Text by Rust Machado
Trying to launch their South American tour since the days of social isolation, Sonata Arctica finally returned to Brazil for an extensive tour, covering 8 cities in the country. The band is celebrating 25 years, fueling fans' expectations for a show packed with modern power metal classics.
On Wednesday, March 15th, around 7:50 PM, the evening begins on the Opinião bar stage with the band Firewing , who recently made waves in the melodic metal scene with the release of Resurrection (2021). The album garnered positive reviews in Brazil and abroad, and now the quartet is accompanying Sonata Arctica on the southern leg of their tour. Unlike the album, the band appears much more raw on stage. While the studio's high production raises questions about how to produce a good melodic metal album today, their live performance is clearly influenced by speed and prog metal . Vocalist Jota Fortinho is a true gem of the genre, delivering visceral high notes and enviable technical mastery. The setlist included tracks from their debut album such as "Obscure Minds" and "Demons of Society," which positively surprised the audience, especially the latter with its multiple grooves, blast beats , and high-level vocal melody. The band came without the keyboard, so prominent on the album, but the instrument wasn't missed at all, making the show less pretentious and more direct and heavy.
It was natural to imagine that Sonata Arctica would come with a sound far superior to the Brazilian band, but even so, it's clear from the sound quality that Firewing is on the right track. Toned guitars, a very present bass, integrated into a respectable rhythm section, bringing challenging arrangements for the players and impressive ones for the listeners. The band showcased several tracks from their album, closing the night with "Last Gasp," their latest single from February. After this great opening, a special atmosphere lingered between Firewing and the band from Rio Grande do Sul.
Starting at 9 PM, the Opinião bar humorously celebrates the arrival of the Finnish band with the sound of "Bright Side of Life," the anthem of the Monty Python , preceding Sonata Arctica's arrival on stage. Tommy Portimo (drums), Henrik Kingenberg (keyboards), Pasi Kaupinen (bass), and Elias Viljanen (guitar) take the stage, followed by the iconic frontman Tony Kakko , and launch into "The Wolves Die Young" in a lively, energetic, and very loud version. The marks of time, visible on the once youthful faces of a Sonata Arctica now two and a half decades old, add even more weight and credibility to the quintet. With 3 classic members (Kakko, Portimo and Klingenberg, who joined the group early in their discography), Sonata Arctica's sound and vocals evoke feelings of nostalgia in older listeners, even when playing more modern hits like "Days of Amazing Grey" and "Story of the Armada," which become addictively heavy live.
In the next set, a return to the first decade, with “Paid in Full”, followed by “Sing in Silence”, with its narrative setting in a musical-worthy introduction, and the agile display of “Kingdom for a Heart”. The band launched into the excellent “Caleb”, and then the vocalist invoked the bestial creatures inhabiting the audience, summoning them to sing “Closer to an animal”. At the end, he reminded the fans that this animal could be any animal, from birds to elephants, among others mentioned. The text serves as a hook to announce more than just an animal, a surprise in the setlist for the people of Rio Grande do Sul, and one of their fan-favorite tracks, “Black Sheep”. The audience surrendered completely to the Finnish band, appreciating every note of this Nordic metal classic.
The band also played “I Have a Right” and “Broken.” During the classic ballad “Tallulah,” Kakko inquired if anyone present was born in 2003, creating fan fiction about children from past relationships to the sound of the ballad from the EP Successor (few people got the joke). Finally, of course, they closed the set with an impeccable performance of “Full Moon,” bringing the house down.
The band leaves the stage to a standing ovation, quickly returning to deliver "The Cage," another favorite and a masterclass in virtuosity and power metal. Tony Kakko bids farewell to the city he's frequented since the beginning of his career, reminding us of the privilege of seeing a live show and thanking the audience for keeping the passion for live music alive. The band says goodbye with "Don't Say a Word," followed by a humorous and unpretentious interaction with the audience. Before leaving, the vocalist teaches those present when and why to shout the word "vodka," and band and audience become one to promote the success of this boozy and fun ending.
Live, Tonny Kakko gives a true lesson in self-esteem, showcasing enviable technique, even while wearing the most random outfits imaginable. Sonata Arctica is his greatest legacy, spanning 25 years (to round it off), contributing his dedication, ambition, and success. Special mention also goes to Tommy Portimo, who, even during the fastest transitions, doesn't lose his smile. Unfortunately, 14 songs aren't enough to give a glimpse of what the band is capable of, sacrificing classics like "Wolf and Raven" and "Replica".
Still, this is a band worth seeing whenever possible, so that one can appreciate the effect of time on their extensive discography, on the cycles of metal culture, and on our own personal outcomes, so dear to the lyrics of these celebrated Finns.
Our contributor Alessandra Felizari was also there and captured the evening. Check out exclusive photos of the show below.
