Nightwish - The Hans Zimmer of the Heavy Metal genre

Lonefellow · Cadet 2 Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 7

Well, Nightwish isn't really unfamiliar in most of the world since their last album. Although these kinds of topics usually require a short intro to the band itself, I will skip to the actual point of this topic. Any and every info you can find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightwish

In short, before they were known as a band in the veins of power metal and even gothic metal (god forbid), but now the most accurate description would be symphonic metal. My consistent metal band repertoire ranges only from this band and Therion, so I am not going to discuss how metal this band is, since I know metal purists would hang me... It's how soundtrackish their sound is. In their last albums, the latter is at a very high point.

The orchestral parts were made in Abbey Road and performed by the LSO themselves with Pip Williams doing the arrangements. A number of guest artists such as the Lakotan musician John Two-Hawks and the uillean pipes player, known in the celtic genre, Troy Donockley appear on tracks of their music. All of this would mean nothing if the song themselves don't live up to the production value. Luckily, they do.

You may have heard the singles such as Amaranth, Nemo, Wish I had an Angel and such tracks. I will tell you to erase them from memory. Sure, these songs may be catchy, they don't, however, represent the band at their full potential. In fact, these songs represent one of their absolute lows. With so many rich tracks at their disposal their choices of singles is really confusing considering how much more they are than the tracks representing them and their albums.

The focus of this discussion is obviously on the last two albums: Once and Dark Passion Play. The songs I mention here I recommend listening as a fan of soundtracks, not a metal fan. I am not sure if I may post youtube links, so I will simply list them with a short description.

From Once:

Creek Mary's Blood - A song representing the struggle of the American natives. A calm orchestral undertone that picks up tempo later in the track and John Two-Hawks gives a lovely sound with his flute playing and
vocal accompaniment.

The Siren - A song with a mystical atmosphere designed to draw you in a similar manner as the title creatures in legends. Has a frenzy violin solo in the middle.

Ghost Love Score - This is a rich orchestral experience all around following a certain love story and one of the rare songs of this lenght that can immerse you from beginning to end. Features a lot of atmospherical and tempo changes while still maintaining a feeling of the theme throughout.

From Dark Passion Play:

The Poet and the Pendulum - Along with Ghost Love Score, this is the highpoint of their music. A 13 minute epic consisting of a total of 5 parts. It ranges from an etheraly calm joyride with boy choir vocals to horror like Elfmany passages. In my honest opinion you will not find a more soundtrackish sound in non-soundtrack music than this. Note that the lyrics are quite dark at points so I wouldn't recommend playing this to anyone under 16.

Sahara - A song similar to the Siren, but with a barren desert feeling to it. Imo, the middle sounds like a homage to the old Egypt themed soundtracks such as the Ten Commandments and Cleopatra.

The Islander - This is a celtic acoustic piece featuring the male vocalist throughout. Nothing much to say here, it is an enjoyable song and one of the rare instances where their choice of singles was a spot on decision.

Meadows of Heaven - A very calming song that talks about childhood and nostalgia, so it sounds both idyllic and melancholic. Starting with mellow strings and piano it slowly develops to a celtic sound and ending with an all powerful combination of orchestra, guitars and a gospel choir!

-----

Also, if it is alright, I would like that the discussion of this topic goes as far as possible from the singer arguments and focuses on the sound itself.

Ghostkeeper · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:39 am Post subject:

A long, long time ago I heard a midi version of one of their songs titled "Hotel Horror" that I liked.
I haven't pursued them, because metal is not my genre, but they always remind me of that little tune.
_________________
Music is not just made of sounds. It is also made of silence.

Lonefellow · Cadet 2 Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 7

I am afraid that they do not have a song by that name. Could be a mislabel like many, many other songs of all artists on the internet.

zgurl49 · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:31 am Post subject:

Thanks for sharing leofikus. I've listened to some Nightwish in the past and always enjoyed their sound since it mixes my love of score music and my love of metal music. Will have to check out the songs you mentioned too!
_________________
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow. - James Dean

Xalira · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:55 am Post subject:

They used to be one of my favourites bands when Tarja was on board. Now the passion/obsession of Tuomas Holopainen for Hans Zimmer is starting to bore me, I hope they will change things a bit with their new album (due September 2011).

Dutchbat · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:26 am Post subject:

Just stumbled in on this subject.
Nightwish is one of the few metalgroups I like (being Dreamtheatre the other major one)
Like Xalira I preferred Tarja singing and also I am in favour of the more Gothic Metal sound.
On the other hand I also enjoy having Tarja's Christmas Soloalbum which I can recommend here as well.
_________________

take a look at my collection: My album list

Xalira · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:17 am Post subject:

What do you think of the new album, Imaginaerum? There's even a movie coming out next year!

Dutchbat · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:53 am Post subject:

Didn't have time to look into the new album ( blame SST Smile

)
_________________

take a look at my collection: My album list

Lonefellow · Cadet 2 Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 7

I think it's pretty good. Because of the soundtrack love, I simply ADORE Scaretale, so much Elfman on that song!

Slow Love Slow is a beautiful jazzy ballad, my second favorite on the whole thing. Is it me or does the atmosphere remind me of Twin Peaks?

Arabesque is also good, an orchestral instrumental with a zurna playing in the background.
Turn Loose the Mermaids also gets on the list because it's a nice ballad that sort of starts like a Blackmore's Night tune, then turns into a spaghetti western, almost Morricone ending.

Last Ride of the Day is powerful and the first part of Song of Myself is pretty damn exciting. The poem in the second half isn't bad, a beautiful instrumental behind it but I need to be in the mood for it.

The songs I really dislike are Storytime and The "birdie" song and coincidentally they are both singles. Though Storytime has a cool children's choir/Crimson Tidish bridge going on, so it's sort of bearable.

I'd give it an 8 but would recommend it more to a soundtrack lover than a metal lover.

dragon_Angel_05 · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:28 am Post subject:

Heard about this band. The first song I've heard from them at the time was "Walking in the Air".

Xalira · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:09 pm Post subject:

Anette is officially leaving Nightwish, it seems: http://www.nightwish.com/en/news?a=2187&fb_action_ids=4560501300329&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

alien_avatar · Captain Joined: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 1342 Location: Berlin

They don't seem to have much luck with their female vocalists... Rolling Eyes

_________________
"Welcome to the paranoia club; cheapest fees in the universe and membership lasts forever."
- Peter F. Hamilton, The Evolutionary Void

Wolf · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 3:49 pm Post subject:

I ahve been liking to listen to them when Tarja was on board and enjoyed it too with Annette but yeah, they need to get a stable vocal.

I drifted towards Within Temptation as a result and I actually don't regret it.

I still listen to both. Wink

_________________
Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate... leads to suffering.

Xalira · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject:

Btw, these are from the show in London:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xalira/sets/72157631970903560/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yMfc94aeRg

Caliburn · Guest

So how was Floor?