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The popularity of Nightwish has been growing exponentially over the years, and not just in their native Finland. To satisfy the Nightwish devotees, Spinefarm offers us a maxi single containing a cover, two unreleased tracks, a new version of "Astral Romance" and six live tracks.
The cover "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Gary Moore is a nice piece that sticks in your head immediately (thanks to the legendary chorus), and let's be honest, it's definitely fun. The first of the two unreleased tracks, "10th Man Down" is really a great piece, with heavier guitars compared to previous Nightwish albums (let's remember we are in 2001): a perfect meeting point between Wishmaster and Century Child. "Away" is a very sweet ballad with a soft atmosphere and an excellent Tarja.
I find the reissue of "Astral Romance" worthy of note, if not for the male singing: no longer the work of Tuomas but of guest star Tony Kakko: A definite leap in quality. The live tracks are wonderful and take on a new dimension. The faster and more intense pieces were chosen: an excellent choice. The pieces are performed impeccably, even sped up compared to the CDs. Tarja doesn't miss a note and even improvises particular trills.
One step above the others "The Beauty And The Beast" is beautiful as usual but instead of Tuomas's flat notes we have Tony Kakko again and "Walking In The Air" which is even more evocative.
Of course, it's a product suitable only for Nightwish fans and collectors (also considering the price, equal to that of a CD of unreleased tracks and the absence of a real booklet), but even if you don't belong to one of these categories, it's worth considering.
"...Over the hills and far away…"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Over the Hills and Far Away (05:03)
They came for him one winter's night.
Arrested, he was bound.
They said there'd been a robbery,
his pistol had been found.
They marched to the station house,
he waited for the dawn.
And as they led him to the dock,
he knew that he'd been wronged.
"You stand accused of robbery,"
he heard the bailiff say.
He knew without an alibi,
tomorrow's light would mourn his freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
for ten long years he'll count the days.
Over the mountains and blue seas,
a prisoner's life for him there'll be.
He knew that it would cost him dear,
but yet he dare not say.
Where he'd been that fateful night,
a secret it must stay.
He had to fight back tears of rage.
His heart beat like a drum.
For with the wife of his best friend,
he spent his final night of freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
he swears he will return one day.
Far from the mountains and blue seas,
back in her arms he swear he'll be.
Over the hills and far away.
Over the hills and,
over the hills and,
over the hills and far away.
Each night within his prison cell,
he looks out through the bars.
He reads the letters that she wrote.
One day he'll know the taste of freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
she prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the seas,
back in his arms he swears she'll be.
Over the hills and far away,
he swears he will return one day.
over the mountains and the seas
back in her arms is where he'll be.
Over the hills and far away,
she prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the sea,
back in his arms is where she'll be.
Over the hills,
over the hills and far away.
Over the hills,
over the hills and far away
02 10th Man Down (05:24)
Today I killed, he was just a boy
Eight before him, I knew them all
In the fields a dying oath:
I'd kill them all to save my own
Cut me free
Bleed with me
Oh, no
One by one
We will fall
Down down
Pull the plug
End the pain
Run'n fight for life
Hold on tight
This ain't my fight
Deliver me from this war
It's not for me it's because of you
Devil's instant my eternity
Obey to kill to save yourself
Cut me free...
I envy the 9 lives that gave me hell
My path made up by their torn bodies
Man to man, soldier to soldier, dust to dust
Call me a coward but I can't take it anymore
They wait for me back home
They live with eyes turned away
They were the first ones to see
They are the last ones to bleed
The ultimate high as all beautiful dies
A ruler's tool, priest's excuse, tyrant's delight...
I alone, the great white hunter
I'll march till the dawn brings me rest
10th patriot at the gallow's pole!
Cut me free...
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Other reviews
By Big D
10th Man Down... can be considered the transition point from 'cheerful' albums like Wishmaster to darker and more powerful ones like Century Child and Once.
The live recording is technically excellent but too 'cold,' without emotions, it doesn’t draw you into the atmosphere.
