Review Summary: The very humble beginning of a band that'll later become one of the biggest metal acts in history.
This album is very difficult one to review. That is mostly due to two points. First one being that this album is so vastly different when compared to their later releases. Secondly, whenever people talk about this bands discography, they hardly ever mention this one. It's a shame really, because this album is not a bad one, actually it's far from it. It has a very unique, otherworldy atmosphere and strong songwriting, for the most part at least. It is obvious that when the band wrote and released this album, they were just a bunch of amateur musicians from a rural town in eastern Finland, so you can't really expect the virtuosity and epicness they showcase today. But for what it's worth, I recommend it wholeheartedly.
The album kicks off with "Elvenpath". Aside from the ridiculous folklore and Tolkien-inspired lyrics, it's a good, catchy, more traditional Nightwish song than the rest of the songs on the album. Next, we have "Beauty And The Beast". I can definetely say that it's a good thing that Tuomas doesn't open his mouth to sing in this band anymore. His performance is god-awful and even though the song itself isn't bad, the terrible vocals by Tuomas ruin it for me personally. If you want to hear a kick-ass version of this song, check out their 2001 DVD-release, "From Wishes To Eternity". There, Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica does the male part for the song and it's much, much better. "The Carpenter" is a pretty forgettable song, with a tad too much repetition and again, a horrible vocal performance by Tuomas.
"Astral Romance" is one of my all time favorites of the whole Nightwish discography. Yes, it does have a less than appealing vocal feature by Tuomas, but his part is thankfully short. What I truly love about this song is in it's atmosphere. Whenever I listen to it, I feel like I'm actually flying through space, free of all pressure and troubles. "Angels Fall First" is also pure atmosphere and acoustic beauty with brilliant performances vocal- and instrumental wise.
Every time I'm listening through this album, I forget that "Tutankhamen" is on it. It's propably because the song isn't really that catchy or memorable other than for the pretty epic keyboard and guitar solos after the halfway mark of the song. "Nymphomaniac Fantasia" must have the most ridiculous lyrics that I've ever come across to. The song itself is a pretty good one, but I always find myself snickering at it's lyrics. Who the hell says "the scent of a woman was not mine" or "deep shall be the wound between your legs?"
"Know Why The Nightingale Sings" is a very, very strong song and it's a shame that it was never played live. It's easily one the catchiest songs in the album with a great main riff, a lot of creative melodies and a memorable chorus.
The "Lappi" quadrilogy is the ultimate highlight of the album. All four parts flow along seamlessly and are equally beautiful with exceptionally creative instrumental and vocal performances. It's a great way to end this album.
It is easy to see why this album is overlooked by many people, or even by the fans of the band. It's not full of bombastic, larger than life epics, nor does it have the radio friendly fan anthems that the band is so well known today. In the end, it is a band taking it's first steps on a career that would later become an international phenomenon with no end in sight. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful and atmospheric journey in to the psyché of Tuomas Holopainen.
Recommended tracks:
Elvenpath
Astral Romance
Know Why The Nightingale Sings
Lappi I-IV
