No matter how grumpy I was when I heard the information that they are preparing the new studio material, Sonata Arctica will always be one of those bands that I can give a chance to over and over again.
Some have given up on them right away, some have let them go in the middle of the road, but however big the rejection is, Sonata Arctica provokes hidden desire that they will sound like they did on Ecliptica, Silence and Witreheart’s Guild, the first three albums of their career.
Let me make one thing sure – The Ninth Hour is another failure when it comes to reaching the past heights. Although the project commenced ambitiously and it covers hot topics of climate change and environmental issues, the final product did not evaluate the expectations. Just like its predecessors Pariah’s Child and Stones Grow Her Name, this record does not take any risks. It is follow-up to generic releases that lack ideas and originality. My opinion is that they need to take 5 year sabbatical, and then come back with clean mind and inspired heart.
There is no evolution in the songs. Back in the days, the base of melodic power metal was supported with symphony, folk, epic and fluent choruses. Now, songs are less structured and difficult to differentiate, although stronger guitar work brings profuse elements of heavy metal.
Hackneyed piano sections, weak orchestrations, slothful rhythm sections and dull atmosphere make this the most depressing record in the band’s discography. Even Tony’s voice sound apathic. If they aimed for melancholy, they did not utilize it’s essence.
Closer To An Animal is lazy synth-rock number. Life is a terrible pop-rock tune with la-la-la moments that almost made me puke, while Fairytale triggers hope as it’s theatric introduction and melodic power structure resemble glorious days of the band.
We Are What We Are is an emotional piano ballade with folk melody, while Candle Lawns kind of reminded me of Elton John. Fly, Navigate, Communicate is a failed replica of their earlier hits. Til Death’s Done Us Apart combines hardcore heavy power metal with emotional piano rhythm, but it does not deliver anything that would make you want to play it again.
The only good song on the album is a labyrinth titled White Pearl, Black Pearl (Part II: By The Grace Of The Ocean) fused with the sound of waves and shifts in tempo.
Unfortunately, Sonata Arctica has become a band who can only deliver one good song.
