Live report SONATA ARCTICA & ELEINE, Fabrik, Hamburg – October 25th, 2022

What started as a small project has developed into an almost standalone program. Finland’s power metal outfit Sonata Arctica started to convert some of their songs into acoustic songs a few years ago and toured the home country. The band just wanted to challenge themselves and what came out of it is an amazing acoustic cycle that takes the band through Europe again these days.

Tonight the Finns guest in Hamburg and before they enter the stage, it is their label mates from Eleine who act as openers. The five Swedes from the Skåne region are actually settled in symphonic metal, but have, like the headliner, recorded a few songs unplugged and released them under the name ‘Acoustic in Hell’. Thus it is self-evident that Eleine also play unplugged tonight and thus relatively energy-saving. However, energy-saving does not refer to the show, because the Swedes are fully engaged and committed. The quintet actually shows that acoustic can include a lot of power and the reaction in the audience is more than a warm applause. Sing-a-long and a party vibe, that is what the Swedes create with their music and hereby set the bar high for the headliner.

Also unplugged, but with a different approach, Sonata Arctica perform their acoustic set. The Fabrik offers a beautiful environment for the calmer and more soulful show of the Finns, which is based very much on emotions. While Eleine were very agile, the members of Sonata Arctica sit throughout the entire set and create a very intimate atmosphere in which the songs can unfold to their fullest.

Even though the softer moments are at the forefront of Sonata Arctica, there were plenty of moments where fans rose from their seats to clap and sing along. ‘Half a Marathon Man’ and also ‘Full Moon’ spread good vibes, while ‘Wolf and Raven’ has the tempo in the center. It’s these energetic moments that are a welcome variation and a well put together setlist could certainly have benefited from one or two extra songs of this kind.

Sonata Arctica and Eleine show that an acoustic set can be interpreted quite differently, which makes this evening a soulful and energetic end of the day.