Making a return appearance at Winnipeg, located in the geographic center of Canada, Finland's Sonata Arctica drove 26 hours straight from London, Ontario, to make it to the gig, according to charismatic lead singer Tony Kakko.
The doors at the West End Cultural Centre, a renovated church lauded as one of the best live rooms in Western Canada, were supposed to open at 7:15 pm, but a few minutes after I arrived, the promoters were posting notices that the band was running late and one of the opening acts, North Carolina's Sanctity, had canceled.
I wasn't sure if I should sit in my car to thwart the barely tolerable cold weather, head to a cafe, or just stand outside and be among the first in line, practically guaranteeing myself access to one of the few seats. I ran into a friend who I often see at classic rock and metal shows, and we opted to stay in the small line up. He had seen them before and we both marveled that such a quality band would have to return to a venue that sounds great but holds less than 400 people.
Ticketmaster lists them as having 311 seats, but I wasn't sure if the gig had more people since there were no more than 50 chairs available, with everybody else standing. Clearly, a lot of metal fans just don't know about them - or fellow Finnish power metal kings, Stratovarius, who also sold out their last show in Winnipeg, appearing at the same venue.The local opening act, Port Amoral, was actually pretty decent, with crunchy, Iron Maiden-ish guitars and a lead singer who does not rely exclusively on "cookie monster" vocals. They exited the stage around 9:15. I ran into another friend who shares my broad taste in music. I mentioned to him that I sometimes just show up around 10 pm or later for shows at this venue rather than have to sit around twiddling my thumbs for three hours. He said the headliners would likely begin at 10:45, while I was hoping for 10 pm. He was right. Next time, I'm showing up late.The crowd was packed so tightly that the promoters actually forced people to back away from the front of the stage. Whenever the lights flicked off and on or a roadie appeared on stage, audience members cheered in anticipation. After several false starts, the band finally took to the stage.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
"Clearly, a lot of metal fans just don't know about them"
Come on, alot of metal fans know about them but just don't like them. The "Power" Metal scene is just as bad now as the glam rock scene was in the late 80's. The horrible love-laced, bland ballads along with the generic galloping of the fast songs. Plus,the way-over-the-top production.
There are a trillion acts from Norway,Finnland,etc that all sound alike & it is all Stratovarius' fault.
Rhapsody of Fire, Fairyland, Nightwish,Kamelot,Evergrey... The list goes on & on. They sound like the band Europe on crack.
Don't even get me started about Dragonforce.
2 - Triniman
If Nightwish can play a venue twice the size, I can't see why these guys can't get into a larger venue. I do agree with you that there are several "power metal" bands out there that terrible. The crowd had people with a variety of tastes based on the t-shirts, suggesting that even some Slayer, Maiden, Metallica fans like SA and the show was sold out. Most of the metal fans I know had not even heard about them, but they tend to like the old school bands the best.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yea, I don't see why they couldn't play a larger venue but I don't think that style of music is what the mainstream metal fan wants. They are all into the hybrid-crossover of emo & hardcore. Most people wear the Maiden,Slayer & Metallica shirts as a fashion statement so I wouldn't count on the clothes to determine much.
4 - John
There's so much musicianship hearkening back to classical music and its scales in their songs. And thankfully, they don't spend half the time brutalizing the same three chords and their own voices. Frankly, it's refreshing and incredible music, with much more taste and human meaning than traditional 'power metal.' All things considered, it's really no surprise that fans sing themselves hoarse at their shows.
I wish for their sakes that they earn the notoriety they deserve, though I enjoy seeing them perform at the smaller, more personal-feeling venues.
5 - Triniman
I'm sooo tired of the emo, hardcore, black metal, neu-metal, silly, cookie-monster vocals bands (except for Dimmu Borgir!) Been there, done that.
While I don't dig everything SA do, I appreciate their best material. It was a treat to see them in such a small, intimate venue.
6 - Jocelyn
This was the most amazing concert I have ever been to and I really hope they come back soon. It was a great experience. I really hope they get the atttention they deserve. They are no nightwish (thank god) and shouldnt be compared to them. We dont compare Billy Talent to Britney Spears meerly because they are from the same continent.