Right then history lesson first. Formed in 1996 Sonata Arctica signed with Spinefarm  in 1999 releasing three albums and several EP's on the label before moving over to Nuclear Blast in 2004 after their contract expired. However in the intervening four years the band have maintained a close relationship with Spinefarm and this compilation, which was originally released in mainland Europe back in 2006 as a single disc or a very limited edition two disc affair, features tracks from the band's first album for Nuclear Blast (Reckoning Night) as well as from their Spinefarm out.

Until very recently Spinefarm didn't have much of a presence here in the UK but that has all changed in recent months with the label opening a UK arm and, given the fact that Sonata Artica have just completed a UK tour alongside Pagan's Mind,  it seemed the ideal opportunity for Spinefarm UK to released this exclusive Tour Edition of the album and even add nine live tracks to the offering.  All in all this adds up to a package incorporating a massive thirty audio tracks and 3 videos.

The second disc, which is new to the version of the album, is one of these clever double sided things with a DVD on one side and a CD on the other. However the main disc is perfect for newcomers to the world of Sonata Arctica, a beginners guide if you will. The personal highlights for this reviewer, and such favourites will undoubtedly vary from fan to fan,  Kingdom For A Heart, Don’t Say A Word, Replica and Wolf & Raven, which appears here as both studio and live takes. Elsewhere the glorious My Land is fast becoming another favourite and as a relative newcomer to the band myself I guess I'll be spending many a happy hour getting to know the catalogue, not to say spending a fair few pounds

This UK edition of the Collection really is an essential purchase for any fans of the power and progressive metal genres who may not be that familiar with the work of Sonata Arctica, in truth the only people who won't benefit are those obsessive fans who already have anything and everything, but then again they'll probably buy it anyway just for completeness.

Dougie