Zonata - Tunes Of Steel (1999)Century Media

Zonata is a Swedish band founded in 1998 by the Nyberg brothers: Johannes (vocals, keys; Ablaze) and John (guitars). Their first demo was released in the year of foundation and titled "The Copenhagen Tapes". After completing the line-up with Mikael Hörnqvist (drums; Ablaze, Enbound, Poem, Ironware), Henke Carlson (guitars) and Mattias Asplund (bass), they recorded their debut album "Tunes Of Steel".

Is it Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Ludwig van Beethoven on the cover? I am not sure, but it's not important, the more so because they were geniuses. But is Zonata's music equally brilliant? Swedes play at very fast speed producing a powerful sound and backing it with Johannes' defiant vocal. The vocalist can both scream out as well as sing out anthemic parts. Due to guitarists' technical mastery of instruments, not only are solos melodic, but also precisely executed and full of grandeur. They managed to compose and perform complex arrangements which are surprisingly catchy and accessible. Their compositions include many contrasting moods and unpredictable tempo changes. I am astonished with instrumental passages that are grand, majestic and exquisite. I am not thinking of the fast tracks only, but also about the ballads like "Beyond The Rainbowa" and "Criticized".

Swedes of Zonata are under a great influence of classical music, that's why the debut doesn't consist of mediocre tracks. All of tunes are simply over-the-top. Johannes has some common elements with the manners of the likes of Kai Hansen, Andy Deris and Mats Leven, but he doesn't copy any of them. Zonata's musicians are inspired by Helloween's and Iron Maiden's early works, however they aren't copycats. They are virtuosos who improved and developed the styles of famous bands from the golden 80s. Zonata play world-class neoclassical power metal that can be recommended to the fans of Helloween and Gamma Ray.