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Rating: After the success garnered with "Wishmaster" in 2000, Nightwish decided to release this EP to keep fans satisfied until Century Child. It's an album half recorded in the studio and half live. The first part consists of four tracks: the title track, 10th Man Down, Away, and the remake of Astral Romance.
The title track is a cover of Gary Moore, masterfully reinterpreted here "à la Nightwish," with choirs, violins, and, naturally, almost operatic vocals.
10th Man Down, in my opinion, is the best of the lot. It's a very dark song that, in some ways, might evoke One by Metallica (both for the themes, the intro of gunfire and bombs, and the final outburst). In this song, Tarja's crystalline voice alternates with Wilska's demonic growl (also featured on Oceanborn), creating a beautiful sonic contrast. This song can be considered the transition point from "cheerful" albums like Wishmaster to darker and more powerful ones like Century Child and Once. Away is a sad and melancholic ballad that was supposed to be part of the previous album. Even though it is very beautiful and "tear-jerking," it remains somewhat anonymous in context. The fourth track is the completely unnecessary remake of Astral Romance, included just to "fill space." It's curious to hear how in the original version it tied into classic metal, while here it is (unfortunately) rearranged in a power manner.
As I mentioned, the second part is a live recording from Finland. For some reason, it doesn't convince me at all. Technically, it is an excellent live recording: impeccable production, perfect setlist, and good technique from the musicians, but the problem is that it's too "cold," without emotions, it doesn't draw you into the atmosphere. In short, the only flaw in a good discography like that of the Finnish combo.
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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