Acoustic Adventures (Volume One)

Sonata Arctica has always been a band that liked to push its smoother side and experiment with unusual soundscapes. The band has been touring with acoustic performances before the pandemic and has received some critical acclaim for this project. This is why the Finnish quintet has decided to record two albums revisiting its material in acoustic versions. Acoustic Adventures (Volume One) is the first part and the second one is scheduled to be released later the same year.

The most interesting thing about this project is that Sonata Arctica did not just perform their songs acoustically but modified a few song structures that make for a fresh listening experience. The track list is also quite intriguing as it includes fan favourites from the early years, recent material and even some hidden gems. The acoustic bass guitar, acoustic guitar and banjo play is diversified as it varies from fast sections as heard in ''Wolf & Raven'' to dynamically meandering passages as in ''Don't Say a Word'' to smooth, slow and laid-back pickings as heard in ''For the Sake of Revenge''. The rhythm section also adapts fluidly to those different styles from speedy passages as in ''the Wolves Die Young'' over mid-paced sections as in ''A Little Less Understanding'' to extremely reduced sections as in ''On the Faultline''.

However, the record also has some minor flaws. First of all, the production is at times lacking balance as the keyboards sound a little bit too loud, dominant and aggressive in the mixture. This can especially be heard in songs domineered by keyboard sounds such as ''Tallulah''. The instrumental performance remains solid but the record would sound much better with a more balanced production. Another thing to be pointed out are Tony Kakko's at times very emotional, experimental and almost nervous performances. Instruments and vocals barely fit together in the opening moments of ''For the Sake of Revenge'' and his excessive use of different ranges and styles in ''Don't Say a Word'' makes for a stressful ride that doesn't blend into a laid-back acoustic album.

At the end of the day, Sonata Arctica's Acoustic Adventures (Volume One) is however a good to very good record that should please the band's most faithful fans that haven't minded the band's more recent shifts and changes in sound. However, fans of the early years who are still hoping for a return to the band's dynamic power metal style might have more issues appreciating this output than any other record before. The idea to release two of these albums in a row is certainly a risk that might lead to poor sales figures and concerts at very small locations. However, the band probably doesn't care about such downsides as it has been doing whatever it wanted to do throughout its career while ignoring professional critics and disappointed fans alike. This is certainly the right artistic approach as the band remains authentic, credible and surprising. No matter what you think about this new release, one has to admit that the band has put a lot of creativity, focus and passion into this new project.