When Sonata Arctica burst upon the power metal scene in 1996 with ‘Ecliptica’, their innovative brand of melodic power metal turned a lot of heads. Over the next few albums they continued along the same vein: bone-chilling guitar solos, intricate melodies and Kakko’s soaring voice cemented the band’s reputation as they toured extensively with the likes of Stratovarius, Rhapsody and Nightwish. Generously laced with environmental concerns, ‘The Ninth Hour’ (2016) is darker than their usual output and offers a synthesis of the power metal on ‘Pariah’s Child’ on the one hand and the ‘Stones Grow Her name’ and ‘Days of Grays’ era on the other. In recent years, they have moved away from the speed-driven power metal of their early days towards a broader, more melodic approach. While classics like ‘Ecliptica’ (1999) still define their legacy, albums such as ‘Talviyö’ (2019) see them favouring atmosphere and storytelling over sheer pace. Lyrically, they’ve always leaned towards narrative-driven themes, often tinged with melancholy and introspection. This newer phase highlights their willingness to evolve rather than repeat themselves. (#GMM26)
