Collection 1996-2006, The - Sonata Arctica

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	One hit and lots of B-sides
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Unmemorable
Value for Money	Poor

Advantages:	Okay selection of songs
Disadvantages:	re - make of several songs not that good

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

Sonata Arctica is a power metal band hailing from Finland. In one decade, they have managed to produce 4 albums (up to 2006), 2 compilations and a DVD. In 2005, they also released a compilation called The End of this Chapter, then a year later, they release this CD. Why, I wonder. Perhaps the songs on the previous compilation wasn't enough to satisfy the fans so they made another one, or distro label wanted to line their pockets further.

This CD compromises of songs from all the albums pre-2006. There are two songs that have been re-made but all other songs remain untouched; it is for this reason why it isn't suitable for big fans of Sonata Arctica, they may have already got other albums that contains these songs anyway.

The track list are as follows;
01. The Ruins Of My Life
02. 8th Commandment
03. Don't Say A Word
04. Victoria's Secret
05. Tallulah
06. Wolf & Raven
07. Black Sheep
08. Broken
09. Kingdom For A Heart
10. FullMoon
11. My Land [2006 re-make]
12. The Cage
13. Last Drop Falls
14. UnOpened
15. San Sebastian [Revisited]
16. Ain't Your Fairytale
17. Replica [2006 re-make]

I am not too sure if the songs have been carefully chosen to showcase the band's songs, as most of the songs actually comes from the first and second album of Eplictica and Silence. Eplictica was a very good album, I held it in a high regard; perhaps one of the best 'flower metal' album produced in the last decade. 8th Commandment, Replica, FullMoon, Unopened and Kingdom for a Heart was taken from Eplictica, not the best songs chosen but they can't please everyone! What I didn't like what they did with the song of Replica and My Land; they made new versions which in my eyes, ruined the songs forever and shouldn't have been put on the CD at all.

However, the selection from the second album of Silence; was well-thought, more suitable for the newcomers who may pick up the CD as it really shows Sonata Arctica's talents at creating moody but yet heavy songs. The songs as follows are; San Sebastian [Revisited], Black Sheep, Wolf & Raven and Tallulah. Fantastic songs displayed from that album; they are all mid-paced songs that are incredibly catchy.

Now, the third album; Winterheart's Guild. It is a lot of people's favourite album so it couldn't be hard to pick few good songs from this album, right? Which is why I was disappointed to see they have not done so. What I could not comprehend was the fact WHY they chose to put Victoria's Secret; it does nothing for me as a song at all. Utterly useless waste of space on the CD! But the other songs chosen were the Cage. Which is 'alright'. I would have suggested other songs.

Hang on, isn't this too many songs mentioned already when we've still got Reckoning Night to discuss? ....Well, the label decided not to put any of the songs from Reckoning Night; for some unknown reason. So basically, the title is misleading, it is not the works from 1999 to 2006, it is actually 1999-2003, which would mislead a lot of customers who might believe this album would also include songs from Reckoning Night.

The album art is quite striking again; Sonata Arctica is quite consistent in their album style; it always displays a feel of winter (not surprising seeing they come from Finland.) mixed with poignancy (If that's the right word?). The booklet still contains the same style as before, I always love looking at the pictures as I listen to my music so I can really get into the imagery.

In summary, I would suggest that this CD is only for newcomers to this band; definitely not suitable for fans who already have purchased Sonata Arctica's other albums; they will feel that this release is very poor in comparison as the selection of songs does nothing for Sonata Arctica! The remakes that SA have done has lowered the respect I had for them; they should realise the greatness of their songs and not interfere with them.

Thank you for reading.