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"All of my songs can only be composed of the greatest of pains
Every single verse can only be born of the greatest of wishes
I wish I had one more night to live"
"All my songs can only be composed of the greatest of pains
Every single verse can only be born of the greatest of wishes
I wish I had one more night to live"
These verses perfectly encapsulate what is the fourth deeply felt work by Nightwish. Abandoned are the melodious and cheerful power sounds of previous albums, and this record gathers a palette of melancholic and tearful emotions, yet at the same time angry and dark. A visibly more mature work both from a compositional and instrumental point of view and from the lyrics’ standpoint.
The elements that characterized the previous albums, such as the keyboard virtuosos of co-founder and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen (for example, Gethsemane) or the operatic vocals of frontwoman Tarja Turunen (for example, Swanheart) no longer find their place in this latest work, visibly replaced by darker and more gothic sounds, characterized by the heavy presence of lower and more aggressive guitars, the more pronounced presence of bass lines. With this album, the group welcomes the new entry to the band, Marco Hietala (ex-Sinergy), replacing the former bassist Sami Vanska. On a vocal level, Tarja engages in lighter and less contrived and demanding performances (as in Oceanborn).
The cover artwork was created by Markus Mayer, who designed covers for other albums of the group such as Oceanborn and Wishmaster (even the cover of Once will be his work): it depicts a woman kneeling in a pond of water lilies while holding a black rose, while in the background towers a majestic waterfall set in a forest.
Let’s move on to the analysis of the ten tracks of the album:
"Bless the Child" is the opening track of the album, from which a video will also be made. The main theme of this song, as well as a bit of the whole album, is the return to childhood. A perfect blend of orchestral and choral music, all harmonized by the singer’s crystalline voice. A certain dark and gloomy atmosphere prevails throughout the track, occasionally broken by powerful guitar solos.
"End of All Hope" showcases the second face of the album. Its power and gritty sounds highlight anger and overwhelming power. The entire track is sonorously marked by the drummer Jukka’s double pedal, perfectly harmonized with the fast and rhythmic pace of the choirs. It represents the anger that accompanies resignation caused by a loss, the loss of a hope that permeates everything, even innocence itself. The only flaw of this track is that it does not translate well live, as it adopts the dual vocals technique, typical of Angels Fall First.
"Dead to the World" is a true duel between Tarja and the new bassist Marco, who makes his vocal debut with this song. It opens with a keyboard solo, which intertwines with the guitar throughout the song. The song's title is taken from an Edgar Allen Poe story, "William Wilson," which contains the phrase "Yet henceforward art thou also dead-dead to the world, to heaven, to hope". A technique often used by Nightwish is the interval throughout the song with a sweet and calm section, making the song's end even more effective.
We arrive at one of Nightwish's flagship pieces, "Ever Dream". A unique ballad, a single in Finland. It’s a masterful blend of symphonic and heavy, although it is quite a simple and linear song per se. Perhaps precisely for this reason, it is so catchy and immediate. "All I ever craved were the two dreams /I shared with you. /
One I now have, will the other one ever dream remain. / For yours I truly wish to be." It is evident that the theme of the song is the hope for an upcoming change.
After the dreamlike and surreal atmosphere of Ever Dream, taking fifth place on the list is the powerful "Slaying the Dreamer". Truly a gem of the album, its heavy melodies accompanied by the powerful guitars and bass line make it one of the strongest pieces of the album, at times compared to a work by Pantera. The lyrics were inspired by the moment when the band started to gain success, and Tuomas began to feel the pressure of the whole affair "You bastards tainted my tool / Raped my words, played me a fool".
Following the power of this track is an "honest and innocent ballad", as defined by Tuomas, "Forever Yours". The melody is quite simple, consisting of a very calm orchestra of violins accompanying Tarja's voice and a very gentle flute. At times, it may remind of the previous "Two For a Tragedy", but it is certainly more harmonious and subtle.
We now reach one of the group's signature songs, "Ocean Soul". It is a very emotional and heartfelt song by Tuomas, as he has repeatedly stated that he feels one with the ocean waves, the waves’ undulating breath. Undulating like the song's chorus, a very engaging melody, although not the absolute best of the previous songs musically but not textually, as it’s a song that Tuomas feels is very his, it is touching and very personal.
"Feel For You" is another ballad from Century Child, very simple and calm in itself, but differs from Forever Yours with its rhythmic and pressing rhythm, although it certainly isn't one of the album's strong points.
"The Phantom of the Opera" is a cover of the famous theme from Andrew Lloyd Webber's namesake film. One of the group's most distinctive covers, it is also a gem of the entire Nightwish production. This metal rendition of the cover differs from the original in the female voice's register. Tuomas preferred that Tarja adopt a lower register, not appreciating the original track's high notes. The vocalist's final vocalizations are masterful, leaving room for a final free interpretation of the song.
The album concludes with "The Beauty of the Beast". An ambitious and deeply felt project, encompassing all of Nightwish's music within its 10 minutes. It is composed of three different parts: "Long Lost Love," "One More Night to Live," and "Christabel." Each of these parts represents a different style of the group: its melancholic and romantic side, but also its powerful and heavier side, which fades until the finale. The first, more tranquil and calm, is characterized by a cold and nostalgic atmosphere, in a majestic crescendo typical of a soundtrack structure, then culminating in the more pressing and powerful rhythm of "One More Night to Live," Tarja's voice rises powerful and crystalline over the chorus and orchestra. The piece concludes with these words:
"Oh, sweet Christabel. Share with me your poem.
For I know now, I'm a puppet on this silent stage
show.
I'm but a poet who failed his best play.
A Dead Boy, who failed to write an ending
To each of his poems."
I would conclude with these words from "Bless the Child":
"I dreamt all my future. Relived my past.
And witnessed the beauty of the beast"
"The Beauty of the Beast". Because that’s what it means to be an artist. Being able to redeem oneself, to surpass oneself, to see beyond what human eyes can see, to see the beauty, the purity, even in the beast, in the ruin; after darkness, the light.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Bless the Child (06:12)
"I was born amidst the purple waterfalls.
I was weak, yet not unblessed.
Dead to the world, alive for the journey.
One night I dreamt a white rose withering,
a newborn drowning a lifetime loneliness.
I dreamt all my future, relived my past,
and witnessed the beauty of the Beast"
Where have all the feelings gone?
Why has all the laughter ceased?
Why am I loved only when I'm gone?
Gone back in time to bless the child.
How can I ever feel again?
Given the chance would I return?
Why am I loved only when I'm gone?
Gone back in time to bless the child.
Think of me long enough to make a memory.
Come bless the child one more time.
I've never felt so alone in my life.
As I drank from a cup which was counting my time.
There's a poison drop in this cup of man,
To drink it is to follow the left hand path.
Why am I loved only when I'm gone?
Gone back in time to bless the child.
Think of me long enough to make a memory.
Come bless the child one more time.
Think of me long enough to make a memory.
Come bless the child one more time.
"Where have all the feelings gone?
Why is it the deadliest sin - to love as I loved you?
Now unblessed, homesick in time, soon to be freed from care, from human pain.
My tale is the most bitter truth: Time pays us
with but earth & dust, and a dark, silent grave.
Remember my child:
without innocence the cross is only iron,
hope is only an illusion,
and Ocean Soul's nothing but a name...
The Child bless thee and keep thee forever"
02 End of All Hope (03:55)
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
To end all the innocence.
To be someone like me.
This is the birth of all hope.
To have what I once had.
This life unforgiven, It will end with birth.
No will to wake for this morn.
To see another black rose born.
Deathbed is slowly covered with snow.
Angels, they fell first, but I'm still here
Alone as they are drawing near.
In heaven my masterpiece will finally be sung.
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
To end all the innocence.
To be someone like me.
Wounded is the deer that leaps highest, and my wound it cuts so deep.
Turn off the light and let me pull the plug.
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
To end all the innocence.
To be someone like me.
This is the birth of all hope.
To have what I once had.
This life unforgiven, It will end with a birth.
Mandylion without a face, Deathwish without a prayer.
End of hope, end of love, end of time. The rest is silence.
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
To end all the innocence.
To be someone like me.
This is the birth of all hope.
To have what I once had.
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
To end all the innocence.
To be someone like me.
It is the end of all hope.
To lose the child, the faith.
End of all hope.
04 Ever Dream (04:43)
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
Would you do it with me
Heal the scars and change the stars
Would you do it for me
Turn loose the heaven within
I'd take you away
Castaway on a lonely day
Bosom for a teary cheek
My song can but borrow your grace
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
Dream of me...
Come out, come out wherever you are
So lost in your sea
Give in, give in for my touch
For my taste for my lust
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
Your beauty cascaded on me
In this white night fantasy
Dream of me...
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
Dream of me...
Ever felt away with me
Just once that all I need
Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me
My love, it lies so deep
Ever dream of me
05 Slaying the Dreamer (04:31)
I'm a priest for the poorest sacrifice
I'm but a raft in a sea of sorrow
Sorrow and greed
You bathed in my wine
Drank from my cup, mocked my rhyme
Your slit tongues licked
My aching wounds
Put a stake
Through my heart
And drag me into sunlight
So awake
For your greed
As you're slaying the dreamer
Swan-song for the wish of night
God it hurts, give a name to the pain
Our primrose path to hell is growing weeds
Put a stake
Through my heart
And drag me into sunlight
So awake
For your greed
As you're slaying the dreamer
Blame me
It's me
Coward, good-for-nothing scapegoat
Dumb kid, living a dream
Romantic only on paper
Tell me why you took all that was mine
Stay as you lay, don't lead me astray
Tell me why you took all that was mine
Stay as you lay, don't lead me astray
Wake up, mow the weed
You'd be nothing without me
Take my life if you have the heart to die
You bastards tainted my tool
Raped my words, played me a fool
Gather your precious glitter and leave me be
The Great Ones are all dead
And I'm tired, too
I truly hate you all!
06 Forever Yours (03:50)
Fare thee well, little broken heart
Downcast eyes, lifetime loneliness
Whatever walks in my heart will walk alone
Constant longing for the perfect soul
Unwashed scenery forever gone
Whatever walks in my heart will walk alone
No love left in me
No eyes to see the heaven beside me
My time is yet to come
So I'll be forever yours
Whatever walks in my heart will walk alone
No love left in me
No eyes to see the heaven beside me
My time is yet to come
So I'll be forever yours
No love left in me
No eyes to see the heaven beside me
My time is yet to come
So I'll be forever yours
Whatever walks in my heart will walk alone
whatever walks in my heart...
08 Feel for You (03:55)
You were my first love
The earth moving under me
Bedroom scent, beauty ardent
Distant shiver, heaven sent
I'm the snow on your lips
The freezing taste, the silvery sip
I'm the breath on your hair
The endless nightmare, devil's lair
Only so many times
I can say I long for you
The lily among the thorns
The prey among the wolves
Someday, I will feed a snake
Drink her venom, stay awake
With time all pain will fade
Through your memory I will wade
Barely cold in her grave
Barely warm in my bed
Settling for a draw tonight
Puppet girl, your strings are mine
X2
This one is for you for you
Only for you
Just give in to it never think again
I feel for you
X3
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Other reviews
By shagrat
Tarja whispers. With a lot of sensuality and professionalism... but whispering.
The interpretation of The Phantom of the Opera compared to the original sounds like the pre-mortal cry of a cat on Frankenstein’s operating table.
By Big D
"This album introduces some novelties: the guitars emerge forcefully, with heavy and distorted sounds."
"'Beauty Of The Beast,' my favorite Nightwish track, unfolds in three different moments, all very beautiful and evocative."
