Review by Nuclear Blast
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
Charles Darwin, “On The The Origin Of Species”
“This classic quote is where it all began. We set sail for the ultimate journey in March 2015, join us!” Tuomas Holopainen
A new era begins
NIGHTWISH has always stood for virtuoso perfection. They are able to evoke fantastic dream worlds, fade out time and space, and touch you deep inside with their majestic symphonic compositions. Vision and temptation, love and passion, devotion and blood – this Finnish band also has the courage to aspire to new creative and innovative ventures. Since their formation in August 1996, they have risen long ago to become the biggest Symphonic Metal band. It is no secret that main composer and keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen is a versatile songwriter, who lives for his music, dedicates himself to his art and this seeps through in every single note of his work.
Four years have passed since the gigantic »Imaginaerum« album - a lot has happened and still even more will happen, because the time is right for a new chapter in the history of the Suomi-Symphonics. A chapter, which will set new standards and will start a magic trip into a spectacular parallel universe; so overwhelming, so epic, so beguiling. NIGHTWISH connect past, present and future to a flawless whole. It is a time for a new era. It is a time for »Endless Forms Most Beautiful«.
“They present themselves as a unity - much more than on all albums before!“
»Endless Forms Most Beautiful« is the first NIGHTWISH-studio album to feature Dutch singer Floor Jansen (REVAMP, ex-AFTER FOREVER) - the splendid chanteuse has been a full-time member since Oct 2012. On the imposing 2013 live release »Showtime, Storytime« the amazing power woman improved the sound with her beautiful voice while lending the songs, once more, a special grace. It was clear that the Dutchwoman would catapult the songs vocally on a new, even more powerful, level. „The recordings of the more soft, very deep and less operatic song parts were a great challenge for Floor, because she had never sung before on an album in that way“, remembers Tuomas Holopainen. „Nevertheless, her enthuisiasm brought out the maximum in her versatile voice.“
On the drums there is also a new face: On account of health problems, long-time drummer Jukka Nevalainen has had to take a break and is replaced by his good friend Kai Hahto (WINTERSUN) for touring duties. Finally the quintet was extended by the entrance of multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley. His new colleagues fill Holopainen with pride: „The new members were completely motivated and contributed large parts to the arrangements. They worked as a unit - much more than on all the albums before!“
The beauty of nature
This latest album was recorded at the Röskö Campsite in Kitee, and Petrax Studios in Hollola. „The recordings went – apart from Jukka’s illness and a few broken ribs in the buzzer camp - smoothly“, Tuomas remembers. „It was a huge advantage that all band members were on site.We developed an organic “we”-feeling. Moreover, we were able to focus the arrangements around the vocals. This constant presence also had a positive effect on the length of the recordings. We only spent a few months in the studio, whereas on the `Once´ - album, we spent more than half a year in the studio.”
The new piece of silver was produced once more by Tuomas, together with the whole band & Tero "TeeCee" Kinnunen. Mikko Karmila was responsible for the mix in the Finnvox Studios, in Helsinki, and Mika Jussila mastered the album. The orchestral recordings took place as usual at Angel Studios in London with Pip Williams, along with the choir and percussion. „The orchestra is extremely prominent in some songs. Nevertheless, it still feels like it operates in the background“, describes Holopainen. „However, three songs on the record feature neither the orchestra or a choir.“
The Cover artwork is the work of Toxic Angel again, a good friend of the band, who did an amazing job and excellently transformed the message of the lyrics. „Here it was important to us to integrate as many as possible different botanical species and animal species, to underline the topic of the record. Primarily it was a matter of showing the beauty of nature and the real world.“
The origin of life
The current release of the Suomi-Metal-Heroes, which was based on the quotation above by Charles Darwin, was also inspired by other famous scientists like Richard Dawkins or Carl Sagan. »Endless Forms Most Beautiful« encloses eleven epic, immensely diverse compositions, which were mainly composed by Tuomas. Because the whole band is interested in the subjects of science, the lyrics lean on the areas of biology, evolution and science: „It focuses on the fact that all living beings on earth are related with each other, own a common origin as bacteria and that’s why everybody is on the same level“, reveals Tuomas. „However, this should not degrade humanity, but symbolize merely the connections of all kinds!“
A mysterious trip by evolution
The musical excursion begins with the rapid 'Shudder Before The Beautiful', which symbolizes the sublimity and grandeur of the world. The famous evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins appears at the beginning in a narrative role. „He did not know NIGHTWISH before“, Tuomas admits, „but after listening to some songs, he really liked our music and accepted our invitation with pleasure.“ 'Weak Fantasy' follows, which seems to be the hardest song of the album according to Holopainen beside 'Yours Is An Empty Hope'. Bassist Marco Hietala also contributed many ideas to this number. The wonderful and touching 'Élan' is the first single. „The underlying subject of the song is nothing less than the meaning of life, which is different for all of us. It is important to surrender yourself to the occasional free fall and not to fear the path less travelled by”, the songwriter philosophizes.
'Our Decades In The Sun' carries the listener softly into quieter fields, followed by the folky-medieval 'My Walden'. That number stands for the open-endedness of every person and should inspire one to have a look to the individual world in front of you. The origin of all life, inspires the outstanding title track 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful'. „Here the evolution of life on earth is reflected“, Tuomas says. The next song is called 'Edema Ruh' and Tuomas was heavily inspired by the fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss in whose imaginary world, musician and actors travel from village to village, make music and play theatre. 'Alpenglow' is a kind of love song, where different variations of being after death are described and illustrated. Before the spectacular finale, an instrumental piece, impresses: In 'The Eyes Of Sharbat Gula' orchestra and choir shine in perfect symbiosis, generating a cinematic soundtrack mood and bewitching with a mystical-melancholic atmosphere. The crowning end is shown by the monumental 24 minutes monster 'The Greatest Show On Earth', which is divided into five chapters and enclose the complete evolution - from the formation of Planet Earth until the distant unknown future. „This is for me the best NIGHTWISH song of all time”, Tuomas says.
And the Finns are right, because in this Richard Dawkins takes part again and completes that overwhelming, breathtaking and mysterious piece of art in a perfect way. NIGHTWISH presents themselves stronger and more self-confidently than ever. By now it is chiseled in stone: »Endless Forms Most Beautiful« is a virtuoso legacy for eternity. NIGHTWISH were never better.
Reviews from listening session
„The last song is comfortably the most spectacular thing NIGHTWISH have ever written. The album is the most metal record they have done in a decade, and Floor has no trouble cementing her place in the band.”
METAL HAMMER (UK), Tom Dare,
“Excellent music cocktail! That’s NIGHTWISH like you wish – heavy with a taste of the »Once« album, bombastic, but more metal, this is true NIGHTWISH, a soundtrack of themselves!”
SPARK (CZ), David Havlena
“The combination NIGHTWISH & Floor – its magic. For me personally it’s a dream that came true. With this new unbelievable, bombastic, dark, orchestral, the band completely fulfill my high expectations. An album that every NIGHTWISH-fan will cherish!” –
AARDSCHOK (NL), Anita Boel
"Clear and consequent continuation of the previously chosen path. Overwhelmingly, bombastic and inspiring. An album to listen to and experience.”–
ROCK IT (D), Jürgen Will
„This album sounds like the ceremony of the opposites for NIGHTWISH, it’s like their entire carrier is concentrated in one album, it’s like I have eaten too much of my favorite dish.“ –
ROCK HARD (IT), Emanuele Biani
“At first I was afraid that Floor would affect the band more than vice versa. I’m glad I was wrong. NIGHTWISH brought out the metal from her and turned her into a well working mix of the past, creating a bright future for the band and for the fans. I like that the band got more focus than the orchestra this time. The ending “whooo” in ‘Edema’ wasn’t necessary thou. That kinda killed the otherwise so good song.”
SWEDEN ROCK (S), Janne Mattsson,
“»Endless Forms Most Beautiful« characterizes the celebration and victory of this new alliance. The beauty and purity of NIGHTWISH’s music together with Floor’s majesty and power were simply meant to be. Defiantly not the last ride of their day!”
METALLIAN (F), Lucinda Lacroix
“An amazing surprise with new blood and on the other side beloved elements as orchestral grandness, folky storytelling catchiness and – GREAT! – more heaviness then before!”
ROCK TRIBUNE (BE), Vera Matthijssens
"Maybe the heaviest album from Nightwish: guitars are back high in the mix but the evolution shown on "Imaginaerum" hasn't been forgotten. Bombastic, epic and catchy, this album contains all the elements of Nightwish universe in 11 tracks. Including the most ambitious piece of the band's history: "The Greatest Show On Earth".
ROCK HARD (F), Guillaume Fleury
“The album sounds extraordinary, and definitely like anything Nightwish ever done before. Floor's voice fits perfectly to the mood of very expanded compositions, and what is one of the strongest virtue of the album - the lyrics really make us THINK. A great step to start a New Chapter in Nightwish's musical journey." –
METAL HAMMER (PL), Paulina Magdalena Mazur
„They have topped themselves yet again, even when you thought it couldn't go any better. A full on cinematic explosion of sounds that you will grow to love.”
METALCIRCUS (ES), Sergi Ramos
Track-By-Track by Kaaoszine
Shudder Before The Beautiful
"No long intro that I expected, instead the action starts right away. A high tempo song combined with Jansen's calmly long vocals that we'll also hear a lot later on the album. Immediately you can tell that her voice fits almost perfectly to the whole entity, because you can hear some familiar things right away. However, already on this first song Floor shows her personal abilities and brings something completely new to the table. The song varies from upbeat to dark, where the upbeat mostly comes from Floor's high pitched vocals and melodies. The solo part with almost Children of Bodom-like combination and dialog of synth and guitar should also not be forgotten. This song underlines what Ms. Jansen said before the pre-listening: There is a lot of stuff. A good basis for things to come, but there is a question in the air - what is this story truly about?"
Weak Fantasy
"The symphonic and theatrical traits are present, and Weak Fantasy goes more to the soundtrack department in my books. The same theme with Imaginaerum continues and this is just what you'd expect from the new album. Again something familiar, but the band is being a little shy and holding something back. Jansen has convinced the listener already and you'll get used to her voice latest by this song. You can also hear Mr. Hietala for the first time on this song."
Élan
"The first single, and despite it's vastness a very compact song that you can get into quickly. Feels like it takes half the show with it's melodies and beats. Things are clearly under control and small refreshments to the formula do not cause any harm."
Yours Is An Empty Hope
"In the beginning there are a few atmospherical Bluing-sounds that you hear in fantasy movies and some other songs of the band. Now we are talking about symphonic metal at it's best. This is what the band represents and you can hear they are in their element. So far the most "high, fast and loud" -track without breaking the atmosphere. The choirs give shivers and they make the listener wait for one more explosion, as there was quite a big one at the beginning. In the middle part the listener is reminded of Dark Chest of Wonders, as there are quite a lot of these explosions and there seems to be no end in sight."
Our Decades in the Sun
"It's time to calm down and create a vision of a small karaoke bar. Tuomas' piano gently accompanies Floor's vocals that once again travel to whole new dimensions. Later on Emppu appears from somewhere with his guitar and Floor has to rise her volume level so that even the audience at the back row can hear her. The song changes from the beginning's melancholy to a more happier mood, and that makes it beautiful in it's own way. This song is absolutely for the gentler listeners."
My Walden
"The sixth song starts in a weird way. As if a pop singer boy was lost and found himself in the wrong studio. A lot of folkish pop-rock elements can be heard, and while the previous songs resembled the band's older catalog, this sounds more modern. A wide spectrum of elements with up-tempo brings not only heavy pop music to mind, but also Eluveitie's lighter songs. This song offers so much sun and smoothness that it goes to the top of my list at this point. " (Majestico's note - I am starting to question the reporter's taste in music based on these desctiptions...)
Endless Forms Most Beautiful
"In a short description this is basic new Nightwish. In a way fills the criteria of a title track, but also a filler track. Not special or especially wonderful, but would be a good choice to the set list of the tour. The ending feels slightly repetitive, but as the song says, simple is beautiful."
Edema Ruh
"This is the most youthful song of the album. Symphonic and folk elements turn into rockish metal that for for example Sturm und Drang (a finnish band) could play, if we forget these whistles and pipes. Includes some catchy vocals from Marco and Floor that now work much better with Marco's singing being more present in the background."
Alpenglow
"The second filler song. The journey continues steadily and the song goes to the soundtrack department again. Kai probably could have introduced some interesting drumming in here, because at this point you already start waiting for the next two songs and the big finish of the album."
Eyes of Sharbat Gula
"A soft intro before the last song. Gentle choir singing, this time apparently from younger generation. Otherwise a fully instrumental song meant to create an atmosphere for the final crusade."
The Greatest Show on Earth
"Such a name on the last song of the album creates a lot of expectations. The calm atmosphere continues, but that's how all the greatest shows in the world begin. The song is about 24 minutes long so we are suffering from [something of a combination of happiness and materialism, can not be translated]. After waiting, the starting of the engine creates feelings of relief but the atmosphere is still anticipating. The excitement is being maintained, until more and more begins to happen. The listener is waiting for the vocals and suddenly they already are there in full force and drums have suddenly appeared in the background. Absolutely the most interesting song to listen to, as every time the climax has been reached, things move on right away. Nothing is enough and little and questionable details keep pouring in. Storyteller Richard Dawkins' voice is telling about the beginning of the end, and after that there is a huge explosion. In principle, nothing much has changed from the first song, but now everything is pushed past the limit and there is absolutely no holding back. I have to say I have not heard anything like this before."
Conclusion
A lot of stuff as expected. The record gives the listener a feeling that it does not want to stop and that there would have been material for even more. The atmosphere is maintained commendably throughout the album with a wide range of tricks. When Dawkins is still speaking and you can still hear the sound of water, you forget everything you have just heard and become content and full in a good way. I'd say this album is perhaps more simple than usual, but also very versatile. Excluding the two flops the band has succeeded almost perfectly. I would more than gladly buy this and see the band live.
