NIGHTWISH - Dark Passion Play CD Review

NIGHTWISH - Dark Passion Play CD
Since the canning of their former vocalist, Tarja Turunen, NIGHTWISH were of a questionable status as to what future they would have after the operatic one packed her bags and left. For all of you Tarja fans don't worry. Rumor has it that Tarja and former GATHERING vocalist, Anneke van Giersbergen, have planned a tour of their own. Although REVOLVER magazine won't be sponsoring this "hottest chicks in metal tour". I've heard that the tentative tour billing will be "Hot Scandinavian Divas in Blackest Africa Tour". The first date in supposed to be in the capital of Kenya.

Now be that as it may, Anette Olzon, from Sweden has taken over vocal duties for this Finnish Gothic/Progressive force. A new era for them has begun. Will their old fans accept the new NIGHTWISH on this their sixth full length? My guess after listening to this for a few weeks is an astounding YES! This CD opens with "The Poet and the Pendulum", here is where we get the full effect of Anette Olzon in operatic form. As if she is calling out from a snow swept valley. But then a more pop metal pours out from the speakers and it's here that we hear Anette Olzon at her best. She has a more traditional voice, not so avant garde as the one she replaced. That's a good thing. Unfortunately the opening 13 plus minute opus is not the best way to shine on her. Maybe if you're trying to prove you made the right choice for a replacement.

"Bye Bye Beautiful" should've been the opening cut especially since Anette Olzon duels vocals with guitarist/vocalist, Marco Hietala. The pair work well together on this cut. But it's on "Amaranth" where Anette Olzon really stands out among others within this genre. And pushes NIGHTWISH into a different musical direction. Like all of these Gothic/Progressive Euro bands, they need something more than symphonic arrangements, bombastic production, and melodic choruses to break through to US audiences. "Amaranth" is the hit cut on here to do that and appeal to a broader audience. On the other hand "Master Passion Greed" is the most heaviest thing this band ever attempted. Hey new blood in the band gives us some balls? "Sahara" is a blast of Gothic energy that harkens back to their old days. But "Whoever Brings the Night"enters a realm in which Anette Olzon shines as vixen on the opening lyrics and then shines on like an angelic being during the chorus. Which is followed by their next commercial hit "For the Heart I once Had". Yeah they'll win the Finnish Grammys for that one.
A few of the bottom CD cuts are pure folk with "Last of the Wilds" being the killer track, an instrumental. But in the end here we are given the last gasps of songwriting for the past diva who is far gone. Anette Olzon doesn't need to prove her vocal talents here at the end.Like I said in the beginning, the new NIGHTWISH era is upon us. But give this lady her due, she can sing!

Roadrunner Records

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com
http://www.nightwish.com