FROM WISH TO ETERNITY - LIVE

One fo the best DVDs ever! And definitly one of my top ten favorites. Nightwish mix of power metal guitar riffs, dreamy keyboards and female operatic vocals may seem very awkward, but boy, does it works! A very talented band, with two elements that make all the difference: a unique songwriting style and an outstanding singer. This combination set them aside. I remember how hard was to label this band when they first came out, simply because no one else sounded like them. It was sush a fresh a new music!

This DVD was recorded in Helsink by the end of their Wishmaster tour. The band was becoming a international smash, but they were still with that novice´s passion and eager to show the world their power. And they do! Tarja Tarunnen is one of those singers that make history. No female singer has made such an impact to prog music since Annie Haslam from Renaissance. She had a style of her own and proves she is simply one of the greatest female singers of all time. Her technique is absolute perfect, her voice is beautiful and her stage perfomeance is stunning. She leads the whole show with such a confidence you can´t deny her sincerity..

But it would be unfair not to give the other band members their due credit, specially mastermind Tuomas Holopainen, who wriites most of the songs. He displays a fine symphonic keyboard work together with guitarrist Emppu and drummer Jukka. Bassist Sami may not move too much, but he does his job very well too. You can see by the smiles in their faces they are having the time of their lives and it shows through the whole performance. Some people may complain the use of sampling for the orchestral and choir parts, but really this is part of their music and at the time they did not have the money to pay for a live orchestra or choir. Highlights? Too many to mention, I guess. Maybe Tarja´s stunning perfomance in Swansong. but again, it is only a personal taste. Actually the set list is very well balanced and includes the majority of their classics. Lightining, sound and effects are very well done, helped by Tarja´s beauty and incredible charisma. All this fueled by the powerful response of the audience.

In other words, one of those rare DVDs that can satisfy even the most demanding fan. A classic that shows a very unique band at their best. Highly recommended!

A curio: although the show was recorded in Finland, the DVD´s cover was shot in São Paulo, Brazil (where they have a fanatical following, as you may see).