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Finland’s Sonata Arctica has been around
a long time. They have a strong back catalog,
much of which is intensely collected by progressive
music fans worldwide. It has always seemed to
me however that they just couldn’t shed
the confines of the genre, often embracing the
commonalities of progressive bands way too much.
That said, they have consistently gotten better
with each new album but I never have thought of
them as anything but a progressive band. With
Unia though, I finally “get it.” Sonata
Arctica is a rock band.
Unia is the band’s strongest album to date
and it largely shatters the progressive music
box the band has spent their entire career in.
While the album opens in recognizable fashion
with the Savatage meets Symphony X “In Black
and White,” it quickly turns into something
much more accessible and, dare I say, beautiful.
“For the Sake of Revenge” is as emotional
as it is bombastic. “It Won’t Fade”
shows the band can rock as superbly as any of
their contemporaries reminding me just as much
of Spock’s Beard as it does Edguy. “Paid
in Full” has a chorus that just won’t
quit. I’ll probably be lynched for saying
this but the vocals sound a lot like Jon Bon Jovi
in spots…and I love it. “The Worlds
Forgotten, The Worlds Forbidden” is another
dynamic, if not surprising moment, exhibiting
a darker feel than the rest of the album without
losing any of the epicness that makes this album
so enjoyable.
Blackmore’s Night + Savatage + Bon Jovi
= Unia. Sonata Arctica have made the first truly
inspiring album of their career. Each song has
its own recognizable identity and the band’s
sound lingers long after the album has finished.
Fans of any kind of powerful, catchy, big arena
sing alongs, as well as fans of technically superb
musicians will find that Unia is the new standard.
Key Tracks:
Reviewed By Mark Fisher |
