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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Top Albums

  • Winterheart's Guild
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  • Ecliptica
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  • Silence
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  • Reckoning Night
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Top Tracks

1
2,888
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4  
2,670
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2,370
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9  
2,228
10  
1,885
11  
1,835
12  
1,654
13  
1,648
14  
1,455
15
1,431
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  • Progmet

    the day should be the first in charts <3

    27 minutes ago
  • umosay

    @Lesl4t: Why can't people let go? Bands aren't meant to be together forever...

    3 hours ago
  • dragothica

    I just read an interesting fact about the track Only the Broken Hearts (Make You Beautiful) from an interview with Tony Kakko: "- Originally, I wrote this track for a band which plays "heavy metal for children" (SauruXet or Hevisaurus), but the reply from the band was it should be a track for Sonata Arctica. So I had to rethink the words a little, erase away all the flying lizards."

    4 hours ago
  • Lesl4t

    But one thing I know: Jani, SA miss you. SA's solos needs you. SA's songs and concerts miss you too.

    4 hours ago
  • Lesl4t

    Cinderblox and Don't Be Mean <3

    4 hours ago
  • supernaturalguy

    Not too sure about this one, it's a bit of a mixed bag really. Maybe it'll open up with more listens.

    10 hours ago
  • isadarkmetal

    I have a Right ♥ A W E S O M E !

    15 hours ago
  • xnaths

    quem quiser me dar o stones grow her name to aceitando

    18 hours ago
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