Metal Reviews

After repeated listens: The few downparts are a) lack of fast songs b) lack of guitar. I find the guitar really missing, most songs don't have solos (although Black and White has a kickass one).
That aside, the album is fantastic. Caleb gives me shivers, Paid in Full, Good Enough is Good Enough, all great songs.

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrghh!! Gods of War just got competition for the "disappointment of the year" award. What the fuck is wrong with metal? Stratovarius changed their sound, and turned to crap, and so did Rhapsody, Manowar and Twilightning. Now it seems like it's Sonata Arcticas turn. Where is the speed? The melodies? The catchy choruses? How the hell could Jari Limatainen accept this? I'm completely fucking baffled.

don't you turn Misha on us!

Why would he even check out this thread? I know however, that I probably made one enemy with that post

i meant you would turn 'misha-esque'

Indeed. Unia is without a doubt the worst album from SA. I get the feeling i'm listening to a crappy version of The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Real Puppet from the way the songs are structured. This album convinced me that SA suck at being progressive. Never until now have they released such a bad excuse for a song like For The Sake Of Revenge. Paid In Full is a cool song tho, it doesn't feel so disjointed like the rest. Right now i'd score Unia 55/100.

It is indeed the worst Sonata, but I still think it is a solid release. I still get that Sonata feeling, plus I've always been a fan of their ballads. I'm sitting at a 69/100 for Unia. I do agree with you guys though. What the hell is up with the bands we love? It seems like since power metal is getting bigger they are trying not to sound like power metal anymore.

It's not the "worst", it's just "not as good" as the other ones. Honestly, I too find myself somewhat disappointed... no solos, no speed. But if you listen to it, the band is obviously trying to do something, and it really is good, in it's own right. Great songwriting, and the melodies DO get stuck in my head.

I absolutely love the new Sonata. It's already taken a slot just below Gothic Kabbalah for album of the year. That said, I've never been a big Sonata fan until this album. Repetitive double bass drumming bores me and Sonata's past albums have bored me as well (songwriting-wise).

This album is different. I can understand why traditional SA fans are ticked, but for me this is a great turn in direction. These guys just found their true calling...metal with a hint of prog...much like Savatage, my fave band of all time.

There is only so much you can do within the confines of typical ballads and super-fast tempos. SA (as well as many other former euro-power bands) have realized that and moved on to something more diverse. More power to them! I'm loving every minute of it.

I am sorry for your loss, speed metal fans, but your loss is my gain!

I've been thinking this too, lately. Add Freedom Call to the list. And Edguy. I just don't get it.

While I don't like the way the band are going (is it track 6 before we reach an actual metal riff?) there are some moments on the album I really like. Stupid intro aside, Caleb is an excellent song. And I too am a sucka for the ballads. Good Enough is Good Enough is really good. But songs like Paid in Full I have no time for - there is a kick in the arse away from fuck all guitar in that song. Nothing.

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Liimatainen's 'leave of absence' becomes permanent.

The horror!

Otherwise, I repeat, I like every song, and the intro to Caleb gives me shivers (even though I could do without the female narrative). And the solo in Black And White is buttfucking awesome!

You do know why he's on leave?

Military service, in case you didn't know...

Now it's very very rare that I get involved with anything related to power metal, but without those two things, is there any point at all?

I really like a few Sonata tracks, and they were great when I saw them at Bloodstock, but this new album is pretty dull.

There's solos and speed, just not as much as their previous works. The Harvest anyone? Really fast and the best track on the album IMO. Black and White has both great solos and speed. The album is just much darker and more progressive than their albums to date.

Yeah, but there is not as much speed or as many solos as their previous works.

I thought I would get a second opinion so have a look at this
Ouch..4,5 chalices of 10

http://www.metalcovenant.com/pages/cdreviews/unia.htm

I have had many listen's to the new one its okay , but there is so much better stuff coming out now that this may become a duct collector

http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/1159 ... ctica.html

Sounds like Sonata is getting a bit burned out, wouldn't be surprised if they end up taking a break after this round of tours and work on some side projects. Really sad to hear any bad news about the future of Sonata though. :(

Hmmmm... that just pisses me off even more.

First off, I agree with the general thoughts on the new SA... it's not horrible, but it's definitely going to be their worst.


Now, my reason for popping in is to help with the following:





I've actually discussed this with bands before. It has to do with a band reaching about 4 to 6 CDs in their discography (when all the CDs are in the same style). Simply put, they get tired of the same thing and want to try something new. It doesn't really have anything to do with a specific genre (power metal for example), but it does happen sometimes in power metal, as the main rhythms in power metal are quite simple, and sometimes bands want to try something a bit more creative.
I think you'd all be shocked at the amount of bands who have changed their style (many times it's a slight change) at about 5 CDs in their discography. Just look through your collections and see for yourself. Sonata Arctica, Freedom Call and Edguy are not the only ones...
What's unfortunate, is that many of these bands *try* something new/creative, but fail horribly, and should have stuck with what they're best at. Sonata Arctica is a great example, but still, it's hard to be too angry with them, as they're free to choose what style they want to play...

Hope this helps.

Clint