I've never been a huge Sonata Arctica fan, but this new album is different. Gone is the typical Euro-power metal tempo, replaced with some rather excellent songwriting that idles somewhere in the mid-tempo vein. There are plenty of up-tempo sections of songs, so it's not like they've wimped out, but I'm sure SA traditionalists are screaming bloody murder because of the complete absence of the standard double-bass drumming.
I love it! I never liked repetitive double-bass drumming anyway. The songwriting is key here. Totally awesome, totally old school. It's got just enough prog to make it interesting (aka Savatage) while retaining its metal edge throughout, except for a few ballad moments (which I always felt SA was best at).
I hear influences ranging from Therion and Devin Townsend, to Star One (Ayreon) and Kansas. It's a diverse album, especially considering their past catalogue. Don't pass this one off as just another Sonata Arctica album.
It's a definite top-10 of 2007 contender for me.
I love it! I never liked repetitive double-bass drumming anyway. The songwriting is key here. Totally awesome, totally old school. It's got just enough prog to make it interesting (aka Savatage) while retaining its metal edge throughout, except for a few ballad moments (which I always felt SA was best at).
I hear influences ranging from Therion and Devin Townsend, to Star One (Ayreon) and Kansas. It's a diverse album, especially considering their past catalogue. Don't pass this one off as just another Sonata Arctica album.
It's a definite top-10 of 2007 contender for me.