SONATA ARCTICA „For the Sake of Revenge”

Country: Finland
Website: www.sonataarctica.info
Genre: Melodic Power Speed Metal
Label: www.nuclearblast.de

If you have not had the chance to experience the wonderment that is SONATA ARCTICA let me quickly bring you up to “speed” as it were. The band originates in Finland and they quickly became a local favorite and even were often paired with the Finnish juggernaut Nightwish. In 2003 they released their fifth full length CD, Winterheart's Guild, a Melodic Power Speed Metal opus. The CD is full of blistering riffs and rousing vocals and was quickly considered some of their best material. When the band was invited to join their label, Nuclear Blast Records and release Reckoning Night in 2004, they decided to herald the event by recording a live CD/DVD on the tour! The result is their latest release, 'For the Sake of Revenge'.

Recorded in 2005 in Japan as the band toured in support of Reckoning Night, this live CD (with bonus DVD) is a perfect opportunity to discover what you may have been missing so far. This CD comes complete with a 15 song concert audio performance and s a bonus the DVD has the full show that runs over an hour in length! The DVD and CD portions are nearly identical, with the DVD having a few extras including a cool keyboard solo from Henrik Klingenberg on his keytar and Sing In Silence', the standout ballad from 2001's 'Silence'. The DVD brings you the bands best songs so even if you don't own 'Reckoning Night' or 'Winterheart's Guild' you are not going to be lost. The group made sure to provide a number of songs from their back catalog during the show to make it a career spanning effort. This alone makes this offering a must-have for new and old fans alike!

In addition the DVD offers a first hand look at how exciting Sonata Arctica really is in concert and to see the reaction
of Japanese audiences! The biggest thing you can gleen from this concert footage is that Sonata Arctica not only performs well, but also that the band has a lot of fun doing what they do. There is also some candid extra footage from the tour to enjoy on the DVD. The line-up of Sonata Arctica is Tony Kakko (vocals), Jani Liimatainen (guitar), Marko Paasikoski (bass), Henrik Klingenberg (keyboards) and Tommy Portimo (drums). Don't hesitate to get this CD/DVD so you can see for yourself the brilliance of this amazing band!

Start to finish (pun intended) this is a good selection of songs that gives the listener a foundation with the band in
preparation for their new studio album which currently in the planning stages.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

01. Intro (Prelude For Reckoning)
02. Misplaced
03. Blinded No More
04. FullMoon / White Pearl Black Oceans…
05. Victoria's Secret
06. Broken
07. 8th Commandment
08. Shamandalie
09. Kingdom For A Heart
10. Replica
11. My Land
12. Black Sheep
13. Gravenimage
14. Don't Say A Word
15. The Cage
16. Vodkaa (Hava Nagila)
17. San Sebastian *

* Japanese bonus

Line-up

Tony Kakko – Vocals
Jani Liimatainen – Guitars
Tommy Portimo – Drums
Marko Paasikoski – Bass
Henrik Klingenberg – Keys