Name: Winterheart's Guild
Brand: Sonata Arctica

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

Rough Trade

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2002-01-01

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

39231132

UPC / Barcode

44006722320

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Sonata Arctica

Label EU

Spinefarm

Genre EU

Metal

A melodic power metal band from Kemi, Finland, active since 1999. Initially founded in 1996 as a hard rock band Tricky Beans (later Tricky Means), the group settled on the name <en>Sonata Arctica</en> in 1999 as their musical style had changed into power metal and they needed a more "heavy metal" name for the band.

The current line-up of <en>Sonata Arctica</en> consists of Tony Kakko on vocals and keyboards (since 1996), Tommy Portimo on drums (since 1996), Henrik Klingenberg on keyboards (since 2002), Elias Viljanen on guitar (since 2007), and Pasi Kauppinen on bass (since 2013).

Throughout their career, <en>Sonata Arctica</en> has drawn inspiration from various genres such as melodic power metal, symphonic metal, and progressive metal. Their music is characterized by catchy melodies, soaring vocals, intricate keyboard arrangements, and fast-paced guitar solos. With a discography spanning over two decades, <en>Sonata Arctica</en> has become one of the most influential bands in the genre.

Spinefarm is a Finnish record label that was founded in 1990 by Riku Pääkkönen. Originally starting as a mailorder and distribution company for rock and metal releases, Spinefarm quickly expanded to release albums from Finnish metal bands. In 2002, Spinefarm became part of Universal Music when Universal Music Oy became the majority shareholder of Spin-Farm Oy, the record company that runs Spinefarm. In 2005, Universal bought the entire company and merged it with Universal Music Oy on December 31st, 2014.

Although founder Riku Pääkkönen left the company in 2011, he continued working on [l532289], a sub-label of Spinefarm. With two regional offices outside of Finland - Spinefarm UK in London and Spinefarm US in New York - they cover other territories through Caroline/Universal Music or local distribution partners.

Known for their expertise in distribution, Spinefarm has been credited under their name for various releases. With their rich history and strong ties to the metal music scene, Spinefarm remains an influential force within the industry.

Newest Listed Items

Finland’s Sonata Arctica need no introduction: besides significantly influencing the power / melodic metal scene, they’re a band that’s not only famous for consistently delivering studio albums of high quality but also for experimenting and breaking out of their musical comfort zone. Of course, fans of these 'Northern Lights' usually know what they get, but in 2016, the group even surprised them by starting their “acoustic adventures,” an idea allowing them to breathe, to challenge themselves and to gather new energy. Fresh Nordic wind that - only brought to the theatres of their home country in the beginning - made them enjoy popularity night after night and the run, which saw them leave their regular touring cycle routine, was a huge success. In 2019, the story finally found its continuation outside of Finland - and made Sonata Arctica decide that those adaptations, including almost completely re-arranged tracks and songs that the quintet rarely used to play live during the last years, shouldn’t only be available in the form of fan-made videos on YouTube. No sooner said than done! Making good use of the 2020 pandemic, the band entered the studio to bring the atmosphere of aforementioned adventures to tape and to record a series of songs - some of which sounding very different in the end, but in an undeniably Sonata Arctica-esque acoustic wrapping. A process that generated so much creativity resulted in a total of 24 songs. Too many for one album, but has there ever been something wrong with more Sonata Arctica music? While part one of the album (released in January 2022) - simply named Acoustic Adventures in remembrance of the tour that had led to all that -- featured rarities such as 'The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me' (an exclusive Japanese bonus track of Winterheart’s Guild; 2003), the majority of the second chapter consists of more speedy tunes such as 'Black Sheep,' all-time live classic 'FullMoon,' and 'Flag In The Ground.' But Sonata Arctica wouldn‘t be Sonata Arctica, if they played it safe: 'San Sebastian' or closing track 'Victoria’s Secret' - both performed at a slower speed - manage to spread a completely new, refreshing feeling for to the listener; a feeling that of course can be experienced the best way in front of a stage! That’s why the outfit is now pleased to unveil »Acoustic Adventures - Volume Two« in autumn. To complete this special saga and to finally celebrate the kick-off of their next, multiply postponed Acoustic Adventures trip in order to lift up the Corona-shaken Finnish and European mainland minds. But first: come to the living room, lay back and follow Sonata Arctica on their stripped down yet not less exciting journey into the acoustic music world…!

Winterheart's Guild

Music EU