Nightwish - Wishmaster (2000)

Nightwish's third album is a bit more straightforward than the previous OCEANBORN, and maybe that's why I prefer it. Or maybe it's because it has the song "Wishmaster". As I said in my review of ANGELS FALL FIRST, "Wishmaster" was one of the songs that got me into power metal in the first place, and it remains a truly wonderful, mighty piece. Almost as good is the similar "The Kinslayer", although the pleasure is a bit offset by the topic being that of the Columbine shooting (and, it must be said, the lyrics are quite dark in other places as well, like with "Dead Boy's Poem").
But the whole record is an enjoyable experience, with beautiful production and Tarja's voice the icing on the cake.  Other highlights include "Two For Tragedy", "Deep Silent Complete" and the concluding, complex "FantasMic", and it's the whole epic presentation that just wins me over.
I love epic.
I will go back to OCEANBORN at some stage, and I think I will get to like it more as time goes on. This one might continue to grow on me as well, and that's something I'm realising about Nightwish - I'm finding them a bit hard to put my finger on. I like them. But how much?
Mmm... quite a bit so far. :-)

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