Label: Reaper Entertainment
Genre: Heavy Metal
Links: https://label.reaper-entertainment.com/bands/himmelkraft/
Line Up:
Tony Kakko as Unu O’Four – vocals, keyboards
Pasi Kauppinen as Du O’Four – bass
Timo Kauppinen as Tri O’Four – guitars, banjo
Jere Lahti as Kvar O’Four – drums & percussions
Tracklist:
The Pages of History (Opening)
Full Steam Ahead
Uranium
Paika
Fat American Lies
Dog Bones
When the Music Stops
Gorya
There’s a Date in Every Dream
Crystal Cave
I Was Made to Rain on Your Parade
Deeper
At first glance, I thought this album was a Wish/Temu attempt to reissue Whitesnake’s Slip Of The Tongue. Looking deeper, however, I discovered Himmelkraft actually originates from Tony Kakko, Sonata Arctica’s frontman since 1996.
Those expecting more Sonata Arctica will walk away disappointed. This represents something entirely new. While featuring Tony’s unmistakable voice, storytelling prowess, and powerful delivery, Himmelkraft takes listeners somewhere different without revealing too much. The album remains shrouded in mystery, from the unique lineup description—Tony Kakko (Unu O’Four), Pasi Kauppinen (Du O’Four), Timo Kauppinen (Tri O’Four), Jere Lahti (Kvar O’Four)—emphasizing each member as part of a whole, to tracks like Uranium and opener The Pages of History which reflect Tony’s perspective on contemporary events.
The album’s composition and style deliver 57 minutes of music that feels like it deserves accompanying theatrics to fully tell its story, hinted at by the secretive release approach. I’m hoping for a stage show, plot, and theatrical elements to complement this work, as they seem like the perfect fit. According to the press materials, this album would draw listeners in, leave them questioning, and wanting more—strangely enough, it’s accomplished exactly that. Mission accomplished!
Score 8/10
Reviewed by Adrian Hextall
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