Symphony X and Sonata Arctica Live In Winnipeg, MB

Winnipeg’s Park Theatre was packed wall-to-wall on September 23, 2025, as two of power and progressive metal’s most revered bands—Sonata Arctica and Symphony X—brought their joint North American tour to the Canadian prairies. The intimate venue provided the perfect setting for a night of soaring melodies, technical mastery, and pure heavy metal theatrics that had fans singing, headbanging, and cheering long after the final notes faded.

Sonata Arctica. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

The evening kicked off with Finnish power metal icons Sonata Arctica, who wasted no time diving into their high-energy opener, "First in Line." Frontman Tony Kakko immediately captivated the crowd with his unmistakable vocals, combining theatrical flair with heartfelt emotion. The setlist pulled from across the band’s career, delighting longtime fans who sang every word of classics like "Replica" and "My Land."

The atmosphere grew even more electric with "FullMoon" and "Wolf & Raven," songs that showcased the band’s trademark mix of speed, melody, and symphonic textures. Kakko’s rapport with the Winnipeg crowd was warm and lighthearted, balancing humour with moments of raw sincerity, especially on "I Have a Right," which hit hard with its anthemic chorus.

They closed with a fan-favourite one-two punch: "Don’t Say a Word," capped off with their playful "Vodka" outro (a nod to their Finnish countrymen Korpiklaani), which had the entire room raising fists and voices in unison. By the time Sonata left the stage, they had successfully set the bar sky-high for the night. New Jersey’s Symphony X took the stage to a roar of anticipation, opening with the crushing riffs of "Nevermore." Where Sonata Arctica thrived on melodic exuberance, Symphony X countered with pure technical precision and intensity. Guitarist Michael Romeo was a force of nature, unleashing jaw-dropping solos and riffs that pushed the limits of virtuosity, while Russell Allen’s commanding vocals filled every corner of the venue.

Symphony X. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

The setlist was a dream for longtime fans, spanning highlights from "Underworld" and "Paradise Lost" to older gems like "Smoke and Mirrors." "Evolution (The Grand Design)" and "Inferno (Unleash the Fire)" showcased the band’s blend of progressive intricacy and headbanging groove, while "Kiss of Fire" delivered sheer ferocity.

The encore was nothing short of spectacular. The tender ballad "Without You" gave Allen the chance to display his range and emotional depth before the band launched into "To Hell and Back" and the thunderous closer "Sea of Lies." The crowd responded with unrelenting energy, headbanging, shouting, and throwing up horns until the very last note.

Together, Sonata Arctica and Symphony X offered Winnipeg a night that celebrated two distinct but complementary sides of the metal spectrum—soaring melodic power and intricate progressive might. The Park Theatre’s intimate atmosphere amplified the connection between band and audience, making this stop of the North American tour feel truly special.

For fans of either band—or anyone who appreciates musicianship at its highest level—this was an unforgettable evening that reminded everyone why Sonata Arctica and Symphony X remain titans of their genres.