Nuclear Blast
I know it’s been some time since the Finnish outfit has released this, but I feel I need to put in my two cents on what I think could be their strongest album to date…
The band grabbed my attention when I heard the song “The End of This Chapter”, still one of the greatest power metal songs I’ve heard. I feel that this is the benchmark for the band and they did not meet that standard again over the years, despite numerous attempts to do so. Sonata Arctica took a different approach for this work, producing a more mid-tempoed album rather than the speedy songs they are more renowned for releasing. This is a more mature approach and, as a result, better crafted songs are brought to the fore. Tony Kakko sounds as good as ever, while the guitars are much heavier and in-your-face…not a bad thing. Two ballads are on offer here too, to further showcase Sonata Arctica’s capabilities (“Don’t Be Mean” and the bonus track “Tonight I Dance Alone”).
While not what the fans of the speedier Sonata Arctica will want to hear, the heaviness of the majority of the songs may pacify them. Well-crafted songs, with a touch of finesse here and there, make this arguably their finest release to date.
****1/2
Nick van der Meulen
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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