Nightwish - Century Child
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Free Music Notes for Century Child
Free Music Review: They just keep getting better and better!!
Hit: 5 Stars
From an AMERICAN perspective, the most widely known and loved of the symphonic and other variations of Progressive music practitioners from EUROPE, is Finnish band, Nightwish Born in 1997 in Kitee, Finland, Nightwish was the brainchild of Tiomas Holopainen. Initially an acoustic format was planned, however after adding the inimitable operatic style vocalist, Tarja Turunen a new direction was needed. He decided on following in the footsteps of the Gathering and Lacuna Coil (goth-influenced "symphonic" metal bands with female vocalists) and soon added full metal-band instrumentation in the persons of guitarist Emppo Vuorinen, bassist Sami Vänskä, and drummer Jukka Nevalainen.
This has turned out to be a recipe for success and fame as Nightwish quickly turned out four 5 star albums; Angels Fall First, Oceanborn, Wishmaster and Century Child
Conclusion
Nightwish is probably the most well known and loved femme fronted symphonic metal band in America, despite the fact they are from Finland. Although they are not my ultimate personal favorite in this Sub-genre, there is no dispute in my mind that this group is the top such group around. They are a prodigious and prolific talent that I cannot help but admire.
If you enjoy any form of progressive rock / metal including Gothique, you must give them a try. Also if you enjoy. Enya, Yanni, Loreena McKennitt, I would recommend Nightwish.
Similar Artists
Therion, Within Temptation, Edenbridge, Visions of Atlantis, Artrosis
Free Music Review: Ever Dream of Me
Hit: 5 Stars
Century Child is the fourth studio album from Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Considered one of the band's darkest albums, Century Child represents another major move forward in the band's overall sound and maturity. Century Child signals the introduction of newest bassist and sometimes-backup vocalist Maroc Hietala, the first time use of a full orchestra throughout the album, which creates a more grandiose, epic sound, and the sudden evolution of lead singer Tarja's voice from the more classic opera sound of Wishmaster to a clean, more modern and less operatic sound that becomes more prevalent from this point on in her career (including solo).
The best song on Century Child is one of Nightwish favorites: "Ever Dream." Now known as one of the signature songs of the band, "Ever Dream" features a more streamlined vocal from Tarja plus the unique vocal styling of Marco -not to mention the incredibly epic orchestral backing in this song, with some awesome strings. There's also "Phantom of the Opera," a metal re-working of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, where Tarja hits some unbelievable notes. I also enjoy "Bles the Child," which harkens back to the more classic, Wishmaster-era type of music Nightwish makes, but with an updated edge.
It's hard to say whether Century Child is better or worse than other Nightwish albums, since the musical style can differ so much between them, but I would say that this album is great for hardcore fans and newcomers.
Free Music Review: Nightwish's Best Offering
Hit: 5 Stars
I take it a lot of people do not like this album because (whine whine) there's growling on it! A gutteral singer has no place on an album with the brilliant Tarja, right?
Wrong. Tuomas was the one who was out of place on the debut, and Marco does a great job filling in his old position. That is why he is singing on this one, right? Marco's vocals can hardly be described as "growling" anyway in those few places where he sounds a little rougher. Pick up some black or death metal (make sure it's not Cradle of Filth though...that's not real growling either) and you'll know what growling really sounds like.
As for this album, it is simply breathtaking. Wishmaster was too epic, Oceanborn a little too experimental for my taste, and this one slides in right between the two. It is not as pop as Once, which is also a plus. Tarja tones down the operatic vocals after Wishmaster, as everyone has pointed out, but that does not mean a great deal of her impact has been lost. Quite the contrary, "Dead To The World", "Slaying The Dreamer", and the cover, "Phantom Of The Opera", all have the same intensity as anything off Wishmaster, but some of the cheesiness has been lost (thank goodness).
So far, they have not gone with The Gathering and become overly pop. Let us cross our fingers that Once is not a sign of them continuing down that road and that their next album will be as much a pleasant surprise as this one.
Free Music Review: Tis a good album
Hit: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying that I would reccomend "Ocean Born" or "Wishmaster" over this cd, but all the same, it is an excellent album for anyone who enjoys symphonic metal, and is fully worth the cost.Another reviewer mentioned the male vocals are awful - I would disagree. They really are not bad, Marco can sing pretty well. They do however take something away from the music, if you're like me and just really love Tarja's vocals. But trust me, the male vocals on this album are much superior to any on "Angels Fall First" ;).
I'm a huge Nightwish fan, and as such, I loved this cd. For your benefit, I'll list tracks I most enjoyed: 2 "End of All Hope" (very opera-ish, excellent song), 3 "Dead to the World", 4 "Ever Dream", 6 "Forever Yours", 8 "Feel For You", 9 "The Phantom of the Opera" (Nightwish's version is great) and 10 "Beauty of the Beast". I didn't much like "Slaying the Dreamer", and "Ocean Soul" and "Bless the Child" were good, but average as far as Nightwish songs go.
So, you've heard my opinion. Buy "Ocean Born" over this (and be sure to get the cd with "Sleeping Sun" - best. song. ever.), or "Wishmaster". If you already have those, then go ahead and get this one next, and if you find you really love nightwish, wrap up your collection with "Angels...".
Free Music Review: Simply put, amazing! Want more detail? Read on!
Hit: 5 Stars
Nightwish truly are able to stay fresh. The sound that they produce is completely unlike any other. They fuse (in the words of the Century Media website): "rugged metal guitars with pure angelic vocal beauty." Well, that describes them pretty well. First, I'll review the band's performance. Singer Tarja Turunen is easily the best female metal vocalist (though Sinergy's Kimberly Goss isn't far behind.) Guitarist Emppu Vuorinen comes up with simple yet well rounded riffing, coupled with some CRAAAAAAZY solos. Bassist Marco Hietala can really play, and provides great male vocals on some tracks, which are very reminiscent of Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius). He also plays in Tarot and Sinergy. Keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen is very skilled, almost as good as Janne Warman (Children Of Bodom, Warmen, Kotipelto) and Jens Johanssen (Stratovarius). Drummer Jukka Nevalainen is also pretty skilled.
And now, of course, the three highlights of the album. First highlight is "Dead To The World" (track 3). It's the first track with any vocals by Marco, and it features such a great chorus. Next highlight: "Ocean Soul" (track 7). It really builds up from the beginning to the end. Also, the last track, "Beauty of The Beast," closes the album perfectly, clocking in at over ten minutes. Basically, it's two songs in one, and they each work very well. Overall, highly recommended for metalheads who are looking for something fresh.