Wishmaster debuted at #1 in Nightwish’s native Finland, marking the first time the band did so. The band continued to be inspired by fantasy, but a few songs delved into other inspirations. The album was produced by Tero Kinnunen.
Members:
Tarja Turunen: vocals
Empuu Vuorinen: guitar, songwriting
Sami Vänskä: bass
Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, lyrics, songwriting
Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion
- “She is My Sin”: The drums and keyboard are great on this opener.
- ” The Kinslayer”: This was written about the Columbine massacre. It’s one of my favorite songs.
- “Come Cover Me”: This starts with a quote from Shakespeare’s 9th Sonnet. The guitar sounds awesome.
- ” Wanderlust “: A beautiful ballad with stirring orchestration.
- ” Two For Tragedy “: This song alludes to the Fall of Eden.
- ” Wishmaster”: I love the backing vocals on this. The song references Lord of the Rings.
- “Bare Grace Misery”: Another song with a Shakespearean reference, this time “The Rape of Lucrece”. It also alludes to Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and ” The Little Match Girl”.
- “Crownless”: Another Lord of the Rings song, referencing Aragorn and the fabled Sword in the Stone.
- ” Deep Silent Complete”: Tuomen calls this song his “tribute to the mighty power of the oceans.” It references two more Shakespearean Sonnets, # 93 and #17.
- “Dead Boy’s Poem “: This mournful tune references Shakespearean Sonnet #72
- ” Fantasmic”: This song quotes several Disney songs.
- “Sleepwalker”: This was originally included on the Japanese release, and performed at EuroVision.
Final Verdict: We’re getting close to where I first got into the band. I really enjoyed this album.
Grade: A
Aspie Catholic 