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Nightwish - End of An Era CD (album) cover

END OF AN ERA

Nightwish

 

Progressive Metal

3.96 | 29 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars A masterpiece of symphonic power metal concert!

As you might have noticed, I love this band's music especially in their brilliant ideas combining symphonic and power metal style plus operatic singing style by its singer Tarja Turunen. By the time I'm writing this I have not listened to the band's music with the new lead vocalist whom I know is not the opera kind of singer. This DVD remarked the departure of Tarja from Nightwish and it was shot as part of "Once" world tour. The DVD was taken in front of 11,500 people in Hartwall-Arena in Helsinki, October 21, 2005. After the concert, Tuomas, Emppu, Marco and Jukka fired Tarja Turunen. The reason for this was because during the Once Tour her attitude and actions had turned out to be against almost all that Nightwish members. So, this DVD can be said as a farewell concert for Tarja Turunen and remarks the end of an era under Tarja's lead vocal.

By the end of 2005, "Once" has sold approx. 1,000 000 copies worldwide and received triple platinum in Finland, platinum in Germany, and gold in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Greece, and Austria. The "Highest Hopes" collection has sold double platinum in Finland and gold in Norway by the end of the year 2005.

The package at my hands contains two CD audio of the same set list plus one NTSC DVD. The booklet inside the package has no information but the name of band members. Actually, I expected something informative at the booklet like "Be" live DVD of Pain of Salvation which describes the conceptual thinking of Daniel Gildenlow. So it's actually quite disappointing on this manner. AT least, I was expecting the description about the concert and how the band prepared the concert - even though I can get that from the documentary.

Live Performance

From live performance standpoint, I truly believe that this is the best live performance by the band, so far. They equipped the concert with great lighting, powerful sound system and multi camera to capture the whole stage performance for the 105 minute of the show. Tarja's voice sounds much better and transparent during live version while her stage act is quite impressive. She occasionally does headbanging with her har and that has made the live vibes quite stimulating.

During the start of the show Emppu has demonstrated his dynamic stage act running from one corner to another and stands up at certain position to deliver his guitar fills and solo. Marco Hietala does male vocal line and his voice is a true metal head voice - so crispy and powerful. Tuomas, as usual plays his box with his own stage act. What so interesting is the drumming style of Jukka whom sometimes revolves his sticks on the air with his hands during transition pieces which do not require any tom sound.

I got totally energized with the streams of music these guys and gal in the band have delivered wonderfully. The music has successfully exploded my adrenaline; completely elevate my emotion to the top of the hill with ultimate satisfaction. There is no such thing like extreme nice melodies, nor complex arrangement, nor long solos (either guitar or keyboard) - it's just perfect and it does move me man! From the blast of opening track "Dark Chest Of Wonders" with its heavy riffs and energetic beats, the band brings to another dynamic style of "Planet Hell" and "Ever Dream". Well sometimes I feel that Nightwish music is a heavier version of the music of Royal Hunt which I also love the music. Tarja and Emppu seem very energetic during the opening parts of the DVD.

What I originally only heard at compilation CD "Highest Hopes", now I can see excellently the legendary song by Pink Floyd "High Hopes" which was performed excellently by Nightwish, sung by Marco Hietala. "The grass is greener ..." it's a great cover, really. "Slaying The Dreamer" uses heavy guitar riffs in energetic mood. The music calms down with the entrance of "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan". Oh man . this is a music with great and touchy melodies especially when it is augmented with violin. Another track which touches me is "Creek Mary's Blood" from "Once" album. The concert concludes with the band's hit "Wish I Had an Angel".

Production and DVD Features

As far as sonic quality there is a significant difference between DVD and CD audio quality. The CD audio quality is inferior compared to DVD audio quality. In fact, I'd rather play the DVD to get a great sound than the CD itself.

I do not understand why the DVD has a section as photo gallery and a documentary "A Day Before Tomorrow" but that was it. It's interesting to notice the tension between Tarja and the rest of the band members through out the documentary section where they were not together most of the time. I notice that the band (and the Director of this DVD) is not wise enough putting "negative" ambience with respect to the band's internal problems that should not be showed. It's obvious that the documentary captured the band on their last tour and the shows leading up the Nightwish's last show with Tarja before they fired her via Open Letter. What's the point man? As a fan, I want them to be a solid band. But when things fall apart, they don't need to say as expressive as the open letter.

Conclusion

Even though I have some reservations with respect to the overall DVD package, but I tend to rate this DVD on the basis of the live performance that I consider as superb and masterpiece. This is One of the best live DVDs that I have ever had. The concert with gigantic stage is captivating and the crowd is crazy as well. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 5/5 |

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