Sonata Arctica – Clear Cold Beyond (Atomic Fire Records)
In the pantheon of power metal, Finnish band Sonata Arctica stand alongside Stratovarius as one of the country’s finest. While the latter brought neo-classical wizardry, Sonata Arctica have always been more driven by euphoric choruses and lyrics inspired by unity and folklore. It’s a different type of music but still as magical. They now have 10 studio albums, tours all across the planet and fairly consistent line up led by enigmatic vocalist Tony Kakko and last remaining founding member Tommy Portimo (drums). I was a little worried as their last two releases were fully acoustic, so would the transition back to loud be difficult or had we lost them to traditional folk music forever.
Thankfully the answer is no as their eleventh album gets underway with the propulsive power metal of First In Line, Portimo’s drumming set to light speed as Pasi Kauppinen basslines gallop like runaway horses keeping things fast for Henrik Klingenberg (keys) and Elias Viljanen (guitars) virtuoso interplay, it’s classic Sonata, instantly recognisable from those unique Kakko vocals and the tinkling, bardic charm of their music. Angel Defiled gets back to business with more melodic metal, any notion of not being a heavy band anymore gone in an instant as even the band themselves felt they needed to get back to the metal of their early days. Tony finding himself in creative glut back in 2022, so most of these songs, as well as some for the twelfth album coming from there.
It’s almost like they needed to return to metal to wipe the slate clean and bringing in long term mixer (1999-2012) Mikko Karmila on production, to make Clear Cold Beyond‘feel’ like old school Sonata, though Cure For Everything goes further with their heaviest song for a while. It’s not always a million miles an hour though The Best Things puts together Eurovision balladry with Christmas instrumentation, the drama increasing again on the title track, those vocals still sonorous and theatrical, Dark Empath which is a sequel to Don’t Say A Word, carries the most dark storytelling. The environmental message the band have touted coming on California as A Monster Only You Can’t See has orchestral swells that only come from Trans Siberian Orchestra.
The only major criticism is that I’d have liked they lay out to be a bit more spread as all the ballads come towards the end, and personally all Sonata albums should be released around Christmas, maybe it’s a Nordic thing but their music just suits that season. This little bit of silliness aside, Clear Cold Beyond is a bombastic return to metal for Sonata Arctica, keeping the pedestal they are on intact. 9/10
Haunt - Mirrors (Self Released)
Trevor William Church returned with his latest album, Mirrors is his tenth studio release, which is insane to think about when Haunt has only been a band since 2017. Church has always been a workhorse, recording and playing most of the early albums by himself he still takes the vocals, guitars and bass but now brings his live band into the studio with him as guitarist Andy Lei appeared on the last album Golden Arm in 2023, but he's added drummer Andy Saldate and bassist Sam Harmon for, I think, the first album where Haunt is a 'band'.
It means that they can bring wider arrangements, with acoustics layered through Serenade, Steel Mountains, bringing some synthy 80’s beginnings, before shifting into galloping battle metal full of gorgeous dual harmonies from Church and Lei, the 80’s styled gothics also coming through on Send Me An Angel, edging Haunt further away from the NWOTHM they have been part of with more influences from other 80’s musical groups. I mentioned on Golden Arm that this diversification was good for the longevity of the group and in this band format, there’s a collaborative feel that can only come from a drummer playing the drums a bassist playing the bass etc.
They do things that perhaps Church may not have thought of before so it’s a more authentic musical vision, retaining the NWOTHM gallop and chug, but adding some AOR melodies, sleaze/glam rock ala W.A.S.P to make sure that Haunt will probably stay relevant and entertaining for another 10 albums! 8/10
David Reece - Baptized By Fire (El Puerto Records)
David Reece - Baptized By Fire (El Puerto Records)
David Reece is a bit of a classic metal icon, having been the singer of Bangalore Choir and Accept, his gruff, sneering vocals are perfect for aggressive heavy rock. The kind you’ll find on Baptized By Fire, his most recent solo album and his heaviest to date.
He owes much of this shift to bringing together a band of musicians from his adopted home of Italy, the musicians from this huge rock and metal scene ripe for the picking so Riccardo Demarosi’s bass drives Wrong Move and Twilight Of The Gods, Giovanni Savinelli’s drums give We’ve Lost The Right some swagger and brings power on Payback’s A Bitch while Niccolò Savinelli guitars grind on No Rest For The Wicked and shred on Seasons Of A Man, the latter sounding like something off a Blaze Bayley album.
With this trio providing the gruffer, more muscular heavy metal instrumentation, Baptized By Fire is definitely the heaviest thing David Reece has been a part of for a while now. Vocally he’s able to really show off why he should be fronting more metal bands. Though of course he can just record as a solo artist and keep churning out quality heavy music. 7/10
Wade Black’s Astronomica – The Awakening (ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records)
Wade Black’s Astronomica – The Awakening (ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records)
Having spent three decades in the heavy metal industry, Wade Black may not be a name you’ll know but he’s been part of bands such as Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf, Seven Witches and many others. Recording, performing and generally being a heavy metal stalwart. In that time he’s built up a hefty list of musicians he can call on to create heavy metal with.
So with that in 2024 we have the debut album of Wade Black’s Astronomica, an album that has been written by Black and long term cohort Rich Marks, Black gives the vocals while Marks plays all the guitars, basses and some keys, the duo joined by Patrick Johansson on drums and James Fox on guitars and keys, though they only play on the record, the touring line up featuring a new bassist, drummer and rhythm guitarist. But never mind that we’re here to review the album and it’s decent, not spectacular, but decent heavy metal leaning on Wade’s histrionic vocals and Rich’s lead guitar playing.
The music on The Awakening comes from the American style of power/heavy metal, a bit louder than the European sound, fewer keys and more aggression. It’s performed well by all involved and if you’re a fan of Black or the Tim Ripper Owens solo albums (Black’s vocals are similar to The Ripper) then you’ll lap it up, however if like me you’re only vaguely familiar with Black then it may not convince you to check out more. Still give it a listen and make up your own mind. 6/10