Mikko Härkin (ex-Kenziner) was eventually invited to fill the position.Īt the beginning of 2000, Sonata Arctica was chosen to support the well-known power metal band Stratovarius throughout their European tour. Tony Kakko then decided to focus on singing and the band began seeking a new keyboard player. The debut Ecliptica arrived by the end of 1999 and had a worldwide release. Soon after, the band had closed deals with labels from around the world, prior to the release of their debut album. Later that year, Sonata Arctica's first single, entitled ' UnOpened', was released in Finland. Problems playing this file? See media help. The demo was sent to Spinefarm Records by a friend of the band and a recording deal soon followed.Įcliptica and Silence (1999–2002) The line-up consisted of Portimo, Liimatainen, Kakko and new bassist Janne Kivilahti (who started first as second guitarist ). In 1997, they recorded a demo entitled FullMoon in Kemi's Tico Tico Studios, which was their first real metal recording. 'Sonata Arctica' was suggested by a friend of the band: 'sonata' for the music and 'arctica' for their home (Kemi, in Northern Finland). The band finally changed their name to Sonata Arctica, because they thought they wouldn't be able to sell metal albums with the previous name and also because Spinefarm asked them to do so. Two months later the band got signed to a three-album deal with Spinefarm, which left Marko displeased. At that time, Pentti Peura was fired and Marko Paasikoski left due to a lack of gigging. Kakko has stated that the change of sound was influenced by fellow Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. Vocalist Tony Kakko developed a clean singing style which relies both on falsetto and tenor voices. In 1997 the band changed their name to Tricky Means, and from that point until 1999 their style was thoroughly worked upon and ultimately was drastically changed, acquiring a strong emphasis on the keyboard melodies and relying on an easily distinguishable rhythm line maintained both by the bass and the guitar. Their first show was about to take place but they were still unnamed, so they had to come up with something. According to Kakko, the band's first name was based on one of their early songs, which was 'about a lady who was tricky and I didn't really know what I was talking about (laughs)'. During their early career, they recorded three demos which were never sent to a recording label - Friend 'til the End, Agre Pamppers and PeaceMaker. Kakko explained that when he was invited to join the band, Paasikoski said the band was going to play 'a mixture of Megadeth and Spin Doctors'. Originally named Tricky Beans, they played hard rock rather than the power metal with which they grew to fame.

At the end of 1995, lead vocalist Tony Kakko was added and bassist Pentti Peura joined in early 1996. The band was founded by drummer Tommy Portimo and guitarists Jani Liimatainen and Marko Paasikoski in Kemi. 1.6 Pariah's Child, The Ninth Hour and Talviyö (2014–present)īiography Formation and early years (1996–1999).1.3 Winterheart's Guild and Reckoning Night (2003–2006).Especially the great vocals and the perfect fitting breaks and keyboard melodies make this album another release far above the average of the Italian Metal bands. To cut a long story short: despite their young age, Sonata Arctica are great songwriters who know how this music works, as well as great musicians who know to use their abilities for first-class songs of classic European Metal. They just have the feeling for great, catchy and beautiful melodies enriched with the well-known ingredients (double bass en masse, driving riffs, warm keyboards). Yet, that doesn't change the fact that 'Silence' has become a fabulous album that will establish Sonata Arctica as another uprising band of this genre. Which is only partly obvious, still it was especially Stratovarius who made this combination of Pop and Power Metal popular again. After the Finns debuted quite successfully with 'Ecliptica', more or less in Stratovarius-vein, they now try to enter their own grounds with 'Silence'.

Sonata arctica silence cover