Finnish melodic metallers Sonata Arctica will release their new studio album “Clear Cold Beyond” via Atomic Fire Records on March 8, 2024.
The LP contains 10 tracks that revive the band’s penchant for power metal-esque tunes after their journey into acoustic landscapes during the pandemic.
“Clear Cold Beyond” is packed with strong songs and combines the best of all periods of the group’s diverse work: from up-tempo anthems like the recently released single “First In Line” and “California” to emotionally charged tracks like “The Best Things” and the closing title track, this album has something for every Sonata Arctica fan. The album’s artwork, reminiscent of their early work, was created by Niko Anttila and the band returned to mixing engineer Mikko Karmila (Finnvox Studios). The final mastering was done by Svante Forsbäck (Chartmakers West, Rammstein, Korpiklaani, Delain, The 69 Eyes, Deathstars, etc), who has also worked on other Sonata Arctica productions.
Commenting on the new album, singer Tony Kakko says, “We’ve felt for a while now that we needed to get heavier after a couple of unintentionally softer albums. We still love those albums, but in terms of finding cornerstone songs for a feel-good melodic metal show, the previous album didn’t have much to offer. We’re getting back to metal after all that feels like a fresh start, and the new songs have been so much fun to write and record: More speed and songs that people can and want to sing along to. We can’t wait to hit the road with this album and see how the crowds react to us being back at it.”
“Clear Cold Beyond” track listing:
01-First In Line
02-California
03-Shah Mat
04-Dark Empath
05-Cure For Everything
06-A Monster Only You Can’t See
07-Teardrops
08-Angel Defiled
09-The Best Things
10-Clear Cold Beyond
Bonus tracks (digipak + vinyl only):
11-A Ballad For The Broken
12-Toy Soldiers (Martika cover)
Further details – including various pre-order options – will be announced very soon, and another new track will be launched simultaneously. Make sure to pre-save “A Monster Only You Can’t See” now, here: https://sonataarctica.afr.link/amonsterPR.
Sonata Arctica live:
16.03.2024 FI Laukaa – Peurunka Areena
03.05.2024 NO Kopervik – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
11.05.2024 BE Bomal-sur-Ourthe – Durbuy Rock Festival
31.05. – 02.06.2024 CZ Pilsen – Metalfest
28-30.06.2024 FI Helsinki – Tuska Festival
31.07. – 03.08.2024 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air SOLD OUT
07- 10.08.2024 ES Villena – Leyendas del Rock