Tag Archives: tony kakko

“First In Line” (Single) by Sonata Arctica

October 17, 2023 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

Artist: Sonata Arctica
Title: “First In Line” (Single)
Label: Reigning Phoenix Music
Date: 10/13/2023
Rating: 4/5

It’s been a few years since the Metal world has been able to enjoy new music from Finland’s Sonata Arctica and since their 2019 release of “Talviyö” and there’s been one dramatic change that I didn’t expect to see happening. Now before you worry about a lineup change or a re-jiggering of their musical focus let me say please calm down, the change comes by way of the band moving on from Nuclear Blast Records after seven full-length albums and a fifteen year tenure and onto the Reigning Phoenix Music label. While I am unaware of what brings such changes to a bands mindset, I am completely excited to hear new material and the first single off of their upcoming album is a track called “First In Line”. The number starts off by spotlighting their always smiling drummer Tommy Portimo who just lays down some skills before the keys of Henkka kick into gear. I’ll have to say that right off the bat that I felt this was an exciting track and something that I’ve come to expect from Sonata Artica who I’ve been following along with since I first heard “Winterheart’s Guild”. Before I continue along, if you’re someone who hasn’t yet heard that album please do yourself a favor and order a copy right after you finish reading our summary about this track.
Continue reading “First In Line” (Single) by Sonata Arctica →

Features, PiercingMetal Says

Sonata Arctica Announce Acoustic Album And Tour For Autumn 2021

April 1, 2021 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

The absence of in-person live concert shows has been hard on us all during this terrible pandemic but that is a matter that is out of our control as its important to remain safe above all things. That being said, the masses are receiving the vaccine more and more every day and with this being the case the bands are once again delving into the chance to bring their music to your localities. This announcement finds our Finnish friends in Sonata Arctica revealing a new album and a tour that will be done acoustically. Intrigued? I am too so let’s read on down below.

The Press Release:
Finnish melodic metal titans SONATA ARCTICA are a band with a unique sound, driven by different emotions and a touch of melancholy. Today, the band announces the release of their first acoustic album, perfectly entitled “Acoustic Adventures – Volume One”, to be released in October 2021 through Nuclear Blast Tonträger Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH.

“This acoustic form of SONATA ARCTICA has been slowly brewing for years”, comments vocalist Tony Kakko and explains: “The first manifestation of it, besides the few acoustic versions of songs released throughout the years, was the ‘Acoustic Adventures Tour’ in 2019, which proved to be a great success, sparking an idea to get these songs also recorded and out on an album. Or two albums, at least for starters. Our songs have always been based on beautiful melodies, which makes it very easy to transform and rearrange them perfectly into the acoustic form as well. I should mention that many of the songs work so well dressed in acoustic garments.”
Continue reading Sonata Arctica Announce Acoustic Album And Tour For Autumn 2021 →

Features, Giveaways

Win A Ticket To See Kamelot @ Playstation Theater On 9/14/2019

September 8, 2019 Ken Pierce 23 Comments

As it’s been awhile since we’ve done a proper ticket giveaway contest I figured there was no better show to get back into practice with than the return of Kamelot to NYC and their wonderful Finnish supporting acts of Sonata Arctica and Battle Beast. We’re well past our 250th overall contest and are closing in on a milestone number of tickets being dished out. Let’s get down to business.

The Details: When I launched PiercingMetal back in 2005, one of the greatest things about doing this kind of thing was getting to learn more about new and exciting bands. Back in our early days we did just that and not only was I witnessing the awesome from bands like Kamelot and Sonata Arctica, I have had numerous chats with them over the years and consider them vital parts of this outlets growth and positive support of Metal. I am fortunate for our positive exchanges and absolutely honored by the chance to offer our lucky diehards a ticket to this sure to be extraordinary show. When you add the might of Battle Beast as well, this is just a win, win, win sort of night. Now onto the finer points and how to participate.

When and Where: Saturday, September 14th @ Playstation Theater, 1515 Broadway, NYC
Continue reading Win A Ticket To See Kamelot @ Playstation Theater On 9/14/2019 →

Features, Tours and Festivals

Kamelot Announce 2019 North American Tour

October 30, 2018 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

Last month, we lined out some super awesome news about the band Kamelot (a many year personal favorite of the Metal Media Command HQ) and their exclusive one night only NYC appearance (discussed HERE). Well now it appears that a whole tour is happening and you can read about it below and find some editorial ramblings at the close. Let’s go.

tour posters, kamelot, kamelot tour posters

The Press Release:
What was originally announced as a one-off performance has now become a full blown North American tour! KAMELOT are pleased to announce the second North American Leg of “The Shadow Tour”. Dates begin September 10th in Silver Spring, MD and run through October 12th in Tampa Bay, FL. Support on the tour will come from Sonata Arctica and Battle Beast. A complete list of dates can be found below. Exclusive pre-sale tickets are available now at www.enterthevault.com.

“We’re very excited to announce we’re bringing “The Shadow Tour” back to North America again for another round. On the previous tour we missed some of our favorite cities due to logistics, we demanded to return to North America as soon as possible and visit these great cities, adds Guitarist Thomas Youngblood. Completing this amazing lineup is the addition of Finland’s Sonata Arctica and Battle Beast. Don’t miss this amazing package and once in a decade lineup.”
Continue reading Kamelot Announce 2019 North American Tour →

Features, Tours and Festivals

Sonata Arctica Announces “Acoustic Adventures” Finnish Tour

October 25, 2018 Ken Pierce Leave a comment

The Press Release:
Sonata Arctica will embark on The Acoustic Adventures Tour in early 2019.
As one of the most famous melodic metal acts in the world, the band shows its
diverse talent by exploring their music acoustically. The Acoustic Adventures tour will take place in Concert Halls all over Finland.

Tickets will become available on Monday, October 29th.

And Now The Same Infornstation in Finnish:

SONATA ARCTICA “ACOUSTIC ADVENTURES” -KIERTUEELLE ALKUVUODESTA
Maailman suosituimpiin melodisen metallin yhtyeisiin lukeutuva Sonata
Arctica näyttää moniulotteisuutensa heittäytymällä akustisen
ilmaisun pariin talvisella Suomen kiertueellaan. Akustisen ohjelmiston
lisäksi Sonata Arctica laajentaa reviiriään keikkapaikkojen osalta,
sillä “Acoustic Adventures”-nimeä kantavalla kiertueella bändi
esiintyy normaalista keikkaympäristöstään poikkeavasti
konserttisaleissa ympäri Suomen.
Liput kiertueen konsertteihin tulevat myyntiin maanantaina 29.10.

*** end of transmission ***

PiercingMetal Thoughts: Wow it looks like I need to get myself to Finland because not only am I a tremendous fan of the band Sonata Arctica and their incredible songs and delivery, we are also allies in this wild world of Metal Music Media. I always catch them when they come to town and strongly suggest friends do the same. Sadly a trek to this is hardly easy but I wonder what some of you closer to the country might think about it so please chime in down below.

PiercingMetal.com