Sonata Arctica "For the Sake of Revenge" (Nuclear Blast)
By Eric Chon
Friday. Jul 28, 12:02 AM
Power metal that's dangerously contagious.

So yeah, here I am again writing a review of a power metal band: and of Sonata Arctica again as well. When last we met (on Reckoning Night), I had mentioned that, while I did enjoy their particularly zesty brand of symphonic metal, it would eventually be too much falsetto and pomp. I had to stop the music lest my balls lodge themselves firmly up my pelvis.

But I then had a chance to see them live (for free, I might add)… and nothing beats a free concert. So let me say that I was extremely skeptical at first: I mean not only would I be enduring a full set of this stuff, but I’d be surrounded by their fans. Any badmouthing on my part would probably get my ass beat!

So it came as a huge shock that I found myself totally enamored with their live performance. I mean, holy hell these guys put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen! And while the concert lasted for more than an hour, it felt like it was too soon when the curtain closed and we all had to go. At that point, I made a solemn vow that, while I still can’t quite stomach their pre-recorded fare, when a live album came out I would be first in line to grab it.

And that, my patient readers, is what For the Sake of Revenge is and more. Not only is it a packed CD (70 minutes long), but the DVD is 110 minutes of pure awesomeness. Sound quality is fantastic, capturing both the fevered performance by this band of northern heroes and the fanatical devotion and energy exhibited by the crowd. And Sonata Arctica certainly know how to play the fans like a violin. Each soaring vocal, searing guitar solo, and frenetic keyboard assault drives the audience into a violent frenzy.

Recorded in Tokyo, Japan, the concert spans their entire career with favorites from all albums present: clearly a setlist made with their fans in mind (hearing a live “8th Commandment” was awesome). Camera work is excellent, with great shots of the crowd and the guys hamming it up for their fans (I can honestly say that the only other bands I’ve seen with this much energy and positive vibe are Iron Maiden and Strapping Young Lad). As far as I can tell, the only real deviation here between this recording and my live experience is that Tony Kakko is missing those weirdo pajama-pants I witnessed in Worcester, MA (they are actually all dressed in black: how very metal of them) and I wasn’t surrounded by Japanese people.

Say what you will about Sonata Arctica and power metal – and trust me, I’ve said it enough myself – For the Sake of Revenge is a balls-out fun experience and a must have for any fan of symphonic metal or just a good performance. These Finnish masters of melody have all the majesty, energy, speed, and heart of the best of the genre, but do it without the pretense and ego. It’s no doubt they absolutely love what they do and have a blast doing it. So much so that their enthusiasm is dangerously contagious, and you’ll find yourself belting out, “Run for your life! Run forever!”
www.sonataarctica.info
www.nuclearblastusa.com

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Eric Chon

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