Released 10 years ago this October
The Ninth Hour
Sonata Arctica · 2016
62 min · 11 tracks · power metal
Dynamic power metal anthems fuse orchestral elements with soaring vocals to create a rich, immersive listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Closer to an Animal — Opening the album with a powerful declaration, this track encapsulates the essence of Sonata Arctica's sound with its driving rhythms and anthemic choruses.
-
→
Till Death’s Done Us Apart — This track stands out for its emotional depth, blending melodic instrumentation with poignant lyrics that explore themes of commitment and love.
-
→
White Pearl, Black Oceans, Pt. II: “By the Grace of the Ocean” — As a sequel to a beloved classic, this epic piece showcases the band's progressive tendencies and lyrical complexity, making it a centerpiece of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and dynamic arrangements but remains within familiar power metal territory.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid guitar riffs and orchestral backing, setting a dynamic tone.
- The final track serves as a conclusion to the album's narrative, featuring a gradual build-up that culminates in an orchestral climax.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build to emotional climax
- soaring melodies for introspection
- lyrical storytelling with depth
- immersive listening for focused sessions
- anthems for late-night reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification tracks
- prefer upbeat, short songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases ambitious sound and intricate compositions, marking a high point in their catalog.
- Career context
- By the release of The Ninth Hour, Sonata Arctica was enjoying a resurgence in popularity following their 2014 album, Pariah's Child. This record marked their ninth studio effort and continued their exploration of melodic themes and complex arrangements while solidifying their status as stalwarts in the power metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Blind Guardian
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Closer to an Animal 5:22
- 2 Life 5:06
- 3 Fairytale 6:38
- 4 We Are What We Are 5:25
- 5 Till Death’s Done Us Apart 6:06
- 6 Among the Shooting Stars 4:10
- 7 Rise a Night 4:28
- 8 Fly, Navigate, Communicate 4:27
- 9 Candle Lawns 4:32
- 10 White Pearl, Black Oceans, Pt. II: “By the Grace of the Ocean” 10:13
- 11 On the Faultline (Closure to an Animal) 5:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.