Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band from Kemi formed in 1996 under the name Tricky Beans, which later changed to Tricky Means. In their early days they played some kind of pop/rock-music that cannot be compared to their current style anymore. They started as a five-piece band but back then the current bassist Marko Paasikoski , who was also the head-founder of the band, played guitar on the side of Jani Liimatainen and a friend of their's called Pentti Peura played bass. After their 3rd demo, Marko decided to leave the band (he already played bass then) and Janne Kivilahti joined as a bassist. Under this line-up they recorded their 4th and final demo which led to their first record-deal with Spinefarm Records. In 1999, the band changed again, to Sonata Arctica. The name was suggested by a friend of their's - Marko 'Mape' Ollila.

Line-up

Original (1999)

• Tony Kakko – vocals and keyboards
• Jani Liimatainen – guitars
• Tommy Portimo – drums
• Janne Kivilahti – bass

Soon after releasing their first album in 1999, Tony decided to concentrate on singing, Mikko Härkin joined the band for playing the keyboards.

In 2000, Janne left the band for personal reasons, and Marko Paasikoski entered the band as the bassist.

Later, in 2002, Mikko had to leave the band - also for personal reasons. The album Winterheart's Guild is recorded with the guest participation of Jens Johansson, Stratovarius' keyboardist.

In 2003, Henrik Klingenberg joined the band as the new keyboardist.

Current

• Tony Kakko – vocals
• Jani Liimatainen – guitars
• Marko Paasikoski – bass
• Tommy Portimo – drums
• Henrik Klingenberg – keyboards

Discography

Studio albums

• Ecliptica (1999)
• Silence (2001)
• Winterheart's Guild (2003)
• Reckoning Night (2004)

Live albums

• Songs of Silence — Live In Tokyo (2002)

EPs

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

Singles

• UnOpened (1999)
• Wolf & Raven (2001)
• Last Drop Falls (2001)
• Victoria's Secret (2003)
• Broken (2003)
• Don't Say a Word (2004)
• Shamandalie (2004)

External links

• Official site
• German/English fansite