Sonata Arctica

The popular Finnish prog and power metal quartet Sonata Arctica specialize in a soaring, orchestral variation on European heavy metal that melds sweeping, melodic compositions, meaty riffs, and lush, expansive production with clean vocals and sophisticated instrumental chops. Once a hard rock band called Tricky Beans (later Tricky Means), they changed their name for good when they adopted power metal as a genre. Since releasing their critically acclaimed debut album Ecliptica on Spinefarm in 1999, the band, founded by lead vocalist Tony Kakko and drummer Tommy Portimo (its onl...