Review: Sonata Arctica — Silence (2002)
The emotional peak of Finnish power metal: high-speed guitar solos and piercing ballads that became genre classics
Silence is the second album by the famous power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001. Its cover, divided into night and day, summer and winter, is meant to represent nature. According to vocalist Tony Kakko, one should not overinterpret the image, as the only intentional symbolism lies in the trail of footprints leading away from the campfire. He explained that it represents a snapshot of life when a person genuinely has to choose one path or another, noting that any choice can turn out to be good rather than necessarily bad.
The most famous songs from this album became “Wolf & Raven,” an epic tale of a wolf and a raven, “Last Drop Falls,” a tragic song about a breakup and the inevitable longing for a loved one, and the ballad “Tallulah.” This was the band's first album to achieve gold status.
Regarding the album's title, Tony Kakko stated that silence is a creative force. He mentioned that after touring for about six months, he found it impossible to write new music, which is why he needed a break for a month or two to get his mind working again, concluding that the title refers to his own personal silence.
The most famous songs from this album became “Wolf & Raven,” an epic tale of a wolf and a raven, “Last Drop Falls,” a tragic song about a breakup and the inevitable longing for a loved one, and the ballad “Tallulah.” This was the band's first album to achieve gold status.
Regarding the album's title, Tony Kakko stated that silence is a creative force. He mentioned that after touring for about six months, he found it impossible to write new music, which is why he needed a break for a month or two to get his mind working again, concluding that the title refers to his own personal silence.
Echoing his words, the album opens with the track “…Of Silence,” which essentially serves as an intro. The album features several conceptual tracks that mark either the beginning or the continuation of a single story.
For instance, Kakko views the song “Weballergy” as a sequel to “Blank File” from their previous album Ecliptica, released in 1999. Both of these songs touch upon the theme of internet privacy.
The song “The End of This Chapter” opens the so-called Caleb Saga—a series of songs that continues with the tracks “Don't Say a Word” on the album Reckoning Night, “Caleb” on the album Unia, “Juliet” on the album The Days of Grays, “Till Death's Done Us Apart” on the album The Ninth Hour, and “The Last of the Lambs” on the album Talviyö.
“The Power of One” became the longest song by Sonata Arctica, with a runtime of 10:43, not including an additional minute of silence followed by an outro from the narrator.
In conclusion, Silence stands as a monumental masterpiece that captures Sonata Arctica at the absolute zenith of their creative powers. By seamlessly blending breathtaking velocity with profound, multi-layered storytelling and unforgettable emotional depth, the band crafted an album that transcends the boundaries of power metal. It is a flawless, deeply moving musical journey that feels just as vital and enchanting today as it did upon its release.
For instance, Kakko views the song “Weballergy” as a sequel to “Blank File” from their previous album Ecliptica, released in 1999. Both of these songs touch upon the theme of internet privacy.
The song “The End of This Chapter” opens the so-called Caleb Saga—a series of songs that continues with the tracks “Don't Say a Word” on the album Reckoning Night, “Caleb” on the album Unia, “Juliet” on the album The Days of Grays, “Till Death's Done Us Apart” on the album The Ninth Hour, and “The Last of the Lambs” on the album Talviyö.
“The Power of One” became the longest song by Sonata Arctica, with a runtime of 10:43, not including an additional minute of silence followed by an outro from the narrator.
In conclusion, Silence stands as a monumental masterpiece that captures Sonata Arctica at the absolute zenith of their creative powers. By seamlessly blending breathtaking velocity with profound, multi-layered storytelling and unforgettable emotional depth, the band crafted an album that transcends the boundaries of power metal. It is a flawless, deeply moving musical journey that feels just as vital and enchanting today as it did upon its release.
Rating: 10/10
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer