OCEANBORN

Nighwish is a lengend amongst recent symphonic metal bands. This is not a band with extreme virtousity guitar men, or hyper-technical drumming and however they are probably one of the most wonderful and innovative bands in recent years. And they really are!!! But why? What does this band sound like?

Well, this band, and specifically this release: "Oceanborn" has a very fine Symphonic Metal sound with hard and soft spaces, exquisite keyboard lines, subtle violin, cellos and flute arrangements, and of course the heavenly voice of operatic soprano Tarja (Personally, I can swear that listening to Tarja singing always brings my tears away). Poetry, stargazing, the moon, deep woe, and mystics are some of the topics of the very well-though lyrics written by Tuomas Halopainen who has a head full of inspiration.

Oceanborn is the second Nightwish official release; it is a homgeneous album that mixes finest symphonic elements into a heavy riffs structure with delicate arrangements and powerful vocals, all in perfect balance.

1. "Stargazares", the beginning of this album is a track that catches your attention immediately. The flute lines and the sophisticated orchestral sounds fill the first minutes of this album of beauty.

2. "Gethsemane" is a track with soaring lyrics and sweet nuaces, envolving keyboard lines and a delicious counterpoint ornamented with heavy riffs. The flute solos, the cellos at the middle of the song and the choruses of Tarja makes of this track a unique piece of art. At the end of the track a very inspired solo of Emppu closes this chapter.

3. "Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean". This is probably the heaviest track, it is sung in duo with Wilska who has a tough voice and fits in no better manner with Tarja's voice. This is a conceptual story about the born of a lady who gives the name to this release: Oceanborn. The powerful and breaking solos, the symphonic passages, the heavy guitar leads and keybords appear here and there thoughout changing riffs, impressionably track.

4. "Sacrament Of Wilderness". A great opening, a track based basicaly on the synthesizers' virtuosity of Tuomas. Extremly good vocals that would make anyone to cry. A guitar solo through changing rythms.

5. "Passion and The Opera" A perfect operatic track centered on good vocals and parallels symphonic passages. There are heavy riifs, choruses and a heavy prescence of bass guitar. No solos but a very synchronic way of playing.

6. "Swanheart" is the first ballad of the album. Soft track with good lyrics and excellent vocals and a great guitar solo.

7. "Moondance". This is a semi-popular track completely instrumental. A track that changes from conterpoint to softness and inspirated flute and keyboard solos in few seconds, a genial composition.

8. "The riddler" Soaring vocals following by the side of a dynamic playing. This is a delighting composition jewel with mystical lyrics and good guitar and keybords arrangements.

9. "The Pharaoh Sails to Orion" is an interesting track that begins with a macabre intro and the dark voice of Wilska. Tarja appears with Tuomas along a take-breathing journey to symphonic and dark passages. This track has heavy influences from power metal.

10. "Walking in the Air" a very respectful and eloquent ballad with the quality of Tarja on vocals. The guitar solo catches is soft, delicate and very well performed.

In conclusion, listening to this release is a pleasant adventure, not only for its musical perfection but for their excellent production. There was a clear convition in the band of working for creating an unsurpassable album more mature than its predecessor and so, they achieve it: dynamic music, marvelous orchestral passages, versatility and innovation. There is no single second in this release to be wasted, this album is a masterpiece from the beginnig to the end. I am not sure if Nightwish have progressive influences but the point I am clear is that listening to NIGHTWISH is like DREAMING and having a mystical adventure.

I think that only releases full of perfection should be rated with 5-stars and that is why I give a solid 5-stars rating to "Oceanborn".

If you like symphonic metal and don't have this album, do a favor to youself: BUY IT NOW!!!

Good Progressions!!!

Share this NIGHTWISH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to razifa
• Report this review (#79371)
• Buy NIGHTWISH music online with PA partners
• Show all NIGHTWISH MP3/Stream
• Go to NIGHTWISH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Oceanborn page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for NIGHTWISH related discussions