Takatalvi

Takatalvi
EP by Sonata Arctica
Released	November 21, 2003
Recorded	Tico Tico Studios
Genre	Power metal Heavy metal Thrash metal
Label	Spinefarm
Producer	Sonata Arctica Ahti Kortelainen
Sonata Arctica chronology
Winterheart's Guild (2003) Takatalvi (2003) Reckoning Night (2004)

Takatalvi is Sonata Arctica's third EP released on November 21, 2003 through the label Spinefarm Records. It was rereleased on 27 January 2010, with an extended playlist and updated artwork.

Original Track listing

1. "San Sebastian" (original version)
2. "The Gun"
3. "Still Loving You" (Scorpions cover)
4. "Shy"
5. "Dream Thieves"
6. "I Want Out" (Helloween cover)
7. "Fade to Black" (Metallica cover)
8. "Broken" (live video clip)

Track listing (2010)

1. "San Sebastian" (original version)
2. "The Gun"
3. "Still Loving You" (Scorpions cover)
4. "Shy"
5. "Dream Thieves"
6. "I Want Out" (Helloween cover)
7. "Fade to Black" (Metallica cover)
8. "Black Sheep"
9. "Mary-Lou (Acoustic Version)"
10. "The Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler cover)"
11. "Die with Your Boots On (Iron Maiden cover)"

Personnel

• Tony Kakko - Vocals, keyboards (2,4,5)
• Jani Liimatainen - Guitar
• Marko Paasikoski - Bass
• Henrik Klingenberg - Keyboards (on track 7)
• Tommy Portimo - Drums

• Mikko Härkin - Keyboards (on 1,2,3,6)

Album information

2003 version was only released in Japan.

Includes a live video of "Broken".

Keyboard solo on "The Gun" by Mikko Härkin.

Track 1 is from the EP Successor, track 2 is a re-record from the demo Friend 'till the End, track 4 is a re-record from the demo Agre Pamppers, and track 5 is from the single "Broken".

'Takatalvi' is a Finnish word literally meaning "backwinter", i.e. a cold spell in the spring. This is a short period of time when it suddenly gets colder and often snow will cover the landscape for a couple of days or even for only a few hours.

Takatalvi is considered by some to be a remake of Successor. It contains all the tracks from the album except for "FullMoon (edit version)" and the live tracks.

Additional information

• Mixed by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox Studios except "Fade to Black" by Ahti Kortelainen at Tico Tico Studio
• Mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios

• Front & back cover illustration by Toxicangel
• Band photos by Hiroyuki Yoshihama
• Artwork co-ordination by Suguru Furuta(Marquee/Avalon)
• A&R co-ordination by Yoshi Endo(Marquee/Avalon)