Sonata Arctica are back in full force! Fueled by enthusiastic reactions 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 8th, 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” 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, here.
Tracklist:
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]
A bunch of festival appearances in support of “Clear Cold Beyond” has already been announced, while even more dates for Sonata Arctica’s usually busy live schedule are still to be added in course of time.
Live Shows 2024:
16.03.2024 FI Laukaa – Peurunka Areena
03.05.2024 NO Kopervik – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
11.05.2024 BE Bomal-sur-Ourthe – Durbuy Rock Festival
31.05. – 02.06.2024 CZ Pilsen – Metalfest
28. – 30.06.2024 FI Helsinki – Tuska Festival
31.07. – 03.08.2024 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air (Sold Out)
07. – 10.08.2024 ES Villena – Leyendas del Rock
Line-up:
Tony Kakko – Vocals
Elias Viljanen – Guitars
Pasi Kauppinen – Bass
Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg – Keyboards
Tommy Portimo – Drums
Weblinks:
www.sonataarctica.info
www.facebook.com/sonataarctica
