If you are a true fan of Sonata Arctica, you would own the Japanese version of their first and second album. The ORIGINAL, not the remaster or the anniversary edition. This is the OG Sonata Arctica experience. Top-notch late 90s power metal. Legendary album.
5つ星のうち5.0One of the greatest Power Metal albums ever
2018年12月17日に英国でレビュー済み
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One of the finest Power Metal albums out there, Ecliptica succeeds on all aspects. Tony's vocals sour with a level of control and maturity that is amazing considering his age when he recorded them. Jani's guitar chops are also flawless, as he powers through riffs, melodies and solos like nobody's business. Janne's bass work provides a solid rhythm and bottom end, paired with Tommy's superb drum work creates an almost unstoppable rhythm section.
The fact they didn't record this to a metronome only adds to the album, and gives it a youthful spike and energy that they would never reach again, even when re-recording the album 15 years later. Songwriting wise, the album has very little flaws, with each song following a certain aspect and musical theme, while also having identities by themselves.
Fast paced, Speed Metal influenced tracks such as 'Blank File', '8th Commandment' and 'Kingdom for a Heart' are well balanced with ballads such as 'Replica' and 'Letter to Dana'. The album's most well known song 'Fullmoon' is a classic Power Metal song.
Favorite track - Kingdom for a Heart Least Favorite - UnOpened (still an outstanding track though)
If you're a fan of SA but have never heard this their first CD, buy it now, because they really did hit the ground running with Ecliptica. For me it is one of their best albums. A shame that like many bands, line-ups change and only Tony and Tommy survive today, but this is unmistakably Sonata Arctica and Jani only left after Unia.
Maybe not as consistent as later albums, but songs like Replica and FullMoon will always be heard live and on compilations. Some of their best tracks to date are here on Ecliptica.
If you've never heard of SA this is an OK place to start, at the beginning. Power Metal with lots of melody and theatrics, a bit like Queen speeded up. Early SA has been likened to Stratovarius who were definitely an influence, but there is no band really which can match them, they are pretty much unique.
5つ星のうち4.0if you're a newbie not the best place to start
2011年11月17日に英国でレビュー済み
Amazonで購入
Discovered SA about 6 months ago. If you love 80s rock and have been unable to find an update this is it. Yes it's harder, but the melodies are still there and more importantly it's thought provoking music. If you are new to the music I would recommend Day of Reckoning as a starting point, not because it's necessarily the best album, but because it's the most accessible.