Sonata Arctica

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Fast-paced upbeat power metal: this is what Sonata Arctica does best, right? Wrong. With the release and success of Sonata Arctica’s latest album Unia, it’s proven that these boys don’t have to have their songs at a million bpm to win over our hearts. With the change of music, and even the sudden change in guitar players due to unfortunate circumstances, Sonata’s fans have proven their loyalty and have stayed true. In fact, their fan base has grown even further.

Sonata Arctica formed over 10 years ago as a hard rock band called Tricky Beans, and finally transformed into the up-beat band Sonata Arctica in 1999. Five albums later and world-wide success, front man and composer Tony Kakko can finally write his music with peace of mind.

Blistering.com: There is a difference between your first four albums and Unia. They are totally different styles. Do you feel accomplished by releasing a different sounding album and still be successful?

Tony Kakko: Well, we wanted to make this for a long time, so in order to do that we had to make it interesting. We always imagined writing songs that we can play when we are 60… so if we are playing songs (imitates fast tempo upbeat) like that then we need to find a 20 year old drummer in a couple of years!

Blistering.com: Do you feel relief that the fans have embraced the album?

Kakko:: Yes, absolutely. We were at the point we were starting to get bored, and even considered quitting the whole thing! The flame was gone, and with the new material that flame is back. We are enjoying what we do more than ever!

Blistering.com: So when can we expect a new album?

Kakko: We are done touring after this so we will be home for Christmas. I started writing a few songs so maybe late next year it will be out.

Blistering.com: Something that people are not all familiar with is your involvement in Northern Kings. How did that idea come about?

Kakko: We were all singing for our respective bands. Some of the crew members talked about doing metal covers of Christmas songs, then doing other covers for 80’s songs. We recorded some of it, and then the rest of it is just promotion.

Blistering.com: What are some of the things you look forward to on this tour?

Kakko: I look forward to going home. We’ve been doing this tour for quite a while now so it is time to fly home for the holidays and just relax.

Blistering.com: How do you describe the different types of crowds you encounter when you tour?

Kakko: It’s always different, some people are more excited and some are more relaxed, so you have to play it the same way every night. It’s hard because every place is different.

Blistering.com: Who writes the albums and what is the process?

Kakko: I write most of the material, record it at my studio at home, then show it to the guys. Sometimes they make a mistake so I have to tell them “Hey good mistake! That sounded good!”

Blistering.com: With a new tour comes a new guitar player (Elias Viljanen). What were some of the reason why Jani Littmanien left the band?

Kakko: He didn’t leave. We had to let him go because he was unable to do anything with the band anymore. He was basically arrested… he missed his mandatory service for the military in Finland. He wasn’t brave enough to quit so we had to kick him out, but I know he is doing much better now.

Blistering.com: Were you guys ever aware of the situation?

Kakko: No. He had the whole thing planed. When we found out we had no other choice! Things are better now, we are friends and we keep in touch, but everything worked out for everyone. Eli has been in the band for over a year now so everything is great.

Blistering.com: When was the point of time in your life when you realized doing what you do now is what you want to do for the rest of your life?

Kakko: Well, there was one time when I was a young boy an older man asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I said “I want to be a singer!” so he replied “oh, what kind of singer? An opera singer?” and I said “No! A rock singer!” I knew that if felt it here in my heart and in my mind that is what I wanted to do.

www.myspace.com/sonataartica