Sonata Arctica - Successor

Year of Release: 2000
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 30:44:00

Following the success of their debut album Ecliptica, I had high hopes for this new EP. As the release date in Finland is way in advance compared to the rest of Europe, there has been a lot of confusion concerning the release date of this new CD. Anyway, this new EP contains 7 tracks in total, two live tracks, two new studio tracks, two cover versions and an edit version of the track "Fullmoon."

Although "Fullmoon" is a fantastic track with superb hooks and melody, the edit version doesn't bring much new, as it is more or less the same as the version on the debut CD. The cover of "Still Loving You" (The Scorpions) is very cool. It has gone through a total makeover and presented in typical Sonata Arctica style, catchy and with great harmonies. Good work! The other cover song is Gamma Ray's "I Want Out." Although they have adapted their own sound to this song as well, the result is nothing more than decent, as this version doesn't break any new ground as they did with "Still Loving You."

As mentioned, there are two new studio songs. "Shy" is a great song, in a traditional Sonata Arctica-styled ballad. It's a follow-up ballad to their Ecliptica song "Letter To Dana." "San Sebastian" is a total speed freak's domain - quite possibly the best song they've put together. The two live tracks, "Replica" and "My Land" are good as well, but the sound is not nearly as polished as with the latest Vanden Plas and Kamelot live albums. Whether this is a good thing or not is a matter or preference. This sounds like a well-done bootleg and certainly has its charm. At the same time it proves Sonata Arctica to be a good live band.

All in all a slightly uneven album. There are in fact only two-three songs which are really interesting here. Fans of the band might want to check this one out, but for people new to Sonata Arctica, put your money in the debut album instead, as that will give you full value for the money.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Fullmoon (edit) / Still Loving You / I Want Out / San Sebastian / Shy / Replica (live) / My Land (live) / Unopened (live)* / Fullmoon (live)* / 8th Commandment (live)** / Letter To Dana (live)** / Kingdom For A Heart (live)***

* JP bonus, ** FR bonus, *** AR/MX bonus (plus all other bonus trks)

Musicians:
Tony Kakko - vocals, keyboards
Jani Liimatainen - guitars
Janne Kivilahti - bass
Mikko H?rkin - keyboards
Tommy Portimo - drums

Discography:
Ecliptica (1999/2003/2008)
Successor (EP) (2000)
Orientation (2001) (Japan Only ep)
Silence (2001/2008)
Songs Of Silence - Live In Tokyo (2002)
Winterheart's Guild (2003)
Takatalvi (EP) (2003/2010)
Don't Say A Word (EP) (2004)
Reckoning Night (2004)
The End Of This Chapter (2005)
For The Sake Of Revenge (2006)
The Collection (2006)
Unia (2007)
The Days Of Grays (2009)
Stones Grow Her Name (2012)
Pariah's Child (2014)
Ecliptica (Revisited: 15th Anniversary Edition) (2014)
The Ninth Hour (2016)
Talviyö (2019)

For The Sake Of Revenge (DVD) (2006)
Live In Finland (DVD) (2011)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin FI

Added: February 20th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.sonataarctica.info
Hits: 2542
Language: english