The Days of Grays

The Days of Grays is an ambitious work on which Sonata Arctica, without staying in mere speed and catchiness, steps into a grander, symphonic, complex world. It pushes the progressive direction of the previous Unia further. The rich color of piano and gorgeous strings largely and deeply widens the songs’ shading. A record on which Tony Kakko’s outstanding songwriting powerfully supported that grand world. From the development from the grand opening instrumental to the dramatic epic “Deathaura” and the drama of “The Last Amazing Grays” to a cut like “Flag in the Ground,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Breathing” and “The Dead Skin” convey the work’s fullness. Behind the gorgeous, beautiful melody, a somehow deep, introspective air strongly hangs. A deep record on which, due to its very rich information, there are new discoveries of arrangement and construction each time you listen back. Introducing symphonic elements more boldly, it greatly widened the band’s expression. An engaging, ambitious work showing Sonata Arctica’s mature expression and ambition — a record where the band’s deepening shines.