The Ninth Hour
Product ID: 34873951
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Only two years after the release of Pariah's Child and a massive world tour, the Finnish melodic metal quintet Sonata Arctica are already back for more with their ninth masterpiece entitled "The Ninth Hour. Once again, the album was produced by Sonata Arctica themselves and mixed by Pasi Kauppinen, to create a typical yet refreshing sound that defines the spirit of the band in the year 2016. "The artwork of our ninth studio album The Ninth Hour depicts a future Utopian landscape on the background. Nature and human technologies are in balance. In the middle, we have an hour glass contraption with a knob for us to meddle with. The right-hand side cup represents the nature side with no humans left, on the left we have the human dystopia after we have destroyed Nature. The idea I had was, that turning the knob will tilt the hour glass in one direction or another, and the other cup will slowly empty and that future will be erased. Biblically we are expected to repent and sacrifice on The Ninth Hour... to dive right back to a more mundane reality, it's a fact that we are currently living in critical, historical times. Our decisions will define the future. Not only ours as a race, but the future of this entire planet. We need to make sacrifices and in many cases we will repent our already made choices." Review: Not for everyone, but good for me. - Sonata Arctica is my favorite band, so I am a bit biased in that they can do little wrong in my book. Even the albums that have been widely derided, such as Unia and SGHN, but I try to be objective. The subject matter of SA's albums has changed over time, moving from typical power metal themes into introspective, social, environmental, and political themes. It's an interesting turn, and it may not sit as well with some fans of their older work. Fear not, though, because those elements still exist. There's a song about werewolves (though not my favorite on the album, admittedly). And there's a bona fide sequel to White Pearl, Black Oceans, which is hands-down my favorite track on the main album. If you enjoy their long, epic, sweeping tracks, then that will not fail to disappoint. If you've been a long-time fan, like me, then you've probably already purchased the album. If you're more a fan of power metal in the key of old Sonata Arctica or Stratovarius, then this album may be more hit-or-miss for you. If you've liked more recent Nightwish stuff, then this album may prove appealing to you. Overall, I enjoyed it. As a side note, the Japanese bonus track, The Elephant, is another one of my favorite tracks on the album. Look it up if you get a chance. Review: Would give it 6 stars if I could - The Ninth Hour, ninth studio album. I did what I always do when S.A. comes out with a new album...listened once all the way through. My initial reaction? Beautifully melodic, but too many slow songs (I tend to like the heavier, faster stuff). Then I really dug in. One day, Closer to an Animal is my favorite, the next day it's Rise a Night. Next thing I know, they're ALL my favorites, with the epic White Pearl, Black Oceans - Part II, "By the Grace of the Ocean", Fly, Navigate, Communicate, and Till Death's Done Us Apart getting some pretty heavy play on my stereo as of late. Tony Kakko's songwriting is nothing short of genius and that voice is just as perfect when heard live. If you like power metal, you will love this album.
M**R
Not for everyone, but good for me.
Sonata Arctica is my favorite band, so I am a bit biased in that they can do little wrong in my book. Even the albums that have been widely derided, such as Unia and SGHN, but I try to be objective. The subject matter of SA's albums has changed over time, moving from typical power metal themes into introspective, social, environmental, and political themes. It's an interesting turn, and it may not sit as well with some fans of their older work. Fear not, though, because those elements still exist. There's a song about werewolves (though not my favorite on the album, admittedly). And there's a bona fide sequel to White Pearl, Black Oceans, which is hands-down my favorite track on the main album. If you enjoy their long, epic, sweeping tracks, then that will not fail to disappoint. If you've been a long-time fan, like me, then you've probably already purchased the album. If you're more a fan of power metal in the key of old Sonata Arctica or Stratovarius, then this album may be more hit-or-miss for you. If you've liked more recent Nightwish stuff, then this album may prove appealing to you. Overall, I enjoyed it. As a side note, the Japanese bonus track, The Elephant, is another one of my favorite tracks on the album. Look it up if you get a chance.
A**.
Would give it 6 stars if I could
The Ninth Hour, ninth studio album. I did what I always do when S.A. comes out with a new album...listened once all the way through. My initial reaction? Beautifully melodic, but too many slow songs (I tend to like the heavier, faster stuff). Then I really dug in. One day, Closer to an Animal is my favorite, the next day it's Rise a Night. Next thing I know, they're ALL my favorites, with the epic White Pearl, Black Oceans - Part II, "By the Grace of the Ocean", Fly, Navigate, Communicate, and Till Death's Done Us Apart getting some pretty heavy play on my stereo as of late. Tony Kakko's songwriting is nothing short of genius and that voice is just as perfect when heard live. If you like power metal, you will love this album.
V**L
One of their best!
I have been a fan of this band since Unia was released 10 years ago and only found out about this one four months after it was released. It reminds me a lot of Unia, which is maybe why I like it so much. Lead singer Tony Krakko has raised the bar on his own lyrics with odd metering that rarely even need rhymes. Topically, they cover social issues such as global warming and the US presidential race (Fairytale). Hats off to Tony!!!! The CD also has a very nice booklet with all of the lyrics.
J**Z
Ok
Very good band ,the cd is better and the other,less metal more progressive rock.
R**)
Masterpiece
The only sad part is that it didn't include the Japan bonus track, but I'm happy it arrived 2 days after it was released
K**R
Yep power metal
These guys do it again great power metal! If you are into power metal you want this.
D**E
They were happy with it and arrived as scheduled
Gift for Christmas for someone else. They were happy with it and arrived as scheduled.
M**L
Still the best
Amazing new sampling from Sonata Arctica. Great variety. Amazing music talent.
W**R
Operatic Rock
It took me 7 days to listen to all 6 cd's received of this band.. I enjoyed them all, some to the point of listening twice to a cd in order to grasp and understand the words of all the songs.. I do this, not just rock on to the music.. To me, the music was closer to, what I call, Operatic Rock.. Fun to listen to, soothing..
G**L
Beautiful, best since Days Of Grays
I wasn't even in the mood for this album, but it arrived and so I listened. And got a little excited. This is definitely a continuation of the Unia, Days of Grays etc path, and although Stones... and Pariahs Child were great, it's probably the most balanced, consistent album they've done in a few years. There have been comments in reviews I've read around the production/mix, however I'm warming to it, and it really shines on some tracks. I'll cover a few highlights, in album order not in order of preference. When I refer to comparisons with another song, this isn't to say it's a repeat or a ripoff, only an indication of the themes and flavours. Closer To An Animal - how good this is has only recently started to dawn on me, reason why to follow... Fairytale - bit of a Champagne Bath vibe to this, flavoured with a dash of political commentary. (By the way, Tony has continued to step up his lyrical game on this album) Til Death's Done Us Apart. This has a Caleb/Juliet flavour and theme, and is a real highlight for me. Among The Shooting Stars. Could this be a sequel to FullMoon? Not musically, however there are definitely lyrical references, and this is a great song. Fly, Navigate, Communicate. Just a bloomin' great tune, is all I can say here. White Pearl, Black Oceans pt II. Well, there's nothing like the weight of expectation is there. Creating a sequel to such a classic is a hell of a risk. So, do they pull it off? Well, don't expect a total repeat of what's gone before, however I think everyone will be pretty damn happy with this epilogue / ending. And it starts like a cross between the Theme from Titanic and Auld Lang Syne. Kind of appropriate :-) I don't want to say too much. Just..enjoy! On The Faultline (Closure to an Animal). Not much has been said about this, however it may be my favorite on the album, and is what has made me go back to and fully appreciate the first track. It's not what I thought it would be. I was expecting a bit of a piano outro or a short instrumental version of Closer to An Animal. Instead, it's a full song, with a slower version of the Closer... tune as it's basis. Whereas the first track feels like a song for the planet (yep it's kind of preachy!) this takes the same first verse lyrics and the same tune, slows it all down, and adds some piano, a wonderful yet odd vocal performance, and possibly my favorite lyrics yet from Mr Kakko. Hearing the slower version also allowed me to appreciate what a damn good tune they have here, and enjoy the opening track so much more. So in summary... it's a gud 'un
E**A
vale la spesa
Per gli appassionati del genere vale sicuramente la spesa. Non sono magari le sonorità dei Sonata degli inizi, ma io personalmente preferisco questo sound più "maturo". "White pearl, black Oceans part II- By the grace of the Ocean" indiscutibilmente la mia preferita dell'album. Consigliato.
Y**O
sonate arctique de luxe
Sonata Arctica vient de sortir son 9ème album avec "The Ninth Hour". Qu'en penser? si vous cherchez les hymnes speed metal des débuts, passez votre chemin. le groupe a sérieusement réduit la vitesse depuis plusieurs années et donc fini les compos pieds au plancher comme "blank file". Après peut on reprocher au groupe d'avoir cherché à évoluer après 4 albums forgés dans le même métal que Stratovarius et consorts? Pour moi la réponse est simple : non. Car comment évoluer dans un tel style musical sans servir les mêmes titres speed métal ad nauseam, sans se répéter, sans s'autoplagier, sans se parodier ? et du coup, s'aliéner les critiques? pas simple. donc pour moi, bon tact, Sonata Arctica a changé et même si je ne suis pas un grand fan du happy metal (cf The pariah child), j'aime ce changement et il est dommageable que l'on soit moins tendre avec Sonata Arctica qu'avec Nightwish qui eux aussi ont baissé le rythme, mis les solos de guitare de côté et privilégié des ambiances cinématographiques voire "indo-folk celtico-tribales"! ouarf Après, que l'auditeur fan de "speederie", de chant haut perché et de duels échevelés guitare-clavier n'y trouve plus son compte depuis Unia, on peut l'entendre mais de là à bouder le travail des finlandais, en balayant de la main des titres comme closer to an animal ou encore fairytale en proclamant "c'était mieux avant", je trouve cela dommage. Ce " Ninth Hour" se rapproche d'un days of grace qui reste pour moi, l'album de référence de la période post "ecliptica-silence- winterheart's guield-reckoning days" et la preuve du talent de compositeur de Tony Kakko. Il reste un excellent chanteur, doué. les morceaux sont accrocheurs. J'aime beaucoup la reprise de Bryan Adams "Run to You" sur la version digipack. les japonais ont droit à un autre titre " the elephant" si mes souvenirs sont bons. allez ne boudez plus ce groupe, faites un petit effort et vous verrez que Sonata Arctica, ça fait du bien!
レ**オ
どれもこれも
同じ様な曲に聴こえるなあ〜 ソナタらしいテンポの曲が欲しかった
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