Finnish melodic metal quintet Sonata Arctica started out in the mid 90s as hard rock band Tricky Beans releasing 3 demos under that guise before changing their name to Tricky Means a year later and going down a more power metal route than before taking influence from bands such as Stratovarius. Their first demo as Tricky Means, Full Moon, was picked up by Finnish record label Spinefarm Records in early 1999 and the band decided once again to change their name opting for Sonata Arctica which was more appropriate to their style of music. With Spinefarm Records backing they recorded their first studio album, Ecliptica as Sonata Arctica in 1999 and since then the band have recorded 10 studio albums, 4 EP's, 3 live albums as well as releasing 20 singles and now they have unleashed this brand new acoustic album... the good news being that this is only part one!
Opening track "The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me" was originally a bonus track that featured on Winterhearts Guild (2003) and kept popping up as a suggestion when they were planning these acoustic adventures according to keyboard player Henrik "Henkka" Klingenberg. This acoustic version is very different from the original 2003 studio recording which is why they chose it as the opening track, stating that this version is a more refined example of the 2019 live tour arrangement. This 12 track album takes songs from their various studio albums spanning their 20 plus year career. "Tallulah" and "Wolf And Raven" from Silence (2001) are the earliest tracks they chose with "Don't Say A Word" - Reckoning Night (2004), "Paid In Full" and "For The Sake Of Revenge" - Unia (2007) and "As If The World Wasn't Ending"- The Days Of Grays (2009). They then continue with "Tonight I Dance Alone" and "Alone In Heaven" - Stones Grow Her Name (2012), "On The Faultline" - The Ninth Hour (2016) as the final track and even incorporate "A Little Less Understanding" from their recent album Talviyo (2019).
With such a vast back catalogue they have left some gaps which I'm sure will be filled in volume two and maybe even more. Sonata Arctica can not really be described as a heavy band ... I mean they certainly are epic and powerful for sure as well as melodic (which is how they choose describe themselves) so it seems obvious that their songs are begging to be given the acoustic treatment. The big sound of their original tracks are given a gentler touch but still remain the same great songs at heart that we know and love, some with a little twist. "A Little Less Understanding" instantly springs to mind as they have rearranged the guitar fuelled intro on this into banjo which may not sound that appealing on paper but is actually a lot of fun. Of course, vocalist Tony Kakko's unique and amazing voice shines through on this so incredibly well.
Acoustic Adventures: Volume One was recorded in Finland at Studio57. Recorded and produced by Mikko Tegelman and the band. The album artwork was created by Janne Pitkanen (Nightwish, Auri) a long time collaborator with the band.
My thoughts on this album are positive and happy ones. I was very excited when I saw this pop for review as I do enjoy listening to Sonata Arctica. The production and recording are clear, crisp and immersive. I find Acoustic Adventures: Volume One easy and comforting to listen to. The use of piano, as always with Sonata Arctica is bold and powerful and the bass really punches through and, as I have also mentioned the vocals are just spot on. Acoustic Adventures: Volume One is an album you can easily listen to whilst doing those annoying household chores, if you are familiar with the band then you already know the songs and can hum along without really concentrating. It makes the time fly past and you haven't really had to pay much attention. As for stand out tracks then that, of course, is personal preference. I'm a huge fan of Reckoning Night (2004) so I really enjoyed the acoustic version of "Don't Say A Word". "Alone In Heaven", "Tallulah" and "Paid In Full" are also incredibly beautiful.
