To an extent I agree with John Q´s point. I don´t really appreciate seeing a band that sounds just like an existing favourite. What´s the point? But there is a difference between a band that copies another´s style and one that is inspired by a particular group. OK, sometimes the difference is not always that obvious (!) but hopefully you see the point I´m making.
Sonata Arctica are - IMO - inspired by Malmsteen and Stratovarius and not copyists. I feel they merge elements from both acts and use them in their own songwriting and musicianship. That really is no bad thing. The fact they are barely out of nappies does bode well for the future, whatever you may think about their originality. Rather that than a bunch of 19 year olds reproducing Korn or Slipknot.
Oddly enough, I thought Rhapsody were pretty lousy Iron Maiden copyists with songs more corny than a truckload of breakfast cereal ("The Flames Of Revenge?" "The Wheels Of Eternity?" Give me a break..!). And originally, Maiden were inspired by Judas Priest.....