Subject: SONATA ARCTICA Sat Sep 25, 2010 1:51 pm | |
| SHORT INFO:Sonata Arctica was formed in 1996 on the edge of the world, in the northern Finnish town of Kemi.
Originally was formed as Tricky Beans, they released few demos and as they got the contract they had to change their name. In 1999 the band recorded a new demo “FullMoon” in Tico Tico Studios located in their hometown, Kemi. At the time of recording the line-up consisted of: Tony (vocals/keys), Jani (guitars), Tommy (drums), and Janne (bass). This new demo was the first exploration for the band in heavy metal waters. The band’s trademark sound of fast, melodic and keyboard oriented heavy metal with clear, high vocals was born. As fate would have it, and with help from Ahti Kortelainen of Tico Tico Studios, the “FullMoon” demo found its way to the premier metal label of Finland, Spinefarm. At the same time Tricky Beans became Sonata Arctica.
Summer of 1999 brought us the first single from Sonata Arctica, “UnOpened”. The title song was instantaneously included in the Metalliliitto 1999 compilation CD. Two tracks from the single, UnOpened and Mary-Lou marked the arrival of SA to the power metal community. During the first mix/pressing of the UnOpened single, Track 1, UnOpened, was unintentionally slowed down. The mistake was discovered shortly after the first batch of discs was sent to music stores. The entire first pressing was recalled. Approximately 200 copies from that first run were sold and are now considered rare collectors items. Autumn of 1999 marked the release of the very first full-length album, “Ecliptica”. Initially released in Finland, other countries quickly followed. Widely successful, Ecliptica opened doors for Sonata Arctica to participate in two tribute records. ‘I Want Out’ for a Helloween tribute album “Keepers of Jericho” and ‘Still Loving You’ for a Scorpions tribute, “A Tribute to the Scorpions”. Both were covers of originals.
Soon after the release of Ecliptica, the band’s keyboardist, Tony Kakko, decided to concentrate more on singing, as opposed to trying to sing and play keyboards at the same time. Mikko Härkin (ex-Kenziner) joined the band to relieve Tony from keys and to allow the frontman to roam the stage. It introduced a new capability for Sonata Arctica - to have two keyboard players play simultaneously. Their rise to fame continued through the end of 1999 and beginning of 2000. Soon after the release of Ecliptica, Sonata Arctica was chosen as the support band for Stratovarius’ European Tour, beating over 32 other bands from 15 different record companies. The tour started in April of 2000 with Stratovarius and Rhapsody on the road. It lasted for two months, during which Sonata played over 30 gigs in 10 countries, traveling thousands of kilometres. ALBUMS: Ecliptica, Silence, Reckoning Night, Winterheart's Guild, Unia, The Days of Grays, Successor, Takatalvi...Most Listened Songs: Replica - Preview Full Moon - Preview Tallulah - Preview Kingdom for a Heart - Preview My Land - Preview Black Sheep - Preview 8th Commandment - Preview Last Drop Falls - Preview Victoria's Secret - Preview Paid in Full - Preview SIMILAR BANDS: Sirenia, Tarot, After Forever, Xandria, Leaves' Eyes, Sonata Arctica, Delain, Epica, Within Temptation, Tarja, Nightwish... |
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