In Defense of Nightwish...

Oh, the love! Oh, the hate! Oh, the confusion surrounding the symphonic power metal band, Nightwish! Due to the many arising controversies concerning this band, I have decided, in defense of Nightwish, to unearth the many qualities this group possesses in the following statements.

To this day, Nightwish remains my all-time favorite band. First and foremost, I believe Nightwish is immersed in numerous nuances of sound and lyric. Secondly, they are unmistakably unique and authentic, and definitely not dull or boring. Thirdly, their songs are written and composed by a brilliant keyboardist and poet, Tuomas Holopainen. Lastly, I will convey my feelings towards each of the female vocalists, both Tarja Turunen and Anette Olzon.

Some of you might be wondering; what is Nightwish? Nightwish is a female-fronted orchestral-rock band from Finland. They started in 1997 and are currently working on an album-in-progress. Since 1997, they have released 9 albums and numerous singles. From 1997-2005, Tarja Turunen was their lead vocalist. With an operatic style, she defined the essence of the band. In 2005 and the years afterward, Anette Olzon took over the role of lead vocalist. She had a different style, being influenced from Simone Simons from Epica and Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation. The band continues to create award-winning music and shaping the symphonic power metal genre.

One of the defining features of Nightwish are the orchestral accompaniments to metal. A symphony put to metal is one of the coolest ideas ever thought of in music! Syncing electric guitars, vocals and violins (most evident in songs such as Bless the Child) sounds rich and authentic. Some may argue that metal detracts from the orchestra or visa-versa, however I plead quite the opposite. The composer, Tuomas Holopainen can manipulate the metal to enhance the symphonic properties of the music. The dramatic, beautiful symphony can be aided by the course, backbone of metal. With the assistance of female vocals, Holopainen is able to create an extremely epic-like air to the music he creates.

Influenced by extremely gifted composers such as Hans Zimmer, poets such as Walt Whitman, and authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Holopainen embeds many metaphors and allegories in his songs. While most of his early Nightwish song lyrics consisted of mythological and fantasy elements, such as metaphysics and nature, but eventually he shifted to a more personal style. Tarja Turunen is quoted as saying (during their 2002 album, Century Child) that the lyrics no longer deal, "with the dreamland we were used to, but with the brutal reality of life."

Whether the transition from female singers Tarja Turunen to Anette Olzon was good or bad move on Nightwish's part, is constantly debated over. Some adored Nightwish for their front-singer and were extremely disappointed when she was fired (the result of a disision by Holopainen enlightened in an open letter he sent to her). Others say they prefer Olzon and that they are glad the lead singer changed. Personally, I prefer the original singer, Turunen, but openly embrace the style of the new singer, Olzon, as well. The most important part is, the Nightwish songs with Turunen continue to live on to be enjoyed...

All-in-all, Nightwish is a fantastic band that creates authentic, thrilling, and unique sound unparalleled by many others.