Track Listing

1. Blank File
2. My Land
3. Eighth Commandment
4. Replica
5. Kingdom for a Heart
6. Fullmoon
7. Letter to Dana
8. Unopened
9. Picturing the Past
10. Destruction Preventer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105948 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued

Album Description
The debut release from 1999 on Spinefarm records by one of Finland's leading metal bands finally available domestically for the first time. 10 tracks. Century Media.

Customer Reviews

Sonata Arctica are beyond words
If you can't say it, sing it, they say. And Sonata Arctica sings it like no one else. For someone who hasn't heard them but knows they're a power metal band, recollections of Rhapsody or Blind Guardian - fantasy oriented bands - may present themselves; but what sets this amazing group of musicians apart from the pack is their new, original, creative approach to a style of music that is beginning to show its age. Evil dragons plundering villages, armor-clad knights riding valiantly into glorious battle? Look elsewhere for that; Sonata Arctica's lyrics are rooted very much in reality - and in unusual examples of reality.

The subjects of their songs - spending too much time on the internet, the effects of war on a person - are often unorthodox and may take the first-time listener by surprise. But this is part of what distinguishes them from the masses. Unlike most power metal bands, especially their German counterparts, S.A.'s music has a very "cold" feel to it (they are from Finland) which means you will not fully experience their music until you listen in the winter as the snow blankets the ground and your breath crystalizes in front of you.

The musicianship is breathtaking. While many criticize technical bands for being all showboat and no musical substance, S.A. has found that perfect of all places - the intersection where exceptional musicianship and technical ability meets true musical expression and taste. Their songs are catchy yet complex. The guitar lines are melodic when they need to be and shred when they need to be (and Jani can SHRED!). The drummer has unmatched endurance on the double-kick. The keyboards add the richest texture you'll ever hear in metal. What more can you ask? They deliver the total package.

And for those who pass them off as a second-rate Stratovarius, well, I can only feel sorry for you. They may have taken their cue from Stratovarius, but they have built on that foundation and taken it to a completely different level. Now that Century Media was released this in the United States, you have no excuse for missing out. This is the most incredible music I have ever heard.

The best Power Metal debut!
My introduction to Sonata Arctica came with the release of "Winterhearts Guild." A fairly late one it was after their monumental albums "Ecliptica" and "Silence." My friend let me borrow a burned copy of his, so I decided to buy their third album. "Ecliptica" is a heavier, and faster album than "Winterhearts Guild" but both are very good. The lyrical content of "Ecliptica" may be slightly better and may please Power Metal fans more. Overall, there is not one song on "Ecliptica" that I don't like. Sonata Arctica is an incredible band in the realm of Blind Guardian, Stratovarious, Nightwish and Rhapsody. Fans of Progressive Power Metal must check this one out. Simply put, this is the best debut CD of any Progressive Power Metal band. These young Finns don't mess around.

A splendid ecliptica without doubt
Well, there is nothing more to say (other reviews have described this album and its music quite accurately) - this band is totally incredible, the blend of beauty and iciness is enchanting. If you are new to this type of band, do not worry, I will share brief information about their sound and music experience.
First of all, they are a Power-Metal band with no equal whatsoever; they are from Finland, this makes their sound quite magical and attractive; do not be fooled, although the sound is fantasy-bent, the lyrics are themes of reality (90% of them: war, sadness, the missing of someone or something, sin outcomes, lunacy, cause and effect, among others in a unique and odd manner); the singer provides a strange yet captivating voice, he is truly feeling what has been written (the accent makes it the most interesting); the rest of the band just provides you with a series of scenarios that are genuinely convincing; with this said, prepare yourself for a regal and mythical journey.
This album contains 10 unparallel tracks:
1) Blank File - a fast paced opener with an ecstatic feeling to it (it talks about technology and how it can affect a person's life if used in an addictive way). I give this one an A.
2) My Land - a mid paced song that may perhaps trigger your reflective senses (perhaps it talks about how time can change a place you grew in and cherished, how time and ambitions can fortify or corrupt that special place). It is a decent song with a slight patriotic sound to it. I give it a B.
3) 8th Commandment - just as the first track, a more mystifying fast paced one. Only in this case there is a sense of anger as it describes the consequences of lying. I give this solid piece an A.
4) Replica - another mid paced song, but with drama. Here you have the traumatic effects of war; somehow you can feel those effects with the song's sound of heroism, burden, and indirect regret. I give this special song a B+.
5) Kingdom for a Heart - this is one of my favorite songs right here. It is emotional, but it keeps its edge. Here you have the yearning of love, but it is impossible to achieve. It is a masterpiece even though the writer himself did not like it that much. I give it an A.
6) Fullmoon - here you have a song that is 50% real and 50% myth. It talks about a troubled romance due to a man's curse (he becomes a werewolf), of course, that is my opinion. I give this mid paced sound of tragedy an A (the chorus are very catchy, that is an element that greatly distinguishes this band).
7) Letter to Dana - I really love this power ballad, it is that zealous and melancholic alike. It talks about the missing of a person; there are other sub-themes in there too. Some say this song is all that greasy, but the invocation of depression in a sweet way is there. I give this cookie an A (listen to Shy if you have the chance - the sequel is as better, if listened together it will not disappoint).
8) Unopened - the infamous what if theme, another favorite right here. This song returns back to fast pace, almost Victorian sounding; it is that fun to listen. I give this overacted sounding (it has its reasons to sound such way) an A.
9) Picturing the Past - another favorite of mine, this is fast paced also. It talks about a past regarding prostitution I think. The sound is intense and torment-bent, it will not let you down. I give this striking opus an A.
10) Destruction Preventer - this song is absolutely awesome; it is a bit long, but the ferocity and cold ambience mixture is rewarding to the listener. Its talks about the fall of nature (mankind as well) due to military advanced weaponry - it is as the rest of the songs, earcandy. I give this closer a B+.
In the end, I give this entire album a 3.7 which is a deserving A (highly recommended). This album was Sonata Arctica's first album and I have to admit, the put sacrifice into it for in my view it remains their best album so far. Please, if you are deeply centered within Death-Metal and Nu-Metal (which some bands sound great), and Metal music related with the first two mentioned, I suggest not to gain this album. Again, if you want new experiences and are familiar with Power-Metal, Fantasy sounds, etc. - then I strongly suggest to feel free and gain this wonderful album, it will remain with you for a long, long time. Thanks for having time to read this review and analyzing it.

Suggested albums: Reckoning Night, Silence, and Winterheart's Guild (Sonata Artica as well, in order that I admired most - A [almost tied to the first album], A, and B. Nightwish, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius' Visions, Kamelot, among others are good too.