Dark Passion Play Review

Release Date: Sep 28, 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genres: Heavy Metal, Goth Metal, Symphonic Black Metal, Progressive Metal
Number Of Tracks: 13
Depending on which side of the metal fence you're on, Dark Passion Play is either a symphonic metal triumph or merely pretentious twaddle.

Sound:	8.9
Lyrics:	8.4
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.8
Users rating:	9.1
Comments:	51

overall: 9

Featured review by: Confetti, on september 28, 2007

Sound: One era ended in October of 2005 when the band gave the boot to the long time leadsinger Tarja Turunen, but now a new era has started, and Nightwish has relised a new album with their new lead singer Anette Olzon. Two singles later I thought that this album is gouing to be all around trash very easy to ignore. A ten lissens later haven't got the whole picture figured out yet. DPP has so many layers because allmost every song has massive orchestras backing the band. Tuomas Holopainen has made great collaboration's with London Session Orchestra and the Metro Voices Choir and it has payed for this album. The album sound is Epic! The only thing that the orchestra takes away is the bands own saund with the guitars, drums and keybords. But it kinda works with Anettes vocals. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are a big factor in Finnish metal bands mainly because they can be humorist. Many mishaps that doesn't seam to work at all. Trying to be more mystical then they are. These lyrics can mean anything and there is a chance that I just don't get the obvious here but there is some clear references that anyone with a clear head can notice. Like the Bye Bye Beatiful. A clear referense to Tarja Turunen and her departure from the band. All around the lyrics department is attleast ok. Some great pieces all over the record but hardly even one song with allthrough great lyrics. // 8

Impression: But how does it all come together? Allmost perfectly. Nighwish has made one of the best and somewhat surprising albums of 2007. Actually the departure of Tarja might have been the right thing for Nightwish to stay relevant after so many albums with a singer that had so personal singing voice. Annette is a great singer. Not like Tarja but she has great tones in her voice that works well with the orchestras. Marco Hietalas vocals in the other hand make the bands playing sound better. Annette and Marco work really well together, and both have awesome solo songs. The overal apparence on the album seems way more personal then before with Tarja who's vocals ruled over the bands music. Band sounds more free then they have been in a long time. can't still understand why Eva is on the album? It totaly kills the Drive expecially when the album is so heavy more then massive, 04 Cadence Of Her Last Breath is in my opinion has the greatest hit potential and it's also one of the best songs on the album. No real mishaps exept fot Eva nad that's guite amazing if you think that the album lasts over an hour. I recommend this album to everyone that's a friend of melodic metal or just interessed of what Nightwish has got for us now. An epic album that really puts Nightwish back to the top of melodic metal. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: NightwishAngel, on october 05, 2007

Sound: "Dark Passion Play" sounds very different from Nightwish's previous albums, besides having Anette Olzon becoming the new lead singer. Their sound on DPP is more progressive and more assertive. I think it definitely suits the style of singing that Anette does. From the epic 14-minute opener "The Poet and the Pendulum" to the slow, but powerful closer "Meadows of Heaven", "Dark Passion Play" definitely solidifies Nightwish as one of the best metal bands out there today! // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Tuomas Holopainen, as always, is an amazing songwriter and has wrote some of his best on Dark Passion Play. Most of the songs on DPP are very personal and upfront like the following. The Poet And the Pendulum - about Tuomas him and his own personal struggles. Bye Bye Beautiful - about Tarja and how Tuomas thinks of her former bandmates now. Master Passion Greed - about Tarja's husband, also former manager of Nightwish. Anette Olzon, former Alyson Avenue frontwoman, is completely different from the opera-trained Tarja Turunen. She brings her own sound to the band and, man, she does it really great! When it comes to the songs with her and Marco, their vocals are perfect! When Tarja was in the band, Marco usually gets overpowered by her. Not by Anette. Honestly, Anette is the perfect choice for Nightwish and I wish her the best! // 10

Impression: Overall, I love Dark Passion Play. Ever since I first "Eva", I've been dying for this album to come out. It's become my favorite out of all the Nightwish albums so far. Best songs on the album: The Poet and the Pendulum, Bye Bye Beautiful, Amaranth, Eva, Seven Days to the Wolves, The Islander, Master Passion Greed. If this were stolen, I would buy at least two more copies and then go find the person stole it and force 'em to give it back! // 10

overall: 8.7

Reviewed by: Slesher, on january 08, 2008

Sound: First of all, if you expect the "old Nightwish" opera sound you won't get it. I would say that this is a new band. But I prefer their new sound. I know that most Tarja fans would want to kill me after the last sentence. This is Ultimate-Guitar so I guess I should say a bit about Emppu Vuorinen's great guitar playing. It's, again, on a very high level, great riffs some hard shredding (in Master Passion Greed) and a typical Nightwish guitar. The difference between the old band and the new band is definitely Anette Olzon's voice. They have lost the opera sound, but now have another beautiful female voice. In conclusion, Nightwish have kept their good symphonic/power metal sound, but have lost their typical opera sound. For me they have made a good choice with Anette. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Ofcourse Tuomas has done well with writing almost every song in Dark Passion Play. However, one of my favourite songs on the album, The Islander, is not written by him.

01. The Poet And The Pendulum - the best song on the album if you ask me. It has great musical variety and exceptional lyrics. The only problem is it's lenght, almost 14 minutes which I personally don't like.
02. Bye Bye Beautiful - this song was written about Tarja. Especialy the chorus. It says "Did you ever hear what I told you/Did you ever read what I wrote you/Did you ever listened to what we played." This track is a little more mainstream then the others on the album. Actually nothing special.
03. Amaranth - the biggest hit on Dark Passion Play. Again a bit mainstream, but it is much better than Bye Bye Beautiful. I liked Emppu Vuorinen's guitar on this track. It has a cool sound, taht can't be compared to many other bands. It has the Nightwish sound to it.
04. Cadence Of Her Last Breath - one of the best songs on the album. Great music, great lyrics. What more can I say?
05. Master Passion Greed - the shredding madness on Dark Passion Play. Fast, powerful guitar and Marco Hietala's vocals. Pure perfection!
06. Eva - actually this song is the one that doesn't fit in the overall Dark Passion Play sound. I'm not saying that it is a bad song, I liked it a lot actually, but that doesn't change the fact that it doesn't match the other songs on the album. It has a nice guitar solo and great lyrics, though.
07. Sahara - this is the one song that didn't impress me a bit. I can't say anything about it, actually.
08. Whoever Brings The Night - this song has a nice oriental sound and good lyrics which is enough for it to be a good song.
09. For The Heart I Once Had - mediocre, nothing that can impress a symphonic metal fan. But still good enough for a first-time listener.
10. The Islander - one of my favourite songs on the album. I found resemblance between this track and most Jethro Tull songs. It's not a heavy song, but one of the best on the album.
11. Last Of The Wilds - a nice instrumental, but I've heard better.
12. 7 Days To The Wolves - also one of my favourite songs. Almost perfect in every aspect.
13. Meadows Of Heaven - again mediocre. It has good lyrics, but nothing more. // 8

Impression: Dark Passion Play is my favourite Nightwish album. I've heard a lot of people say that they have become more like Within Temptation than Nightwish, but I have never liked the whole opera sound. I know that Nightwish have become what they are today because of Tarja's voice, but still this album is a step forward. // 9

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: Gregoric, on september 29, 2007

Sound: Nightwish, a band from a small and rural town in finland released an album in 2004 which helped them to ascend to the very cusp of greatness. The 2005 open sacking of their former vocalist Tarja Turunen was seen by many critics and fans as a suicide and the end of the Nightwish story. Two years have now passed and Nightwish have made their triumphant return with 'Dark Passion Play', a seemless blend of power metal, choirs and orchestral blows to the ear drums. The sound on this album is extremely diverse with extremes explcitly present, this album features Nightwish's heaviest song to date, their longest song to date and maybe they're softest song to date. Nightwish's new vocalist Anette Olzon presents us with accessability to Tuomas' lyrics which might not have been as present in previous Nightwish albums, her voice has a very warm and sweet tone which is easy to the ears whilst still possessing great strength and range. Many fans will feel that Tarja could never be replaced but Anette feels too much like something completely new and fresh to be considered as a simple replacement. This album definitely showcases Nightwish at the top of their musical games. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Tuomas Holopainen really reveals his inner-most feelings on this latest album. The 14 minute opener entitled 'The Poet And The Pendulum' gives us an unadulterated and explicit look at how the events of 2005 affected him with a sinister blend of dark imagery, this could possibly be the most personal and emotionally charged song the Finnish lyrical genius has ever written. Holopainen is not afraid to speak his mind when it comes to the subject of former vocalist and bandmate, Tarja Turunen and her personal manager/husband Marcelo Cabuli. Songs like 'Master Passion Greed' and 'Bye Bye Beautiful' are almost like angry bittersweet love letters delivered with a powerful punch of sonic brutality. Any Nightwish fan will know that Holopainen was possibly one of the most formidable lyricists in metal today and judging by this album, he still is. // 10

Impression: This album will certainly divide existing Nightwish fans. Many will believe that Anette is a breath of fresh air and a welcome change to Tarja's operatic vocal style. Some will however think that this album is simply not a Nightwish album because of Turunen's absence but in my opinion both singers are very talented albeit posessing different types of talents so whether you enjoy the new vocals or not will all be a matter or personal taste. Leaving the vocals aside the music is just as heavy, strong and bombastic as ever featuring an even bigger orchestra than 'Once' and the orchestra feels like it fits into the music a lot better. People who have not listened to Nightwish before or people who disliked them because of their previous vocal style will definitely want to consider 'Dark Passion Play'. It defines Nightwish as a band possessing a huge amount of tenacity and a band that never gave up. A must-listen. // 9

overall: 6

Reviewed by: metallman, on february 19, 2008

Sound: For the sound, it's cool that Tuomas (Keyboards) is adding more in the symphony department, and that Marco (Bass, Male Vocals) is getting more liberty in singing. This gives the band a more grunge/mainstream sound that will probably catch on with North American listeners. The simple guitar lines helps with this too. On the other hand, hiring Anette (Female Vocals), who was in an ABBA cover band before signing on with Nightwish, was not quite the smartest move. Nightwish's major selling point was the combination of metal, symphony, and opera (provided by Tarja Turunen, former singer). It will be difficult for them to pull off any of their old songs with Anette's simple voice, but some of their new stuff sounds okay. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are just as deep as the rest of the albums. My biggest peeve is the bashing of Tarja Turunen in the song "Bye Bye Beautiful". Granted, she may not have been the best person to do business with, but treating her like a cancerous growth that is finally gotten rid of is not something to be writing songs about. Songs like that should be done with like a torn flag. Burn it, and not to a CD. // 5

Impression: Overall, I'd say that they no longer sound like Nightwish. They do have some good new stuff, some bad new stuff, and some in between. If you're expecting amazing vocal work, I wouldn't see them in concert, but their bonus disc totally redeems them. Check out the "Orchestral Version" of "Amaranth". There's my view on this. // 6

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 16, 2008

Sound: The moment I had the album running, I knew this album was going to be one hell of an album! Being one of those who thought Nightwish would find it difficult to do without their front-woman and idol Tarja, I was literally smiling as I began listening to Dark Passion Play (DPP). The album starts off with the 14-minute epic “The Poet and the Pendulum”, and frankly, this song needs a review on it's own! The song consists of five parts, and I have to say that every single one of them is absolute perfection. Also, Anette (the new singer) shows her strengths at being a very versatile singer, with a story-teller’s voice. Being brief and to the point, this song is theatrical and it is my personal favorite Nightwish song to date. Following this mighty song, come very different and extremely good pieces of music. The variety in this album shows the ever-strong core Nightwish is made of. Even with the departure of one of their most (if not the most) popular members of the band, Nightwish still provided a magnificent piece of art. Since Tarja had never been a providing part to the music, DPP still gives satisfaction as it is the perfect blend of metal and classical music.

The sound of this album is overwhelming. The production is wonderful, and the orchestrations are genius. As most artists mention, it is pain and suffering that allows the creation of the most wonderful pieces of art, and I have to say that DPP shows a lot of creativity, beauty and pain; combining all these factors, you get DPP! However, it is noticeable that Nightwish no longer provides the power of the previous albums “Oceanborn” and “Wishmaster”, as the band clearly deflected it's way in the following albums into a more complex, more creative and deeper style, introducing classical music elements into their music. Tuomas has once again proved to be one of the best metal composers around. DPP is a whole level above any other symphonic/melodic metal album available these days. Also, Anette and Marco's voices go very well together, and the vocal harmonies on DPP are astonishing. Furthermore, DPP has such a wide variety of music, that the songs seem to be those of different artists. The softest (Eva) and the heaviest (Master Passion Greed) Nightwish songs are there, as well as an oriental oriented song (Sahara), an obvious commercial hit (Amaranth), in addition to something that the band never did before, a song which sounds like “American Metal” in “Cadence of Her Last Breath”. DPP is full of surprises, and when you think you’ve heard it all, you are to be once again taken by surprise to be dazzled by a gospel choir in “Meadows of Heaven”. Simply, DPP has everything one can ask for! // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Honestly, I don’t personally think that Tuomas is a lyricist, to me he’s a poet, for once again he offers some of the greatest lyrics in the metal scene. From pain, to anger, to hate, to longing, to beauty, to hope, to lust, to intensity and despair, Tuomas provides it all! Of course, much is left to personal interpretation, but some of the songs are quite direct. The lyrics go hand in hand with the music, and that is an extra plus for DPP, and Anette (the new singer) has such brilliant interpretation of the songs, and as I mentioned before, she has a story-tellers voice, which makes the album more of a long, gorgeous fairy tale. However, yet again does DPP show a deviation from the past Nightwish albums. The lyrics are somehow different to what you would hear on “Oceanborn” for example. However, the lyrics are still first-rate and they still go in the same direction as the music. // 10

Impression: My impression of this album is a very deep fall in love! I expected the band to go a step back after Tarja was axed, but they proved me wrong as they took a huge step forward. The album can be considered to be different from the old Nightwish sound, ye as a sequel of “Once”, however very different from it! The orchestrations are much better, and the variety is wider in DPP, as well as the introduction of a new and very different, yet very good singer. Here is a brief summary of my personal opinion about every song:

01. The Poet And The Pendulum - the best Nightwish song ever!
02. Bye Bye Beautiful - a good song, similar to “Wish I Had an Angel” from once, although slightly less beautiful.
03. Amaranth - a catchy song with a head-sticking melody, although obviously commercial it is still a good song (not one of the best songs on the album by any chance).
04. Cadence Of Her Last Breath - again, a catchy song with an extremely good chorus. This is one of the songs a listener would love at first listen.
05. Master Passion Greed - a wicked, wicked song and the heaviest Nightwish ever created. Marco sings throughout the whole song and I’m personally impressed by the power of the guitars in this song.
06. Eva - pretty good song, but pretty lame. The song I least liked on the album, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good one!
07. Sahara - oriental song, with beautiful imagery. One of the best songs on DPP.
08. Whoever Brings The Night - I personally didn’t like this one the first time I heard it, but then I realized I was just deaf! A very good song, very riff-oriented, and very erotic.
09. For The Heart I Once Had - one of my favorite songs on DPP, not many would like this one, but I have to say it has a personal meaning to me. It is beauty at it's best for me.
10. The Islander - an acoustic song, and another beauty yet again. Have you noticed that not many songs are similar?
11. Last Of The Wilds - an instrumental. Good for the first time, but gets less attractive the more I listen to it! Here I feel like it’s Scotland Vs. Finland, where both triumph. Very celtic.
12. 7 Days To The Wolves - definitely one of the best on the album! A complete and well-rounded song, where every part is just right!
13. Meadows Of Heaven - I had to listen to this song a few times before I indulged in it. This one is a beauty! The gospel choir is also another bonus Nightwish gives to the lucky listener!

Overall, if I lose this magical piece of art, I would certainly buy another one. This is a must have in my collection, and without any doubt one of the best albums I ever heard. Nightwish is back, and stronger than ever! // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Amy_Lee, on october 04, 2008

Sound: Despite this album being little under a year old, I can still listen to it over and over and constantly find new things in it; new motifs I have never heard before. This is an album born of keyboardist/key composer Tuomas Holopainen's feelings after former singer Tarja Turunen was fired from the band in October 2005 and it shows here. Opener "The Poet and the Pendulum" with it's wintery, ghostly choirs, sets the tone for the rest of the album within half a minute of it's fourteen-minute span, even involving a drawbridge sound and a cannon firing about halfway through! By contrast "Amaranth", the third track of the album, embraces a (whisper it) poppier approach with new (and radically different) vocalist Anette Olzon showing off what she can do, succeeding with this. "Whoever Brings The Night" - the weakest song on the album - is unbalanced and a little abrasive in that it focuses more on the guitars; however, it is still a solid song, even if it is a little disappointing, and slightly brings down the album, whilst closer "Meadows of Heaven" has a slight whiff of cheese about it. Ever such a slight one, mind, especially with the exaggerated vocals at the end (is that a man singing them? ), but the grandiose scope of vision is what saves it from being a total letdown. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Holopainen's lyrics perfectly reflect the feelings he goes through, neatly swerving the "emo" tag (though how Nightwish could ever get this tag, I can't think! ). However, there are some lines within the album which made me feel a little uncomfortable and were probably a little unnecessary ("Being raped again and again... " being an example of one of them). Some barely made much sense "Choose a bride tonight/ A fantasy for a zombie... " made me think "er, what?" However, the lyrics that do make sense match perfectly with the music written, except for in "Last of the Wilds" - an instrumental. // 8

Impression: Despite the change of vocalist making the connection between them and Evanescence, Lacuna Coil etc. stronger, Nightwish have once again defied most expectations in delivering an album that is highly suited to epic film soundtracks. With Olzon's vocals making them more accessible, they will win over a whole new load of fans whilst keeping the longtime fans who don't hate Olzon happy. The best song? There are too many to choose from, but "Last of the Wilds" is a fantastic piece, and apart from the aforementioned couple of songs, there is little to complain about it. It is their darkest album to date and their most expensive - about €500, 000 (and you can work that out into your own currency), twice as much as predecessor "Once" - but this doesn't stop it from being one great album. // 9

overall: 8.7

Reviewed by: xCoilx, on january 21, 2008

Sound: In this album Nightwish still mantains it's unique, epic, and enchanting sound.There are impressive orchastral sound in each song which add color to each song. Annette's voice compliments the band's song just as well as Tarja, but has a much stronger voice. The ways she sings each song is full of passion and beauty. It has also excellent keyboard work, prob the most impressive work on any Nightwish album. There is also more beauty and the beast vocals here (female and male singers) which makes it more balanced between the two. The intrumentals on here is pure sick! It seems as though this album was well written and well thought out. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Although some are hidden behind metaphores, the lyrics are mostly passionate. "Meadows of Heaven" is a good example of passion. If you listen to the lyrics through the whole song you really feel what she'd singing. The lyrics fit the song well. Although compared to Tarja constantly, I believe she is a much more trained singer. She has a much more stronge voice then Tarjas fragile soft voice. Anette has been called a "pop" singer, but her voice fits metal very well. // 8

Impression: There is no band that you can compare to Nightwish. Although some want to compare them to Within Temptation, there is a big difference between the two. There are few bands that can acomplish this kind of creativity. The most impressive songs on the album are Bye Bye Beautiful, Cadence To Her Last Breath, and 7 Days to The Wolves. If it were stolen or lost I'd go out and but it in a heartbeat! // 9

Comments

[Night_Sonata]

Damn it you beat me to the review! My copy is in the mail coming over from Finland.

Yeah I agree with you mate, what I have heard sounds a lot more like an ensemble album, as opposed to Tarja and a backing band. Good review.

[MrJackass]

This album i just great! I grew tired of Tarja's voice after 'Once', and Annette is as good as any toher world class singer! And then the sound! It's absolutly fantastic!

[AAAAAAAAAARGH]

Sounds quite poppy to me in places really. I preferred Tarja's voice.

[SvnStringMaster]

ace of base gone sour

[Goblumich07]

MrJackass wrote:

This album i just great! I grew tired of Tarja's voice after 'Once', and Annette is as good as any toher world class singer! And then the sound! It's absolutly fantastic!

i Agree here. it sounds like more of a band now. some of the instrumentals on this album are just SICK!!!!!

[Jondy]

dammit still waiting for my copy to come in the mail. I like annette's voice, and I'm giving it a proper chance. I know noone will ever fully replace tarja, and nightwish will never sound quite the same, but it's not worse music, just slightly altered.

[War-Dog]

The downfall of Tarja and replaced with Annette Olzon(Long lost olsen twin?) really gives the band a different tone but with keeping the good feel of Nightwish which got me hooked in the first place. Go Tuomas! I love saying his name. Tuomas, Tuomas, Tuomas, We love you!

[Paroxysm]

I can't wait till I can a copy of one in the US.

[bitter.sweet]

wohoo. go finland. i like tarjas voice better. but annette is just different. its not that much worse..

[xCoilx]

i love Nightwish

[Eternal_One]

Don't like the album. Don't like the new vocalist.

But to each his own I guess.....

[which ones pink]

I've only heard a couple of the new songs, but I think Olzon's vocals go very well with the band, as good as Turunen's. It is very different though, not worse, just different.

[Confetti]

AAAAARGH wrote:

Sounds quite poppy to me in places really. I preferred Tarja's voice.

The raeson that it may sound poppy to many peoples ears is because Anette is actually more an pop singer.
But the one thing that she has better then Tarja is that her voice is more flexible.
Tarja had a very demanding and great singing style but it was'nt that elastic
Annette did great work on the album in my opinion.

[Rokkec]

Tarja was and still is a great singer..But it was time to move on if things just got worse in the relationship between her and the band...and Anette is a great singer too..just give her a chance..Don`t say:omg she suckz.Tarja 4ever..and stuff if you didn`t at least listen to the whole album..

[NinjaTrainer]

grrr... i can't wait till this comes ou tin the states.

Checked.

[Confetti]

Sound Mind wrote:

Confetti, your grammar sucks.

Noticed few grammars just after i posted.. I really need to start to check my texts

[Rokkec]

Agreed lol xD

[Carbonated]

The new album is alright... I wasn't too impressed with it. I still prefer Tarja over Anette.

[SomeMetalLover]

his album is amazing! the best album of nightwish at this time

[azmully]

This is the best Nightwish album I have heard. I think Annette's vocals fit the band even better than Tarja. The production of the album is unbelievable. Incredible album, from the lyrics to the orchestrations. I love Annette's voice!

[xerox_666]

This album is fantastic, awesome composition, more variety, and with Annette the style is newer.
Really like me.

[Sorry for my english]

[brokenunder]

is there as many solos on DPP? cuz i listneed to some of the songs on youtube and i couldnt hear any solos.but they were the promo songs =/

[Gregoric]

brokenunder wrote:

is there as many solos on DPP? cuz i listneed to some of the songs on youtube and i couldnt hear any solos.but they were the promo songs =/

there are some pretty decent solos yeah, more than on once i think

[RainbowBassist]

Meh. I was pretty indifferent to it... it seemed to be just alot of nothing at times and I missed the poetic lyrics... they seem to have been replaced with an album full of tarja-driven rants, but i guess if it's that important to Tuomas, then go for it. orchestra sounds amazing though

[Jondy]

this album is absolutely outstanding. the music is fan****ingtastic. as far as the singer goes, come on guys, you know you've all put up with far worse vocals for the sake of the music. there is nothing wrong with annette's voice.

[marianoarnaiz]

I THINK IS REFRESHING NEVER LIKED TARJA CAUSE SHE WAS TO CLOSED, SHE NEVER TRIED TO CHANGE THE OPERETC SINGIN. IF ALL THE SONG WHERE WRITTEN ON THE SAME KEY THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL THE SAME. ANETTE CAN CHANGE THE MOOD ONHER VOICE AND HAVE A VERY RESPACTABLE RANGE, I THINK IT WAS A VERY GOOD CHOISE. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE GUITAR SOLO FROM EMMPU HE ROCKS, AND MARKO SINGIN N MORE SONGS ADDS A NIVE DIFFERNT ABIENTO TO THE ALBUM

[dark_falco3000]

I like most of the songs on this (the Poet and the Pendulum is the definition of awesome, the Seven Days to the Wolves comes somewhere close), but some of them seem way too poppy... particularly Amaranth. I cannot stand that song. It's been the first Nightwish song that I dislike since the Carpenter. Anyway, overall not a bad album, but I prefer their other albums. Nothing will replace Ghost Love Score as my favourite song of all time (alongside Home by Dream Theater)... ever.

[dark_falco3000]

and to the ******* who said Eva was bad because the album was heavy, it's called variation. Good bands use it. Soft songs are occasionally good, and all of Nightwish's soft songs have been great, and Eva is no exception. Sure, it's not my favourite, but it's still an incredibly good song.

[Shor-T Zero]

yeah, a nod to Ghost Love Score! Nice, that song is freakin' epic! I'm pretty fond of DPP, it's a great album in my opinion. Yes, there are more guitar solos in this album. And each of the songs have great taste in their playing. Nightwish hasn't gotten any worse by replacing Tarja, they've taken a different branch (more aimed at the metal part on some songs) of the symphonic metal genre that they created...or at least put on the map. I really like it, and I say anyone who is a die hard Tarja fan...give this one a chance, you're bound to love it...it's Nightwish, come on! Tuomas lyrics and songwriting skills rock, and the rest of the band rules all the same!

[Confetti]

dark_falco3000 wrote:

and to the ***** who said Eva was bad because the album was heavy, it's called variation. Good bands use it. Soft songs are occasionally good, and all of Nightwish's soft songs have been great, and Eva is no exception. Sure, it's not my favourite, but it's still an incredibly good song.

Is it so hard to understand that it just doesent fit?
The album has a lot of variations but Eva just breaks it all down. Eva isnt even a bad song but its totally out of place.

it's called variation. Good bands use it.

Yeah and good bands make records were everything is at the right place. Blind hype

[Universal_Moon]

i agree with the first review. this is the best album of nightwish so far. sure tarja was good but shes gone now so why does people fights for who the best. Dark Passion Play is my favorite Nightwish album. ! and damn tuomas is a hell of a writer how does he do that!!!!!

[messenjah]

its wierd but i actually think that Tarja is better without Nightwish and that Nightwish is better without Tarja... i just recently bought My Winter Storm (Tarja's solo album) and its possibly the most remarkable symphonic metal i have ever heard. It features more orchestral music than Nightwish ever did and it fits her very operatic voice much better. And the same applies to Nightwish, Anettes more pop-sounding voice it more fitting to their slightly more straight up rock approach.

[say5ss2]

i second that....

[Pingis_Or_Death]

I hate the songs they've been playing on the radio from this album... Nightwish will never be the same without Tarja.

[TheDisturbed78]

i didnt like tarja, this album is much better than their previous albums

[Aziraphale]

Anette has a sick range, but all this tounge-in-check prance-around-eurovision-style thing she does feels so bad in NW. I still have the utmost respect for Tuomas' songwriting but I'm just a little disappointed. Can you imagine Anette in the Bless The Child or Nemo videos? Ugh.

[Drool_Mouse]

I'm going to say that Tuomas specifically wrote the music to fit Anette's voice. He'd be stupid to write the same music, and push Anette so hard that the music sounds bad. The musical composition of the album is amazing. Besides, it's not always about videos, in fact, I'd say it all has very little to do with videos; it's about the music itself. I like both the old and new Nightwish for different reasons. Stop bashing Nightwish for getting a new singer, just because she was a pop singer. She has a good voice, and somehow it seems to keep up with the darker and heavier music than I really would expect from a pop singer. Tarja was good, but then again, it's what happens when your husband is your personal manager/agent.
This album is great. But as to Master Passion Greed being a shred masterpiece, I'd have to disagree. It's an awesome riff, and rhythm, but there is no real shredding going on in the song.

[Paroxysm]

DDP was better than Once; so much for being "worse" without Tarja.

And people always said Anette is a pop singer. Tell me, what makes her one? It is her soft singing?

[xCoilx]

hey guys what exactly does Tarjas solo album sound like?i didnt check it out yet

[Surveyor]

I would probably like this better if they had changed the band name. I know it's silly, but It's just the principle of the thing. The orchestra factor might just sell me on this, but i want to know that i'm not ging to be buying the Nightwish equivalent of St. Anger.

[Surveyor]

Bought the album, and I have to ask...did they really need to drag Emmpu(guitar) and Jukka(drums) down to the studio to do...well nothing?
things do get kicked up occasionally though.

Master passion greed may be one of the best songs on the album, and is the only one in which Marcko's bass is audible. The best song though has to be last of the wilds, which is the token instrumental that exists to remind us all that Empuu can play the guitar. Unfortunately, Tuomas, the manager, or the producer or sound mixer, whoever is in charage of saying what goes on the album, elected not to throw Jukka a bone, and we have some very boring(or once again, in audible) drumming throughout the overture. And I'm sorry to say, but any semblance of elegence or subtlety, anything that constitutes Tuomus ingenious lyrical stylings is completely absent from "Bye bye beautiful" which reads like a My chemical romance song. It's not all bad though, poet and the pendulum is probably the biggest thing Nightwish has ever done. too bad it's the first thing we hear on the album.
'The heart I once had' is notable for avoiding the creative hole Tuomas has dug for himself musically, and maintains a distinct melody, that blends the guita and keys well while complementing Annette's purty voice. Of course, it's also one of the most Un-nightwishy songs I've ever heard.

All things considered, Sahara is probably the best summary of the album. for the first thirty seconds of the overture, it's, well you all heard it, right? IT was awesome. You settle in for a wild ride, and then for he rest of the time, the tempo slows down to a hault, and there is almost no variation in...anything. save for the orchestra, the real stars of this effort. but saving the listener from the monotony with 'meadows of heaven' which was way too campy(by nightwish standards) not to love, and the church choir offered a "did I really hear that on a metal album" factor.

[Eccer]

Well, I can see why people would react to "meadows of heaven", but in order to truly understand what Tuomas were thinking, you'll have to feel the same as he did.

I can't find a single fault in this, even if the lyrics get a little bit too deep in "Bye Bye beautiful". Awesome, epic in every sense, a masterpiece.

[Surveyor]

Eccer wrote:

Well, I can see why people would react to "meadows of heaven", but in order to truly understand what Tuomas were thinking, you'll have to feel the same as he did.

Why does it sound like a christmas song?
AM I the only one who gets that? I mean, there's no sleigh bells or glockenspiels...maybe the choir is making me think that.

[spencer Cr]

Surveyor wrote:

Eccer wrote:

Well, I can see why people would react to "meadows of heaven", but in order to truly understand what Tuomas were thinking, you'll have to feel the same as he did.




Why does it sound like a christmas song?
AM I the only one who gets that? I mean, there's no sleigh bells or glockenspiels...maybe the choir is making me think that.

well man i get this "christmas feel" you speak of on a lot of the songs on the album, it think it's just sort of how they are. but deffinatly, meadows, escapist, the islander, orchestral amaranth, eva and some parts in poet and 7 days have this very christmasy or wintery feel to them it's weird but i think that's what i like about the album the most.

Once had a very "ocean/pirate" kind of sound, and dpp has a sort of "wintery/chirtsmas" feel. just another reason of how nightwish never makes the same album twice

[silvernirvash]

This CD is good for any time i'd say. For sure it has a very christmas sound at times like last of the wilds, but it's also got that midevil sound that you just wanna listen to when you're laying in the grass in your backyard you know? it's relaxing at times. And at other times it's a real rush like the song Whoever Brings The Night gives me.

as for the christmasy feeling it gives you i'd say it gives more of a dark christmas feeling. it's just an awsome CD in general guys 5/5 stars here! *****.
Gotta be their best CD yet

[Gregoric]

messenjah wrote:

its wierd but i actually think that Tarja is better without Nightwish and that Nightwish is better without Tarja... i just recently bought My Winter Storm (Tarja's solo album) and its possibly the most remarkable symphonic metal i have ever heard. It features more orchestral music than Nightwish ever did and it fits her very operatic voice much better. And the same applies to Nightwish, Anettes more pop-sounding voice it more fitting to their slightly more straight up rock approach.

wtf nightwish had about 70 guest musiscians on DPP and tarja had 2 chellos and synth...wtf?

[Sashkello]

Hmm... I read so much positive reviews on this album... I really expected to hear something new and interesting.
I listened it about 10 times, each time thinking what everyone finding in it?..
I can't find anything interesting at all in this album. The single song I liked is Amaranth, but it is only in comparison with other dull songs... When Tuomas is crying in some songs as if someone is killing him, I feel scary and simply want to skip to the next song...
And the vocal is not unique at all - it makes Nightwish look like Xandria (Amaranth is very like some songs of this band), or Epica, Lunatica etc...
Recently I listened to the live bootleg from Monreal. Oh my God, only listening to the Sleeping Sun says much - it is not that wonderful song which it was with Tarja... And listen to the I Wish I had an Angel... The singer is not really singing, but shouting sometimes... and intonations are really as if it is pop, not metal singer...

IMHO...

[Turbodestructor]

I've only recently gotten into Nightwish, but I have to say, I like this album more than anything they have done previously (and I have checked). As far as I can gather Tarja is boring, stuffy, has no versatility and is a complete bitch who thinks shes gods gift to music. Anette may not be as unique a vocalist but she's not so self-obsessed and her voice is much more enjoyable to listen to.
I reckon Dark Passion Play is an excellent album, Tuomas is an exceptional writer, and al the performances on the album are great/ Not to mention the pristeen sound quality - All in all, a A-grade album in my books

[dashroom]

Does anybody actually think that this album is 'pretentious twaddle'? IMO and that of almost everone here it is pure awsomeness!

[BizenghastAoi]

this album is really good! def not their best, i still prefer tarja but anette is doing a wonderful job, i can't wait to hear them in the near future!