Sonata Arctica known for their arctic seeming power metal take a slightly different turn with 5th studio album Unia, with what can only be described as a much warmer sound. The fast-paced nature has slowed down somewhat though not quite to the extent some would have you believe, yes the album is not filled with as many fast songs as Ecliptica or Silence, but when you consider the gradual transition made between each studio album, it's really not as great a jump as it could have been. The texture of the album is also much thicker and the overall sound has a much warmer tone. Opening with 'In Black and White' you can immediately spot the warmer tone, the thick ...  Read the complete review

SONATA ARCTICA - UNIA The band consists of :- Tony Kakko - vocals, keyboard Jani Liimatainen - guitar Henrik Klingenberg - keyboards, Hammond (I have no idea what this is) Marko Paasikoski - bass Tommy Portimo - drums ################################### This is another great album by the band Sonata Arctica. This album contains some great tracks including CALEB, UNDER YOUR TREE and GOOD ENOUGH IS GOOD ENOUGH. There are many story telling songs such as CALEB and FLY WITH THE BLACK SWAN. ########################################### IN BLACK AND WHITE is the first track on the album. It is ...  Read the complete review

1. In Black And White - Nice opening track. Heavy riffing with some random choir backing vocals. Typical high pitched vocals work really well with the melodies. 2. Paid In Full - My favourite track on the album, Simple guitaring that works really well. 3. For The Sake Of Revenge - Very bassy beginning, simple drumming with a softer start 4. It Wont Fade - Opera-ish beginning. Thought it gets very good towards the end but not soon enough 5. Under Your Tree - Title sounds like a euphamism but a very good song nonetheless. 6. Caleb - Didnt really get this song, but for a general speed metal fan, itll be bareable 7. The Vice - Not Miami, ...  Read the complete review

For Sonata Arctica this album is... unusual. Not they're the most normal band in the world to begin with, but this.... is plain wierd! I bought the album thinking it was going to be more of their trademark high speed power metal, but its really not... its more geared towards the technical side of things - changes from 4/4 to 3/4 and back again, lots of - as tony once put it - vocal masturbation, and suprisingly catchy lyrics. Most sonata albums in the past have simply grabbed your eardrums by the scruff of the neck and shaken them into submission while the pretty colours went off in your synapses. This one, on the other hand, takes a while to get settled ...  Read the complete review