In existence since their debut in 1997, Nightwish I was hoping would have become another one of the leaders from the second generation (along with Hammerfall, Edguy, Iced Earth, Angra, Primal Fear, Stratovarius, etc) to carry the torch for traditional Heavy Metal into the present and future. Well, they (all) are at least recognized as such in most European countries, selling albums pretty well, touring regularly and headlining big festivals. But relatively underground in America. Still?? Again, because this country refuses to move out of the past.

Anyway…coming off a tumultuous few years finding a replacement singer, and adding Troy Donockley as a full time member for different instruments, Nightwish return strong as ever. Behind the mic is Floor Jansen (ex After Forever, ReVamp) who is as powerful as her stature, in range able to embrace the operatic qualities of Tarja, and a little of the lighter pop rock from Anette heard on the opening symphonic rocker ‘Shudder Before The Beautiful’. ‘Weak Fantasy’ stays with the heavy riffing, keyboards acting as another anchor behind the bass, drums, and base melody. Vocally, Floor is more herself on this one in midrange tone, more rock and grittier. Also, includes a nice change half way thru that includes Troy’s work with the bouzouki (long neck instrument similar to the mandolin)?, complimented by Tuomas’ triumphant keyboards. ‘Elan’ is the standard single for radio, similar in vibe to ‘Eva’. ‘Yours Is An Empty Hope’ opens with big orchestrations followed by Emppu’s heavy metal riff and Marco’s ballsy bass (who also does some singing). Here, Floor returns to her more natural vocal and even gets more aggressive towards the climactic dramatic closing . One of Nightiwish’s heavier moments. ‘Our Decades In The Sun’ opens like a flower in the field compared to what has been heard to this point. Soft, yet still becomes a power ballad at its core. A nice use of peaks and valleys where also gets to return a little bit of operatic vocals from their loved past. Uilleann pipes (bagpipe of Ireland) are at the start to ‘My Walden’ and the title track follows but don’t let that nice siren’s call fool ya… its a headbanger. ‘Edema Ruh’ returns to the hard rock side of Nightwish a bit and the keyboard melody reminds me in spirit of ‘Come Cover Me’ (from “Wishmaster”). Good stuff. The tone gets a little darker in the piano for instrumental ‘The Eyes of Sharbat Gula’ that segues into the grandiose closer ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ (divided into four parts). And Blind Guardian and Rhapsody of Fire thought they were epic? LOL, just kidding, great bands as well.

An album sure to be in my Top 10 of the Year.