The first in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of “Stones Grow Her Name”, the new album from Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA, can be seen below. Due on May 18 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded in several studios all over Finland, mixed at Sonic Pump Studios by Mikko Karmila and mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck. The effort will be released as a limited-edition digipak, standard jewel case, vinyl and download.
“Stones Grow Her Name” track listing:
01. Only The Broken Hearts (Make You Beautiful)
02. Shitload of Money
03. Losing My Insanity
04. Somewhere Close To You
05. I Have A Right
06. Alone In Heaven
07. The Day
08. Cinderblox
09. Don’t Be Mean
10. Wildfire II
11. Wildfire III
Commented SONATA ARCTICA vocalist Tony Kakko: “I’ve had a very hard and work-filled two-year period writing the songs while touring extensively with our previous album, ‘The Days of Grays’. But it has all been worth it!
“Yet again we are introducing new things to keep the music alive and interesting. New elements, styles and new moods, talented quest artists and ideas for the enjoyment of the loyal friends of our music.”
Gunnar Sauermann, a writer for the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine, was one of the first media people to hear a rough-mix version of “Stones Grow Her Name” at this past February’s Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki. He comments, “SONATA ARCTICA was never more exciting and more versatile as on ‘Stones Grow Her Name’. Every single song is a hit!”
Gunnar Sauermann, a writer for the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine, was one of the first media people to hear a rough-mix version of “Stones Grow Her Name” at this past February’s Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki. He comments, “SONATA ARCTICA was never more exciting and more versatile as on ‘Stones Grow Her Name’. Every single song is a hit!”
SONATA ARCTICA’s concert DVD, “Live In Finland”, last November topped the official “Music DVD” chart in Finland. Released in Europe on November 11 and in North America on November 15 via Nuclear Blast, the set includes the band’s entire April 15, 2011 performance at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland as well as a bonus disc containing four songs that were filmed at the band’s own festival on August 8, 2009 in Kemi, Finland. Also featured on the DVD are SONTA ARCTICA’s promotional videos for the songs “Don’t Say A Word”, “Paid In Full” and “Flag In The Ground” as well as a photo gallery and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the DVD. There is also a bonus CD containing eight songs that were recorded at the Kemi festival concert.
“The Days Of Grays” sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 19 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
“The Days Of Grays” was released on September 22, 2009 in North America through Nuclear Blast Records.
Making of “Stones Grow Her Name” – part 1:
“Stones Grow Her Name” teaser:
Source: www.blabbermouth.net