Customer Ratings & Reviews

If you are unfamiliar with Nightwish, I would strongly encourage you to sample several of their songs, preferably on YouTube being that 30 second samples really do not properly sample any one of their songs. They are a symphonic metal band, and they demonstrate a great deal of musical range between albums and between songs on any one album. Some are very energetic and heavy, others are soothing and emotional, some fluctuate between extremes, but they all assert a resonance that is best described as epic or grand. Most of their songs could hold up as the grand finale of any venue even among the likes of Iron Maiden and so many other legends of metal. There is a lot to appreciate note for note, and each band member is immensely talented, bringing their own elements to each song and each performance. They are at their absolute best live (or at least with the volume cranked up) but their studio performances certainly do hold their own when compared to their live performances. This album is wonderfully dark and thematic, a whirlwind of emotion with plenty of highs and lows. I would be hard pressed to select favorites, given that so many of these songs may suite different moods, and are written to harmonize with one another. However, if I were to select 3, I would choose Storytime, Ghost River, and Last Ride of the Day, all for their unwavering energy and profound resonance. On the lighter side, Turn Loose the Mermaids, Rest Calm, & Slow, Love, Slow would be my choices. Again, there is just so much musical range between albums and songs, all of which are comparable to each other and remarkable in their own ways. I would highly suggest this album, in addition to so many others from Nightwish. They are easily one of my favorite bands now, and it is a shame that music like this is not promoted more in the United States.

I agree totally with the other reviewer, This CD is their best so far. I would also put it up there with Dream Theater's "Scenes from a Memory" as well as Queensryche's "Operation Mindcrime" and Within Temptation's latest "The Unforgiving". One of those few CDs that you can close your eyes and visualize the story being told. I've listened to this many times back to back. It's that good!! I've been a fan from the beginning and It's ironic because I got turned on to Nightwish mainly because of the fusion of Heavy Metal and Classical with Tarja's beautiful Opera trained pipes topping it off but for some reason, it seems the band has been able to expand way beyond those boundries with Anette Olzon's voice. Simply put, they are a better band now! Although Anette's voice is not as disciplined as Tarja's, it allows the band to have that little extra Ooomph while maintaining the Nightwish sound. I really enjoyed the previous album "Dark Passion Play", a solid debut for Anette but this release excels way past it. Best tracks imo are "Storytime", "Rest Calm" and my Favorite, the creepy "Scaretale". \m/,

This is the best Nightwish album ever. I have literally listened to it a dozen of times and never get tired of it. Its basically like a musical movie. A album of this caliber I can compare it to would be Dream Theater Scenes from a Memory which is also a very good album. This album broke the boundary's of what music can be it is beyond that almost magical. There is not a bad song I can list on this album except " Slow,Love,Slow" which is a Jazz song. Also the recording quality is amazing, the price Tuomas paid was worth it, It sounds like watching a movie at the Theater,even better so pop it in your surround sound system and hit play. Bottom line this album is a masterpiece so I reccomend you buy it, your ears will not regret it.

When Dark Passion Play came out, I was a bit disappointed, mostly by the fact that it was the first album with Tarja. Anette's voice completely threw me off at first. Now that she has been with the guys for a few years, Tuomus has been able to make it where her voice gives it that sound. It has a darker and more sinister feel to it, which is honestly what makes it so unique. As the first review states, Slow, Love, Slow is probably the only bad song on there because it has a jazz sound to it. Other than that, the album is amazing, especially for the price it's at for a new release.

Nightwish's second album with Anette is very good. Anette's vocals shine on: Turn Loose the Mermaid (best song on disc#, Rest Calm and The Crow, the Owl and the Dove. Imaginaerum and Arabesque are instrumental numbers that are written extremely well. If fact, the music on the entire album is well written. The only negative is the male vocals on Ghost River #worse song on the disc). There is no need for the growling death metal type vocals on this disc and that takes away from the song. On the other hand the male duet part on The Crow, the Owl and the Dove is very well done. Overall, the disc is one of Nightwish's best--disregarding Ghost River.

Seriously, I consider Nightwish the top of the line when its comes to Symphonic Metal. Grandiose arrangements, curveballs of melody, amazing concepts and subject matter. Yes, their vocalist has changed three times already, but each one of them has brought their own unique qualities to the table.

Nightwish is the most imaginative band ever! All the songs are beyond impressive! Like an incredible movie soundtrack that you don't ever want to end. Each and every song is amazing! ;-)

This CD's only weakness is the lyrics can sometimes cliche. The instrumentation is far more complex then the average band and the Instrumental CD which comes with the special edition is worth the money on it's own.