Being a colossal fan of symphonic power metal mixed with opera, it’s obvious that I’m a Nightwish fan. I often describe Nightwish to my friends as having early year Metallica guitar riffs and Rammstein like drum beats mixed with a female opera singer and orchestra. Mostly fantasy and gothic sounding in nature (which fits my personality just right) Nightwish mixes genres with familiar and new ideas to the music industry. A friend once told me that they sound like older Dio with a female singer.

I first discovered Nightwish when I worked at F.Y.E. my sophomore-senior years in high school. Part of how F.Y.E. operates is having store made CDs play on the speaker overhead introducing new upcoming singles from different bands of all genres. ‘Nemo’ by Nightwish had just played and being interested, picked up the CD titled, ‘Once’. To make a long story shorter, I’ve had to buy that CD twice since then because I’ve worn it out listening to it too many times. (Since having discovered the iPod, I have finally given my CD its final resting place in my library.)

When I seen in the October edition of Tour Great Miami that Nightwish was coming out with a new CD the day before my birthday I didn’t know how to contain myself. I learned my lesson and bought the CD via iTunes when it was able to order. I walked around for the next hour and half listening to the album. I couldn’t put my finger on it but for some reason Tarja’s vocals sounded completely different. Her pitch ranges were cut short and didn’t measure up to her normal well known operatic power.

Needless to say, I was distraught at hearing her voice like this seeing as it was what caught my attention all those years ago. It was only later on that week after I had decided that I didn’t like it that I learned of Tarja’s open letter dismissal in 2005 (Where was I?) and of the new lead female vocalist, Anette Olzon. It was also at this time that I learned of Tarja’s solo album due out on November 7.

Listening to the free demo of Tarja’s new single, ‘I Walk Alone’ from her website gave me comfort once more in her vocal power. The record sounds promising and the single was magnificent. If you are a fan of the old Nightwish, then following Tarja’s solo work is a must. If you wish to remain a true Nightwish fan, I advise listening to it with an open mind. Though Anette is an awesome singer and has a vocal range but cut short of Tarja’s, it does sound completely different with added intensity from London Session Orchestra & Metro Voices Choir added to the mix in their new album ‘Dark Passion Play’. I am happy to hear more of Marco’s sharp vocals switched off and on from Anette’s opposed to hearing him less in their older work.

I’ve looked at the CD from a new perspective: as Nightwish, the band and not as Nightwish with Tarja. (Though I still am happily looking forward to the new solo album from Tarja.) I have give ‘Dark Passion Play’ a new listening over and since I want to keep an open mind about Anette, it now sounds better and has potential.

Did you know that the CD is up for your ear's pleasure at the site? Of course, it's only a 30 second preview. I liked what I heard so far.

Looks like you are going to have to suffer a little bit longer.

Ah yes! Thank you for the insight! I'll check into that!