Kakko has described ''Pariah's Child
as "the album that should have been done after Reckoning Night besides Unia''." He also commented: The opening track and first single, "The Wolves Die Young", was described by Henrik as a typical Sonata Arctica song. It was one of the first songs to be written for the album. After Tony finished writing the song, he texted Tommy saying he had written the best song of the album. The sounds of steps heard on the song are actually Kakko himself jogging. "X Marks the Spot" is a comic song. Henrik consider it to be close to
Stone Grows Her Name's "Cinderblox" in feeling and attitude. He also said the song has some guest vocals, but he didn't specify by whom. Kakko considers it to be the hardest song to write for the album, and also said it took him quite some time until he got it right the way he was pleased. Regarding its lyrics, he explained: The third single and second video "Love" is a short ballad. Tommy used two different drum kits in this song, whereas Pasi played the fretless bass guitar. The song reminded Elias of
Silence's "Tallulah". Regarding the lyrics, Tony said that people always say he doesn't write happy love songs, so he decided to write this story about two partners who meet at a young age and stay together for all their lives. The song was one of 60 works that Kakko composed through the years and kept as a "reserve" for future albums.
"Larger Than Life" Ending the album and clocking at just nearly ten minutes, "Larger Than Life" is the third longest song ever by the band (second longest being
The Ninth Hour's "White Pearl, Black Oceans – Part II, By the Grace of the Ocean", longest being
Silence's "The Power of One"). The song features some orchestrations, including a harp. Henrik consider it the next great, big thing by the band since
Reckoning Night's "White Pearl, Black Oceans [Part I]" Tommy said he considers it at the moment of the interview his "all time favorite song". According to Elias, the song has sad and happy moments, like life itself. Kakko created the song after fooling around with some orchestra sounds, by joining different pieces of music together. The lyrics tell the story of an actor at young age that gets a role that makes him very famous, and life eventually provides him with everything an artist could wish. However, he didn't make a life for himself, and he decides to give that role to someone else and start a new life. In another interview, Kakko, gave a different version of his end, stating the character was frustrated for having nobody to share his achievements with and he ultimately decides to search for someone, who he eventually finds. == Track listing ==