The title of the album was at first supposed to be longer, but Kakko's then-girlfriend suggested 'silence' and he reflected on how important silence was for him: The album is one of those things that's a bit different, a more difficult album. Either way can be the good way, not the bad way necessarily.

That thing is like representing a snippet of your life that really makes you go one way or the other. However, Tony explained that the cover was not supposed to feature too much symbolism, except for the footprints leading away from the campfire. The cover art, featuring a landscape divided into night, summer and winter, was meant to depict nature. Stratovarius lead singer Timo Kotipelto sang guest vocals on the album. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, and the first album with original member Marko Paasikoski, who returned to the band the previous year. I’d be interested to hear what they are doing now.Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. In many ways it’s a solid continuation of the good work put into their debut Ecliptica (1999). “The power of one” (track 14)-which was originally the album’s closing track, and lasts 11′ 36″-it closes with white noise, then silence, and then a few seconds before the track ends, a deep voice speaks something like “I didn’t fucking touch the mic, hold on!” Conclusionįor a tricky second album, Sonata Arctica seemed to have pulled this off pretty well.

There are some nice mid-paced songs such as “Sing in silence” (track 9) and “Tallulah” (track 11) which really help break up the album and introduce a new dimension and depth to Sonata Arctica’s sound. “Weballergy” (track 2) is the sequel to the opening track from their debut, “Blank file”, which continues the theme of web privacy. The album opens with “…of silence” (track 1): padding keyboards and a mildly cheesy spoken vocal. Melodic, poppy AOR-style, Helloween-flavoured power metal with power ballads aplenty and souring, widdly guitar solos. More of the same from Finland’s power metal quartet (now a quintet on this album).

Mikko Karmila-Grand piano on tracks 4 and 11.

Tony Kakko-Vocals and keyboards (additional).Recorded at Tico Tico Studio during autumn 2000 and spring 2001. Mixed and mastered at Finnvox Studios in April 2001.

Sonata arctica silence