The title of the album was at first supposed to be longer, but Kakko's then-girlfriend suggested 'silence' and he reflected on how important silence was for him: The album is one of those things that's a bit different, a more difficult album. Either way can be the good way, not the bad way necessarily. That thing is like representing a snippet of your life that really makes you go one way or the other. However, Tony explained that the cover was not supposed to feature too much symbolism, except for the footprints leading away from the campfire.

The cover art, featuring a landscape divided into night, summer and winter, was meant to depict nature. Stratovarius lead singer Timo Kotipelto sang guest vocals on the album. It is the only studio album to feature keyboardist Mikko Härkin, and the first album with original member Marko Paasikoski, who returned to the band the previous year.

Silence is the second full-length album by Finnish power metal band Sonata Arctica, released in 2001 through Spinefarm Records.

Sonata arctica silence is a sin