Metal Reviews

After seeing all the praise on this site, I went and listened to "Broken". I thought it was very "eh" but figured I won't give up on them yet. Anyways, I was just wondering where it would be best to start with this band...also, any samples where I could check them out would be welcome.

IMO i think you couldnt have picked many worse songs than that to start. I'd problay start with Silence (thats where i did anyway). Dunno where you could find any samples tho, sorry.

Start at (Ecliptica ) and then have a read of there reviews .

http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/artist.php3?id=30

Start with the song "Full Moon." It's one of the best power metal songs ever written. No joke!

i have that live album (a concert in japan), it's cool. sometimes the singer fucks up but it doesn't bother me.

I'd start with either Silence or Ecliptica. Both are brilliant albums and are blind buys. If you're a power metal fan this band is a must have.

Agree with NESS and Kenstar. Ecliptica is a modern classic (oo-er) and FullMoon is just amazing amazing amazing.

I also agree with genesis that Broken is a pretty sucky song - every album from Silence on has at least one shitty pop song on it.

Broken is actually my second favorite Sonata Arctica song ever and was actually my very favorite for a while once I got the WHG album three years ago, at the very height of my Sonata Arctica fandom (having previously listened to Silence and Ecliptica all the time during the summer of 2003). But yes, it is pretty much pop and I know I'm in clear minority rating it so highly among their other songs.

Their best song I would say is "False News Travel Fast", mostly for that beyond awesome "THE BOOK OF TRUE TALES"/"THE MIRROR OF TRAGEDY" middle section. Also, FullMoon and Blank File are rightfully considered two of their best tunes.

"Broken" is a great tune, but probably not for power metal looovers. It's got a big 80's rock vibe to it; no wonder you and I like it. "The Misery" is another song that I think is awesome, and I'm sure others disagree.

The Misery ist awesome.

I'm probably the only PM that finds SA terribly overrated. However, this is probably because i hate cheese-overdose in music

Gravenimage, broken, The misery and Draw me are my favorite songs from Winterheart's guild so i'm definately on the same boat as you guys!

My favorite sonata song on Silence would be "The End of This Chapter" or "Last Drop Falls"

on Ecliptica "Fullmoon" or "My land"

on Reckoning Night "White Pearl Black Oceans", "My Selene" or "Shamandalie"

Just listen to everything from Sonata Arctica until you realise that in fact there are no bad songs. Then you are enlightened and worthy.

Definitely start with Ecliptica. One of the best debut albums ever. All songs are great and not a single filler (like Silver Tongue or Land of the Free for example).

Broken is not a bad song at all but it really doesn't give you the right impression what they really sound like.

beat me too it.

But yeah, as a starting point go with ecliptica.

All right--Ecliptica it is . I probably won't get it for about a month, but when I do I'm sure I'll like it...I'll have to check out Full Moon as well.

While you wait:

FULL MOON (Studio version, fan-made video)
FULL MOON (Live)

EDIT: Fuck! This song has got to be one of the top 10 best power metal songs ever! It is SO badass!!

+1

Definitely one of the best power metal songs ever!

When I first listened to Fullmoon, I got so addicted to it, I spent the next 2 hours just listening to it, from like 1AM to 3AM ... It IS the greatest power metal song ever.

Sonata Arctica seem to be one of those bands where there isn't much of a consensus when it comes to what album is considered their peak, etc. But there are two things most fans seem to agree with:

1. Ecliptica is an awesome debut, and

2. Full Moon is one of the greatest PM songs ever.

Personally, I'm all for going with Ecliptica, Winterheart's Guild, and Reckoning night. I can never quite put my finger on it, but for some damn reason, I just can't get into Silence. There's technically nothing wrong with it, but most of the songs just don't grab me.