Sonata Arctica

Finnish power metal band

Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band founded in 1996 in Kemi.

Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica performing live at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California 2007
Background information
Also known asTricky Beans, Tricky Means,
OriginKemi, Finland
GenresPower metal, progressive metal
Years active1996−present
LabelsSpinefarm, Nuclear Blast
MembersTony Kakko
Tommy Portimo
Marko Paasikoski
Henrik Klingenberg
Elias Viljanen
Past member(s)Jani Liimatainen
Pentti Peura
Janne Kivilahti
Mikko Härkin
Websitewww.sonataarctica.info

The band's original name was Tricky Beans. After releasing three demo recordings it was changed into Tricky Means. Afterwards the band adopted its current name.

Before they became as famous and popular as they are, they got attention from metal fans for touring and playing with the band Nightwish.

Sonata Arctica's first music album was Ecliptica. It was released on November 1999 in Finland and elsewhere in 2000. 30,000 copies were sold in Japan. The newest studio recording is Stone grow her name (2012).

Line-up change

Original members change

  • Tony Kakko - vocals, keyboards
  • Janne Kivilahti - bass
  • Jani Liimatainen - guitar
  • Tommy Portimo - percussion

Current members change

  • Tony Kakko - vocals
  • Henrik Klingenberg - keyboards
  • Jani Liimatainen - guitar
  • Marko Paasikoski - bass
  • Tommy Portimo - percussion

Discography change

Studio albums change

  • Ecliptica (1999)
  • Silence (2001)
  • Winterheart's Guild (2003)
  • Reckoning Night (2004)
  • Unia (2007)
  • The Days of Grays (2009)
  • Stone grow her name (2012)
  • Pariah's child (2014)
  • The Ninth Hour (2016)
  • Talviyö (2019)
  • Acoustic Adventures – Volume 1 (2022)
  • Acoustic Adventures - Volume 2 (2022)
  • Clear Cold Beyond (2024)

Compilations change

  • The End of This Chapter (2005 in Japan, 2006 in Europe)
  • The Collection (2006)

Live albums change

  • Songs of Silence - Live in Tokyo (2002)
  • For the Sake of Revenge (2006)
  • Live in Finland (2011)

Mini Albums change

  • Successor (2000)
  • Orientation (2001)
  • Takatalvi (2003)
  • Don't Say a Word (2004)

Singles change

  • Unopened (1999)
  • Wolf and Raven (2001)
  • Last Drop Falls (2001)
  • Victoria's Secret (2003)
  • Broken (2003)
  • Don't Say a Word (2004)
  • Shamandalie (2004)
  • Replica 2006 (2006)
  • Paid in Full (2007)
  • The Last Amazing Grays (2009)
  • Flag in the Ground (2009, promo)
  • I Have a Right (2012)
  • Shitload of Money (2012)
  • Alone in Heaven (2013)
  • The Wolves Die Young (2014)
  • Cloud Factory (2014)
  • Love (2014)
  • Kingdom for a Heart (2014)
  • Christmas Spirit (2015)
  • Closer to an Animal (2016)
  • Life (2016)
  • A Little Less Understanding (2019)
  • Cold (2019)
  • The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me (2021)

Demo recordings change

  • Agree Pamppers (1996)
  • Friend till the End (1996)
  • PeaceMaker (1997)
  • Fullmoon (1999)

Other releases change

  • Wolf & Raven (Music Video, 2001)
  • Broken Live (Music Video, 2003)
  • Don't Say a Word (Music Video, 2004)
  • For the Sake of Revenge (DVD, 2006)
  • Paid in Full (Music Video, 2007)

Other websites change