Although this album technically hasn't been released in the US, it is available through...alternate methods. Don't worry...I'll still be spending my hard earned dollars on it this October, because I like to support artists that I love.
And, wow do I love Nightwish! This album was actually what got me into the band (ironically, being that it hasn't been released here yet), and I had a retro-active progression from there. It still remains one of my favorites, and I would probably recommend it first for new Nightwish fans interested in the band.
Note: I don't believe in assigning ratings.
There's less shredding and neo-classical scaling ala Wanderlust on this record, but the songwriting is absolutely fantastic. The album's single, "Nemo," is wonderful, not the kind of thing that sometimes occurs with bands where you'll find yourself saying "look, I know the single is lame, but check out the rest of this album! They're really a good band!"
I caught the band live in Chicago about a month ago, and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen...superb performances on all parts. Now, for the track-by-track:
1. Dark Chest of Wonders
Terrific album opener. They actually opened with this at the gig I attended, which was incredibly exciting...perfect song to start off the mood. It starts off with a brief spoken word intro, then kicks into a sweet power metal riff, which then builds into a catchy melodic lead in 6/4 time. Tarja comes in with guns blazing with choir accompanyment, proving for the millionth time that classical/operatic singing can and in fact *does* kick ***. Trading off between the choir and Tarja's lighter soloing voice, the (verse?) is incredibly dramatic and emotional. It then kicks into a great chorus, and continues through the song. A false ending precedes a wonderful breakdown section, which then leads into a sweet bridge taking the song into the end. Overall, a sweet track.
2. I Wish I Had an Angel
This song shows exactly why new member Marco Hietala (ex Tarot) is such a wonderful addition to the band. He is pure power-metal, one of the best power voices I've ever heard, and fits into Nightwish's sound perfectly. This was the show's closer, and was an absolutely kick *** live tune. Big power chorus, melodic Tarja verses...good times.
3. Nemo
This was the album's first single. Like all good singles need to be, it's disgustingly infectious - and at the same time innovative and unique. This one's all Tarja. Solo is melodic and to the point, song is simple yet wonderful.
4. Planet Hell :cool: :cool: :evil: Probably Marco's best vocal performance, this song kicks absolute ***. Upbeat and heavy, this song kills. Marco and Tarja trade off in the verses. The chorus actually comes in later in the song, which takes the emotional level to a new height, as the twin vocalists cry "Save Yourself a Penny for the Ferryman, Save Yourself and Let them Suffer." This track seems to be a cry of outrage against the current situation of the planet (hence, the title). Take, for example, this verse:
"A dead world
A dark path
Not even crossroads to choose from
All the bloodred
Carpets before me
Behold this fair creation of God."
5. Creek Mary's Blood
Reining in at 8:29, this is the first "epic" song on the record. It features traditional Native American chanting and wind instruments, and is certainly a unique point of the album. As can be expected, the subject matter is Native American history, which is a wonderful statement of the Internatonalism prevading modern metal music: A music group from Finland would ask for a Native American to appear on their record on a song celebrating Native American heritage. My favorite part is probably from 4:00-5:15 in the song, where some wonderful orchestration occurs. It's a soft, moving song, definetly high quality material, further emphasizing why this record kicks so much ***.
6. The Siren Picking up after Creek Mary's Blood is the haunting "Siren." In this track, Tarja Turanen sounds...well, like a Siren. :) Another very unique track, I often cite this as an example of Tarja's wonderful voice, as she soars on this number.
7. Dead Gardens Another heavy number. Some heavy riffing, emotional singing. The song really builds about halfway through the track before exploding into one of the heavier sections on the album at the end. If I had to pick a least favorite song on the album, I suppose this would be the one, but that's more of a statement of how incredible the rest of the album is than anything that's particularly wrong with this track. And, perhaps it is also a bit overshadowed by what follows...
8. Romanticide :cool: This is another heavy number, and features one of Tarja's heavier moments on the chorus. Her voice has an almost frantic...about to snap kind of feel to it throughout the verses, despite being melodic and upbeat as usual, and the chorus feels like a release of all of the tension as she cries
"Tell me why
No heart to cry
Hang me high"
At about 3:36 into the song, the band launches into a kickass breakdown, as the two vocalists follow a similar rhythmic & melodic theme, interpreting it in completely different ways, of course. This end of this is probably THE heaviest section on the album.
9. Ghost Love Song Ahh! After the fires of Dead Gardens and Romanticide, we have, in my opinion, the best song on the album: the soaring, epic, symphonic number, Ghost Love Song. This song is almost more symphony than metal in many places, and is *huge*. The 2nd "epic" tune on the record, this one comes in just over 10 minutes and is pure gold the entire way through. The choiral chorus that kicks in at about 1:40 is just gorgeous, with Tarja singing beautiful leads over the choir. This song is the first of 3 moreoperathanmetal tracks that finish the album, a rather interesting way of finishing a record, IMO. I may be wrong, but I *think* that this song is somehow related to the "Dead Boy's Poem" song from the "Wishmaster" album, like a sequel to the story or something. Anyways, one of the greatest sections of music history comes in just at 5:40. That 6/8 section is just....wow. :eek: This is where it starts, and the energy doesn't let you down for another 4 and a half minutes!! Holy crap.
10. Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan
Thankfully, after the thunderous Ghost Love Song, we have a momentary lapse, as the next song is a relaxed, pretty opera number. At this point, they abandon the metal, and just go all opera...this is all orchestration, just Tarja with a bunch of beautiful instruments. It's a fragile, beautiful piece, definetly not to be missed, and placed perfectly inbetween two heavily emotional numbers. I'm not sure what language it's in...perhaps the band's native Finnish, or continuing with the Native American theme, perhaps it's in one of their tongues?
11. Higher Than Hope
This song picks up from the same point as the last number, and almost makes the listener think that the album will finish on a completely soft point, as it begins with soothing acoustic guitarwork and more soft operatic singing. Not so. The chorus is HUGE!! :lol: This song is a fitting conclusion to a great album. Very cool stuff. :)
