Sonata Arctica - The Days of Grays 1/5
By Ragnarok Radio on Sep 17, 2009 in Power metal reviews, Reviews
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01. Everything Fades to Gray (Instrumental) 03:07 02. Deathaura 07:59 03. The Last Amazing Grays 05:40 04. Flag In The Ground 04:09 05. Breathing 03:55 06. Zeroes 04:24 07. The Dead Skin 06:15 08. Juliet 05:59 09. No Dream Can Heal a Broken Heart 04:33 10. As If the World Wasn’t Ending 03:49 11. The Truth Is out There 05:04 12. Everything Fades to Gray (Full Version) 04:30 |
I feel I should warn you right from the start, it’s completely impossible for me to write an objective review of a Sonata Arctica album. I’m really, really biased. I absolutely adore this band; they were my first metal band, I was instantly converted courtesy of “The Cage”. I spent about a year trying to learn the keyboard solo from that song, and I formed my first band almost entirely in tribute to the song ‘Fullmoon’. Going to see them live was like a religious experience, and their DVD ‘For the Sake of Revenge’ is like some kind of musical pornography to me. I only tell you all of this so that you won’t take it lightly when I say that their new album, ‘The Days of Grays’, is absolutely fucking dreadful.
To be fair, things have changed a bit in the world of Sonata. Founding guitarist Jani Liitmatainen was sacked on the tour for previous album ‘Unia’ when it emerged that he was in trouble with the Finnish authorities for not turning up for national service, and replaced by Elias Viljanen. Singer Tony Kakko has stated in interviews (including one with Ragnarok Radio…) that if the band didn’t change something in their music, in the way they did things, they would have broken up. This was ominous enough, but then keyboard player Henrik Klingenberg came out saying that the new album would “definitely not [be] a back-to-the-roots album with fast power metal”. Which didn’t exactly fill me with confidence, being as I feel Sonata are at their best when playing fast power metal; to my mind, the two are one and the same, basically synonymous. You do have to salute them, to an extent, for having the bravery to make a change; many bands are happy to just keep on churning out the same songs album after album, without ever trying to evolve or do something different. So yeah, it’s good in a way that Sonata have tried to mix things up a bit, but at the same time I really wish they’d changed into something that’s actually good.
Now, when it first came out, I really didn’t like ‘Unia’, either. It just didn’t seem like Sonata; for me, it was just a bit weaker, not nearly as energetic, passionate or balls-to-the-wall as their previous work. After listening to ‘The Days of Greys’, I went back and listened to ‘Unia’ again, and actually enjoyed it a bit more - because compared to its successor, it’s practically classic Sonata. In fact, most of the songs on ‘Days…’ are apparently reworked versions of songs that never made it onto ‘Unia’. Brilliant - who doesn’t love leftovers?!
‘The Days of Greys’ is a lot slower and darker in tone than previous Sonata efforts, and is notable for its relative lack of solos, especially when you consider that many Sonata classics use solos as riffs. The duelling keyboard/guitar interlude used to be a staple of Sonata’s work, sparking fond memories of “Wolf and Raven” and ‘Fullmoon’. It really summed up the joyous, over-the-top nature of Sonata back in the day, the dedication to wild soloage, fast drumming, and high-pitched vocals singing cheesy power-metal lyrics. Today we are offered but a scant reminder of those halcyon days, with only a few songs on the album offering any kind of solo, much less a keyboard-guitar face-off. Single “Flag in the Ground” is the only song to feature both guitar and keyboard solos, and there are actually many songs which don’t have either. What is this, ‘St Anger’?! The drumming too is slower and less varied (at least in the department of Wild Fills) than on previous efforts, and Tony doesn’t reach for the ludicrously high notes nearly as often. It’s as if Sonata are a bank hit by the recession, and have been downsizing all of their departments.
“Flag in the Ground” and fellow single “The Last Amazing Greys” are the only tracks on which the album seems to perk up a bit, the only ones that remind you that you really are listening to Sonata Arctica. They’re not going to make it into my top ten Sonata songs, but they briefly recapture the sense that the band who crafted those classics is still alive in there somewhere. “Flag in the Ground” is traditional Sonata, complete with duelling solos, while “The Last Amazing Greys” is a more interesting proposition; it seems to be the one song on the album which actually delivers a decent song through the band’s newer direction. Led by a lilting string line over driving guitar and drums, it doesn’t feature a traditional guitar or keyboard solo but instead a kind of orchestral interlude. It’s something a bit different, which you would welcome if almost every other song didn’t attempt to do the exact same thing. None of the other attempts at this style really manage to deliver, and in general the album is predominantly quite slow-paced, overbearingly dark, and generally just not much fun. Often choruses are difficult to discern from verses, and that orchestra-solo gets old fast.
To start with, I actually wasn’t 100% convinced I hadn’t got the wrong CD, especially when “Deathaura” opened with female vocals - it’s easy to get lost in that song, though, being as it’s eight minutes long, for absolutely no reason at all. It’s perhaps indicative of the more “progressive” angle that the band seem to be looking for; I use the word “progressive” with caution here, however, being as I quite like prog, and it generally tends to be interesting.
Moving on through the album, “The Dead Skin” and “Juliet” feature a few interesting moments at least, while still falling short of being actually good, but from there on it’s all downhill. I would say that the album ends with a whimper, but it’s an eight-song whimper which actually comprises most of the album. “No Dream Can Heal A Broken Heart” and “As If The World Wasn’t Ending” are particularly guilty of being unjustifiably mawkish, cheesy crap. I used to quite enjoy Sonata’s cheesier numbers, songs like “Letter to Dana”, because they were fun, a bit OTT, tongue in cheek - they were never boring. That’s perhaps what I resent most about ‘Days…’; whatever charges could have been levelled at Sonata in the past, you could never have called them boring. But that’s exactly what ‘Days of Greys’ is. It’s aptly named, because it IS grey. Musically grey. I looked up the word “grey” (or “gray”, for all you pedants and grammar Nazis) in the dictionary, and it’s described as “dark, dismal or gloomy; dull, dreary, or monotonous”. “Indeterminate in character”. Hits the nail on the head, really.
If I were Lars Ulrich, and we were in ‘Some Kind of Monster’, I would be confusing everyone by saying that this album is “stock”. “I think it sounds stock to my ears”. It’s just so…bland. There’s no kick or bite to it; the Sonata of old fizzed with endless energy, while this is just lethargic. If music were food, ‘The Days of Greys’ would be watery porridge. To emphasize this, and sum up, I sat down with the specific intention in mind of listening through the album really carefully, really paying attention to it. To try to understand it, get a feel for it, work out what the band were thinking and feeling while they recorded it. After about half an hour, I realised that I’d forgotten I was listening to it, and had actually left the room. By the time I came back, the playlist had moved on to ‘Winterheart’s Guild’, and you know what? I didn’t bother to change it back.
So there you have it. I did it; I wrote a negative review of a Sonata Arctica album. Usually at this point in a review, I would be encouraging you to buy the album regardless; art being a deeply subjective thing, everyone should really form their own judgement. However, I can’t recommend you buy ‘The Days of Greys’, I just can’t; you could buy both the singles instead, being as they’re the only halfway decent songs on the album. Better yet, go get the ‘For the Sake of Revenge’ CD/DVD, and pretend that THAT Sonata, the Sonata who were great fun, who made me fall in love with metal in the first place, never went away.
The Days of Grays is available to buy or download at play.com
Or if you’d rather take Phil’s advice, For the Sake of Revenge is also available to buy at play.com
Genre : Power metal
Article by Phil Sim
Everyone has their opinions. In my opinion this album is a masterpiece of harmony and perfect melodies. Better than anything they have released before : )
Temathael | Sep 17, 2009 | Reply
I hate to confirm this, but the album isn’t as refreshing as I hoped it would be. I was hoping for some “instant classic” Sonata Arctica material here… though there is minimal.
A couple of the tracks are decent, the two singles, “No Dream can..” are pretty good… But other than that, it’s all whiney. = (
Seb | Sep 17, 2009 | Reply
This album is a Masterpiece! Im with Tematheal! 1/5? What are you thinking man? Its 5/5 and I am not a SA fan, I prefered Death Metal but this album is really good.
Pauly | Sep 17, 2009 | Reply
Come on this their bes effort so far.
I just can’t see how people who like albums like WHG or Silence can’t like this.
99% on the original official forum love this album.
Örkkin erkinpoika | Sep 17, 2009 | Reply
I haven’t heard the CD but had the misfortunte to see SA supporting Pagan’s Mind in Glasgow. Man, did they honk!! All SA CDs can remain on the shelf for me!
Starhook | Sep 18, 2009 | Reply
hey, i’m delighted that there are people who actually like the album. i suspect this is the style the band are sticking with for the forseeable future, so its good that they’re not alienating their fans. i just personally thought it sucked balls.
Phil Sim | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
It saddens me to say it - but i agree with you Phil - The Days Of Grays never really got going for me - the few bright sparks were quickly extinguished by the mediocrity of the rest of the album - i agree: “watery porridge” - but i had hoped for so much more - a return to form perhaps after Unia? - but no - watery porridge - where you go to put a wee bit of salt in - but the lid comes off and all the salt goes into the bowl - as well as the lid.
Richard Passe | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Phil, as I’ve read your review I was reminded of myself SO MUCH - this was a scary moment. I didn’t know whether I am Phil
Well you definitely hit MY OPINIO EXACTLY. Your impressions of Unia your liking of “days of grace” and “flag in the ground” - your thoughts of having bought the wrong CD and still your love to the roots of SA.
You know… songs have to have rythm and melody. They may lack one of the two for the sake of interest sometimes. They may not lack both. I’m gonna listen to the album for another ten times - maybe I can find more melodies
–
Having written so far I am reading your comment on the forseeable future. Again this is my thought as well BUT - I think they made a progress in the “right” direction from Unia. SonataArctica knows about the strong songs as well as we do (why do you think did they play “amazing grays” and “flag in the ground” on lowlands?)
Every song of them has something good. Some songs are outstanding and Sonata knows which of them (see their setlists). In my opinion this is why theiy will (hopefully) keep moving in this way
let’s hear another “victoria’s secret” or “san sebastian”.
I wish I could love the knew CD like some commentors can. But at least I have two new favorites
Simon | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
I have to add another thing:
Prereleasing the two best songs put the expectations to a very high level.
I was SO EXCITED that they found their way back to melodies, because the first song of DoG I listened to was “flag in the ground” (lowlands festival)
You just have to expect the other songs being similar and then you listen to zeroes or juliet…
Simon | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
I don’t underestand why some of you people want the band to keep making Silence and Ecliptica (they are pretty good albums, even though they are very similar) over and over againg. Anyhow, none of the songs are Unia leftovers: flag in the ground is an old song that Tony never quite finished before, others are brand new.
If it was a 3 star review, I could take it as a conflict of musical tastes, but 1 star, seriously?
Marc | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
Marc: 1/5, for me, reflects the ratio of decent songs on the album to mediocre ones…3/5 would suggest its more than half good.
I don’t want them to just keep re-making Ecliptica and Silence, but they created certain standards with those albums which they should be able to live up to, regardless of whatever style they pursue (I wouldn’t mind if they made a rap album, as long as it was a GOOD rap album!). for me, Days… just doesn’t live up to the standards the band have set for themselves.
Phil Sim | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
1/5. This album is mediocre and disappointing,given SA’s awesome discography. I liked all their albums so far (Unia included),but this one licks donkeys balls.Stay away.
Ivan | Sep 22, 2009 | Reply
I agree with the review. The album is kind of a snooze fest. If they really wanted to write a slower and softer album, they should have stuck to how they usually do those types of songs like Tallulah and The End of this Chapter. This album is depressing. I don’t even think Flag in the Ground is that great.
Andrew | Sep 22, 2009 | Reply
This review reflects exactly how I feel. I really don’t like this album.. Oh god, it feels terrible and painful to say that - I’ve always loved Sonata so much. I’ve never disliked anything else they have made. Maybe in time I’ll learn to like this one, I hope.
dkdfk | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
100% agree with this review. Sonata Arctica were the band that got me into metal too. I was convinced they couldn’t make anything I didn’t like. Then I heard this album. I never thought anything so utterly bland and boring could come from the mind of Tony Kakko. As for “I just can’t see how people who like albums like WHG or Silence can’t like this.” in a comment above -
I honestly cannot understand why fans of WHG or Silence WOULD like this crap. I am extremely dissapointed. I even cancelled my order for the CD after I’d downloaded it, it was that awful.
Zoe | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
I about halfway through the album and like everything I hear so far. I love both the old and new style of Sonata’s Music, and Wolf and Raven and Wildfire were two songs that helped get me into metal in the first place, so my experiences are akin to those posted here.
Personally, I like the complex aspects of this album. If one is a listener for things like little details, it is a treat. A part of me is nostalgic for ‘old’ Sonata, but I guess as a Nightwish fan I’m hardened to this sort of thing: when your band goes in a new direction, all you can do is do your best to roll with it. And so far I’m digging what I hear. I’d give it a 3.5 or 4/5.
Rae | Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
I can totally respect individual opinions.
But, to all the people who think it is downright horrible, give it a chance.
I went thru the same reaction back in the day when Queensryhe (who I thought could do no wrong) released Empire, I was like WTF!!?? But to expect a band to keep coming out with material of what fits the constraints of the listener’s “sonic perfection” is a bit selfish and at the same time limiting. It’s like saying, “Hey guys, write another album that is what I would consider as good or better than WHG or Silience!!! Sonata Arctica surely knows this album will freak out many, but they still did what they felt. This band is in it for the long haul and any serious coinsurer of ear candy will at least try to get where they are coming from.
Triryche | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
I grew to love Unia after initially disliking it. This one…I don’t think I could ever love. I do enjoy listening to some of the tracks but nothing has grabbed me at all, even after repeated spins (although I am becoming a little fond of Zeroes, in an odd way).
I respect what the band are doing, I just don’t think the new Sonata Arctica style is fully suited to my tastes.
Darren | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
This album is as great as all the others it is just different. Do you expect the same all the time. I if so just listen to the same old albums. We all need something different and this album fits my bill. I will ignore all negative comments, I have listened to it and think it is great. More please.
Chris
Chris Chamberlain | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
I heard your power metal band based on full moon and they were GOD awful.
Ferg | Dec 21, 2009 | Reply
Masterpiece, best album of 2009.
5/5.
Andreas | Jan 2, 2010 | Reply