Don't Say a Word is a song by Finnish metal band Sonata Arctica. It was released simultaneously as both a single and as the band's fourth EP released on 30 August 2004 through the label Nuclear Blast.
Contents
Song information
Don't Say a Word is the second song (third chronologically) of the "Caleb Saga" — a series of connected songs that share a story about an abusive relationship.
The band has spoken favorably of the song. In 2014, guitarist Jani Liimatainen said that he "still thinks it is the best song Sonata has ever written." Elias Viljanen, who replaced Liimatainen as the band's guitarist in 2007, has said about the solo:
I made it a challenge for myself to play the solo of Don't Say A Word note for note the same way Jani had played it on the album. The guys kept rooting for me to play it anyway I wanted to, but I felt that solo was so damn good, challenging and impressive that I started working on duplicating it bit by bit.
Track listing
Personnel
Tony Kakko – vocals, keyboards
Jani Liimatainen – guitars
Marko Paasikoski – bass
Henrik Klingenberg – keyboards, Hammond organ
Tommy Portimo – drums
Cover versions
"Don't Say a Word" was covered by German symphonic metal band Xandria for their 2015 EP Fire & Ashes.