Dark Passion Play - Nightwish > Reviews > New Era, New Singer, Same fantastic quality

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	read review
Disadvantages:	read review

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I waited for this album with bated breath - would it still be nightwish without Tarja?
Happily, the answer is YES!!!

When a new nightwish album comes out I tend to listen to it quite a few times - just to get the feel for it - and there's usually a couple of duff tracks on it. No such thing with this album! All the way from the 14 minute "monstrosity" (a quote from Jukka) Poet and the Pendulum, through to the fantastic Sahara, this album just delivers and delivers.

Another test I tend to run the new albums through is the "friend" test. And so far, even the metal hating friends have loved it.

Anette has delivered the impossible - the album was written without her in mind, and she's easily matched the distinctive Tarja, around who the previous albums have all been written.

So, what else can I tell you about the album? Well, as always, its a quality production - totally clear sound, fantasticly mixed and powerful all the way from the bass through to the high treble sounds.
Trackwise... well, theres somethign for everybody on there - theres the orchestral based Poet and the Pendulum - an almost bohemian rhapsody like track with many mood and tempo changes - the ballad Eva, chosen to showcase Anette, and with good reason! This superb track is played almost entirely with an oboe and the piano, with tearjerkingly beautiful lyrics; i'm not aftraid to admit that bought a tear to my eye when i first heard it!
For those who like something with a little more... bounce, theres the fantastic Bye Bye Beautiful. Now personally, I hear this track as a jab at Tarja, and rightly so, given the background. The lyrics... well, have a listen and decide for yourself!
And for the heavier fans? Theres the powerful Master Passion Greed. Now, this song is sung entirely by Marco - a new thing again for Nightwish - and is quite frankly a fantastic journey into fast paced drumming, power chords and one of the best male vocalists on the circuit!

All in all, such a well rounded collection I could write over 1000 words about it, and spoil the suprise for you all without trying...

Personally speaking, All i can say is bring on the first album designed around her voice!