Sonata Arctica

Silence

Power metal's brightest stars.

Review Score:

(8/10)
Before I get into the "meat" of this review, one thing needs to be said. I hate power metal. ...

"This guy hates power metal - why is he reviewing this album?" you ask. I'd heard a lot of good things about this band, and my amigo Korey (a.k.a. the_wickerman) laid plenty of praise on their first album Ecliptica. So I thought I'd try it. I like taking risks.

I am VERY impressed by this disc. Like other power metal bands, Sonata Arctica blends sweeping keyboard orchestrations with bone-crunching, driving guitars. Like other power metal bands, their vocalist takes on the conventional operatic delivery with plenty of romantic flair. Like other power metal bands, the lyrics meet with some very awkward articulation.

But.

This band writes _great_ songs. Adjectives fail me...and I mean that positively. The opener (after the prelude, anyway), "Weballergy," is outstanding, uplifting speedy power metal. The melodies are soaring, the musicianship stunning. The dueling keyboard/guitar soloing frenzies will bewilder you. The multi-tracked vocals may place the accent on the wrong syllable sometimes, but this guy (Tony Kakko) sings with great conviction and power.

Silence [draws] you in a doesn't let go. On the standard, fast power metal songs such as "Weballergy" and "Land of the Free" the melodies will take you soaring through the skies. Other, more elaborate tracks, invite one's attention and admiration. "The End of This Chapter," despite the entirely goofy acting at the beginning, is awesome. The 7-minute track opens with a graceful piano nocturne, and excitingly builds to a fine piece of power metal songwriting -- fabulous melodies, grinding riffs, and earnest emotional bombast. The band's ballads are power metal's best, with powerful vocals and melodies. "Last Drop Falls" and "Tallulah" are simply wonderful ballads. In particular, "Last Drop Falls" is delivered with indignation that makes my blood run cold. I'd be surprised if Kakko _wasn't_ writing from experience, because he really gets involved emotionally in what he's singing.

I once thought Silence was a concept album about some twisted man's obsession with his old girlfriend. However, judging from interviews this doesn't appear to be the case. Still, many of the lyrics are fairly personal and deal with relationships. Although Kakko's lyrics aren't always good from the point of diction, they do a great job conveying the emotions involved. On "Tallulah", a ballad about a break-up. In the chorus, Kakko writes, "It's easier to live alone than fear the time it's over." I knew someone who thought the exact same way after being disillusioned with relationships that ended in sadness. (Is a relationship worth the pain that may result?) Clever! I like when a band hits on something you've experienced, vicariously or directly.

One of the main reasons I don't think it's a concept album is that for the life of me I can't figure out how "The Power of One" would fit into the story. But it's an awesome song. Unlike most power metal bands, Sonata Arctica shows considerable restraint with this song. It closes the album on a very strong note. Lots of tempo changes, furious soloing, and a great finale with acoustic guitar.

In the end, Sonata Arctica beats their peers in several important areas. They have:

> WAY better songwriting
> Diverse songs
> Melodic guitar/keyboard solos (rather than fast, boring runs)
> Ballads that aren't lame
> Lyrics that _don't_ make me want to light the CD on fire

I don't like power metal, but this is still an outstanding album. Take that approbation for what it's worth. If you like power metal, I guess you'll like this. If you don't? Well, who knows?

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