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In this case, the cross hairs were centered on The Trocadero. The European festival season has an unintended effect, all the "name" bands waiting until September (or later) to visit North America. This was the first metal club show in Philadelphia (apart from touring festival, or outdoor gig) for several months. Celebrating 15 years since the release of their Ecliptica debut, the Finns are actually re-recording said platter (with the current line-up). For us old-timers, nice to see some of those songs still in the set, especially here in North America. Female-fronted outfits Delain & Xandria opened the show, adding to the eclectic crowd: metal guys, younger kids and couples. You think Goths and black metal fans don't get sunlight(without adverse results)? There was a large contingent favorable to the Dutch openers, but I think most attendees were fans of all the bands on the bill.

After a lengthy delay, Sonata Arctica finally took the stage, to the ominous voiceover heard on their latest (Pariah's Child) disc, ultimately offering 17 songs over the next 90 minutes. The two-tiered stage had a small riser, which housed both keyboards and drums, although Henrik Klingenberg's keytar made several appearance at the front of the stage. An old school "My Land" was greeted with cheers, while the not quite as aged "Sing In Silence" was underlit, the band entirely in gray tones. Short-haired frontman Tony Kakko talked about being inspired, feeling like Bruce Springsteen as he tried to write a song about their hometown paper mill. Cue "Cloud Factory".

The band is visually more jovial than the last couple of tours (then again, it's only the third dates), but a lively "Black Sheep" see Henrik's portable keys out front. Prior to "Full Moon" Kakko says he and bassist Pasi Kauppinen walked around the city, "It was 37 degrees C, with the humidity, but we did the Rocky step (at the Art Museum). Seated on the drum riser, the crowd provides vocal support, until the songs kicks into a gallop. Come the "Run away, run away, run away" chorus, the audience is practically shouting, as the red headed singer stands center stage, arms outstretched. A heavier, drum accented "X Marks The Spot" follows, concluding with the same, pre-recorded monotone voice that introduces the band.

"Paid In Full" is another uptempo oldie, bassist and guitarist Elias Viljanen switching sides of the stage. A thankfully short "Love" sees a significant male portion of the crowd head for the bathroom or exit. Onstage, the guys are stationary, under white lights. If "Victoria's Secret" (with its "whoa whoa", audience sung chorus) gets things back on track, then "Kingdom For A Heart" (just a few songs later), blasts the roof off the Troc, before ending the proper set with "I Have A Right".

Honestly, the encore is almost anticlimactic: "Blood", the always stirring "San Sebastian" and finally "Don't Say A Word", complete with "Vodka" party outro. Thus far, each night of the tour has seen a slightly modified running order, with favorites like "Replica", "Flag In The Ground" and "Tallulah" popping in & out of the set, on any given night. Cheers!