SEPTEMBER 16th, 2024
SONATA ARCTICA
Review & Photos by: Polina Kulikovskikh
Photo Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/sonata-arctica/

On September 16th, Oslo’s Vulkan Arena hosted an electrifying lineup of metal bands: Serious Black, Tungsten, Firewind, and Sonata Arctica. Despite it being a Monday night, the venue was packed, with fans staying energetic and engaged until the very end.

The evening kicked off with a high-energy set from Serious Black, a melodic power metal band formed in 2014 by seasoned musicians from well-known acts. Their sound—a compelling blend of melodic power metal, catchy hooks, and symphonic elements—appeals to fans of both classic and modern metal. Initially founded by bassist Mario Lochert (Emergency Gate, ex-Visions of Atlantis) and guitarist Roland Grapow (Helloween, Masterplan), the band’s all-star lineup included members like Urban Breed (Tad Morose, Bloodbound), Dominik Sebastian (Edenbridge), Jan Vacik (Dreamscape), and Thomen Stauch (Blind Guardian), earning them a reputation as a "supergroup."

Since then, the lineup has shifted, with Roland Grapow and Thomen Stauch departing early on, and in 2021, longtime vocalist Urban Breed also left. He was replaced by Nikola Mijić (Alogia, Eden’s Curse), who now leads the band as they promote their newest album Rise of Akhenaton. Their set opened with a majestic intro, immersing the audience in the ancient Egyptian themes of their new album. They began with "Akhenaton" from As Daylight Breaks and followed up with "Mr. Nightmist" from Magic, and Take Your Life from their latest release. The crowd responded enthusiastically to their polished and intense performance.

Next to hit the stage was Tungsten, a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 2016. Known for their distinctive blend of power metal, modern metal, and industrial elements, Tungsten has carved out a unique niche in the metal scene. The band was founded by legendary drummer Anders Johansson (HammerFall, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), who teamed up with his sons, Nick Johansson on guitar and Karl Johansson on bass. Rounding out the lineup is vocalist Mike Andersson (Cloudscape, Fullforce), whose dynamic range adds depth to their sound. Though Anders Johansson’s impressive metal pedigree initially attracted attention, Tungsten has developed its own identity by fusing various metal subgenres into something fresh and modern.

In Oslo, Tungsten delivered a powerful set featuring a mix of their older material and tracks from their forthcoming album, The Grand Inferno, due in October. The band performed several new singles, giving fans a preview of their evolving sound. The energetic performance reinforced Tungsten’s growing reputation as a rising force in the metal world.

The third act of the evening was Firewind, a Greek power metal band formed in 1998 by virtuoso guitarist Gus G., best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne. Over the years, Firewind has become one of the leading names in European power metal, celebrated for their melodic compositions, high-energy shows, and Gus G.’s signature guitar solos.

Firewind is currently supporting their latest album, Stand United, released in March 2024. They kicked off their set with "Fallen Angel", a standout track from the new album, and followed it with a well-balanced mix of songs from different periods in their long history. The setlist featured both fan favorites and deeper cuts, creating a performance that catered to both longtime followers and new listeners. Gus G.’s masterful solos stood out throughout the show, injecting excitement and technical brilliance into every song, making it clear why he’s regarded as one of metal’s premier guitarists. Firewind’s tight musicianship and dynamic stage presence ensured they left a strong impression, perfectly setting the tone for the headliner, Sonata Arctica.

Sonata Arctica is widely considered one of the most influential Finnish power metal bands, alongside bands like Stratovarius and Nightwish. The band that formed in Kemi, Finland, in 1995. Originally starting under the name Tricky Beans, the band transitioned from a hard rock sound to the more symphonic and melodic power metal style they are known for today.

They took the stage around 10:30 PM, despite the late hour for a Monday night, but the crowd’s enthusiasm didn’t waver. The band is touring in support of their latest album, Clear Cold Beyond, which was released in March 2024.The new album continues their trend of blending powerful, symphonic metal with more personal and introspective lyrics.

They opened their set with "First in Line" and "Dark Empath" from the new record, immediately captivating the audience. The band followed with "I Have a Right," a fan favorite that prompted a passionate sing-along from the crowd. The setlist was a well-balanced journey through Sonata Arctica’s extensive discography, blending newer material with older classics, keeping the energy high from start to finish.

Sonata Arctica setlist:
First in Line
Dark Empath
I Have a Right
California
Angel Defiled
The Last Amazing Grays
Tallulah
Replica
My Land
FullMoon

Encore:
Flag in the Ground
Don't Say a Word
Vodka