´CLEAR COLD BEYOND´EUROPEAN TOUR ANNOUNCED

SONATA ARCTICA & FINAL STRIKE
11.09.2024 SE – Norrtälje (Opalen), Rimbo kulturscen

SONATA ARCTICA & FIREWIND & TUNGSTEN & SERIOUS BLACK
12.09.2024 SE – Östersund, Gamla Teatern
13.09.2024 NO – Trondheim, Tapperiet
14.09.2024 SE – Örnsköldsvik, Nöjesbolaget
16.09.2024 NO – Oslo, Vulkan Arena
17.09.2024 SE – Karlstad, Nöjesfabriken
18.09.2024 SE – Huskvarna, Folkets Park
20.09.2024 DK – Roskilde, Gimle

SONATA ARCTICA & FIREWIND & SERIOUS BLACK
21.09.2024 DE – Berlin, Columbia Theater
22.09.2024 DE – Hamburg, Markthalle
24.09.2024 NL – Utrecht, Tivoli Pandora
25.09.2024 NL – Tilburg, 013 KZ
26.09.2024 DE – Bochum, Matrix
27.09.2024 DE – Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal
28.09.2024 CH – Pratteln, Z7
29.09.2024 DE – Munich, Backstage Werk
01.10.2024 FR – Paris, La Machine
02.10.2024 FR – Lyon, La Rayonne
03.10.2024 ES – Barcelona, Sala Razzmatazz 2
04.10.2024 ES – Madrid, Wizink Center (La Sala)
05.10.2024 ES – Pamplona, Sala Totem
07.10.2024 IT – Milan, Alcatraz
08.10.2024 IT – Padova, Hall
09.10.2024 HU – Budapest, Barba Negra
10.10.2024 CZ – Zlín, Masters of Rock Café
11.10.2024 PL – Warszaw, Proxima
12.10.2024 PL – Poznań, Tama

SONATA ARCTICA CELEBRATE RELEASE OF NEW STUDIO ALBUM »CLEAR COLD BEYOND« WITH ‘CALIFORNIA’ MUSIC VIDEO

Today, fans of Finnish melodic metal icons SONATA ARCTICA finally get the chance to experience the group’s previously announced return to their power metal roots as »Clear Cold Beyond« is now available worldwide through Atomic Fire. Critically lauded by press, the band’s new offering will of course be presented live during an extensive world tour which kicks off in their home country next (all details can be found at tour dates; more dates are in the works…). SONATA ARCTICA also surprise the metal community with another music video besides releasing the mentioned hit album: ‘California,’ which was produced by Jarkko Piipari, gives intimate insights into the group’s daily life on the road and takes viewers to venues and cities around the globe but also to busses, airports and much more. The included footage was collected during recent show activities, and raises the bar of excitement about SONATA ARCTICA‘s upcoming gigs while highlighting one of the most power metal-ish tracks from »Clear Cold Beyond.«


Join the band on their trip to ‘California’ on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxzik6Zm6U

Front-man Tony Kakko adds, “This is a song about persons who think that it’s possible and okay to charm and have any and all people for themselves – use and lose – and who don’t care about the amount of pain and broken hearts left behind. And now you’re the target, but you know better and make sure that this will not happen until ‘California falls into the sea,’ what I’ve come to understand is impossible and will never happen, at least in the sense of science fiction. Simply put: The track deals with self-protection. If you’re strong enough, you can of course give such persons a serving of their own poison what can be satisfying.”

“A terrific album which will bring joy to fans of several chapters of their career.”
METAL1.INFO (DE), Stefan Popp – 9/10 Points

“A hot candidate for the power metal album of the year.”
TIME-FOR-METAL.EU (DE), 9,5/10 Points

“I can’t give the band enough great credit
for this whirling declaration of love to their past and their fans.”

ROCK HARD (DE), Simon Bauer – 9/10 Points

“There’s no way to realize their return to power metal in a better way than this album.”
EARSHOT.AT, Max Wollersberger, 8,5/10 Points

“»Clear Cold Beyond« isn’t only a simple return to power metal but also a continuation
of the band’s magnificent trademark sound that their fans so much.”

STORMBRINGER.AT, Christian Ulbrich, 4,5/5 Points

PREMIERE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR LATEST DIGITAL SINGLE ‘DARK EMPATH’

Leading the way to their highly anticipated new offering »Clear Cold Beyond« (to be released on March 8, 2024 through Atomic Fire), Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA surprise fans with a brand new music video today. Their latest track, ‘Dark Empath,’ can now also be enjoyed in all its visual glory over on YouTube. Telling the story of a character being chased, both mentally and physically, the haunting result, which was created by a team led by director/script writer Miikka Lommi and producer Katja Jokinen, can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxwKBpdin0Y

Singer Tony Kakko commented on ‘Dark Empath’“This track is part of a saga that started with the song ‘The End Of This Chapter’ on our second album »Silence« in 2001 — some even think it started on our debut album — and has many sequels and prequels already. Its stalker theme offers a frame to write songs in a certain style I like very much. People do not seem to mind this, fortunately, haha! It’s not a chronological story, but rather a theme with reoccurring, familiar characters that end up living through variations of the theme over and over again.”

SONATA ARCTICA PRESENT ‘DARK EMPATH’ FROM UPCOMING ALBUM »CLEAR COLD BEYOND«

Sonata Arctica present ‘Dark Empath’ track from upcoming album »Clear Cold Beyond«; direct sequel of fan favorite ‘Don’t Say A Word’ now available for streaming

The release of Finnish melodic metal frontrunners SONATA ARCTICA‘s new offering »Clear Cold Beyond« is only 6 weeks away (March 8, 2024 through Atomic Fire), and today the band have revealed a very special track off the album titled ‘Dark Empath’. Long-time followers of their work may notice that this piece is the direct sequel of 2004’s ‘Don’t Say A Word’, which has become a staple in the group’s live set over the years. The track is at once nostalgic and allows new listeners to dive deeper into SONATA ARCTICA‘s colourful back catalogue. Check out ‘Dark Empath’ here:
https://sonataarctica.afr.link/darkempathWB

Singer Tony Kakko comments: “This track is part of a saga that started on our second album »Silence« in 2001 — some even think it started on our debut album with the song ‘The End Of This Chapter’ — and has many sequels and prequels already. Its stalker theme offers a frame to write songs in a certain style I like very much. People do not seem to mind this, fortunately, haha! It’s not a chronological story, but rather a theme with reoccurring, familiar characters that end up living through variations of the theme over and over again.”

Pre-order the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive ‘Dark Empath’, ‘A Monster Only You Can’t See’ and ‘First In Line’ instantly now, here:
https://sonataarctica.afr.link/clearcoldbeyondWB

CLEAR COLD BEYOND FINLAND TOUR 2024

SONATA ARCTICA is returning with a brand new album in March 2024 which leads them back to their roots and will be filled with a massive range of brand new power metal hymns. 

To celebrate the release of »Clear Cold Beyond«, the quintet will be also returning for an extensive tour in their home country Finland. The »Clear Cold Beyond Finland Tour 2024« will pay a visit to Tampere, Helsinki, Turku, Seinäjoki, Kuopio, Joensuu, Lahti and Laukaa. Support will be the young hard rock group TEMPLE BALLS from Oulu.

“After a break of several years, we have returned from our adventures back to Power Metal. It is a great pleasure and honor to start the “Clear Cold Beyond World Tour” with a series of club gigs around our home country. In addition to the new songs, you can surely expect a bunch of familiar hits throughout the set. See you at the shows!,” Sonata Arctica states.

Grey Beard presents:

SONATA ARCTICA
»Clear Cold Beyond Finland Tour 2024«
+ Support: Temple Balls

15.03.2024 Tampere, Pakkahuone
16.03.2024 Laukaa, Peurunka Areena
22.03.2024 Lahti, Finlandia-Klubi
23.03.2024 Helsinki, Kulttuuritalo
29.03.2024 Kuopio, Sawohouse Underground
30.03.2024 Joensuu, Kerubi
04.04.2024 Turku, Teatro
05.04.2024 Seinäjoki, Rytmikorjaamo

Tickets and all tour dates

NEW SINGLE ‘A MONSTER ONLY YOU CAN’T SEE’ OUT NOW AND »CLEAR COLD BEYOND« ALBUM PRE-ORDERS LAUNCHED

Sonata Arctica unveil lyric video for festive new digital single ‘A Monster Only You Can’t See’ and »Clear Cold Beyond« album pre-orders launched

Watch the lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ0Qh_lVivc
Stream/purchase the song: https://sonataarctica.afr.link/amonsterPR

Time to dress warmly as winter is reigning in many parts of Europe, including Finland from where melodic metal titans SONATA ARCTICA deliver the perfect soundtrack for the cold season with the stormy opus »Clear Cold Beyond« – stormy in the most positive way, of course. A fact that got cemented by select music journalists who could sneak an exclusive peek at the full record last month. Today, the quintet have unveiled yet another taste of their long-awaited new studio album which is due out on March 8, 2024 through Atomic Fire. Touching, emotional and with a tad of melancholy leading to an epic chorus, ‘A Monster Only You Can’t See’ is a song about friendship and never leaving anyone behind and thereby the band’s ideal single choice for the current Christmas time.

Front-man Tony Kakko explains: “How we all may have in our group of friends that one person who seems to be a magnet for all kinds of problems, many of which he/she may not even see himself/herself. Maybe you’re that one? You might be an asshole, but you’re OUR asshole and we can see through all that, see the real you, and help. And when children arrive to the scene, they all fit under that same umbrella. Don’t worry. We’ll kick your butt up that hill.”

»Clear Cold Beyond« will be available in the following formats:

– CD-digipak
– jewelcase CD (US)
– 2LP vinyl [winter night marbled (white/black) | icy-blue marbled (transparent/blue)]
– digital

Pre-order the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive ‘A Monster Only You Can’t See’ and ‘First In Line’instantly now:
http://shop.sonataarctica.info
https://sonataarctica.afr.link/clearcoldbeyondPR

»Clear Cold Beyond« – Track Listing:

01. First In Line
02. California
03. Shah Mat
04. Dark Empath
05. Cure For Everything
06. A Monster Only You Can’t See
07. Teardrops
08. Angel Defiled
09. The Best Things
10. Clear Cold Beyond
Bonus Tracks (digipak + vinyl only!):
11. A Ballad For The Broken
12. Toy Soldiers [MARTIKA Cover]

»Clear Cold Beyond« contains 10 tracks reviving the band’s penchant for power metal-esque tunes following their trip to acoustic landscapes during the pandemic. It’s is packed with strong songs and fuses the best of all periods of SONATA ARCTICA‘s multifaceted work: From high-speed anthems such as ‘First In Line’ and ‘California’ to emotion-laden tracks such as ‘The Best Things’ and the closing title track, this record offers something for each and every SONATA ARCTICA fan.

“This could have been SONATA ARCTICA’s self-titled album
in the way it reflects both the timish band’s power metal urgency
and some kind of Broadway musical storytelling magic.”

ROCK HARD (IT), Emanuele Biani

“This is the album fans have been asking for for 20 years. Frozen Finnish fury.
This band hasn’t been this vital in two decades. Sensational stuff.”

FISTFUL OF METAL (UK), Bruce Turnbull

“Beautiful, old-school and versatile:
A very cold album that fills you with a lot of familiar warmth at the same time.”

ROCK HARD (DE), Simon Bauer

SONATA ARCTICA UNVEIL FIRST DETAILS ON FORTHCOMING STUDIO ALBUM `CLEAR COLD BEYOND‘

SONATA ARCTICA are back in full force! Fueled by enthusiastic reations to their recent digital single ‘First In Line,’ the melodic metal quintet are pleased to provide the first details about of their long-awaited new studio album, titled »Clear Cold Beyond,« which will hit the shelves on March 8, 2024 through Atomic Fire. The album contains 10 tracks reviving the band’s penchant for power metal-esque tunes following their trip to acoustic landscapes during the pandemic. »Clear Cold Beyond« is packed with strong songs and fuses the best of all periods of SONATA ARCTICA’s multifaceted work: From high-speed anthems such as the aforementioned ‘First In Line’ and ‘California’ to emotion-laden tracks such as ‘The Best Things’ and the closing title track, this record offers something for each and every SONATA ARCTICA fan. The album’s artwork, reminiscent of their early works, was created by Niko Anttila and the band returned to mixing engineer Mikko Karmila (Finnvox Studios; »Ecliptica« [1999] – »Stones Grow Her Name« [2012]). Final mastering was handled by Svante Forsbäck (Chartmakers West; RAMMSTEIN, KORPIKLAANI, DELAIN, THE 69 EYES, DEATHSTARS etc.) who has also been part of other SONATA ARCTICA productions.

Singer Tony Kakko comments: “We’ve felt for a while now that we needed to get heavier after a couple of unintentionally softer albums. We still love those albums, but in terms of finding cornerstone songs for a feel-good melodic metal show, the previous album didn’t have much to offer. We’re getting back to metal after all that feels like a fresh start, and the new songs have been so much fun to write and record: More speed and songs that people can and want to sing along to. We can’t wait to hit the road with this album and see how the crowds react to us being back at it.”

»Clear Cold Beyond« – Track Listing:

  1. First In Line
  2. California
  3. Shah Mat
  4. Dark Empath
  5. Cure For Everything
  6. A Monster Only You Can’t See
  7. Teardrops
  8. Angel Defiled
  9. The Best Things
  10. Clear Cold Beyond
    Bonus Tracks (digipak + vinyl only!):
  11. A Ballad For The Broken
  12. Toy Soldiers [MARTIKA Cover]

Make sure to pre-save ‘A Monster Only You Can’t See’ now, here: https://sonataarctica.afr.link/amonsterPR

SONATA ARCTICA RETURN WITH RAPID NEW SINGLE `FIRST IN LINE´

Photo: Jaakko Manninen
(http://www.jaakkomanninen.com/)
SONATA ARCTICA have worked on a new album going back to electric soundscapes, and today, they are pleased to unveil a first taste of what’s to come in spring 2024 via Atomic Fire: Nothing but a return to their golden power metal roots is what awaits fans on the group’s forthcoming opus. More details will be announced soon, but for now convince yourselves that the aforementioned promise isn’t only warm words and check out their new track ‘First In Line’!Stream/purchase the song now, here: https://sonataarctica.afr.link/firstinlinePR

Front-man Tony Kakko explains: “This is the first power metal song I wrote for the forthcoming album which is laden with them. Its demo title was ‘First In Line’ and I managed to stick with it. The song handles the worry about raising a new generation of people with or rather letting an electronic screen – namely tv, pad or some such – do a big part of raising this generation of human beings. We think that we buy ourselves time with these gadgets, but are these devices the right “nanny” for our kids or should we maybe slow down a bit, read books, teach that happiness can be and often is something we reach by stopping and letting go of constant stimulation of all our audiovisual senses? In ways, we are flying blindly with these things. Things are advancing too fast in many ways…

NORDIC POWER METAL TITANS 2023

Sonata Arctica to embark on “Nordic Power Metal Titans” co-headline tour with Stratovarius in October/November 2023.

NORDIC POWER METAL TITANS 2023
Sonata Arctica & Stratovarius
Support Act: Induction

14.10.2023 SE Umeå – Northern Rockfest @ Energi Arena
15.10.2023 SE Borlänge – Cosmoz
16.10.2023 NO Oslo – Vulkan Oslo
17.10.2023 SE Gothenburg – Trädgår’n
19.10.2023 SE Stockholm – Slaktkyrkan
20.10.2023 DK Roskilde – Gimle
21.10.2023 DE Hamburg – Kultur Palast live
22.10.2023 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser Leipzig
24.10.2023 NL Utrecht – TivoliVredenburg (Ronda)
25.10.2023 DE Saarbrücken – Garage Saarbrücken
26.10.2023 FR Paris – Bataclan
27.10.2023 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7 – Pratteln
28.10.2023 IT Milan – Alcatraz – Milano
30.10.2023 DE Munich – Backstage München
31.10.2023 AT Vienna – ((szene)) Wien
01.11.2023 HU Budapest – BARBA NEGRA
03.11.2023 GR Athens – Fuzz Live Music Club
04.11.2023 GR Thessaloniki – Principal Club Theater
06.11.2023 RO Cluj-Napoca – FORM Space
07.11.2023 RO Bucharest – Quantic
09.11.2023 CZ Brno – Sono Centrum
10.11.2023 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg
11.11.2023 BE Kortijk – Hell’s Balls Belgium
12.11.2023 DE Bochum – Matrix Bochum