HIGHEST HOPES - THE BEST OF NIGHTWISH

A Great Introduction to Nightwish...! Quite surprising to me that this compilation CD is available at local pressing in my country. Thanks to Spinefarm, the label, which made it possible to produce this CD for local market with affordable price. Hopefully, many label companies will do the same so that prog music would be accessible for wider audience. Actually I was not attracted to purchase this box set because I have had most of Nightwish albums and no reason to have a compilation CD. But because there is new track which covers Pink Floyd's "High Hopes" so I was curious how the band interprets the music of Pink Floyd with their style. The other reason, it's cheap!

This compilation CD is a great introduction to the band's music. For those of you who want to know the symphonic progressive metal nature of Nightwish, it's highly recommended to have this box set. The band's best tracks are presented here. Practically all tracks are excellent even though there are numerous excellent tracks the band has ever produced and I have reviewed some of the albums right here at this site.

The opening track was the hit single coming out from the band's latest album "Once" titled "Wish I Had An Angel" (4:04) followed with speedier symphonic progressive metal with beautiful keyboard and double bass pedal sounds under "Stargazers" (4:26). The operatic voice of Tarja Turunen (now left the band) is so powerful and fits with the band's music. This is continued excellently with "The Kinslayer" (4:01) through powerful multi-layered keyboard sounds. "Ever Dream" (4:44) brings the music into mellow style with piano and transparent voice of Tarja - during opening part. The music blasts off wonderfully right after opening vocal line.

"Elvenpath" (4:38) takes different approach with narrative opening by Tarja in a sort of eastern nuance followed with groundbreaking music with heavy riffs. "Bless The Child" (6:12) is another great track with ambient opening where pulsating keyboard work enters firmly as the music flows. The combined riffs of guitar, keyboard and bass have made this song sounds so powerful. It's suitable for those who love heavy riffs. "Nemo" (4:35) is another track with pop touch but it's still interesting to enjoy.

Well I would say that all other tracks have the same qualities as the above tracks I mention. Basically the band offers tight composition with heavy riffs and memorable melodies almost in each segment of the music. The nature of keyboard work which makes the music sounds grandiose is a great factor for enjoyment. There are basically minimum guitar solos but the fills and riffs produced by guitar are worth enjoying.

It's good to have another version of "High Hopes" performed differently in live setting. Of course the band did not delineate the music as to confuse the listeners with totally different arrangement. But I would say that this "metal" version of "High Hopes" is truly interesting to enjoy. Vocal is performed by Marco Hietala beautifully. This song itself has made it worth spending your money with this CD - especially if you haven't been into progressive metal arena. It might be a good introduction. You might enjoy how heavy guitar riffs serve really well in this track. Awesome! In some segment the voice of Marco sounds like Roger Waters'! The grass is gREEEEner ...!!! (what a great scream, man!)

It's an eaxcellent addition to any prog music collection and it's a great introduction to Nightwish newbies. Buy it, man! Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW