Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night

*=Staff's pick	Misplaced* Blinded No More Ain't Your Fairytale Reckoning Day, Reckoning Night Don't Say A Word* The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Real Puppet My Selene Wildfire* White Pearl, Black Oceans Shamandalie

Genre	Power Metal	Tony Kakko	Vocals
Tracks	10	Jani Liimatainen	Guitar
Runningtime	51 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Spinefarm Records	Marko Paasikoski	Bass
Release	11 Oct. 2004	Tommy Portimo	Drums
Country	Finland	Henrik Klingenberg	Keyboards
Similar artists	Stratovarius, Thunderstone, Celesty

One of Finlands premier acts in the melodic metal scene, Sonata Arctica, are ready to deliver their 4th effort to you, people. This review could be, and will most likely turn out to be, very short. There is not much else to be said, than: Sonata Arctica sound exactly like they always have done. And I really do mean exactly.

With steady and determined hands and minds, they are delivering their characteristic smooth, semi-soft and most melodic metal based or harmonies and keyboards, and fast and swirling riffs and solos from time to time, and so far I am all in favour of that. But what is missing this time is the songs that stick, that stand out, that make you want to play the cd again and again because you want to hear just that song. You had them on Silence, on Winterhearts' Guild, and most certainly on Ecliptica. This time it's consistantly bringing a feeling of recognition, familiarity and acceptance, but nothing really rise above anything previously released. The tracks Don't Say A Word and Wildfire are the only ones that can be considered candidates for such a position, but they are just very good, not really great.

Even after 7 listenings to the album, over a period of 2 weeks, this is what I can come up with to write about this album. It never takes off, but it never falls flat either. Really die hard fans will certainly enjoy this, and those who already have taken a stand against this band will not even notice that this is a new album released if they hear it. As for me, who is a more then above average fan - I just think it's good. Nothing else.

As always before - due to the great vocals and delightful guitars, they hold their heads high above many of the bands in the similar areas. But this has to be considered an average album, according to Sonata Arctica standards. I am positive you are able of greater things than this, guys, and I am looking forward to them.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
8	7	5

Summary
5,5 chalices of 10 - Tommy