Sonata Arctica

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Kemi, Finland (1996 – present)

Sonata Arctica was formed in 1996 on the edge of the world, in the northern Finnish town of Kemi.

Originally formed as Tricky Beans, they released few demos and as they got the contract they had to change their name.
In 1999 the band recorded a new demo “FullMoon” in Tico Tico Studios located in their hometown, Kemi. At the time of recording the line-up consisted of: Tony (vocals/keys), Jani (guitars), Tommy (drums), and Janne (bass). This new demo was the first exploration for the band in heavy metal waters. The band’s trademark sound of fast, melodic and keyboard oriented heavy metal with clear, high vocals was born. As fate would have it, and with help from Ahti Kortelainen of Tico Tico Studios, the “FullMoon” demo found its way to the premier metal label of Finland, Spinefarm. At the same time Tricky Beans became Sonata Arctica.

Summer of 1999 brought us the first single from Sonata Arctica, “UnOpened”. The title song was instantaneously included in the Metalliliitto 1999 compilation CD. Two tracks from the single, UnOpened and Mary-Lou marked the arrival of SA to the power metal community. During the first mix/pressing of the UnOpened single, Track 1, UnOpened, was unintentionally slowed down. The mistake was discovered shortly after the first batch of discs was sent to music stores. The entire first pressing was recalled. Approximately 200 copies from that first run were sold and are now considered rare collectors items.
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Popular tags: power metal, metal, melodic metal, finnish, symphonic metal  See more

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  • CoenVen

    I agree with you about that to become the single. Also because it's one of the first songs on the album and the title sounds quite single-like to me. Also, I'm wondering what we should expect from the 'talented guest artists' and 'new styles' the album will have. I like the new theme for the website btw!

    yesterday evening

  • Altron2

    Can't wait for the new album

    yesterday evening

  • os_teriyaki

    I want an announcement about the first single (and hopefully video)... maybe we should guess what song could be the single? I'm gonna say my guess is "Somewhere Close to You", for literally no reason at all except that a) I doubt the Wildfires will suit singles, I'm expecting them to be pretty long and b) I really don't want it to be Shitload of Money or Cinderblox, because other people will probably prejudge them with titles like that...

    yesterday evening

  • CoenVen

    Knowing the new album is coming soon made waiting for it harder D:! Now I want news about it every day xD! Geez, I'm bad : p

    yesterday afternoon

  • M4theeus

    Nothing's what it seems to be, I'm a replica, I'm a replica.

    yesterday afternoon

  • felipeaff

    best fairy metal band ever

    yesterday morning

  • Fenrir6

    Shitload of Money makes me think of this: http://youtu.be/kS3HYU3TOiw

    yesterday morning

  • BeIieve

    if they ever go back to what they sounded like with winterhearts guild and ecliptica...i will hunt down every member and hug them for two hours[2]

    yesterday morning

  • DeathsAssass1n

    if they ever go back to what they sounded like with winterhearts guild and ecliptica...i will hunt down every member and hug them for two hours

    Thursday evening

  • os_teriyaki

    What amuses me is that "Shitload of Money" and "Cinderblox" make me think of Henkka's other band, Mental Care Foundation, rather than Sonata XD But I have faith in Tony. ^^ (Also, Henkka's solo album is *still* not up on the webshop, even though it's working again... what are they playing at? :\)

    Thursday afternoon

  • MetalWolf_

    They're just track titles, Shitload of Money may sound like some hip hop song but I doubt that'll be the case. And maybe (probably) the new Wildfires are completely different from the old one

    Thursday afternoon

  • tienxcore

    We'll if this new album is anything like reckoning day ( which I doubt ) I will be pleased! But with song names such as cinderblox, don't be mean and shitload of money I'm a bit scared it will disappoint!

    Thursday afternoon

  • stupidPity

    Wildfire II and Wildfire III, interesting... I wonder if they will disappoint me again...

    Thursday afternoon

  • leleuheadbanger

    Tá mais pra Pop Metal.

    Wednesday evening

  • os_teriyaki

    Since Wildfire was already a pretty progressive song, imo, I don't think you can write off progressive influences just yet when Wildfire II and III are on the tracklist :3

    Wednesday afternoon

  • Caravanheart

    Shitload of Money! :D

    Tuesday evening

  • Sebii89

    I think I can bury my hopes on progressive influences on the new album.. But still, "The Harvest" and "Good enough is good enough" seems to fit the new cover artwork very well. Perhaps a hint?! At least I have to say I didn't expected such an artwork either but I think it's great!

    Tuesday evening

  • ShortSonata

    WILDFIRE PARTS 2 AND 3? FUCKING YES. FUCKING HELL I JUST AWLDMASDKLASM EVERYWHERE.

    Tuesday evening

  • r0ryb0ryalis

    I kid! I kid! XD

    Tuesday morning

  • r0ryb0ryalis

    So has it leaked yet?

    Tuesday morning
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DOUBLE-BASS VERSION OF "FLAG IN THE GROUND" NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ROCKBAND NETWORK

13 Jan 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/sonataarctica

The double-bass version of SONATA ARCTICA’s “Flag In The Ground” is now available for purchase from the RockBand Network’s online store for XBOX 360. The track comes off the band’s 2009 release The...

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