Off the Record with Tony Kakko & Tommy Portimo of Sonata Arctica

An Off the Record interview done in anticipation for their 30th anniversary tour and upcoming 12th studio release in 2026

Photo by Joanna Orchide Photography

My, my, yet another return to this series within a month? What is becoming of this world?

But for reals, Sonata Arctica was one of my favorite bands for a long time, dating back to around 2006. I saw them once during the tour for “Unia” back in Canada and have seen them about 16 or so more times since I’ve lived in Finland.

While I have been interviewing them (see below) about albums like “Ninth Hour” and “Talviyö,” and did a prelistening report and attempted an Off the Record with Elias Viljanen and Tommy Portimo back during the release for “Clear Cold Beyond,” I’ve never been able to ask them any of my burning questions about their old material.

Fortunately, since the band is having a 30th anniversary tour and writing a new album, I was lucky to be invited to the press day on January 26th, 2026, to finally ask those aforementioned questions about their history and older material.

READ MORE: Off the Record with Elias & Tommy (2024), On the Record with Tony & Henrik (2019), On the Record with Tony & Henrik (2016); Prelistening Session: “Clear Cold Beyond”; Live Report: Kultsa Helsinki 2024