Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Amazing power metal...if a little hard to find

phaylon | NY | 06/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took me quite some time to obtain this CD (not willing to pay some huge amount for the bonus version) but it was very much worth it. While only their first CD already they have proven themselves to be on the level with Iced Earth, HammerFall and of course the mighty Iron Maiden. The music is quite upbeat to say (as opposed to the dark, sinister and heavy style of Iced Earth). The songs range from F-A-S-T (it might be power metal still but some of these songs move along as quickly as thrash metal) to very etheral with touches of classical music thrown in. Still power metal never really was a genre that was about grinding your bones to dust and if such is your taste simply acquire an album from Arch Enemy, Hypocrisy, In Flames, Soilwork, Cryptopsy and many others and you will be more then pleased. Considering how young the band members are and the technical skill on display quite frequently there is no doubt that you will love this. For something similar (besides the obvious Iron Maiden) I'd recommend Children of Bodom, Stratovarious and Blind Guardian. If you like power metal then buy this, very easy."

As thoughtful as metal and as catchy as pop.

Andrew Resnick | New Orleans, LA USA | 04/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Basically this band make a power metal similar to Stratovarius or Blind Guardian but manage to have a very distinctive sound, probably due to the excellent singer and the catchiness of the melodies. Very rarely am I person to judge music on its catchiness since I prefer to listen to music with a lot of depth and thought but I have to say that catchiness is probably the defining characteristic of this CD. Definitally one of my favorite CD's. Could listen to "8th Commandment" and "Fullmoon" all day long even though every song on this CD is excellent. Definitally a band that is going places and I think this CD would've gotten much more praise if they had been around longer."

The Finnish fivesome that started a Metal Revolution!

C. M. Sharrah | Glendale, AZ USA | 08/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up an Ecliptica cd at a used cd place for $4 just because I thought the cover loooked cool. I had never heard of Sonata Arctica, but I was already a screaming fan of Scand/Euro Metal after such groups as GaMMa RaY, Stratovarius, and Nightwish. I threw it into my cd player on my way home, not expecting anything. And by the time the wailing guitars and *ferocious* keyboards had silenced on Blank File, I was asking myself: "HOW CAN ANYONE TRADE IN THIS CD! " Four simple words:Sonata Arctica *IS* GodI have never been so damn impressed by a debut metal album. The amount of talent these five contain can not even be measured by exisitng technology, it's astronomical. I hear people compare them as being "almost as good a Stratovarius" ....no offense Strato, but these guys deserve more credit than that. They are right up there with the Metal Gods, and it only took them one album to make that journey.Come on people, it's $35.99, and that is absolutely no where close to the value this cd is worth. So you yourself a favorite and chuck it into your Shopping Cart with a "woo-hoo! ". You have just purchased the greatest Power Metal epic in mankind.(Also, check out Successor: S^A haven't let up an inch! )"

Something to think about.

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 02/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Usually when I think of power metal I think of Timo Koltipelto shrieking about saving the environment. Or, just as often, I think of an obnoxious drummer who may has well be replaced by a drum machine set to "Double Bass Attack Program #3". Then there's the hideously saccharine lyrics, awkward vocal performances, and repetitive songs. But Ecliptica gives me something better to think about. Sonata Arctica is a fairly new band on the European melodic/power metal scene, and they play hard & fast and carry a great melody while they're at it. Vocalist/keyboardist Tony Kakko writes all the music, and this guy is truly talented. Granted, a keen melodic awareness is fairly common among these power metal bands, but our good man Tony has pretty much everybody else beat. Just listen to "Full Moon", one of the most absolutely perfect melodic metal songs ever written, I'd say. I can practically guarantee it will have you singing along with the chorus by the end. Musically, the band is heavily influenced by the likes of Stratovarius, but again I must stress the melodic strength of the songwriting. And while there is a sense of homogeneity in some of the 'merely' good speed metal songs, the real strength of Sonata Arctica is found in the mid-tempo songs. The power ballads "Replica" and "Letter to Dana" (love the flute and Celtic influence on that one) are totally great, and the crunchier, keyboard-heavy rockers "My Land" and the awesome "Full Moon" are pure goodness. "Blank File" and "8th Commandment" are remarkable speed metal tracks with fat hooks lodged in the choruses. At the end is "Destruction Preventer", which starts simply enough but also shows some progressive inclinations that would be more fully explored on the next album, Silence (which I also recommend). Pick this one up."

The only good power metal band!

Joe | Seattle,WA | 02/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now, of course, when I say this, I am not counting Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, or Blind Guardian as power metal, even though they often (unfairly I might add) fall into that category. To me, power metal is a cheesy, overglossed, annoying display of musical indulgence by musicians who don't even posess the level of talent they flaunt. But, somehow, this band manages to be different.After listening to my friend's copy of this CD (with great hesitation, I might add), I find that this is a surprisingly good CD. The songs are meaningful, catchy, and the musicians play very well. The drummer is indeed very talented, and he does a lot of technical and rhythmic drumwork, as opposed to the mindless snarefests of the average power metal band. The guitarist is a bit reckless at times, but he knows what he's doing, and he does it well.But, that's not to say this album isn't without its flaws. The vocals can be a bit goofy in times, due to the fact that the singer is not so comfortable with English. That, and the lyrics can be a bit much as well. "Letter to Dana" is almost enough to make you lose your lunch. Generally speaking, the lyrics are head and shoulders above that of the average power metal band, but still they are not perfect. But, since I don't generally pay too close attention to lyrics, that's a minor complaint.I guarantee that no matter what you like, you will probably enjoy this album. This comes from a person who would rather slam his hand in a car door than listen to Rhapsody or Stratovarius. If you are a fan of the genre, this is a definite must-have."

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	Sonata Arctica Ecliptica Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal Track Listings (11) - Disc #1 Blank File My Land 8th Commandment - Sonata Arctica, Sonata Arctica Replica - Sonata Arctica, Arctica, Sonata Kingdom for a Heart Fullmoon Letter to Dana Unopened Picturing the Past Destruction Preventer Mary-Lou [*] Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: Mary-Lou.
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