2008 Woodie Awards
Sonata Artica defines progressive metal
David King '08
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Entertainment
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According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the chief export of Finland is lumber.
According to people who actually know what they're talking about, it's metal.
The nation that brought us Nightwish, Lordi, and Stratovarius recently sent Sonata Arctica stateside for the first leg of their North American tour, which included the band's first concert in Philadelphia.
Sonata Arctica played to a half-full house last Tuesday night at the Trocadero, despite the show being announced well over six months ago. Those who showed up were treated to a full set by a band that is in the middle of major transitions, but is still going strong and pleasing their fan base.
Once known as a power metal band - a genre that is characterized by speedy, accurate guitar riffs and melodic vocals - Sonata Arctica has shifted to progressive metal with their latest CD release, "Unia." Progressive metal includes much of the same characteristics as power metal with more time signature changes, much like jazz fusion.
Perhaps the biggest change for the band has been the recent loss of Jani Limatainen, the band's prolific and precise lead guitar player. Limatainen left the band in February to fulfill Finland's mandatory year of military service. Since then, he has spent time in jail for avoiding said service.
While one might expect this to major loss to hinder Sonata, they didn't miss a beat. His replacement, Elias Viljanen, proved more than capable. His solos were mind-blowingly fast, and more importantly, tight. He was at his best trading solos with Henrik Klingenberg on the keytar.
Vocalist Tony Kakko is one of two remaining founding members of the band from 1996 (along with drummer Tommy Portimo). More than a decade later, his expressive tenor still remains one of metal's greatest voices. He showed his range from soulful ballads like "Tallulah" to more aggressive songs like "Don't Say a Word."
Unlike many bands promoting a new album, Sonata Arctica put together a nice set, seamlessly shifting between their power and progressive metal albums. The crowd sang along to both with equal fervor, jumping and pumping their fists in unison with each downbeat.
According to people who actually know what they're talking about, it's metal.
The nation that brought us Nightwish, Lordi, and Stratovarius recently sent Sonata Arctica stateside for the first leg of their North American tour, which included the band's first concert in Philadelphia.
Sonata Arctica played to a half-full house last Tuesday night at the Trocadero, despite the show being announced well over six months ago. Those who showed up were treated to a full set by a band that is in the middle of major transitions, but is still going strong and pleasing their fan base.
Once known as a power metal band - a genre that is characterized by speedy, accurate guitar riffs and melodic vocals - Sonata Arctica has shifted to progressive metal with their latest CD release, "Unia." Progressive metal includes much of the same characteristics as power metal with more time signature changes, much like jazz fusion.
Perhaps the biggest change for the band has been the recent loss of Jani Limatainen, the band's prolific and precise lead guitar player. Limatainen left the band in February to fulfill Finland's mandatory year of military service. Since then, he has spent time in jail for avoiding said service.
While one might expect this to major loss to hinder Sonata, they didn't miss a beat. His replacement, Elias Viljanen, proved more than capable. His solos were mind-blowingly fast, and more importantly, tight. He was at his best trading solos with Henrik Klingenberg on the keytar.
Vocalist Tony Kakko is one of two remaining founding members of the band from 1996 (along with drummer Tommy Portimo). More than a decade later, his expressive tenor still remains one of metal's greatest voices. He showed his range from soulful ballads like "Tallulah" to more aggressive songs like "Don't Say a Word."
Unlike many bands promoting a new album, Sonata Arctica put together a nice set, seamlessly shifting between their power and progressive metal albums. The crowd sang along to both with equal fervor, jumping and pumping their fists in unison with each downbeat.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
PowerMetal.mobi
posted 10/10/07 @ 2:00 PM EST
I wish I could have been there at the show. I love the new album and their mixed Power/Prog Metal Genre.
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