This makes me angry. After being so impressed by this
band at Wacken Open Air (see ~Vargscarr~'s review in issue 5! - Roberto)
this year I was eager to check them out on CD; but disappointment was
to rear its syphilitic head and spit its noxious juices back in my face.
Sonata Arctica aren't just disappointing on CD; they're actually bad.
I want to take their eyes.
Decent enough musicians, but so hopelessly human;
and it shows. First of all, their chosen subject matter: the lyrics deal
with such mundane subjects as the internet, the singer stalking some ex-girlfriend
who broke his heart, and a fragile girl who turns to drug abuse. Fair
enough, most people aren't as turned off by reality as I am, but they're
not reviewing this album.
The music itself can be described as relatively proficient
in its execution; but it's a case of technical skill over songwriting
ability. The songs are poorly conceived and constructed - I can only assume
their live set consisted mostly of old material which I hope for their
sake is better than the music on this album.
Far too many of the tracks are power ballads; which
are always hit and miss. Power Metal bands generally experiment with one
or two per album; no big deal. We're often treated with a real gem through
this experimentation. Silence features far too many, most of which
are deeply shallow and unsatisfactory; and the album lacks the bombast
too carry them off.
As for fast, galloping songs; the songs I loved so
much live...sadly, they lose much of their punch on CD. There's the odd
decent enough example of this style of song on the album, but I'm not
going to listen to it when I have Children of Bodom's Tokyo Warhearts
or Rhapsody's Triumph of Steel.
There are many, many bands out there playing better
music than Sonata Arctica - there are those who will get something out
of this CD; but most would do better to look elsewhere for their Power
Metal.
