Just got Sonata Arctica's latest, have listened to it once through and some songs a few times over, and I can only say this: SA is back even better. 'The Days of Grays' is a very nice mix of power metal elements and progressive metal elements. The use of classical instrumentals works very well, and Johanna Kurkiala as a guest vocalists brings nice variations to the love songs; now they are not only Kakko's lonely one-way lamentations (not that there is anything wrong with that, but change is good too). The Stalker Saga continues with 'Juliet'; I have to say I like 'Caleb' better, mainly because of the alcoholic family theme. Apparently Tony K. is an X-Files afficiando like me. The name alone kind of gave it away (you can see this also in the album visuals), 'The Truth Is Out There'. Didn't quite get it the first time round especially since it has another, quite different theme, overlapping. The theme's hangover and since I don't drink I'm quite at a loss with this.
My favourites after the first listening:
Deathaura
Flag in the Ground
Zeroes ("It’s not my ass, per se, on the line" -laini avautunee vain suomalaisille... ;D)
Everything Fades to Gray (Have to agree with Tony Kakko whole-heartedly: "Diggaan kappaleesta ihan pöljänä. Ja silti se vetää mielen apeaksi." Love the cellos!)
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Edit: Yup, this was a twenty euros well spent. 'The Days of Grays' makes me, for some odd reason, happy. Not probably what the purpose what but no can do. This is just the effect it has on me. :)
