Because, let’s be honest about the songs that are already released; A Little Less Understanding was a little less impressive and I can’t say that I really had the hots for Cold. It wasn’t bad but it was too predictable and standard to really become hyped about. But after all, Sonata has not been known for their powerful singles lately. Same happened with their previous three albums. Weak singles that unfortunately repel a lot of people to give the album behind it a fair chance. And this one deserves that chance for sure, because for real, this album is once again fantastic!
The ball opens with an innocent sounding, almost childlike chorus in Message from the Sun. A story about northern lights and the myths surrounding it. Vocalist Tony Kakko lets his voice shine in tenfold in the chorus and guitarist Elias Viljanen creates a pleasant cadency in all the parts in between.
Still I need to file a complaint about the mixing, which has been a point of discussion for several albums now. De guitars sound muddy, the drums tinny and Tony tends to drown in the musical mess here and there. I can’t really call their approach to record this album semi live a real success, but still its loads better than the mess we heard on the dreaded Ecliptica Revisited album . Guys, do yourself a favor and hire Mikko Karmilla again to master the next albums.
But with that complaint out of the way I let myself be swept away by Whirlwind. I hear a familiar merry innocence that invokes nostalgia to older Sonata albums. Not too fast, quite relaxed and filled with twists and turns. The main roles are divided between Elias and bass player Pasi Kauppinen who create entertaining tunes behind the chorus and in the solo.
A stormy wind wraps up Tony’s warm voice that closes the song with some lalala’s and transcends to Cold. As I said, it’s a simple rock song with not much to boast about. It’s catchy and that is all there is to it. The only moment that grabs my attention is the bassy breakdown that divides the song in two.
Storm the Armada follows and makes up for the lack of power in the previous song a thousand fold with an intro that promises heavier sounds right away and delightful choirs in the background. Still not a very fast song but it has something that makes it deliver a good punch. The melody is all over the place and the complexity reminds a lot of the experimental work of albums like Unia and Days of Grays. Nothing but good news for me!
The among fans beloved Caleb or Stalker saga gains a new chapter with The Last of the Lambs. The remarkable thing is that the song Till Death Done Us Apart on previous album The Ninth Hour already felt like a summary of the story but I get that same impression from this song as well. It’s a tranquil piece of music that drips with melancholy and sadness, emotions of regret, pain and loss. Just Tony who echoes over a base of a towing drum, a strumming guitar and a peculiar kind of 80’s sounding synth.
It all tells emotive stories in a way only mr. Kakko can master. This song really gets under your skin.
Who Failed the Most is another song of political protest that continues themes we found on previous songs like Fairytale. There are sly winks to pop culture quotes in the chorus. “You decide, who is the lord of the rings, the master of puppets…”
Drummer Tommy Portimo throws in an extra punch at the end of the song and Tony’s voice fades to something that is childlike and almost eerie. “You failed me….”
Time for a song with the cryptic title Ismo’s Got Good Reactors. An ode to a deceased friend of Tony Kakko, and a story involving a boat with an outboard engine that almost fell to pieces on a shallow shore and a quote from a mentally challenged kid.
The song itself is a fun and speedy instrumental that starts of quite pompous but then evolves to a party of fast drums and a jolly, adventurous melody.
Another political song is Demons Cage. Again it strongly reminds you of the Days of Grays album with an eerie undertone and guitars like a thunderstorm and speedier parts that unexpectedly follow after a moment of silence. Tony clearly shows what of an amazing composer he still is!
Hearing the songs in the order they are supposed to be makes the song A Little Less Understanding pop a bit more already. A slightly melancholic song about raising kids. Catching lyrics that unfortunately are buried beneath mediocre music.
However, the bar is raised again to staggering heights by The Raven Still Flies With You. With a runtime of over seven minutes it’s the longest song on the album and an epic in every respect.
Still not a speedy song but it has an incredible and delightful atmosphere that feels like falling snow. Tony’s voice sounds like a warm blanket once he starts harmonizing and I notice the welcome feel of chills running down my spine.
Overall it has elements that remind of the song Larger than Life with the sporadic operatic vocals and a very peculiar – almost tropical sounding piece halfway.
Tony vocalizes away in the tail of the song and up next is the last track of the album already; The Garden. Words fail to describe this magnificent love song that sounds as sweet as a lullaby and – if it applies to you – immediately reminds you of that one special person in your life. One of the precious few songs that Sonata has about love that doesn’t involve murder or suffering – and isn’t cringingly cheesy (*caughLovecaugh*)
The silently waltzing guitar, Tony’s almost unnoticeable chuckle… it paints a picture of a dreamy garden full of roses before your mind’s eye. My own two eyes see nothing but a blur at the moment. Excuse me while I wipe away a tear or two…
There, that is one great addition to the vast collection of Sonata Arctica’s repertoire!
Regarding all the reactions that the album has gotten so far from fellow journalists and people who judge whole albums by two measly singles and can’t get over the argument that ‘SoNatA iSn’T MeTaL ANyMoRE”, please quit expecting a banana to be an apple. Sonata is not what it was ten years ago by a long shot. What they are now doesn’t appear to be fit for everyone, but if you open up to music that might be a bit mellower, Sonata Arctica proves that they remain masters of their craft. Talviyö is undeniable prove of that fact.
