Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, and the first album with original member Marko Paasikoski on bass, who returned to the band the previous year. Stratovarius lead singer Timo Kotipelto sang guest vocals on the album.

Concept and themes

The cover art, featuring a landscape divided into night, summer and winter, was meant to depict nature. However, Tony explained that the cover was not supposed to feature too much symbolism, except for the footprints leading away from the campfire. and Talviyö<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "The Last of the Lambs".

"The Power of One" is the longest Sonata Arctica song to date, at a length of 10:43, not including an extra minute of silence followed by an outtake from the narrator.

Track listing

All songs written by Tony Kakko

Personnel

;Sonata Arctica

  • Tony Kakko – vocals, additional keyboards
  • Jani Liimatainen – guitars
  • Mikko Härkin – keyboards
  • Marko Paasikoski – bass
  • Tommy Portimo – drums

;Guest vocalists

  • Timo Kotipelto – backing vocals and last line (on track 3)
  • Nik Van-Eckmann – male voices (on tracks: 1, 4, 7 and 13)
  • Renay Gonzalez – female voice (on track 4)

;Technical staff

  • Produced by Ahti Kortelainen at Tico Tico Studios
  • Mixed by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox Studios in April 2001
  • Mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios
  • Cover art and logo by Eric Philipp
  • Inlay drawings by Tero Junkkila
  • Original logo concept by Janne "ToxicAngel" Pitkänen
  • Art Direction and background photos by T. Kakko
  • Band photo by Toni Härkönen

Charts

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"| Chart (2001)

! scope="col"| Peak<br />position

|-

|-

!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)

| align="center"| 16

|}

Certifications

References

  • Album info
  • Lyrics