Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica (2000/Avalon)
Rating - 8.0

Fullmoon--RealAudio

A very fast and technical band, with comparisons strongly running along the lines of Stratovarius, with the occasional, obvious nods to Helloween and Blind Guardian as well. The grandiose of a band like Rhapsody is also touched upon.
The vocals remind of Strat's Timo and also (very much so) D.C. Cooper, so they fit well. The music is advanced and very "talent" laden, but there are times you're left with the feeling that there's not much to really grab a hold of... sometimes the actual playing is more impressive than the song-writing, which leaves a bit to be desired at times.
"Blank File" is a fast opener, and is followed by the steady "My Land". Each of "Kingdom For a Heart," "Mary-Lou," and "Fullmoon" are good, with the latter being particularly strong.

TRACK LIST: Blank File/My Land/8th Commandment/Replica/Kingdom For a Heart/Fullmoon/Letter to Dana/Unopened/Picturing the Past/Destructon Preventer/ Mary-Lou

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