CoC : Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica : Review

Sonata Arctica - _Ecliptica_
(Spinefarm Records, 1999)
by: Adrian Bromley (7 out of 10)

First off, a little too "happy and all smiles" for me, folks. I like metal music with some melody and good cheer, but straight off the bat Sonata Arctica's keyboard-driven melodic power metal comes off sounding like a crazed mental patient all souped up on lithium. Tone it down, boys, geesh! What can be said about this Finnish four-piece? Well, these guys have no doubt done their homework, as the band's work and production are top notch. Crystal clear keyboards radiate throughout the release as singer Tony Kakko belts out each number with sincerity. And the guitar work? To die for. Seriously. Killer guitar riffs are all over this release. Check out "8th Commandment" -- you'll be blown away. I have to say this is one of the strongest power metal records I have heard in a while. Fans of Stratovarious, Rhapsody and even HammerFall will already have knowledge of this band. If you don't, then you should scope this out, because here comes another band you can play air-guitar to.

(article published 15/1/2000)

ALBUMS
5/2/2015	J Semprich	4.5	Sonata Arctica - Pariah's Child
10/19/2001	A Bromley	8	Sonata Arctica - Silence