A Little Off, But Still Great...

This Nightwish album follows up the huge success of "Oceanborn". It doesn't quite match up to its predecessor, but this stuff is far superior to tons of music out there right now. "Wishmaster" (used in the movie "Van Helsing") is a strong entry. Again for me, the rockers stand out, particularly "Wanderlust." A hit and miss that still holds up well.

Beware...Nightwish is addictive

Compared to American heavy metal, Nightwish is alive with great vocals, up beat tempos, stunning instruments, and stirring lyrics. The combination of Tarja's operatic voice and pure European metal make Nightwish totally unique. She is my Sin, The Kinslayer, and Dead Boy's Poem are some of the most memorable tracks, but Wishmaster is by far my favorite. Beware, you listen to Nightwish for a while and American metal sounds like garbage that can't get out of first gear.

Oceanborn wasn’t just a hit in Finland, it also opened new doors for Nightwish abroad. So naturally, the pressure to come up with a comparable sophomore album was enormous. Rarely does a band fulfill the demands of a second album successfully, and Nightwish is no exception. Even though Wishmaster is mainly targeted to radio and pop audiences, it does succeed somewhat. Even more demanding listeners will find this as enjoyable as they did Oceanborn, but Wishmaster isn’t as consistent as that album was. The same patterns repeat, and every track’s hook is based on a powerful intro and a simple chorus. Their charm is in their overflowing drama and, as it was on their first album, the whole concept can be described as “operatic metal.” It may sound inventive and full of potential for a while, but as a whole album (and with this release it’s two albums), it can be a little annoying, even frustrating. Still, a lot of listeners will enjoy it; after all, it does have its moments. – Antti J. Ravelin