Widely successful, Ecliptica opened doors for Sonata Arctica to participate in two tribute records. Initially released in Finland, other countries quickly followed. Approximately 200 copies from that first run were sold and are now considered rare collectors items.Īutumn of 1999 marked the release of the very first full-length album, 'Ecliptica'. The mistake was discovered shortly after the first batch of discs was sent to music stores. During the first mix/pressing of the UnOpened single, Track 1, UnOpened, was unintentionally slowed down. Two tracks from the single, UnOpened and Mary-Lou marked the arrival of SA to the power metal community. The title song was instantaneously included in the Metalliliitto 1999 compilation CD. Summer of 1999 brought us the first single from Sonata Arctica, 'UnOpened'. At the same time Tricky Beans became Sonata Arctica. As fate would have it, and with help from Ahti Kortelainen of Tico Tico Studios, the 'FullMoon' demo found its way to the premier metal label of Finland, Spinefarm. The band's trademark sound of fast, melodic and keyboard oriented heavy metal with clear, high vocals was born.

This new demo was the first exploration for the band in heavy metal waters. At the time of recording the line-up consisted of: Tony (vocals/keys), Jani (guitars), Tommy (drums), and Janne (bass).

In 1999 the band recorded a new demo 'FullMoon' in Tico Tico Studios located in their hometown, Kemi. Originally formed as Tricky Beans, they released few demos and as they got the contract they had to change their name. Sonata Arctica was formed in 1996 on the edge of the world, in the northern Finnish town of Kemi.

Sonata arctica silence album cover