Metal Reviews

I predict Sonata to go in a more gothic direction on the basis of the cover art, because I haz the skillz.

Why would you get rid of what is one of the best logos in metal history?

Damn, I forgot about Pulse. And I thought I was being original ...

True. SA logo is awesome.

+1

Actually, Rad, the band said the album would be more prog than the last. Whatever that means will be unveiled in 2 months. Which is killing me.

Unia's been leaked!

The album is great IMO. Very melodic, very dark, very atmospheric. Reminds me of Winterheart's Guild.

If you don't like Sonata's emotional and slower songs, you probably won't like this album. There's almost no catchy poppy songs on this album, its not a singalong album at all. I read in a recent interview that Tony always had to go back and put a speedy song like Wolf and Raven or Blank File on the albums just to have one, but he didn't on this album. If you loved the power of some of the songs in Winterhearts and Silence you'll love this. If you just love their speed a la Ecliptica, then you might not like this album.

Its very powerful though. Looking forward to giving this album a bunch of more spins, because it seems like one of those albums that grows on you over time.

Edit: Link to the interview: http://sacredembrace.com/site/interview ... popup.html

No shit what's up with changing the logo.I hate when a band changes their logo it usually means that the band is changing their style for the worst.

I listened to the first song and I didn't like it one bit. Admittedly I'm not a huge SA fan but I normally don't mind them.

So in other words they dumbed it down and now it sucks.

Am listening now... So far I really like it, typical Sonata feel, even if it's a lot slower, it's got emotion.

Not their best, but a solid album, I think. I also think a lot of people are going to hate it.

Well, I can't reallz hate it, can I? Not with a reputation to uphold.

Well, i've listened to it too...

And I must say that...
It has its good point and its bad points
(like the majority of music on earth!)

I'm quite sad that it is no longer melodic-and-catchy
but i must say that Sonata succeeds in its new progressive music direction.

currently listening, first two songs aren't that great to me.
but we'll see how the rest goes.

edit: nine songs in, not looking good.

edit edit: Ehhhh... It's an "eh" for me.. Nothing that catches my attention.

I like this album, its no Ecliptica or Silence, but its a good album. I really enjoy all the songs on this album but 2, "Under your Tree" and the last song "Good enough is good enough." I'll definately be buying this one, and enjoy it a lot. I can see a lot of people won't enjoy it though, but I think it takes quite a few listens to fully get into.

I dont like it, there i said it I thought that I would use the words ( Dislike + S.A ) in the same sentence .
Where are the ball tearing song/s that will get me hooked to this new album ?????....All mid/slow paced....

Off topic - When I firsted listened to Dark Moor - Tarot from the start to very finish it was quality all the way. , I didnt get the same feeling with Unia.

Well, this isn't bad. I'm actually surprised how much I like it (for how slow it is). The songs are still catchy, and they all still have that Sonata Arctica feel that makes them so enjoyable. This is how Strato's album should've sounded. I'm not much for ballads, but Sonata Arctica have always been able to pull them off pretty well. Take all their mid/slow paced songs you liked from their past albums put them on one album and this is what you'll get. After one listen this ranks in the high 70's.

I kind of saw this happening with Tony reminding so many interviewers that they are NOT a power metal band.

I can't fully judge an album though until I own it and I'm just taking it in at my leisure, driving and so forth - when I'm not trying to make any decisions and just enjoying the listen. If I start skipping too many songs or changing CDs before it's over, there's a problem. If I find myself letting the CD start over, that's a good sign. Overall, it seems pretty good though.

I keep finding myself going back to listen to "For the Sake of Revenge", "It Won't Fade," "Caleb," and especially "The Harvest." The latter is very catchy and similar to their speedy songs.

Every time I spin this album I find it more and more enjoyable. To me there's more killer songs on this album than there was on Reckoning Night, but its hard to compare since there's no song that matches "White Pearl, Black Oceans" on this album. Still loving this though, low 80s score for me atm.

I was bored on the first spin but its grown on me since then. Its not their best but a very good effort.