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"Still proposing a heavy metal tinged with speed and progressive, Sonata Arctica finds a certain freshness in this "The Ninth Hour" thanks to an ecological theme which suits them perfectly."
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4/5
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"Pariah's Child" had proposed a patchwork of Sonata Arctica's recent career mixing heavy metal with speed, progressive and more mainstream tracks. And if this record had qualities, it also had some flaws with notably some weak songs. "The Ninth Hour", the ninth album of the Finnish band, is expected to be a great success. Looking at the jacket and the title, we can guess that Sonata Arctica has launched a concept around nature which is dear to them and their relationship with humanity. And this strength, this attachment to Mother Nature will be felt throughout a record of great spiritual depth without falling into mawkishness, the band offering a subtle balance between heavy melodic and more progressive and melancholic songs.
This ecological sensitivity is expressed with a beautiful subtlety in several songs. Closer To An Animal' is a perfectly interpreted mid-tempo, ideal to dive into the universe of the record. With 'Fly, Navigate, Communicate', Sonata Arctica signs a track with very soft vocals but with a rather marked rhythm as if nature was in communion with men. The result is very good and this little power-metal side is good. Finally the great moment comes from the follow-up of 'White Pearl, Black Oceans'. Ten years after "Part I", this sequel is a sheer success between heavy, progressive and melodic passages and is clearly the soul of this record.
Beside these conceptual songs, Sonata Arctica makes in the classic and displays a nice musical technique. Then 'Fairytale' is an excellent moment of heavy melodic tinged with symphonic with an excellent chorus. In the same vein, 'Rise A Night' is just as successful while 'Till Death's Done Us Apart' makes an impression, adopting a progressive tone. And of course the band relies on catchy songs, made for radios, allowing to appreciate the feeling of 'Among The Shooting Stars' or the depth of 'We Are What We Are'. Finally in a nice balance of styles, 'Life' is pretty successful with a good folk touch.
Sonata Arctica does not revolutionize itself with "The Ninth Hour" which is in the line of its recent career. But it shows a beautiful vitality in an ecological concept which fits him like a glove, showing then a beautiful freshness and inspiring a deep sympathy.
- Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Closer To An Animal
02. Life
03. Fairytale
04. We Are What We Are
05. Till Death's Done Us Apart
06. Among The Shooting Stars
07. Rise A Night
08. Fly, Navigate, Communicate
09. Candle Lawns
10. White Pearl, Black Oceans Part Ii - Bye The Grace Of Oceans
11. On The Fautline (closure To An Animal)
LINEUP:
Elias Viljanen: Guitares
Henrik Klingenberg: Claviers
Pasi Kauppinen: Basse
Tommy Portimo: Batterie
Tony Kakko: Chant / Claviers
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READERS
3/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (3 view(s))
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