Finnish power metal stalwarts Sonata Arctica are on a roll as they hurtle towards the finish line for ‘Clear Cold Beyond’, their triumphant return to their speed/neoclassical roots. ‘Dark Empath’ is the new chapter in the Caleb saga, started way back in 2001 on their best-selling sophomore effort ‘Silence’ with ‘The End Of This Chapter’, a storyline they’ve revisited on numerous albums since.
Vocalist Tony Kakko states: “This track is part of a saga that started on our second album ‘Silence’ in 2001, and has many sequels and prequels already. Its stalker theme offers a frame to write songs in a certain style I like very much. People do not seem to mind this, fortunately, haha! It’s not a chronological story, but rather a theme with reoccurring, familiar characters that end up living through variations of the theme over and over again.”
‘Clear Cold Beyond’ eschews the arty, progressive style of albums like ‘Stones Grow Her Name’ and ‘The Ninth Hour’ and finds the frozen Finns doing what they do best, and haven’t done in a long time. If you hear one power metal album in 2024, make it this one. We caught up with the band in Germany last November for an exclusive listening session, and you can read all about that in our upcoming new issue!
Listen to ‘Dark Empath’ here:
SONATA ARCTICA live:
‘Clear Cold Beyond’ Finland Tour 2024
w/ TEMPLE BALLS
Presented by Grey Beard
15.03.2024 FI Tampere – Pakkahuone
16.03.2024 FI Laukaa – Peurunka Areena
22.03.2024 FI Lahti – Finlandia-klubi
23.03.2024 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo
29.03.2024 FI Kuopio – Sawohouse Underground
30.03.2024 FI Joensuu – Kerubi
04.04.2024 FI Turku – Logomo (Teatro)
05.04.2024 FI Seinäjoki – Rytmikorjaamo
03.05.2024 NO Kopervik – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
11.05.2024 BE Bomal-sur-Ourthe – Durbuy Rock Festival
31.05. – 02.06.2024 CZ Pilsen – Metalfest
28. – 30.06.2024 FI Helsinki – Tuska Festival
05./06.07.2024 FI Tampere – Tuhdimmat Tahdit *NEW*
31.07. – 03.08.2024 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT*
02./03.08.2024 FI Pori – Porispere
07. – 10.08.2024 ES Villena – Leyendas del Rock
(Picture Credit: Jaakko Manninenn)