Customer Reviews

For the Sake of Revenge (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Good
The DVD portion of this release highlights a sold-out show from Tokyo, Japan. I was instantly amazed at the size of the groups following, and the fact that they knew every word of every song. The stage is well-lit, and the band is in perfect voice and tone. Watch out for the double-kick drums and driving keyboards on the chant worthy "Misplaced," because at the hyper-speed in which they come at you will stop you dead in your tracks. Tony Kakko's vocals on "Blinded No More" are both emotional and enduring. Beautiful keyboard playing and audience clapping lead you into "Full Moon..." The track builds as each new instrument is added to the mix.

Virtuoso guitar runs don't get much faster than on "Victoria's Secret." It's not about what you think. Get your mind out of the gutter! Off the top of my head I can't remember what the "8th Commandment" is, but if it were to apply to Sonata Arctica, it must be `thou must shred to a manic drum beat.' Kakko is joined by his fellow band mates (as well as the audience) for a harmonic chorus. Subtle arpeggio guitars set a mellow mood on "Replica." The repetitive melodic chorus has one of those hooks that can't be denied.

Dual guitar runs command "Black Sheep's" instrumental breaks, and fire-off with wind abandon during the solo. Sonata Arctica closes their set with the seven minute epic "The Cage..." It has everything you could ask for in a high-energy power metal number. For time purposes, five songs from the DVD had to be cut for the bonus CD. Included as bonuses on the DVD are a documentary of the tour (complete with subtitles), and a biography and discography for the band.

The Bad
The cursive writing on all of the print material was a little heard to read.

The Verdict
Where have these guys been hiding?! I know that the U.S. isn't the most welcoming of power metal bands, but these guys kick ass! For the Sake of Revenge doesn't just assault your ears with its impactful musical arrangements; it also widens your eyes as you lay witness to the energy and global appeal of this band.

This is the greatest freaking thing that I own! I'm not exaggerating. Sonata Arctica have been my favorite band for years now... But I cannot tell you how much I anticipated this DVD release. (Years before the concept was even in motion) But the bottom line is.. I would have been happy with Marco farting on a snare drum for all I cared.. I just wanted some legit footage of them in concert. So naturally I pre-ordered this product LONG before it was released. To my great surprise it was not only obviously carrying sonata's seal of approval in quality.. but it is down right the best concert I've ever seen. The sound is UNBELIEVABLE.. Tony Kakko's vocals are beyond Epic. Janni and Henrik are on the ball like never imagined. All in all it is absolute brilliance at it's best. I've watched it about 10 times since it came in... (It's been here for 3 days now. haha).

Not to mention.. The boys have really released one hell of a generous offer here. Not only do they have the greatest DVD Concert video I've EVER had the privilage to see... But they also included the whole concert on an audio CD as well.. FOR FREE! Hell.. Brings me back to when I bought iron maiden's rockin in rio CD... just to buy the DVD about 6 months later. Right on! All I can say is.. If you haven't been a die hard sonata arctica fan for years.. You should seriously start catching up right now. They are clearly the all around best band on the planet and it's about time they started getting the recognition they so desperately deserved.

I'm happy to finally say that since they toured the states recently I had the epic privilage of seeing them in concert. My only complaint was that I couldn't see that amazing show every week. The DVD certainly took care of that. Like I said.. it is most definitely my favorite possession. BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT! FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! LOOK AT THE PRICE!!! WTF IS THAT? THAT'S THE PRICE OF A REASONABLY PRICED CD! WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? DID I DO SOMETHING RIGHT? IS GOD REWARDING ME? haha.. BUY IT! I kid you not... (Unless you're a complete imbecile with the musical tastes of a deaf ghetto thug with down's syndrome) you will absolutely LOVE this DVD/CD.

I'd continue to brag about how proud I am of this release but I'm pretty sure it would all begin to sound the same. I'M JUST SO STOKED THAT I FINALLY HAVE IT! BUY IT!

It is impossible to stay sad, apathetic or lethargic while listening to Sonata Arctica. Their music is EXHILARATING! Their latest studio cd, 'Reckoning Night' is a perfect album - a masterpiece of extremely high-energy power metal, stunning keyboards, and emotionally evocative vocals.

All of that is displayed to perfection in their live show. Yes, they actually did tour the US in fall 2006, and I was one of the lucky ones to see them in a small club in Texas. We met the band backstage - very nice guys! And Tony has the best voice in metal! He SINGS! Wow, such a rarity these days!

This dvd captures the energy and totally does the band justice, as they are in their element in a large venue. You'll see dualing guitar and keyboards and rabid fans, and experience the crystal clarity of Tony's voice and the intensely high-energy yet achingly beautiful music. They take you higher, then higher, and when you think you can go no higher, they take you higher still. It's hard to describe and you won't understand until you experience their music.

For new fans, this is a great way to be introduced to one of the very best bands around today. For existing bands, this is a MUST. There are no negatives. It's a perfect live show.

I saw this band live when a band I was in opened up for them, and they were amazing. As a keyboard player, I was really impressed with them live. The cd sounds great. All the band members are in top form.

The dvd video, and audio is perfect aswell. If your a fan of this band, this cd/dvd is a must have.

This is a greatest hits package performed entirely in concert to a crowd of rabid Tokyo fans. It chronicles the band's very best songs from their debut album to their latest good Reckoning Night effort. It is a great treat for fans and a decent introduction to people who aren't familiar with the band. Sonata Arctica plays a style of happy metal, which unlike the rest of this particular genre, it isn't cheesy and doesn't embarrass itself. For one thing, there's a high degree of musicianship in the material and they also know how to craft powerful songs that you'll remember for a long time. The CD contains 15 songs, while the DVD comes with 20, as well as a short bonus featurette. It features the band on their road to Japan, from their arrival at the airport to their visits to some Japanese clubs, all while being silly and drunk. The good Metal life, indeed...

This CD/DVD is what should be expected out of any combo package from any band. It's amazing how little this band is known throughout the United States, and it was incredibly hard for me to find all their CD's. I had to special order two of them from a little local record store and I had to search high and low for Winterheart's Guild, For The Sake of Revenge, and Reckoning Night... but damn, it was worth it.
The only other band on this planet that rivals Sonata Arctica is Dragonforce. It's that simple. But on to the review.
How could you not love this combo? The DVD is shot beautifully, and the band is so energetic. The crowd loves it, and some of Tony's lines from song to song, such as the opening for Victoria's Secret ('who wants to hear some underwear music???') add a comedic element to the performance. The included CD, while missing some songs, is still an amazing deal. And, it still has my personal favorite Sonata track on it, 'Broken'.
If I had one complaint, it would only be that I wish the set list had included Abandoned, Pleased, Brainwashed, Exploited. A must have for everyone.

I stumbled upon Sonata Arctica because I read they were from Finland and Nightwish were fans of these guys. Well, this live album is the first I bought (can you resist a full DVD and CD for the price of one?) and it really is great. The singer has got a heck of a voice and the entire band is skilled. Maybe not Dream Theater skilled, but better than majority of the bands out now. The guys just seem to be having a lot of fun as well. The DVD is also very well done (good color and sound), but most important of all, no rapid fire edits like what Iron Maiden puts out.

This is a good place to start if you are new to the band like I am.

Sonata Arctica has become one of my favorite metal bands, second only to In Flames...their music is so powerful and this DVD is proof of that. if you are a fan of SA, power metal, or just metal in general, i definitely recommend this DVD.

I've been following this band since I heard their cover of the Scorpions "Still Living You" on the Nuclear Blast tribute disc. This is back when none of their albums were distributed by Centry Media or Nuclear Blast and only available via Finish label Spinefarm. This band never fails to amaze me. And since they've not to my knowledge toured the USA yet, this was my chance to see them live. I admit, I could've cared less about the audio CD of the concert included in this package. My main reason for this purchase was the DVD of this amazing career spanning performance in Japan. If you love this band as much as I do, YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS DVD/CD SET to fully appreciate this power metal force. I know they are very talented musicians, but seeing the flawless nature of them live is much more impressive. Bottom line, ALL Sonata Arctica fans MUST OWN THIS!!!!!!! You'll hate yourself if you don't!

Power Metal may not the most exposed in North America, but the none the less, it's hard to claim that Sonata Arctica isn't a good band. Their music is fast, loud, melodic, and dramatic, without resorting to screaming "SATAN ATE MY BRAIN!" repeatedly with arbitrary hard beats repeating over and over again. If ever there was music that deserved the term POWER metal, this is it. It's simply powerful music. At least try the samples on this site...you won't be dissapointed.