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Ok... Stratovarius, Children Of Bodom, and now this...  The Finnish metal scene is definitely full of world-class metal bands.

Ecliptica, Sonata Arctica's debut album, had to grow on me.  The first time I listened to it, I just thought it was yet another melodic power metal band, that it sounded like all the others out there etc...  I put the CD aside for a while.  After listening to it a few more times later, I realized I was dead wrong.  This turns out to be an very well-written album.  Even more impressive is that the band members' average age is around 20... Doesn't that remind you of another very talented Finnish band? :)

The album is mostly fast-paced with a couple of excellent ballads, Replica and Letter To Dana to slow down your heartbeat a little.  I'm not too fond of keyboards, and in a couple of songs they seem to be overused a little bit, although they do fit very well with the rest, I just wish they would be a little less present here and there.  Can't complain about the vocals however, the lead vocalist has a great voice and he knows how to use it.  Well, it's simple, beside the occasional overuse of the keyboards, it's hard to find something actually "wrong" with this album.  The lyrics seem pretty well thought-out, although I noticed that sometimes the printed lyrics are different from what is on the CD... I find that more funny than annoying. :)

Sonata Arctica is definitely one of the best newcomers on the melodic power metal scene.  Anyone into power metal should get this album, you won't regret it.  Those guys are here to stay.