Nightwish
Wishmaster

THE REVIEW

An electric explosion with a massive use of keyboards opens "She Is My Sin", the first track of Wishmaster, the third masterpiece by the Finnish band.
Tarja's voice, as lyrical as it rarely is, interprets what is in my opinion one of the most representative songs of the album.
Right after, we find one of the most contested tracks of their career. Yes, folks, we're talking about "The Kinslayer", perhaps not appreciated by most due to it being sung "in spasms". The lyrics are among the best: they talk (with abundant use of metaphors and enigmatic phrases) about the Columbine High School massacre carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Kelbold.
Captivating and intriguing also is "Come Cover Me", the third track which proves to be very nice and attractive, and we manage to enjoy it partly thanks to its position after "The Kinslayer".
Very beautiful also is "Wanderlust", one of the two 100% power songs on this album, opened by a melodious solo that repeats throughout the song.
I just cannot stand "Two For Tragedy". It is rare for me to contest a Nightwish track like this, but this song is truly an enormous bore. It is a very sad ballad with lyrics lacking any real meaning.

Fortunately, we are shaken from catalepsy by a powerful choir led by Tarja, invoking "Master! Apprentice! Heartborne, 7th seeker! Warrior! Disciple! In me the Wishmaster!". It’s the title track, "Wishmaster", which with these words drags us into an exciting and refined speed-power. Also proven excellent live, "Wishmaster" is perhaps the main representative of the "fantasy" trend within the texts written by Holopainen.
We have arrived at "Bare Grace Misery" and "Crownless". The first is a rather bland piece, but in return, it's quite catchy. The second picks up the Oceanborn trend, presenting us with a song strongly influenced by power.
"Deep Silent Complete" is one of the most dreamy pieces ever written by the band. Tarja’s sweet vocalizations are followed by a powerful accompaniment of guitar and keyboards, but it is never intrusive.

And while the notes of "Deep Silent Complete" still echo in our minds, a dark and melancholic atmosphere makes its way into our ears, in which we hear the faint presence of a voice... shortly after, Tarja returns gently paving the way for the notes of "Dead Boy’s Poem". This track is true poetic art enacted, and the accompaniment, delicate yet simultaneously nostalgic and unhappy, highlights it even more. Not to mention that the song is further enriched by the voice of Sam Hardwick, who recites the poignant "Dead Boy's Poem", making this piece the pearl of Wishmaster.
Leaving behind the melancholic atmosphere of "Dead Boy's Poem", we are shaken by the metallic keyboards of "FantasMic", the longest track on the album. The peculiarity of this song is the lyrics: without following a logical thread, it is a continuous succession of references to Disney movies. The track closes the album.

Although being an excellent album, Wishmaster presents some non-negligible flaws. For example, the presence of some boring tracks that do nothing but weigh down the listening. Secondly, I'm not sure if it's due to wrong mixing or other reasons, but the bass lines are completely cut, reducing everything to a faint pulsation.