"The most tasteful power metal album to date"

Review Score:

(10/10)
Sonata Arctica --- Silence (2001)

The group's first album, 1998's Ecliptica, hit the hammer right on the head of the power-metal nail. ...

Sonata Arctica's next and sophomore effort, Silence, shows a little improvement. But that improvement and maturity was just enough to put them over the top... and into their own little niche.

The music flows very well. The vocals and keyboards tie up loose end that were chaffing in Ecliptica. Both of which are lush and full in Silence. The music features style variances throughout the album so as to not put the spotlight on one performer for too long and allow each member to flex some technical muscle, which there is plenty of. I was also impressed by the emotion which sounded real and intense and not like typical cheesed up power-ballad fluff. These guys also possess youth, so I can only hope they continue to improve with each release so I can continue to burn... er... buy their albums.

This is an oustanding sophomore release. Yes, it is a bit overpolished, but it works. I think Finland will have it's own battle of the titans between Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica. My money is on the younger and fresher Sonata Arctica. Bar none, the most tasteful and deep-emotioned power-metal album ever (i.e. - I like it much more than I let on).

More Reviews: