by Mark Gromen

Nothing remotely Finnish about Atlanta, GA… Tony Kakko, we’re not in Kemi anymore! Leading the crowd in jumping jacks, yodeling or offering comical (often self-deprecating) insights, the SONATA ARCTICA frontman was in a good mood, definitely moreso than the opening night of this tour, in Philadelphia (here). Sure, I’d like to hear Ecliptica in its entirety, ‘Replica’ and ‘Kingdom For A Heart’ for 60 minutes (didn’t happen), but the opening trio of ‘Flag In The Ground’, ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘Paid In Full’ was enjoyable nevertheless. It’s not what you’re selling, it’s how you market it!

‘The Last Amazing Grays’, then ‘Last Drop Falls’, made into a drinking reference (“last alcohol drop falls”), Kakko quipped, “I’m Finnish, so negative is good.” Later, speaking about the ten-year anniversary since releasing Successor, “So proud, it’s like a ten year old kid, or bottle of vodka, doing math, reading or playing World Of Warcraft.” ‘Full Moon’ saw falsetto yodels and goofing as Kakko and guitarist Elias Viljanen were turbo-charged, skanking around the stage, as opposed to the stoic Grays tuneage. The Friday might clubbing audience in the USA, especially down South, doesn’t want introspective nor melancholy. Having been to Suomi, I understand that’s the normal Finnish weekend (every day?), so no biggie, but for ‘Broken’, the ADD, sugar addled American teens stood motionless, no hands up, nothing.

The lighting guy apparently was eager to head home, phoning in a performance that left the Finns in red lights almost the entire show (shit for photography). Doing his best David Coverdale, Kakko twirled the mic stand and Henrik Klingenberg strapped on the portable Korg keyboards for ‘Juliet’. Despite never having read Shakespeare, the emotive Kakko delivered it from his knees. “I find tragedies more inspiring than happiness. What’s your story?”

Prior to ‘The Cage’, final song before the encore, Kakko offered his observations on his bandmates, utilizing Viagra and its (in)ability to affect their actions. The Encore began with Henrik alone, onstage for a brief key solo, followed by one on guitar. ‘In Black And White’, ‘Don’t Say A Word’, the requisite ‘Vodka’ and ‘Everything Fades To Gray’ brought the night to a close.

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