Sonata Arctica

Silence

Not as good as Ecliptica, but still a great album

Review Score:

(8/10)
I was first introduced to Sonata Arctica when another reviewer called Wickerman recommended their debut album to me, Ecliptica. I thought it was good when I first heard it, but true brilliance was revealed after repeated listens. It remains to be one of my favourite albums. I thought to myself that I had to get more by this band.

Silence is certainly a worthy release from the band. More hi-octane songs but also some mid-paced ones. An obvious difference would be that this is a fair amount more progressive in places than Ecliptica. Tony's vocals are as great as ever, the guitar and keyboard duelling is strong and the drums are another solid peformance. The music itself is essentially melodic power metal but so much more emotional than most other bands whilst also being infinitely less cheesy. This is in many ways indebted to the lyrics - they deal with day to day issues and modern real life stuff as opposed to fantasy and myths. The music as a result reflects this. This band truely are one of the greatest power metal acts around. Best moments? The minute Weballergy kicks in and the touching piano intro to The End Of This Chapter.

I do have a few complaints though, although they are pretty much in comparison to Ecliptica. Basically, Ecliptica is pretty much better in all respects. Firstly, the songs are simply catchier and more memorable and the production is definately better. Here, the songs sound quite muddy and it really doesn't do the band any favours. Like quite a few sophomore releases by bands whose debuts were so hugely successful, this album sounds like it should have been their first release rather than their second.

Nonetheless, Silence is still a great album. If you can only own one Sonata Arctica album then make it Ecliptica, but if you like power metal then I fail to see why you wouldn't want to own both.

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