his voice being shot, they sounded fantastic. "E. Vil" didn't miss a single note in his solos and the others all played well off the energy vibe they were getting from the obviously die-hard fanbase there. I did find the narrated-background, studio dubs a little annoying as it was often difficult to hear, played during band breaks when the stage was vacant, and the crowd was hooting and hollering.
Overall: 8/10
CyCoJoJo
Schade...
Nach dem letzten Konzert habe ich mir mehr erhofft. Ich höre Sonata Arctica schon seit über 10 Jahren und war bei mehr als 5 Konzerten der Band. Das aktuelle Konzert war aus meiner Sicht sehr schwach und leblos. Irgendwie kam keine Stimmung auf und es wurden sehr viele eher langsame Songs gespielt. "Full moon" kam auch nur solala rüber.
Nichtsdestotrotz werde ich hoffen, dass bald mal wieder ein richtiges "Brecher-Album" kommt und werde die Jungs bestimmt wieder auf ihrer nächsten Tour besuchen.
herzig
Don't have much experience with concerts in general, but honestly it was such a good time. The energy from Sonata arctica and even the openers was amazing. I wasn't the biggest fan of the set list but the energy and the atmosphere made it amazing regardless, I've seen sonata arctica twice now so I don't know if I'll go again any time soon, but they performed amazingly, would highly recommend going if you're a fan of them.
Muhammed.Karbani
Absolutely amazing the energy and stage set up was beyond words sound quality so clear Tony sung amazingly on stage and the rest of the band played amazingly first time I've ever seen them and I couldn't of been happier to see them I plan to buy tickets for future shows within the UK for definite most definitely recommend sonata arctica to watch live you don't know what you're missing!!!
cheryl-louise
Such amazing live performances by the Finnish powerhouse that is Sonata Arctica. Seen them multiple times and they always put on a fantastic show. The band and Tony, the vocalist, sound absolutely amazing live, which is always a concern with these types of bands. They are a must see show for any fan of the power metal genre.
alan-corson
Great show, but it would have been better if they had played more songs of their first albums. Before the most memorable songs, Tony Takko gave us hints about the songs. Every member of the band gave his best and showed their skills even though it was a little stage.
enrique-avila-2
Show was fantastic, first time I saw these guys.
Amazing how Tony said "Izegem", haha, like he lives his whole live in West Flanders.
I was surprised to see a band like Sonata Arctica in a small village like Izegem, have to do this again.
luc-de-meyer-1
Great show!Hope they come back to Norway!Would love to see them again!Love there music and lyrics!But I hope they will play at a bigger place next time. Parkteateret become verry small. People was stepping at my feets.
hanne-birgitte-berg
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