Ranking the Studio Albums: Nightwish
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- Join Pete Pardo & Chris Alo as they rank the albums of Finnish symphonic metal superstars Nightwish. #nightwish
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I think I need to also mention that the concert at Wacken (2013) is one of the best concerts ever recorded and put in DVD. Watching Floor’s stage presence and Jukka virtually exhaust himself on drums (he could hardly stand up at the end of the show) is as mesmerizing as it can get.
Exactly! That DVD did to Nightwish what Live After Death did for Maiden; but them on a whole other level.
Wacken was amazing
I have watched the show I don’t remember seeing Jukka struggling to walk at the end I seen him joking around with the cameraman at the end of the show
Agreed !!! Stumbled upon Wacken 2013 in 2015 and I still can't describe what that performance did to me. They have been my favorite current band since. Hands down.
Thanks for doing this episode. Nightwish is overlooked in America. A great live band, too.
I think their best song ever is 'Bless The Child'. Great metal riffing, dark, atmospheric, groovy.
Imaginaerum put me to sleep the first time I heard it, but it grew on me. Human:Nature also takes some time to appreciate. It's ground breaking stuff.
Imaginaerum is the only Nightwish album that I didn't like the first time I listened to it. I listened to it 3 more times. By the 3rd listen, I loved it!
Human :II: Nature is also great. Surprisingly, I loved it the first time I listened to it.
Count me among those with a vote in favor of the new album. It's different from their previous work, but I don't have a problem with that.
Took a while to grow but I love the new outing, including disc 2 which I loooooove. Not sure if it pips EFMB it terms of Floor era albums (the open and close of that album, dayumn),but I still really rate it. Certainly far from awful even if it is divisive.
@@AskesisGrappling Floor would not put her voice to an awful album.
I love NIGHTWISH ‘ Once’ and it’s my favorite!!🎼🎤🎸🎵🥁
Human II Nature is one of my favorite albums by Nightwish. Both discs are great, and yes, I listen to the 2nd disc often (the review said that no one can listen to the 2nd disc more than once. Wrong. It's still in my car after nearly a year of listening to it.....). Nightwish has always had an orchestral film score influence to their music. They just make it shine on this record more than their others.
I listen to disc 2 of Human:||:Nature all the damn time, it's fantastic. I live very close to the New Forest in southern England and everytime it evokes those relaxing feelings I get just being out in nature, in the open away from civilisation and just part of the wider universe. I love it. I listened to it more than disc 1 which obviously leans more to their folksier influences it is certainly a grower, but once it sinks in its fucking fantastic, at least to me. Shoemaker just "ok"? Oh please. I can certainly see how it just doesnt work for some peoples tastes but to say its terrible, and awful is just laughable from an objective point of view. Even when its divisive Thuomas' song writing is masterful here and the performance are top notch. I did find it funny when they got in to certain songs and after writing the whole album off as awful there was lots of "yeh that songs ok, pretty good I guess". But hey, after liking a couple of songs from Nightwish but not super sold maybe I'm just biased to Floor era since EFMB and the Wacken '13 show roped me in.
@@AskesisGrappling I agree. Shoemaker is great!
nah, last album was boring garbage, especially that second disc
@@stalkermonolith4841 yah, last album was awesome, including that second disc. Fishmaster (yes I said "fish") was boring garbage.
Pete, you should do a ranking of Stratovarius
Very surprised when I clicked on this. For some reason, the last person who I expected to see was Chris Alo. Great show as is everything with Chris on it. Pete and Chris are two people I would love a conversation with. If you are ever in England guys......
Great show and very entertaining as always with Chris! "Spoken words shit" hahaha pure gold. And the most surprising part of the ranking is that Chris hates the last album but has not bought 8 versions of it hahaha. I absolutely love Nightwish, with Once being my favorite album. I actually like Human/Nature, but it did take me some 5 listens to actually dig it and only did so because I love the band so much and refused to accept the fact that they would put out such a bad album. So saying that it´s a grower is an understatement, and perhaps just their really biggest fans will actually want to put in the time to dig it. I have liked all their phases, Tarja was great but definitely was going to be a thorn on their side (have been unable to actually like any of her solo stuff). Annette was pretty good, although a bit underwhelming (dug an album she recently put out with Russell Allen: Worlds Apart). Floor has been wonderful! And all her records with After Forever kicked ass.
Shout out to After Forever maybe Pete and Chris could make a segment on them. I agree pretty much with you in the case of Nightwish.
The thing about Nightwish is as good as their studio records are they are demons in concert and that is where they have made their bones. Even if you think you don't care for them see them in concert anywhere and you will see veteran virtuoso musicians and artists, they really are that good. I saw them last in 2015 on tour with Sabaton and Delain and it was the best complete show I have seen since the Black and Blue Tour.
Honestly a little surprised Chris would be a fan. Always thought he was more into the traditional and darker sides of metal. A pleasant surprise none the less! Nightwish is a treasure of a band.
I do tend to go traditional and dark for sure. I wish I was more varied like Pete and some of the other guys, to be honest!
@@chrisalo2989 Very surprised! Chris Alo I like your take no prisonner approach! You seem to be the kind of guy I you have like to hang out and ramble on things. Even though I disagree with your take on the last album I respect your takes and love your stories. You have your opinion! Opinions are like ass holes we all have one. Peace out from North of the border!
I think Human. :II: Nature will stand the test of time. It's different, it's not the typical Nightwish album however there's a lot of interesting stuff in there. It demands time.
I maybe one of a few but i love the second disc
Agree,..actually enjoyed the more experimental vibe of it !
I really enjoyed the first disc but the second disc put me to sleep.
@@w-james9277 I think Tuomas should have released it as a separate solo album.
Oddly enough I enjoyed the second albums with Annette and Floor more than their first
This is a Cool, Hot and Spot- On female front band!! Nightwish really rocks it!! Thank you for ranking their studio albums!!🎼🎤🎸🎵🥁
Btw, I've recently realized that their bassist Marco is probably the most underrated vocalist ever. When I see people naming their favourite vocalists Marco is mentioned quite rarely. Before I went on to discover other metal bands he was my favourite vocalist. And I'd still pick him over Tarja, Anette and Floor as the best NW singer any day.
And he looks good, just look at his beard and his hair.
Agree 101% Marco is a great metal vocalist and performer. His part of Phantom Of The Opera... Wow!
I really like his recent solo album. It has a nice mixture of songs.
Pete please do a Edguy album ranking. They are my second favorite band of all time. Saxon being my first!!!
Yes!!!! And Avantasia!
Edguy rulez
Pete,.. A ranking the studio albums of The Gathering would be awesome!
True man, do it Pete!
The pasta story deserves a BIG thumbs up ! Never laughed that loud this year !
A Delain rankings would be amazing
Or Sonata Arctica.
1. Imaginaerum
2. Once
3. Dark Passion Play
4. Oceanborn
5. Century Child
6. Wishmaster
7. Human :ll: Nature
8. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
9. Angels Fall First
To me, Century Child is the bridge between Nightwish's older, more neoclassical/guitar driven sound and the more balanced/accessible sound. Overall, I choose Floor as the best of both worlds regarding vocals, but I feel the last 2 records are lacking the higher energy and amazing compositions like Once, Dark Passion Play and Imaginareum. Anette Olzen gets a lot flack for her live performances, she sang very well in the studio and her voice fits on those records. Tarja will always have that imprint on Nightwish and she brought a unique element as did Marco, who is absolutely a phenomenal songwriter and especially a singer. Imho, Tuomas will always be the heart and soul of the band and his sense of songwriting and storytelling is mesmerizing. However, he seems a bit controlling of what the rest of band members put on the table. I hope the next album has a little more traditional heavy metal elements (epic guitar harmonies, solos and monstrous riffs, crazy drum work and cool bass riffs).
Great video guys, really enjoyed listening, especially the insider stories! Sounds like Emppu likes to mess up his food like he messes up live solos, lol. I have a tiny snippet of my own: I've seen them live in late 2004 on the Once tour, and I attended a meet & greet, got to see them and shook hands with the guys, got my drumsticks signed by Jukka and a massive poster signed by the whole band. Me and the group I was with got them some gifts as well: a bottle of local wine for each of the guys and a massive bouquet of flowers for Tarja that I handed to her. Marcelo was there in the front row, felt like he was burning a hole through the back of my skull; Tarja was polite but very reserved, got up and accepted the flowers, passed them on and awkwardly sat back down, no handshake or a hug or many words at all. I was super excited as I was quite young and seeing my favorite band (at the time) so didn't think much of it then, but things started to make sense shortly after, the tension was palpable in the room. Good memories though, was a great gig and they drank the wine on stage that night.
Here's my ranking of the albums:
9) Human Nature
(let's forget it exists)
8) Angels Fall First
7) Endless Forms Most Beautiful
(Though I love Floor, it sounds good, and is well put together, I find all of the songs unmemorable)
6) Imaginaerum
5) Wishmaster
4) Dark Passion Play
3) Once
2) Oceanborn
(just too many good tracks, it's also the album most featured in their Decades compilation)
1) Century Child
(swap Forver Yours with Sleeping Sun and you have the perfect Nightwish album)
Human:Nature is like the Beatles' Yellow Submarine album. I've heard that lots of folks only listen to side 1, but I enjoy the whole thing.
Tarja was my favorite in Nightwish. I love hearing the different views. Great vid, Pete
1. Oceanborn
2. Century Child
Make America Metal Again!
I'll be the one guy, but I really like the first disc of Human Nature.
@@Iron_Mladen I didn't make it all the way through disc 2. Too much like a movie soundtrack.
I think Human Nature is one of their best albums. 2nd Disc is okay but the last song Ad Astra is an absolute masterpiece. I was in tears the first time I heard that song.
The first side is great the second side is a masterpiece.
This has got to be one of the most disappointing albums I have heard in my music listening career. Preachy earthy garbage that I hope Tuomas has gotten out of his system. Marco is basically ignored on the album. They gave one of the vocals to the pipes/aerophone dude. Are you kidding me?!!!
@@ericsloss3963 Yes preachy earthy message is a warning to us and to call that garbage is really unkind. Remember the message from the last of phrase sung on The Greatest Show on Earth was We Were Here not We Are Here. Since this album is the continuation of the last what did you expect. This is why this album is in two parts, Human and Nature and the warning is in order for the Human side to keep on existing it must work to save the Nature side.
I quite like Human :||: Nature. I don't think it's their best but I think it sounds pretty good overall. Music, shoemaker, noise, and endlessness do stand out to me.
Glad to see one of my all time favorite bands on here and I (mostly) agree with you guys on the order that these albums were ranked. I would love to see a Top 10 songs video for Nightwish. I also wouldn't mind see ranking albums/ 10 songs for Delain, Epica and Within Temptation.
More like a top 20 list with the amount of god like songs they made
@@rjcorreia3788 I know, right?
For me it goes like this:
Century Child
Once
Oceanborn
Wishmaster
Dark Passion Play
Angels Fall First
Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Imaginaerum
Human | Nature
Glad there is one sane person on this thread who has Nature last.
Like your list. I love Oceanborn, I think thats an epic album.
I think a Delain or Within Temptation would be interesting rankings.
Delain are absolutely fantastic I love them
@@mikem.7921 Don't think they have a weak album, love them all, never skip songs.
My Ranking:
9. Angels Fall First
8. Wishmaster
7. Oceanborn
6. Human II Nature
5. Century Child
4. Dark Passion Play
3. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
2. Once
1. Imaginaerum
So glad you did this list! Nightwish is one of my favs
Will have to have a listen but another great band of this Genre...Within Temptation
I fell in love with Floor recently...had never heard of Nightwish. I bought Human II, but have barely listened. The problem for me is I came into NW late and still can't stop listening to EFMB. Also, Floor live Wacken 2013 is astonishing.
Agreed 100%.....i had not heard of Floor or Nightwish 5 months ago but after hearing a lot about them in a short space of time decided to see what all the fuss is about and OMG. Totally floored by Floor and the band 👍😊
Just revisited Imaginaerum - it was a great album. Much better than Dark Passion Play, and as an album it was one of their best. Diverse, interesting, theatrical, with a range of emotions and moods in it, great vocal work both by Annette and Marko, with good melodies. Once, of course, has Ghost Love Score in it and because of that will always have a special place in Nightwish discography (and in my heart), but that's basically it: this is the only track on the album that you just can't stop listening once you've started, you're just caught by it and have to stay till the end no matter how many times you've heard it before - a masterpiece, a true gem. For me it's strange that this song wasn't mentioned in the conversation. And I can't agree with low rank of Oceanborn. It's definitely the best of their first three and one of their best in total. It has that combination of power metal sound with great keyboard parts and true operastic vocal done in the most interesting and tasteful way, which was exactly what made them stand out and turned people's ears to them. Still, a great video in overall, very interesting, and Chris is amazing!
Before I watch this video, I love all of their albums. But Wishmaster is my favorite due to it being my first Nightwish album and it has an extra nostalgia factor.
Human II Nature is one of my faves :) Funny, I did not expect it is your last in the list
Thank you for this, I saw them "End of an Era" in Helsinki back in the time and then with Olson in Portland , OR. One of my favorite bands. I think by now I am watching this they are no longer
I love Human Nature. Atmosphere is incredible here. My list:
Once
Human Nature
Imaginearum
Dark Passion Play
Century Child
Wishmaster
Oceanborn
Endless Forms (I don't understand this album)
Angels Fall First
Also, I prefere Tarja's opera singing, it gives a band uniqueness
Epica, In This Moment, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil and Pretty Reckless have great music, great female lead who r also nice to look at.
Thank u Pete for introducing me to this awesome band. I am hooked and cant stop listening to all their albums.
Thanks pete you beat me to the punch on symphonic metal, I asked for nightwish and you did it. Your awesome.
I dig the female fronted bands. Love Sirenia, Epica, Blackbriar...lots of great stuff out there
Me too! I have been listening to Xandria lately. I really like "Theater of Dimension" and "Neverworld's End." Some people think they are a Nighwish rip-off, but I like them! I like some of Delain's albums, too (esp. "The Human Contradiction").
@@wvdavidr I'll try them out, thanks!
I tell ya, Alo's food stories are about the most humorous stories ever. We need more of those!
I am not very familiar with their whole discography so can't really chip in seriously with a ranking, but I totally get what both Pete and Chris say about Tarja's voice. She is undoubtedly extremely skilled from a technical POV, but I much prefer Floor to her. Plus, Chris' stories are fantastic, always a joy. Thanks both of you. 😀
Been waiting for this thanks guys,
1. Imaginaerum
2. Oceanborn
3.Century child
4. Once
5. Dark passion play
6. Human nature
7. Wishmaster
8. Endless forms
9. Angel's fall first.
Its strange but although I find floor the strongest vocalist I haven't been able to connect with her albums quite the same, Annette being my least favourite has my favourite album, tarja fronted era is my favourite but hopefully the next albums will convert me to floor as she is amazing. Tuomas is an incredible songwriter.
Your list is about the same as mine. Great list.
I was laughing almost to the point of tears over the Emppu ketchup story!😂😂
Very brutal assessment of Nightwish, particularly Human Nature. This album is not horrible. Like all good bands, they have evolved over the years (as Opeth has) to adopt a new sound. I appreciate the fact that they have become more symphonic. If everything sounded like Once, you'd get listening fatigue.
Sorry we didn't think EVERY album is a slam dunk...can't love every album. I think we spoke quite highly about the majority of this catalog. Why don't you post your own ranking?
1.once
2.wishmaster
3. Century child
4. Ocean born
5. Angels fall first
Great video and hilarious inside stories! However, I have mixed sensations regarding Floor in Nightwish. When I heard "Showtime, Storytime" Floor's live performance really blew my mind, I thought: they really nailed with her. When I learned they were recording a new album with her I thought it would be epic. However when "Endless Forms" came out, it was a sort of disappointment. It is an OK record, but I think Floor's vocal performance was restrained by the composition of the songs, and same happened with "Human Nature". I think they need to rework the songwriting to give her more prominence, to unleash her vocal prowess as they did with Tarja in "Century Child" and "Once"
Good comments. I don't think we've gotten the full Floor with the 2 studio albums. I know what she can do being a huge After Forever fan. Endless was good. But this latest album is just a huge step back.
Been a fan for like 15 years. My ranking:
1. Once
2. Dark Passion Play
3. Imaginaerum
4. Century Child
5. Wishmaster
6. Oceanborn
7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8. Hvman. :||: Natvre.
9. Angels Fall First
1. Once. 2. Dark Passion Play. 3. Imaginaerum. 4. Endless Forms Most Beautiful.
5. Oceanborn. ...Fans of the Anette era be sure to check out her FANTASTIC 2017/2019 Dark Element albums,..Both blow last 2 Nightwish releases away!
I was shocked at his thoughts on Human Nature. Lol. I think its pretty good. Not their best, but definitely a good album. Endless Forms is my favorite.
I love the look on Chris' face, he looks so calm and sedate, but you just know that that's a decoy for what's brewing underneath. I love it when he goes on a rant, one of the greatest rant and ravers of all time. God Bless you Chris and Pete too.
Oddly a similar ketchup incident broke up Deep Purple . Ian Gillan as a practical joke poured ketchup all over Ritchie Blackmore's pasta , unlike the Nightwish Guitarist he didn't appreciate the combo . Blackmore proceeded to shove the plate of pasta in Gillan's face . That practical joke helped mark the second breakup of the Deep Purple Mark2 lineup . This time around it was Ritchie not Ian that would depart .
Also: in Deep Purple's early years, when Ritchie did extended solos, Ian would head to local bars and drink - asking roadies to get him when Blackmore was nearly finished.
My top five are 1. Dark Passion Play 2. Imaginarium 3. Endless Forms Most Beautiful. 4. Century Child 5. Wishmaster
Me as well but I think Once is a little better than EFMB
Even though I think Annette is the weakest ( but still good) of the three singers I actually rate the two albums with her the highest.... just love the songs and production quality on them. I also love Once, Century Child and Endless Forms but not quite as much. The early Tarja era stuff I find a bit of a grind for all the reasons Pete mentions. I’ve yet to hear the latest for myself but my expectations are low...
I also love how Chris doesn’t mince his words, makes me laugh... great show guys.
Thanks for ranking Nightwish Pete and Chris. Couldn’t have asked for a better cochair than Chris. Great stories and the funniest negative review of an album I have heard! 😂 Discovered the band by accident on UA-cam with the live at Wacken concert and was blown away. (And had an instant crush on Floor). Bought that CD and others. Thanks to your ranking I know the order in which to complete my catalog.
I love Imaginaerum. And I happened to see Nightwish on that tour in Paris, France. Probably the best show of my life. But I will say a lot had to do with the larger stage show in Europe.
Anette wasn’t the best with the older Nightwish material live. But really good on her material. I saw Tarja solo live a few years ago and it was only exciting when she covered Nightwish unfortunately.
Lastly, Anette is currently in a band called The Dark Element with guitarist Jani Liimatainen (ex-Sonata Arctica). They’ve made 2 very good and catchy metal albums.
We both share the exact same opinion with Tarja, which is why I was never able to get into Nightwish's first 3 albums.
I'll add by saying that I'm a big fan of Century Child and Once but that's because Marko was also on those albums. Tarja by herself however is something I can only listen to a certain amount of.
Anyone else here feel like Greatest show on earth would´ve worked much better as a 12-13 minute song instead of 24 minutes or does blasphemy lie upon my tongue?
One of my top 10 favorite bands of all time. Love them. The Imaginarium film is actually pretty good. I think it would help with appreciation of that album. Great show.
I don't agree with you at all, I think Human Nature is one of their best albums. Nightwish evolves faster and better than some of their rusty fans
I couldn't disagree with your evaluation of the newest album. Heaviest tracks on the album are Tribal, Pan and Noise but you only appear to have listened to the single Noise. As for the second disc - it's experimental and not intended to be typical Nightwish - it's Tuomas showing some of his non-metal skills. So many people are loving this album - not sure why you think everyone is hating it.
I couldn't get into Nightwish while Tarja was the singer. I just didn't like her voice or her stage persona. It took Floor to make me a fan and now I'm a major fan.
I loved Chris’s stories!! Wasn’t Max Cavalera’s wife a thorn in the side of the rest of Sepultura?
1.Oceanborn
2.Once
3.Century Child
4.Wishmaster
5.Angels Fall First
6.Endless Forms Most Beautiful
7.Dark Passion Play
8.Imaginarium
9.Human :II:
I don’t care much for anything after Tarja.
Yes, definitely, both Sepultura and Fear Factory had issues with wives who were band managers.
Continue ranking Symphonic metal bands albums. Do After Forever, Epica and Within temptation. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on their discographies.
Hi Pete and Chris. Great show once again. Chris, I totally agree with you on Imaginaerum. The spoken word on that album really turned me off on the album There are a few good songs however. Here is my ranking. Also, great story Chris.
1. Once - A Masterpiece in my opinion.
2. Dark Passion Play
3. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
4. Wishmaster
5.Oceanborn
6. Century Child
7. Angels Fall First
8. Imaginaerum
9. Human Nature II
For me its:
1. Once
2. Angels Fall First
3. Oceanborn
4. Imaginaerum
5. Endless forms most beautiful
6. Century Child
7. Wishmaster
8. Human nature
9. Dark Passion play
Granted I do listen to alot of opera and classical music as well as Metal. I'm also a huge fan of Tarja's solo albums.
Interesting fact, Elize Ryd from Amaranthe auditioned for Nightwish after Tarja left. She was denied because she was too young. I think she has as good of range and power as Floor. So she ended up in doing well in Amaranthe, totally different band but love her in Amaranthe.
And now I will never again look at a serving of fettuccine alfredo without thinking of ketchup. Great show, Chris and Pete, with plenty of great discussion of these albums and the changing vocalists. Looking forward to your next show together. Thanks once again.
Once has the commercial edge over the others but I've always felt it has less of a journey compared to most the other albims. As a listen. But yes lots of great hits....I've just always questioned the variety on it to keep me engaged compared to the others. What the hay great band. And totally agree Floor is the most amazing....
I agree. I think "Once" gets bogged down with slow tracks (one in Finnish) in the middle. It then becomes waiting for "Ghost Love Score."
Great show guys. Worth checking out a underground band called Ruby the hachet fron New Jersey. Planetary space child title track is magical and heavy blanket from album valley of the snake is killer. . Love Chris stories. Pete always delivers.
Completely Agree, Once is also the best record for me. Floor is the real deal for Nightwish. The first I heard of Nightwish was the Wacken 2013 show, I think this changes my perspective on how I feel about the old stuff with Tarja, as hearing those songs with Floor they sound with a bigger rocker feel. Tarja is a tremendous singer, but I prefer Floor style and of top of that it seems that she can do everything. At the time of Wacken ‘13. She was not he official lead singer for Nightwish, and it seems at times a little shy at the begining of the show, but as soon as she see the response of the audience she took total control and shows how great she is as a front woman, that show is really EPIC. That was all at that time for me (hearing Nightwish for the first time - ha ha this was only two years ago). For me she is one of the two best female rock singers of all time (the other I really like is Ann Wilson). I hope the world to get out soon of this covid crisis to have the opportunity to enjoy Nightwish with Floor on the front and expecting more heavier stuff from them in the near future. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Once
Oceanborn
Dark Passion Play
Century Child
Wishmaster
Imaginaerum
Endless Forms Most Baeutiful
Angels Fall First
Human Nature
The venue you saw Them in with Anette was the old Nokia Theater, now Playstation Theater.
My favorite Symphonic metal band! I've seen them live and they're brilliant! I like all the eras of the band!
My personal ranking:
1. Wishmaster
2. Imaginaerum
3. Century Child
4. Once
5. Oceanborn
6. Dark Passion Play
7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8. Angels Fall First
9. Human :II: Nature
I like your thinking. Wishmaster is my fav as well. It goes a bit away from the operatic stuff, but is not bogged down by Tuomas's excesses that he keeps piling on in later albums. Great album.
I'm late to Nightwish but have really got into them because of Floor Jansen who is easily one of the best vocalists I've ever heard. My knowledge of the older songs is based primarily on live versions with Floor rather than the earlier singers though I have listened to many of the songs with Tarja and Anette too. Really interested to hear your lists and love the anecdotes. Chris's story of the dinner with Nightwish is priceless, both for the Emppu pasta incident and the Tarja/Marcello stuff that chimes with the letter the band drafted when they sacked her. I'm sure I will visit some of these albums via streaming (I have the Decades 'Best of' CD).
The thing is, I really like Human II Nature. It ups both the musical score element that seems to have always been part of Tuomas's method, and the folk-metal aspect too. I liked it from the off but think that songs like Pan, Music, Noise, Tribal and Endlessness are definite growers. How's The Heart and Shoemaker are both excellent, and Harvest won't be to every metal-head's liking but they are a band that crosses genres. I would agree that many of their classic songs are instantly catchy and memorable in comparison to this, but I still think it bears repeated listening. I'm less sure about the 'Nature' disc, but give Tuomas the benefit for exercising that side of his creativity as a composer.
This is a bit of a long comment, but it's Nightwish and I absolutely adore Nightwish. Going from worst to best, this is how I rank them and why.
9. Angels Fall First - This album is far from terrible, but it's definitely nowhere near the quality of what the band would go on to make later. I'm also not a huge fan of Tuomas' singing on this album. I'm so glad he decided to move away from shared vocal duty because he's a great songwriter and keyboardist, but not so great a vocalist. Even then, his songwriting isn't really good on this album. I mean, he opens a track with the line "The scent of a woman was not mine." Tuomas is so much better at writing than that as the other albums will indicate.
8. Once - I may get some hate for this, but I feel this album is a bit overrated and overplayed. It still has some great tracks and production, but it has some tracks that are too forgettable, especially when compared to other big tracks the band has done. Now, let's also talk about the elephant in the room that is Creek Mary's Blood. The song was written with good intentions, but they were kind of overshadowed by the fact that the guy they got to speak in Lakota was actually revealed to be a fraud who spoke gibberish that he claimed was Lakota. You can't blame the band for that, but it still kind of ruins the experience of the album. That whole thing aside, there are still some tracks I love. Ghost Love Score is the first track that comes to mind when I think of Nightwish and Nemo, while overplayed as hell, is still a beautiful song. Unfortunately, the album just doesn't do it for me. It also feels a bit hard to listen to since this was the last they did with Tarja and tensions are definitely apparent here.
7. Dark Passion Play - I have a bit of a complicated relationship with this album. Being the first without Tarja, I was initially quite cold to this album and I was quite unsure of Anette's vocals. Don't get me wrong, I do love Anette just fine and I actually enjoy her Dark Element project with Jani Liimatainen of Sonata Arctica fame. That said, she really wasn't the right choice for Nightwish in the grand scheme of things and I think it was always apparent. However, I do still enjoy her role on this album because of the context of everything. The band was broken and trying to bring themselves back together after everything that happened with Tarja. I don't want to call it a breakup album because it really isn't one and calling it that makes the whole Tarja thing sound a bit more intimate than it actually was and Nightwish fans love to take these things the wrong way. That said, I really can't think of a better word for this album and it's especially hard to not see it as a sort of breakup album when you listen to Tarja's first solo album which came out the same year and has a lot of the same attitudes on it. That's another topic altogether, though.
6. Endless Forms Most Beautiful - This one is growing on me, but I find it has a similar issue to what Once has. So many of the tracks are just forgettable while others are quite great. Our Decades in the Sun made me love Floor and The Greatest Show on Earth is just a breathtaking epic. It's just tracks like Yours is an Empty Hope, My Walden, and Alpenglow that don't quite do it for me. Also, this being the first album with Floor and Once being the last with Tarja, it does have a noticeably different attitude to it. This album does feel like a band who's found the light at the end of the tunnel after all the drama they've been through with the past two vocalists.
5. Wishmaster - I know you guys said you aren't huge fans of when Tarja went all the way operatic, but I'll admit she was the selling point for me when I first got into Nightwish. In fact, I had a hard time getting myself to listen to the later albums without her at first. Now, this album would've initially been in third place if I didn't decide to quit being stubborn and immature about everything. This album felt like a sort of continuation of that style I fell in love with. However, the songwriting is admittedly a bit generic at times. It feels a bit like Tuomas wanted to churn something quick out after Oceanborn, but didn't put much thought into the songwriting aside from with a few tracks. The Kinslayer and Dead Boy's Poem are the only two that lyrically feel like they do have personal weight to what they are saying since one is about Columbine and one is about an antisocial child finding an escape in music. Everything else just feels like songs about fantasy references and sexual urges written to please the fans at the time.
4. Human. :||: Nature. - I get it. This album is overly ambitious and not for everyone. The second disc especially isn't anything special and it's something I really need to be in the mood for. That said, this album did feel like a musical journey that I felt I kind of missed on Endless Forms Most Beautiful. I think I ma compare this to Tales from Topographic Oceans by Yes. It's overly ambitious, not for everyone, a bit long and drawn out, and kind of tiring at times, but it is one hell of a journey. I'm not sure how this album will hold up in the future because of how new it is, but I definitely love it now.
3. Century Child - It's almost like Tuomas and the band decided to actually give a damn again after Wishmaster. While Dark Passion Play may be the band's most personal album due to the circumstances surrounding it, this is the album that speaks to me most on a personal level. In fact, my entire top three sort of speak to me in a sort of "mind, body, and soul" sort of way and fight each other often for the top spot. This one may not have been my first Nightwish album, but it was the one that cemented them as one of my favourite bands of all time if not my favourite. Literally every track on this album is perfect to me. My only complaint is that the album feels too short. I should also mention the album art. While it doesn't influence my opinion whatsoever, this is exactly the sort of thing I think of visually when I think of Nightwish. I don't know what else I can really say about this one. It's also the first with Marco Hietala and he is obviously amazing. I guess that's all I can really say about it.
2. Imaginaerum - So far, this is the only Nightwish album to make me cry. The album cover is a roller coaster for a good reason. This album is an absolute roller coaster! It's like Pink Floyd's The Wall as written by Neil Gaiman and directed by Tim Burton. Now, I understand Anette's vocals on this might not be for you guys, but I actually don't mind them here. The whole pixie princess aesthetic she had at the time really worked for the album's themes of wonder and childhood imagination. In fact, I think that's where Anette was able to shine the most with the band. Songs about childhood innocence like Meadows of Heaven, Eva, and for the Heart I Once Had were where I felt her voice worked the best on Dark Passion Play. This album relishes in that while still managing to be a grand epic. Had Nightwish and Anette worked it out for one more album, they probably would've given us something even darker and grander. Then again, Tuomas seems pretty focused on the whole biology thing right now and I don't think Anette would be a good fit for that. Who knows, though?
1. Oceanborn - This is the very first album I ever heard of Nightwish and still the one that blows me away the most. This was their breakthrough album and, honestly, the debut they truly deserved. I know I said the same thing for Century Child and feel it for Imaginaerum as well, but this album is truly perfect from start to finish. It's dark, beautiful, magical, and the music makes you feel like you're actually the woman floating in the ocean on the front cover. It's quite difficult for me to imagine a Nightwish album ever topping this one even though Imaginarrum and Century Child do come awfully close.
All of that said, I want to thank you both for taking the time to rank these albums. This is a band I've not seen many people rank and it's great to see more people share their opinions on a band whose music means a great deal to me.
Nice ranking! I'm a fan from the first release and I can barely rank them. they all have a special place and time for me. I love the new release. The lyrics videos to each song sucked me and I was all in after that. The second side is definitely something to be in the mood for.
Ranking of vocalists: Floor is a Valkyrie, whereas Tarja and Annette are mere mortals.
I also loved the ketchup on alfredo prank (you have to admit it was funny) - in the early 1990s, Ian Gillan pulled this one on Ritchie Blackmore, who shoved the plate in his face.
I have to say I used to love Nightwish, but having heard the story about what Emppu did to his fettuccine alfredo, I don't think I will ever be able to listen to them again! On a more serious note, when I first heard this ranking I was totally on board with both Pete and Chris's opinion of Human. :II: Nature. But, a couple of years on, I feel they have been waaaaaaay too harsh. Yes, it probably would still be near the bottom of my list, but it has some strong material. Music, Noise and Shoemaker are all solid. How's the Heart, Tribal and Endlessness are also good. It seems as if it is the second disc that is getting most of the hate, but I just wouldn't include this! I do see it as more of a bonus/extra disc, and certainly wouldn't let it drag down my opinion of the first record. Be interesting to hear what Pete thinks of it now, ahead of the new album Yesterwynde coming out.
Chris Alo is a legend! Best guest on Pete’s show by far. Nightwish is one of my favorite bands and he slays it here with his commentaries and hilarious stories ! He’s so good and so funny ! Love him ! Please Pete keep putting him on. As a follow up, could you have Chris do a Lacuna Coil or Within Temptation ranking please ????
I'm not familiar enough with either full catalog to do that, sorry C. Kay!
@@seaoftranquilityprog ok no problem. Do you know if Chris is familiar with either of those bands ?
Who would listen to it more than once. I would and did.
In 5 or maybe 10 years, you'll do an update on 'Albums that you dismissed but now consider great' and 'HumanIINature' will be one of them, recognised as the masterpiece that it is.
One of my favourite bands and honestly one of the few metal bands I still listen to. I like all of the albums, there are no duffers, but difficult to rank because of the change of singers (I like all the singers of Nightwish). That said, the two albums with Annette would be higher if they had Tarja or Floor on them as the songs are great - so I've tried to balance the songs versus the studio performances. Floor certainly improves on the studio versions from those albums when live. My favourite albums though are two of the live albums: End of an Era but my absolute favourite is Showtime Storytime. Ghost Love Score is one of my favourite songs by anyone of any genre.
Studio Albums:
Once.... First Nightwish album I bought
Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Dark Passion Play
Imaginaerum
Century Child
Wishmaster
Oceanborn
Angels Fall First
Human. :II: Nature...... This album is growing on me (the first disc). To address Chris's points - IMHO - It isn't terrible. It's a marked change in style. Very progressive. That said I don't listen to the second disc.I dont treat the second disc as the main album. I've just ignored it. The first disc - Is way better than Nostradamus (Lol). The second disc is throw away.
Agree with you!
Nightwish is one of my favorite bands. Last place is still good. I'll rank something like this:
1. Century Child (might be my GOAT)
2. Imaginaerum
3. Once
4. Dark Passion Play
5. Wishmaster
6. Human // Nature
7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8. Oceanborn
9. Angels Fall First
I almost hate to admit it, but I like Tarja's solo albums. They are not great all the way through, but there are always some good tracks to justify the purchase (IMHO).
Tarja *was* Nightwish to me. There has been a couple of good tracks after offcoz, but most of the "NW-evergreens" are (for me) with her on vocals.. no doubt
Dark Chest of Wonders, my favorite as far as rockers. they have tons of great songs prog stuff and other textures of sound but Dark Chest does it for me.
Hell yes! That and Kinslayer are bangers.
More Chris on channel please.
I entirely agree! Chris Alo is Pete’s best guest - love him !
I'm not familiar with most of their stuff, but I have Angels Fall First (1997) and Century Child (2003).
Century Child - German import.
favorite album is Century Child
I only own 4 NW albums and still they are listed in my top 10 bands along with priest, maiden, boston, journey, DT, floyd, dio, rýche and depeche mode. Tuomas is an absolute musical genius in songwriting. My favourite album is Dark passion play. Annette is good but this one is my favourite mainly for the fantastic music. I cannot decide which of the 3 rock chicks are my favourite. Each brought their own special to the band in the different eras.
Lacuna coil,delain,within temptation,amaranthe,sirenia,seven spires ,beyond the black there's tons
You’re ridiculous. They don’t have a bad album. Human :II: Nature isn’t a good as others but still awesome.
Hey Pete, would you be interested in having the Hudson Valley crew answer some questions about themselves? Like, what they do for a living, favorite food, favorite concert venues, favorite club/bar hangout, etc. I think it would be cool to just get to know the guys (and gal) a little better. You're all from the same area and know each other pretty well so those of us in UA-cam land may not know certain likes/dislikes. Although, I've recently discovered ketchup on fettucine alfredo isn't a favorite of yours nor Chris!! Haha. Also, any chance of doing a show on more female-fronted metal bands like Within Temptation, In This Moment, Amaranthe, or Arch Enemy?
Good lists! My rank was pretty similar to both of yours. I don’t put Human Nature all the way down at 9 but it is definitely a huge letdown after Endless Forms, which is my favorite Nightwish album. To me, Endless Forms is ahead of Once because I love Floor and I love the scientific subject matter running through the album. Once is my #2. I also have a soft spot for Imaginaerum, so that went a little higher in my rank.
If you have the freedom to call Emppu's latest album terrible, shit, awful, dull, and lifeless, then he should at least have the freedom to put ketchup on his Alfredo.
1) Wishmaster
2) Oceanborn
3) Once
4) Century Child
5) Angels Fall First
6) Dark Passion Play
7) Endless Forms Most Beautiful
8) Imaginaerum
9) Human II Nature
Just realized Chris has some George Costanza elements to his personality lol.
1. Dark Passion Play
2. Imaginarium
3. Endless Forms More Beautiful
4. Once
5. Century Child
6. Human.:.Nature
7. Oceanborn
8. Wishmaster
9. Angels Fall First
Thank you for the ranking :-)
'Human :||: Nature (2020)' for many is a 'grower' and rewards repeated listens.
For me 'Human :||: Nature (2020)' is a superb album with Nightwish paying homage to / returning to / exploring their early roots on many songs but backed up by nearly 24 years (1996 to present day) worth of experience and technical proficiency.
Tuomas really pushed the band from a technical perspective on 'Human :||: Nature (2020)' e.g. Emppu expressed concerns with Pan live (interesting as there are more technically demanding guitar parts in other Nightwish songs), many of Floor's vocal parts are challenging with quick successive changes and Kai the drummer added 5 new drums to his set so he can fulfill his and Tuomas' vision for songs such as Tribal.
There is a great divide! I think the emphasis of Tuomas in experiencing with the likes of Zimmer, Vangelis can be a huge turn off for the some in the metal crowds. We must not forget that even in the beginning they were more folk. I do not care I listen to the Last album. Floor is amazing and it's lyrically pretty solid. Like you said every member was challenged on this album. Oh well you cannot please everybody.
@@guimich2478 Thanks for the reply, appreciated! :-)
Yes there is a divide.
In the future 'Human :||: Nature (2020)' may be regarded as one of Nightwish's best - it's certainly very, very high on my personal ranking :-)
Cool vid. I would put forth Curved Air as a progenitor of female fronted symphonic metal. Even tho they arent metal per se,they have "metallic" (early metal) elements. But I suppose The Gathering is a more direct,obvious influence. My personal fav singer in Nightwish is Annette who I think had the most rock voice of the three. Liked Tarja too,although sometimes her and the band sometimes appeared to be doing completely different songs simultaneously. Amazingly saw the band fronted by all three. Annette,Tarja and the amazon thats with them now. Again my fav is Annette live,but Tarja was a ponderous diva. Floor...meh. Now a real symphonic vocalist is Sharon Den Adel from Within Temptation and the undisputed BEST female heavy rock singer is Doro Pesch hands down. Keep up the great content guys,loving it.
When I first got into nightwish I played them everyday for five months straight.havent listened to them in two years