Sonata Arctica

Winterheart's Wild

One of my favorite records of 2003!

Review Score:

(10/10)
2003 was truly a banner year for heavy metal music, with great new albums by some veterans, like King Diamond, Iron Maiden, and Overkill, and some younger bands, like Lamb Of God, Evergrey, and Children Of Bodom. Another one of those younger bands who released a great album in 2003 was Sonata Arctica. Winterheart's Guild is defiant of belief, in my opinion, it's even better than Silence. One thing that makes the third album from this Finnish quartet great is the guest appearance of a fellow Finn and keyboard wizard: Jens Johansson of Stratovarius. There are four tracks that feature his playing skills, and each of his solos are recognizable and incredible. There are many highlights on the album, but perhaps the three major highlights are the first three tracks. Track 1, "Abandoned, Pleased, Exploited, Brainwashed," is a bona fide example of how many great power metal records begin: fast and frantic. Track 2, "Graven Image," is a teriffic ballad. It begins very quietly, then the distorted guitars kick in, then, the guitars speed up, but the vocals stay at the same speed as they started. Then it slows down for the final bit. Track 3, "The Cage," is definetely the best track on the album; it begins with a keyboard solo that grabs you by the heart when you hear it, then, there's a similar one in the mid-section, and the verses, the guitar solo, everything about this song was incredible. All the rest of the album is great, too, and closing ballad "Draw You" is a very moody way to end an album. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Stratovarius.

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