Tag: Nightwish

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part IX: Human. :II: Nature (2020)

Human. :II: Nature is Nightwish’s most recent album, and their first double album. This was the last album to feature Marko Hietala, who left in January 2021. It also marked the official debut of Kai Hahto as the band’s drummer, although he had appeared as a guest star on the previous album.

Members:

Floor Jansen: vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitars

Marko Hietala: bass, male vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards

Kai Hahto: drums, percussion

Troy Donockley: Uillean pipes, low whistle, bouzouki, bodhran, digital aerophone, guitar, backing vocals

The Tracks:

  1. “Music”: This opens the album with a melodic intro.
  2. “Noise”: This is one of my favorite songs. It’s a commentary on addiction to technology.
  3. ” Shoemaker “: This song was inspired by geologist Eugene Shoemaker, who discovered a comet. Tuomas’s wife has a spoken part in the song.
  4. “Harvest” : This features Donockley on lead vocals, and is his most prominent role on the album. The song has rich instrumentation.
  5. “Pan”: Tuomas describes this song as an ode to imagination. I like its lyrics about writing and creation.
  6. “How’s the Heart?” : Floor is beautiful on this song about altruism.
  7. “Procession”: This has a great rhythm and keyboards.
  8. ” Tribal”: I think this is Hahto’s best performance.
  9. “Endlessness”: The first disc ends with a slow, almost quiet piece.
  10. “All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World”: The second disc consists of one song divided into 8 parts, which the album treats as one song (although streaming versions present it as separate parts). This has sparse vocals, and relies mostly on an orchestral sound. Floor is only heard on the first and final parts. It’s a beautiful suite.

Final Verdict: While I like the beauty of the album, the second disc feels stronger than the first.

Grade: C+

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Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part VIII: Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)

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:

  1. “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.
  2. “Weak Fantasy “: This song is meant to be critical of religion’s restrictions. Live performances include a quote from Bill Maher ‘s movie Religulous.
  3. ” 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.
  4. “Yours Is An Empty Hope”: This is one of Floor’s best performances on the album.
  5. “Our Decades in the Sun”: This ballad was written about Tuomas’s parents. It’s one of the most emotional songs on the album.
  6. ” My Walden”: the title is in reference to Thoreau. I like the variety of instruments from Donockley.
  7. “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.
  8. ” 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.
  9. “Alpenglow”: One of the best songs on the album, with an awesome choir and energy.
  10. ” The Eyes of Sharbat Gula”: This serves as sn interlude into the album’s chief epic.
  11. “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-

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part VII: Imaginaerum (2011)

Imaginaerum is Nightwish’s only concept album to date. Ir was the final album to feature Anette Olzon on vocals and Jukka Nevalainen on drums. A movie was also released in conjunction with the album, directed by Stobe Harju, who previously directed the video for “The Islander”. The album and movie tell the story of a composer on his deathbed who is taken to a fantastical realm while he is on his deathbed.

Members:

Anette Olzon: vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitar

Marko Hietala: bass, vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, piano

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

  1. “Taikatalvi”: The title of this song means “magic winter”, and it’s the only song not sung in English. It serves as the album’s overture.
  2. ” Storytime”: This song was inspired by “The Snowman” , which the band had covered on Oceanborn. Tuomas felt this song was a pretty good representation of the album, and imagery from it is in the movie.
  3. “Ghost River”: Tuomas describes this song as a battle between the devil and Mother Earth.
  4. “Slow Love Slow”: This has a driving keyboard and orchestral rhythm.
  5. “I Want My Tears Back”: The pipes on this song are the best feature, as well as Empuu’s riffs.
  6. ” Scaretale”: This song evokes imagery of Disney’s Haunted Mansion.
  7. “Arabesque”: This is one of only two instrumentals, feeling like it comes from a ballet.
  8. “Turn Loose the Mermaids “: This song has some excellent instrumentation as the tempo increases.
  9. ” Rest Calm”: There’s nothing calm about this. It feels more like a storm-tossed boat.
  10. “The Crow, the Owl, and the Dove”: Marko’s vocals have an evil sound to them.
  11. “Last Ride of the Day”: I love the chaotic feel of this song. I don’t really want to pick out favorites since this is a concept album, but I do enjoy this one.
  12. “Song of Myself”: the longest song on the album, divided into 4 parts, making it similar to “The Poet and the Pendulum” .
  13. “Imaginaerum”: The closing song is an instrumental coda.

Final Verdict: Of the two albums featuring Olzon, this is the best. I found her vocals matched the music better, and the movie was excellent. While the movie might not be as necessary in order to enjoy it, I loved it. It was like a dark fairy tale, and I was so glad to find it on YouTube for free.

Grade: A-

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part V: Once (2004)

Once had three singles (four if you count “Kuolema Tekee Taitellijan”, which was only released in Finland and Japan.): “Nemo”, “Wish I Had an Angel”, and “The Siren”. This was the last album to feature Tarja Turunen on vocals.

Members:

Tarja Turunen: vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitar

Marko Hietala: bass, vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

  1. “Dark Chest of Wonders”: This song gets its title from Stephen King’s dedication in The Stand to his wife Tabitha. It makes me think of the Greek myth of Pandora. It’s an excellent opener.
  2. ” Wish I Had an Angel “: This song seems to imply a loss of purity, and makes references to both the Virgin Mary and Judas’s betrayal. It’s my favorite of the singles.
  3. ” Nemo”: Tuomas’s keyboard is beautifully haunting on this. It’s one of my favorite Nightwish songs.
  4. “Planet Hell”: This song was used by the San Antonio Spurs during their 2005 season. Marko’s vocals are excellent.
  5. ” Creek Mary’s Blood”: This gets its title and inspiration from a book by Dee Brown. It has a beautiful flute.
  6. “The Siren”: Tarja is beautiful on this one. One of the best songs on the album.
  7. ” Dead Gardens “: I don’t care for the growly vocals on this.
  8. ” Romanticide”: Marko has good vocals, and the orchestra is great.
  9. “Ghost Love Score”: This is the longest song on the album, at 10 minutes. It’s the best song on the album.
  10. ” Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan”: This is the second song to be sung in Finnish. The title means “Death of an Artist” .
  11. “Higher Than Hope” : This song is dedicated to the memory of Marc Brueland, who narrates the song. He died soon after the album was released.

Final Verdict: This is probably my favorite Nightwish album so far. It’s an excellent album for Tarja to go out on.

Grade: A+

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part 4: Century Child (2002)

I started getting into Nightwish around the time this album was released, thanks to hearing “Bless the Child” and their cover of Gary Moore’s “Over the Hills and Far Away” on Pandora. This was the first album to feature Marko Hietala on bass and vocals. It was also the first album to feature an orchestra.

Members:

Tarja Turunen: vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitar

Marko Hietala: bass, backing vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

  1. ” Bless the Child”: The opening song contains a quote from Sir Walter Raleigh’s poem “Even Such is Time”. It’s one of my favorite songs from the band.
  2. ” End of All Hope”: This song quotes an Emily Dickinson poem, “A Wounded Deer”. The keyboards are great.
  3. ” Dead to the World”: The title is a reference to the Edgar Allan Poe poem “William Wilson “. It’s the first song on the album to feature Marko’s vocals.
  4. ” Ever Dream”: This song was written specifically for Tarja’s vocals, and is arranged differently in concerts, with only the keyboards and vocals at the start, before the band joins in. One of the best songs on the album.
  5. “Slaying the Dreamer”: Tuomas wrote this in response to those who criticize his lyrics.
  6. ” Forever Yours”: This song quotes “Fare Thee Well” by Lord Byron.
  7. “Ocean Soul”: This song represents Tuomas’s love and fascination with the ocean. It has never been performed live because he feels the song is too personal. I love the imagery of the lyrics.
  8. ” Feel For You “: This is not one of my favorite songs, but I don’t hate it.
  9. ” Phantom of the Opera “: Tarja and Marko sing a cover of the main theme of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical based on thw classic movie.
  10. ” Beauty of the Beast “: Tuomas feels this is the most ambitious part of the album, closing the loop started by the opener.
  11. ” Lagoon”: This song references Eden, and was originally only on the Japanese release of the album.
  12. ” The Wayfarer”: This is another song referencing Walt Whitman.

Final Verdict: Marko is a great replacement, and his vocals complement Tarja’s well. This is a great new direction.

Grade: A

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part III: Wishmaster (2000)

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

  1. “She is My Sin”: The drums and keyboard are great on this opener.
  2. ” The Kinslayer”: This was written about the Columbine massacre. It’s one of my favorite songs.
  3. “Come Cover Me”: This starts with a quote from Shakespeare’s 9th Sonnet. The guitar sounds awesome.
  4. ” Wanderlust “: A beautiful ballad with stirring orchestration.
  5. ” Two For Tragedy “: This song alludes to the Fall of Eden.
  6. ” Wishmaster”: I love the backing vocals on this. The song references Lord of the Rings.
  7. “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”.
  8. “Crownless”: Another Lord of the Rings song, referencing Aragorn and the fabled Sword in the Stone.
  9. ” 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.
  10. “Dead Boy’s Poem “: This mournful tune references Shakespearean Sonnet #72
  11. ” Fantasmic”: This song quotes several Disney songs.
  12. “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

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part II: Oceanborn (1998)

(note: I like the European cover art better than the American cover art, so I’m using that instead.)

For their second album, Nightwish became a more bombastic, power metal band. They also added a new bassist, marking their first album as a quintet.

Members:

Tarja Turunen: vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, backing vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitar

Sami Vänskä: bass

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

  1. “Stargazers”: The guitars and keyboards sound excellent, and I like the new direction for the lyrics.
  2. ” Gethsemane “: Like “The Carpenter” , this song is inspired by the story of Jesus, focusing on his crucifixion. It’s one of the best songs on the album.
  3. “Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean”: In this song, a mermaid encounters the Anti-Christ. While the instrumentation is excellent, I don’t care for the vocals.
  4. ” Sacrament of Wilderness “: This was the first single to reach #1 in their native Finland. Another one of my favorites.
  5. ” Passion and the Opera”: I like the drumming on this one.
  6. “Swanheart”: I love the guitars on this one.
  7. ” Moondance “: This is a short instrumental track serving as an interlude.
  8. ” The Riddler”: I like the imagery and message of this song.
  9. “The Pharoah Sails to Orion”: This song was inspired by Exodus. It’s got a great keyboard.
  10. ” Walking in the Air”: This is Nightwish’s first cover. The song was written for the animated adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. Tarja is so beautiful on this one.

Final Verdict: This is an excellent album. I have to agree with Loudwire’s ranking for this.

Grade: A

Ranking the Discography: Nightwish Part 1: Angels Fall First

Nightwish was formed in Kitee, Finland in 1996. The band was formed after Tuomas Holopainen played in several bands. The band’s name came from the song “The Forever Moments” , the first song they recorded together. He invited Tarja Turunen (who shared the same piano teacher with him, Plamen Dimov) and his friend Emo “Empuu” Vuorinen. Jukka Nevalainen joined them after they recorded their demo.

Members:

Tarja Turunen: vocals

Tuomas Holopainen: keyboards, piano, vocals

Empuu Vuorinen: guitars, bass

Jukka Nevalainen: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

  1. “Elvenpath”: A beautifully sweeping opener that makes references to Finnish mythology, David Eddings, and The Hobbit.
  2. “Beauty and the Beast” : A retelling of the classic fairytale.
  3. “The Carpenter “: This was the band’s first single, and uses Christian themes. The titular carpenter is Jesus. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s the only single to feature both Tarja and Tuomas.
  4. ” Astral Romance”: I love the orchestration on this one.
  5. “Angels Fall First “: The title track is excellent.
  6. ” Tutankhamen”: A great song about the titular pharoah.
  7. “Nymphomaniac Fantasia”: The guitars and keyboards are great here.
  8. ” Know Why the Nightingale Sings”: Some pretty good chemistry in the instruments.
  9. “Lappi”: This four-part suite is the only song that has both Finnish and English lyrics, with two instrumental sections.

Final Verdict: This is a great start and shows some promise with some strong favorites.

Grade: B-