Sonata Arctica  (FIN)

Formed in 1996 as Tricky Beans to change the name to Tricky Means the following year, the band developed musically and with influences from, among other things, the compatriots in Stratovarius, the guys landed in the power metal genre. In 1999, they took an additional, and perhaps for the style of music, more appropriate name. Sonata Arctica. The debut "Ecliptica" was released in 1999 which led to a tour with the aforementioned Stratovarius. The sequel "Silence" came in 2001 and after it they got to tour with German Gamma Ray in Europe. Sonata Arctica also toured in Japan, providing material for a live album. After that, the keyboardist dropped out and during the audition for a new man at the post, two were found who are said to have been exactly as good, so the personality had to decide instead. The personality test was done in the (typical?) Finnish way, i.e. through a night of partying. Henrik Klingenberg won the battle and is therefore the longest-serving member apart from the founders Tony Kakko (vocals) and Tommy Portimo (drums). Sonata Artica is completed by Elias Viljanen (guitar) and Pasi Kauppinen (bass). Today's current line-up has made six records, including the recent "Clear Cold Beyond" and 2022's sibling albums "Acoustic Adventures - Volume One" and "Acoustic Adventures - Volume Two", which feature acoustic interpretations of songs from the band's previous records. When those records were released, they did acoustic tours. Now, however, all cables and pedals are connected again. From Kemi, Finland to Knislinge, Sweden – Welcome Sonata Arctica.