Sonata Arctica in Bochum

Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power-metal band formed in Kemi in 1996. Led by singer and principal songwriter Tony Kakko, the group became known through the album Ecliptica and songs including “FullMoon,” “Replica” and “Don’t Say a Word,” combining rapid melodic metal with prominent keyboards and dramatic vocal lines. Sonata Arctica joined Stratovarius and Rhapsody on European dates in 2000, soon after the release of Ecliptica. The band later supported Nightwish on the North American leg of the Dark Passion Play tour in 2008. The Ecliptica 15th Anniversary Tour revisited the debut album in full, while the Acoustic Adventures tour presented the catalogue in acoustic arrangements. The band has repeatedly toured Germany and has mounted multi-city runs in Brazil and Mexico.