Sonata Arctica

The popular Finnish prog and power metal quartet Sonata Arctica specialize in a soaring, orchestral variation on European heavy metal that melds sweeping, melodic compositions and meaty riffs, lush, expansive production, clean vocals, and sophisticated instrumental chops. Once a hard rock band called Tricky Beans (later Tricky Means), they changed their name for good when they adopted power metal as a genre. Since releasing their critically acclaimed debut album, Ecliptica, on Spinefarm in 1999, the group -- founded by lead vocalist Tony Kakko and drummer Tommy Portimo (its only remaining original members) -- have registered multiple chart-topping albums. Highlights include 2007's Unia, 2012's Stones Grow Her Name, and 2019's Talviyö. Acoustic Adventures, a two-volume set of unplugged versions of Sonata Arctica's most notable songs, appeared in 2022. Clear Cold Beyond was released two years later, in March 2024.