Full Length Review: NIGHTWISH "Oceanborn" Spinefarm Records by Devin Joseph Meaney

Band: NIGHTWISH

Country: Finland

Genre: Symphonic power metal

Full Length: Oceanborn

Label: Spinefarm Records

Format: CD

Release date: December 7, 1998

After a day filled with barbecue, yard work and various other errands, I finally managed to find some time to write a review. The album I have chosen to review is ''Oceanborn'' by Nightwish. In the past few days, I have listened to a handful of releases by Nightwish, but Oceanborn would have to be my favorite I have played so far. This album is far removed from the material I would normally listen to, but it is a highly enjoyable masterpiece and has now rekindled my interest in operatics and symphonic metal as a whole. Vocally, this reminds me of a friend from Sweden, Natasa Nikolic, who can be heard singing and playing the keyboard with the supremely talented band Tragederia. Aside from the operatics, the guitar work is intricate, ''pretty'', at times viciously heavy, and flows with the rest of the music in a breathtaking way. The drums are tight, and the bass (what I can make out) is played very well and keeps time with the rest of the music. The keys, symphonics, and orchestral parts add to the backbone of this album and brings the whole thing together with elegant ferocity. Like a genuine symphony tailored to suit metalheads and fans of classical music alike, Oceanborn pushes forward with a brilliant display of musicianship that can be loved and graciously enjoyed time and time again. I think ''talent'' is the key word I will use to close this review. This album is full to the brim with bona fide talent, which comes through your speakers like a wave of audio splendor and vibrant uniqueness. If Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were alive during the time of heavy metal, I can fathom that they would be playing in a band just like this. Oceanborn is entirely excellent, and I encourage one and all to give it a listen for themselves. If you are a fan of music in general, I can make a guess that even if you don't ''like'' this album, you will damn well respect it. Great stuff, Nightwish! 10/10 -Devin Joseph Meaney

Lineup:
Tarja Turunen: Vocals
Emppu Vuorinen: Guitars
Tuomas Holopainen: Keyboards, backing vocals
Sami Vänskä: Bass
Jukka Nevalainen: Drums, percussion, backing vocals

Track list:
1. Stargazers
2. Gethsemane
3. Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean
4. Sacrament of Wilderness
5. Passion and the Opera
6. Swanheart
7. Moondance
8. The Riddler
9. The Pharaoh Sails to Orion
10. Walking in the Air (Howard Blake cover)