Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica performing live at Rockharz Open Air in July 2016
Background information
Also known as Tricky Beans (1995–1996)
Tricky Means (1996–1999)
Origin Kemi, Finland
Genres Power metal, symphonic metal, progressive metal
Years active 1995−present
Labels Spinefarm, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts Northern Kings, Silent Voices, Winterborn, Cain's Offering, Symfonia, Stratovarius
Website www.sonataarctica.info
Members Tommy Portimo
Tony Kakko
Henrik Klingenberg
Elias Viljanen
Pasi Kauppinen
Past members Jani Liimatainen
Marko Paasikoski
Pentti Peura
Janne Kivilahti
Mikko Härkin

Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, Finland. Created as a hard rock band named Tricky Beans, they later changed to Tricky Means and finally to Sonata Arctica, when they shifted to power metal. [1] The current line-up consists of singer, keyboardist and songwriter Tony Kakko, guitarist Elias Viljanen, bass guitarist Pasi Kauppinen, keyboardist and keytarist Henrik Klingenberg, and drummer Tommy Portimo. All the musicians of the band's history except Portimo also acted as backing vocalists.

As of 2016, the band has released nine full-length albums (three via Spinefarm Records and six via Nuclear Blast), their most recent being The Ninth Hour on October 7, 2016.

Biography

Formation and early years (1996–1999)

The band was founded by Marko Paasikoski (guitar), Jani Liimatainen (guitar) and Tommy Portimo (drums) in Kemi at the end of 1995 (Tony Kakko (vocals) and Pentti Peura (bass) joined in early 1996). Originally named Tricky Beans, they played hard rock rather than the power metal with which they grew to fame. Kakko explained that when he was invited to join the band, Paasikoski said the band was going to play "a mixture of Megadeth and Spin Doctors".[2] During their early career, they recorded three demos which were never sent to a recording label — Friend 'til the End, Agre Pamppers and PeaceMaker. According to Kakko, the band's first name was based on one of their early songs, which was "about a lady who was tricky and I didn't really know what I was talking about (laughs)".[2] Their first show was about to take place but they were still unnamed, so they had to come up with something.[2]

In 1997 the band changed their name to Tricky Means, and from that point until 1999 their style was thoroughly worked upon and ultimately was drastically changed, acquiring a strong emphasis on the keyboard melodies and relying on an easily distinguishable rhythm line maintained both by the bass and the guitar. Vocalist Tony Kakko developed a clean singing style which relies both on falsetto and tenor voices. Kakko has stated that the change of sound was influenced by fellow Finnish power metal band Stratovarius.[3] At that time, Pentti Peura was fired and Marko Paasikoski left due to a lack of gigging. Two months later the band got signed to a three-album deal with Spinefarm, which left Marko displeased.[4] The band finally changed their name to Sonata Arctica, because they thought they wouldn't be able to sell metal albums with the previous name and also because Spinefarm asked them to do so. "Sonata Arctica" was suggested by a friend of the band: "sonata" for the music and "arctica" for their home (Kemi, in Northern Finland).[2]

In 1997, they recorded a demo entitled FullMoon in Kemi's Tico Tico Studios, which was their first real metal recording. The line-up consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Tony Kakko, guitarist Jani Liimatainen, new bassist Janne Kivilahti (who started first as second guitarist[2]) and drummer Tommy Portimo. The demo was sent to Spinefarm Records by a friend of the band and a recording deal soon followed.

Ecliptica and Silence (1999–2002)

Later that year, Sonata Arctica's first single, entitled "UnOpened" was released in Finland. Soon after, the band had closed deals with labels from around the world, prior to the release of their debut album. The debut Ecliptica arrived by the end of 1999 and had a worldwide release. Tony Kakko then decided to focus on singing and the band began seeking a new keyboard player. Mikko Härkin (ex-Kenziner) was eventually invited to fill the position.

In the beginning of 2000, Sonata Arctica was chosen to support the well known power metal band Stratovarius throughout their European tour. Marko Paasikoski returned to the band to play bass in the wake of Janne Kivilahti's departure after the tour. According to Kakko, Kivilahti left because he thought they weren't going anywhere[2] and Paasikoski was their first choice as the new bassist since he left just before the band got their first record deal.[2]

From late 2000 to late 2001, the band worked on composing and recording their next album — Silence — which was released in June 2001. An extensive tour followed, which included concerts throughout Europe (together with Gamma Ray) and Japan. In 2002 Sonata Arctica made its first incursion to America, putting on shows in Brazil and Chile. A live album entitled Songs of Silence was also released that year, consisting of gigs from their tour in Japan. By the end of 2002, Mikko Härkin left the band due to personal reasons.

Winterheart's Guild and Reckoning Night (2003–2006)

In the search for another keyboardist, the band received many applications and two of them were invited for auditions. Since they were well aware of the candidates' ability, the band decided to pick the new member based on personality. To this end they spent a night drinking with each of the potentials in order to find out which one would fit best into the band's personality and mentality. Henrik Klingenberg was eventually chosen and joined the band in time to take part in the tour that followed the release of Winterheart's Guild. With the end of their contract with Spinefarm Records, the band received invitations from most European recording labels, and eventually opted for Nuclear Blast.

Their third album — Winterheart's Guild was recorded with the help of the seasoned keyboard player Jens Johansson from Stratovarius who recorded the keyboard solos, while Kakko took care of the basics. The album was released in 2003.

Sonata Arctica performing in Helmond, Germany, in April 2006

In early 2004, the band was chosen as the opener for Iron Maiden's Japanese tour. Additionally, Tommy Portimo became a father; his wife gave birth to a baby girl in March. Reckoning Night was recorded in three months and released in October, with Klingenberg introducing the use of the organ to the band. Both the single and the EP of this release remained on the top of the Finnish charts simultaneously for over six weeks. A promotional tour was to follow, but Sonata Arctica was invited by the popular Nightwish to join their European tour, and thus made a change of plans.

In early 2005, Nightwish invited the band to open the concerts of their North American tour. This tour eventually got cancelled, but the members of Sonata Arctica opted to still make a short tour, playing concerts in Canada and the United States. On October 21, 2005, Sonata Arctica opened for Nightwish at the Hartwall Areena, Helsinki.

In 2006, the band released a live CD and DVD entitled For the Sake of Revenge, which was recorded in Tokyo in February 2005. Then, Spinefarm Records released a compilation album in order to get the most out of their contract with the band, since Sonata Arctica had changed to another label. The compilation is entitled The End of This Chapter and was released in Japan in August 2005 and in Europe in May 2006.

A computer video game was also planned, based on Sonata Arctica characters and music. The name of the game was going to be Winterheart's Guild, after the album. The game was to be developed by Zelian Games, and was to be an Action-RPG in a style between Fallout and Diablo. The game was cancelled for unannounced reasons but a demo was shown at the Leipzig video game conference in 2006, featuring Henrik Klingenberg as the playable character. In December 2006, the band began recording their fifth studio album.

Unia and The Days of Grays (2007–2011)

Sonata Arctica performing at the Galaxy Theatre in September 2007

On May 25, 2007, Unia was released. The album's first single, "Paid In Full", was released on April 27, 2007. On August 6, 2007, the band announced on their website that guitarist Jani Liimatainen had been asked to leave the band due to problems related to his conscription. He was replaced by Elias Viljanen who had already filled in for him in the band's Finnish and Japanese shows during the spring and summer.

In October 2007 Sonata Arctica headlined the ProgPower USA VIII. Later the band supported Nightwish across their 2008 tour of United States and Canada and headlined at the shows that Nightwish cancelled due to Anette Olzon's sudden severe sickness.[5]

It was announced on September 4, 2008 that the band's first two albums would be re-released with bonus tracks by Spinefarm UK on October 6.[6] The Days of Grays was released on September 16, 2009 in Finland and September 22 in the USA.[7] Henrik stated that the new album would be in the same vein as Unia, but not as complex and darker.[7] Singles from this album include "Flag in the Ground" and "The Last Amazing Grays". On August 28, 2009, the music video of "Flag In The Ground" was released to the web. The limited 2CD European edition of the album featured many of the album tracks with all instruments performed by a symphony orchestra.[8]

The band also toured with DragonForce for the third U.S. leg of the Ultra Beatdown. In early 2010 they engaged on an Australian tour with Ensiferum and Melbourne band Vanishing Point. In April 2010, Sonata Arctica embarked on their USA and Canada Headlining tour for The Days of Grays. In October they headlined in Chile in support of the same album.[9]

Stones Grow Her Name (2011–2013)

In January 2011, the band hinted in an online interview for Metaleater magazine that they were writing songs for a new album while on their current tour. Elias is quoted as saying, "I've been working on some new riffs, quite dark. Tony's been stuck in his bed scratching notes about some girl and her 'Luna Lust'." Tommy states later, "We've just got back from Cozumel, we had a good time, had lots of beers, loads more sun and thought about putting a bit more Queen stuff back into the music again." In April, the band recorded a live DVD in Oulu, Finland, entitled Live in Finland, which was released on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11).

It was announced on February 20, 2012 through the official Sonata Arctica website that the new album entitled Stones Grow Her Name would be released on May 18 in Europe and May 22 in North America .[10]

The Album's first single and video "I Have A Right" was released on April 18, the second single from the album, "Shitload of Money" was released on September 14.[11]

The Stones Grow Her Name World Tour began in April with summer festivals until August. The band plans to spend the fall playing headline shows in Finland and then mainland Europe. Several shows have also been announced for North America in December.

Pariah's Child and The Ninth Hour (2014–present)

Pasi Kauppinen and Henrik Klingenberg at Rockharz festival 2016

In a June 2013 interview concerning Henrik Klingenberg's own band Silent Voices, Henrik confirmed Sonata Arctica would go into recording for their eighth studio album in September 2013. When pushed for more information, he assured jovially: "If it doesn't come out by next year, we're in big trouble!" Concerning the progress and style of this new album, he also mentioned "The bulk of the album, we already have the demos ..." as well as "we want to focus on making songs that work live." [12]

During rehearsals, Henrik mentioned on his blog that songs they were rehearsing for the new album seemed to hearken towards Sonata Arctica's earlier days. He also mentioned their plan to record a 10-minute track for the new album.[13]

Tony Kakko at Rockharz festival 2016

On August 26, 2013 the band officially announced on their Facebook page that Marko Paasikoski had left the band due to unsolvable issues with being part of a touring ensemble, and was replaced by bassist Pasi Kauppinen.[14] On January 9, 2014, the band officially announced via their official website that the band's next studio album, Pariah's Child, will be released on March 28, 2014.[15]

Tony Kakko commented [15] on the style of the new album as well as its album artwork upon the release announcement:

In summer 2014, the band re-recorded their first album, Ecliptica. It was released in October 2015.[16] Tony stated that the band was hoping to record the songs in a manner faithful to the original, not in a manner that would completely change the feel of their original album.[17]

On September 3, 2014,[18] Ouergh Records announced a Sonata Arctica tribute album. The album, A Tribute to Sonata Arctica featured bands from across the globe covering Sonata Arctica songs, with a focus on newer bands that were influenced by Sonata Arctica. Prominent bands included: Xandria, Van Canto, Stream of Passion, Arven, Powerglove, and Timeless Miracle. The album was endorsed by Tony Kakko.[19] The tribute album was released September 12, 2015.[20]

On December 18, 2015, Sonata Arctica released a Christmas-themed single, Christmas Spirits.

In February 2016, the band announced their plans to start recording a new album and release it in the final quarter of 2016.[21] In July 2016, they announced on their Facebook page that the yet-to-be-titled album was mixed.[22] On July 21, they officially announced the album's title, album artwork, and release date on their Facebook page. Their ninth studio album, The Ninth Hour, was released on October 7, 2016.[23] The artwork featured a future Utopian landscape with technology and nature in the balance.[24]

Musical style and influences

When asked if the band identified themselves with power metal, melodic metal or none of them, Kakko stated:[2]

In a 2007 interview with C.B.Liddell, Tony Kakko cited the English rock band Queen as his biggest musical influence.[25]

He also cites Stratovarius' Visions.

Members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums:

Cover songs

References

  1. ↑ "The Metal Forge Heavy Metal Music Zine - news, interviews and reviews". Themetalforge.com. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Metal Rules!!: Interview with Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica". Metal-Rules. 17 November 2001. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Interview with The Gauntlet, 31 Mar 2007". Thegauntlet.com. 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  4. ↑ Sonata Arctica E book, Page 35. 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Official Website". Nightwish. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  6. ↑ "Sonata Arctica To Reissue First Two Albums". Komodorock.com. 2008-09-04. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  7. 1 2 "Sonata Artica Keyboardist Issues New Album Update". blabbermouth.net. March 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  8. ↑ "Limited 2CD European edition of The Days of Grays". Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  9. ↑ "Sonata Arctica | Official website". Sonataarctica.info. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  10. ↑ bravewords.com. "> News > SONATA ARCTICA - Stones Grow Her Name Album Details Revealed". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  11. ↑ "Sonata Arctica - Tijdlijnfoto's". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  12. ↑ "Henrik Klingenberg from Sonata Arctica/Silent Voices Interview @Peek from the Pit". Peek from the Pit. 2013-05-31. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  13. ↑ Klingenberg, Henrik (6 September 2013). "Friday 6.9.2013 Rehearsal Day 5". Sonata Arctica: Making of the 8th studio album. Blogspot. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Sonata Arctica - Tijdlijnfoto's". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  15. 1 2 "New Album "Pariah's Child" comes in March, Cover released". 9 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "The Great Hank Hunt: SA:a couple of "surprises" revealed". Thegreathankhunt.blogspot.com. 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2015-06-02.
  17. ↑ Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ "Ouergh Records Announces Sonata Arctica Tribute Album". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "A Tribute To Sonata Arctica - Album Release". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  20. ↑ "A Tribute to Sonata Arctica". Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  21. ↑ "SONATA ARCTICA Working On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Done! The ninth Sonata Arctica studio album is mixed! [...]". Sonata Arctica's official Facebook page. Facebook. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Sonata Arctica announces New Album, Cover artwork !". www.sonataarctica.info. Sabaton – Official website. 21 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "SONATA ARCTICA announce new album »The Ninth Hour«". Facebook. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  25. ↑ The Revenge of Riff Raff (originally published in the Asahi Shimbun International Herald Tribune, 1st June, 2007)
  26. ↑ "Sonata Arctica FAQ". Sonataarctica.it. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
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