Youthful exuberance and melody

Review Score:

(10/10)
This album was my introduction to Sonata Arctica, and what an introduction! These Finns are the most melodic and infectious band north of Middle Earth (Blind Guardian land ;) ). It's rare in this world of cynism to find a power metal band so joyous and positive, and yet still able to refrain from slipping into cheesiness.

Two critisms though.

Firstly the album, as others have suggested, drops off a bit near the end with the last two songs.

Secondly, as much as I love tracks 3 and 6, I thought the way both tracks used the technique of moving up an octave (or is it a key change, can't remember) towards the end of each song a bit repetitive. The desired effect seems lost the second time around (on Victoria's Secret).

Anyway, apart from those minor detractions, I think this album would be well received by just about anyone with a love for catchy music, and for those who dismiss metal as a genre that is infatuated with grimness alone.

More Reviews: