During the tour for Imaginaerum, Anette Olzon fell ill and was replaced by Elize Ryd and Alyssa White-Gluz. A day after what would become her final performance, Olzon posted that she didn’t like being replaced without being consulted. She was then fired, and current vocalist Floor Jansen replaced her for the rest of the tour. (Troy Donockley also joined the band during the tour as well) After the tour, Jukka Nevalainen left the band due to insomnia. He was replaced by Kai Hahto (of Wintersun and Swallow the Sun). This was the first album with the current roster of the band.
Endless Forms was inspired by the theories of Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins. Dawkins guest stars on two songs.
Members:
Floor Jansen: vocals
Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, piano
Empuu Vuorinen: guitars
Marko Hietala: bass, guitar, male and backing vocals
Kai Hahto: drums
Troy Donockley: Uiellan pipes, low whistles, bodhran, bouzuki, backing vocals
The Tracks:
- “Shudder Before the Beautiful” : This is one of the two guest appearances by Richard Dawkins. The song is about the fragile beauty of the world. Floor’s singing fits Nightwish better than Anette ever could.
- “Weak Fantasy “: This song is meant to be critical of religion’s restrictions. Live performances include a quote from Bill Maher ‘s movie Religulous.
- ” Élan”: This song was originally not intended for the album, but Holopainen began to like the song more as they recorded it. The song is about living in the moment. It’s one of my favorites from the album.
- “Yours Is An Empty Hope”: This is one of Floor’s best performances on the album.
- “Our Decades in the Sun”: This ballad was written about Tuomas’s parents. It’s one of the most emotional songs on the album.
- ” My Walden”: the title is in reference to Thoreau. I like the variety of instruments from Donockley.
- “Endless Forms Most Beautiful “: the title track was inspired by Dawkins’ book The Ancestor’s Tale. It’s another excellent performance for Floor, with some awesome instrumentation.
- ” Edema Ruh”: This was the first song written for the album, and the only one with a fantasy theme. Donockley sounds great on this one too.
- “Alpenglow”: One of the best songs on the album, with an awesome choir and energy.
- ” The Eyes of Sharbat Gula”: This serves as sn interlude into the album’s chief epic.
- “The Greatest Show on Earth” : This is the longest song Nightwish has ever recorded, split into 5 parts. The song evokes many classical pieces, and I think it’s one of the band’s best overall.
Final Verdict: I really enjoyed this album, and I think it’s one of their best. The new members bring excellent work to the band, and it’s one of their strongest albums.
Grade: A-
Aspie Catholic 