Thunderstone to support Sonata Arctica on Christmas tour of Finland
{{date|September 24, 2007}}
[[Image:Thunderstone.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Thunderstone performing at the {{w|Sauna Open Air Metal Festival}} in 2007]]
{{w|Thunderstone (band)|Thunderstone}} have joined up with {{w|Sonata Arctica}} as the latter's support act for a four-gig mini tour across the days between [[Christmas]] and {{w|New Year}}. Both acts are {{w|power metal}} bands native to [[Finland]], where the tour is being held.

The four dates and venues have been confirmed as follows:

* December 27 - Teatria - {{w|Oulu}}, Finland
* December 29 - Kaapelitehdas - [[Helsinki]], Finland
* December 30 - Metroauto Areena - [[Tampere]], Finland
* December 31 - Jäähalli - {{w|Mikkeli}}, Finland
[[Image:SASeptember07.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sonata Arctica performing]]
The gigs in Oulu and Mikkeli will feature Tuple Salminen of {{w|Tarot (band)|Tarot}} filling the role of lead vocals, while the Helsinki and Tampere concerts will feature original singer Pasi Rantanen, who is leaving the band, for the last time.

Lead guitarist Nino Laurenne made this statement regarding the adition of Thunderstone to Sonata Arctica's tour: "It's great to close one chapter of Thunderstone with these two Christmas gigs and show people that there is no animosity between us. We are looking forward to a bright future with the new members, whoever they turn out to be in the end."

Sonata Arctica are starting the tour in [[Sweden]], but will only be joined by Thunderstone on the four Finnish events. Meanwhile, Thunderstone are finalising preparations for a European tour co-headlining with {{w|Nocturnal Rites}}.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source
|url    = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81355
|title  = THUNDERSTONE To Support SONATA ARCTICA In Finland - Sep. 24, 2007
|author = 
|pub    = Blabbermouth
|date   = September 24, 2007
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www.thunderstone.org/sonata.html
|title  = Thunderstone joins Sonata Arctica on a Christmas Tour!
|author = 
|pub    = Thunderstone
|date   = September 23, 2007
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www.sonataarctica.info/site07/index.php?s=2&l=uk&nid=26&ntop=0
|title  = Suomen kiertue joulukuussa / Finnish tour in December
|author = 
|pub    = Sonata Arctica
|date   = August 30, 2007
}}

{{Publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Sweden]]
[[Category:Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie)]]
[[Category:Helsinki]]
[[Category:Heavy metal]]
[[Category:Tampere]]
[[Category:Europe]]
Thunderstone performing at the  in 2007
Thunderstone have joined up with New Year. Both acts are  bands native to Finland, where the tour is being held.

The four dates and venues have been confirmed as follows:

* December 27 - Teatria - , Finland
* December 29 - Kaapelitehdas - Helsinki, Finland
* December 30 - Metroauto Areena - Tampere, Finland
* December 31 - Jäähalli - , Finland
Sonata Arctica performing
The gigs in Oulu and Mikkeli will feature Tuple Salminen of Tarot filling the role of lead vocals, while the Helsinki and Tampere concerts will feature original singer Pasi Rantanen, who is leaving the band, for the last time.

Lead guitarist Nino Laurenne made this statement regarding the adition of Thunderstone to Sonata Arctica's tour: "It's great to close one chapter of Thunderstone with these two Christmas gigs and show people that there is no animosity between us. We are looking forward to a bright future with the new members, whoever they turn out to be in the end."

Sonata Arctica are starting the tour in Sweden, but will only be joined by Thunderstone on the four Finnish events. Meanwhile, Thunderstone are finalising preparations for a European tour co-headlining with .
Finland Music Culture and entertainment Sweden Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie) Helsinki Heavy metal Tampere Europe