SONATA ARCTICA To Host 'Unia' Listening Party In New York City

SONATA ARCTICA lead vocalist Tony Kakko and keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg will host a listening party for their new album, "Unia", at Lit Lounge (93 Second Avenue - between 5th & 6th Streets) in New York City on Monday, April 2. Scheduled for North American release on May 22, "Unia" will be played in its entirety on the main floor between 8 and 11 p.m. Admission to the 21-and-over event is FREE, and Vice TV will be on hand to interview fans in attendance. Tony and Henrik will also be guest DJs at the club.

Commented Tony Kakko: "'Unia' means 'dreams' in our native tongue Finnish. I reckon we are not gonna have much time to sleep and dream 'cause we will be actually LIVING ours in New York City, USA! Can't wait! Finally, the fifth studio album we've worked our asses off for is ready and we could not be any happier with the result! The sound is so full and warm, heavy while being gentle... The production is so much bigger than on any other SONATA ARCTICA album with choir, strings, and all sorts of weird instruments, like the bouzouki [a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and very long neck], to mention one. The only fear I have is that all the people who listen to 'Unia' will not be able to pick up everything we've knitted in there, 'cause the whole album is so full of little details. This album will open and open and open up more and more with each listen — like a good novel or a movie — and really stand the thousand spins that people want to give the album. I've lived with this music for almost two years now and you'd think I'd be bored with it by now, knowing all the tiny details there, but no! This rollercoaster ride still gives me a rush! You'd need to be me to know how great it feels. So I've tested it for you. It's safe. Just sit back and enjoy! Henrik and myself will tour the world meeting you all, partying with ya all, walking you through 'unia.' North America, ready or now, here we come — and beware, 'cause I'm bringing Henkka with me... HAHA!"

Formed in Finland in 1996, SONATA ARCTICA's career is filled with eye-raising accomplishments, among them being voted "Best Newcomer" by the Finnish Recording Industry Association in 2001; their second album, "Silence", going gold in Finland; by-passing EMINEM on the Finnish singles chart in 2003 and landing the #1 spot with "Victoria's Secret" off their third album, "Winterheart's Guild" (a Top 10 album in their homeland); opening for IRON MAIDEN in Europe; and landing a #1 single AGAIN the next year with "Don't Say A Word" from "Reckoning Night", which went gold in Finland and sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.

SONATA ARCTICA's third North American tour begins on September 12 in Fort Worth, Texas and includes a performance at ProgPower USA VIII Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Full dates can be viewed here.