Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part VI: Dark Passion Play

.

In 2004, Tarja Turunen informed the band that she no longer wanted to work with them anymore, as the relationship between Holopainen and her husband and manager Marcelo Cabuli had deteriorated. After their Once Upon a Tour ended, the members of Nightwish signed an open letter, accusing her of being a diva. She was replaced by Anette Olzon, formerly a member of Alyson Avenue. Holopainen considers this album the one “that saved [his] life”.

Members:

Anette Olzon: vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, backing vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitars

Marko Hietala: bass, male vocals

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

1. “The Poet and the Pendulum” : This is a five-part suite, and was used by the Minnesota Wild in their 2014 season trailer. While I think the music on the album is fine, I’m having trouble getting into Olzon’s vocals. They’re not bad, but they lack the energy Tarja had. Even so, this is a great opener.
2. “Bye Bye Beautiful “: This song is an attack on Tarja’s behavior, and has not been played live since 2009. I’m not a fan of songs like this.
3. ” Amaranth”: This is the band’s most successful single, reaching #1 in Spain, Hungary, and Finland. This is another good song.
4. “Cadence of Her Breath” : This song is okay.
5. “Master Passion Greed”: Not only does this album attack Tarja, but also her husband. Not a fan of this one either.
6. ” Eva”: This was the first song Nightwish recorded with Olzon. It’s about an abused child. Anette actually does sound good on it.
7. “Sahara”: I like this song’s references to the Arabian Nights.
8. ” Whoever Brings the Night “: The instrumental version of this song was used in the Little Big Planet 2 video game.
9. ” For the Heart I Once Had”: The guitars and percussion are good.
10. “The Islander”: This song only has acoustic guitar. Marko’s vocals are fine, but that’s it.
11. ” 7 Days to the Wolves “: This was the best song, but maybe that’s because I was glad the album was almost over.
12. ” Meadows of Heaven “: This was okay.

Final Verdict: Anette Olzon is the worst of the three vocalists in the band’s history. While the instrumentation is fine, I couldn’t enjoy the album because of the attacks and her vocals.

Grade: C

Advertisement