Well at least for this metalhead, that is.
Sonata Arctica, a name with so much legacy behind it you would think it is engraved in a castle located on top of a mountain. A name with such impact, it could have been the last words of a wizard. A name so cool, surprisingly is wasn’t the first name for this Power Metal band from Finland… which was Tricky Beans? Regardless, Sonata Arctica has earned the title as one of the biggest Power Metal bands on the scene since 1995, and I was lucky enough to see them live.
The year was 2007, the album Unia had come out and I was jamming out with my black sheen iPod Video. At this point of my life I was living through the “geeky metal” phase. I’m talking dragon poster, wolves running in the snow shirts, writing lyrics that could have been D&D quests, ect. I was pretty much the perfect example of a Power Metal fan. The only thing I was missing was a mountain beard to solidify my true dedication to the genre. Then my friend, Jake, called me. I believe the conversation went something like this:
Aidan (me): Yo dude-
Jake: Bro they are playing tonight!
A:Wha-
J: Sonata is going to be at the House of Blues tonight!
A: Oh shi-
J: Are you down?!
A: Sure I just nee-
J: Bro are you down?
A: Yeah I would lov-
J: Picking you up at 5!
A: Sweet see you-
*Dial tone*
To prepare me for this night’s entertainment, I busted out every Sonata Arctica album, scouring all the lyrics sites to make sure I didn't sing the wrong words. Then, to make sure I look like I belonged, I grabbed my classic Metallica Ride the Lightning shirt with the cut sleeves. Oh yeah, I was ready.
Upon arriving to the venue, I was quickly lead to disappointment when I was told that I would have to watch the show from the balcony since I was not 21. I was heartbroken that I could not be front row. HOWEVER, when the lights went low and the guitar started playing the opening to Wolf & The Raven, I wasn’t on the balcony… no, I was on the ride for the night! From keytar solos to headbang battles, this is what I wanted. Sure I didn’t get a chance to fist bump the amazing vocalist Tony Kakko, but I was able to experience a Power Metal Titan melting an entire crowd’s worth of faces. As they finished the show with the single “Paid in Full” from Unia, I went straight to the merch booth and grabbed a tee. Proud to say after 11 years, I still have that shirt in my closet, ready for that next Sonata Arctica concert.