I am missing the bonus tracks on release i was able to get...

This album's bonus release "sleeping sun" is their best song during Tarja's reign IMO.

You know, with all of those Tarja vs Annete arguments, I'll jump in with a third opinion: none of the above. Loving the Moondance instrumental

This is a Masterpiece !

Really masterpiece, the songwriting with Tarja's voice is just devastating, probably the best symphonic metal I have ever heard. Essential.

I really like the sound on this album, it gives off a very classical overtone. That and tarja's voice is angelic, but i needn't go there anyway;)

The only weak song i can find is the edit version of 'Phantom and the opera', which, when shortened, cuts the flow of the album a bit. But that isn't anything serious. Brilliant album\m/

Their best work.

I like it... but its not my favorite..

To me "Once" is their masterpiece, after listening to the polished perfection of Once this album seems Demo-ish. The worst part are the keys, they sound incredibly dated, somewhat cheesy and just dont fill the void of orchestration. If they used a real symphony or even just had better synths i think i would love this album.

also like I Eat God said, the vocals dont blend smoothly all the way through and the guitars are just a bit too flamboyant.

Not bad but too cheesy for my taste.

Written by Vonpire on 28.03.2012 at 16:31

Not bad but too cheesy for my taste.

Really? Leaving aside the fact that it is a cheesy band, I see this one as the least cheesy album they have released.
With later albums Tuomas's lyrics got even more poetic or whatever.

I think it's the keys that are cheesy , as AngelofDeth said before. I don't know. I try but I can't seem to get into Nightwish. For you to see my favorite album from them is the first one

Ok I listened to this again an I like it a little but more

The best album of this band. Never cared much about htier other material rather than fistful of songs.

I dont think it is their best...i think they managed to evolve even a bit more with further albums up to (and excluding) Once (although Once itself contains my all time most favorite track by them)

This album is pure magic... and light!!! Forever hail Nightwish!!!!

This is my favourite Nightwish work and I doubt they'll ever be able to release an album I will like more. Maybe because it's the most romantic-sounding which was what turned my attention towards this band in the first place.

I agree, it's really the best Nightwish album. Quality power metal songs with Tarja's great vocals. Strangely I didn't like this for a long time, thought all songs sound the same, and preferred Once, but I was wrong. This is the sound that made Nightwish unique and famous. Other bands like Visions of Atlantis tried to copy it, but didn't even came close. I just love the keyboards, the guitar work, and the whole atmosphere of the songs. And this is Tarja's best vocal performance ever, especially on Stargazers and Passion And The Opera.

This album is a masterpiece

My favourite Nightwish album. The songs are strong, they vary enough (unlike Wishmaster where a couple of songs sound very similar) to keep the listener interested and there are curveballs like the second half of "Passion and the Opera". It even manages to be fun ("Moondance"). "The Riddler" comes dangerously close to filler territory though.

The ending of "Swanheart" where the vocals enter and 'lift' the guitar solo is one of my favourite Nightwish moments. Beautiful.

Boriiiiiiiiiiing

Awesoooom!!

Wow Great

Written by Ellrohir on 24.12.2009 at 00:59

I am missing the bonus tracks on release i was able to get...

Try youtube

Still good album but this is NW as we know now , because we cant compare whit 1th album what was masterpiece, this is OK, but we can see band seems start use more keyboards and became more like we know, 1th was was less keys more gothic (even some doomserrs would like iNightwish - Oceanborn t , well I still think this is good, quality album good music, old school still they were young but seems somehow they walk on glory wire -----
It was 2 classic songs Sacramemnts of the wilderness and sleeping sun

Written by Bad English on 17.05.2014 at 21:11
Try youtube

Did you just quote a comment from 2009?

Written by Troy Killjoy on 19.05.2014 at 06:30

Written by Bad English on 17.05.2014 at 21:11
Try youtube

Did you just quote a comment from 2009?

yes

No matter how many times I hear it, I just cannot get over how much of an amazing song Gethsemane is - even with the likes of Stargazers and Sacrament of Wilderness, and from other albums things like Ghost Love Score and Ocean Soul, it still stands as my favourite NW song. As far as the album goes, I do think the first half dominates the second half, even though The Pharaoh Sails To Orion is still a great track, but in terms of their discography its only contender for my money is Century Child, and even then it probably edges that to be their greatest album.

Written by Bad English on 17.05.2014 at 21:11

Written by Ellrohir on 24.12.2009 at 00:59

I am missing the bonus tracks on release i was able to get...

Try youtube

ofc i can youtube, but i have an original CD of this...but w/o bonus tracks, although "Nightquest" is one of the best NW songs ever...

This is how I will always remember Nightwish, not as radio-friendly symphonic rock band with some old dude playing a flute or some Indian grandpa yodeling it up, but as an awesome full-blown extreme power metal so great even the best bands within the genre struggle to make anything as tasty as this. I don't think there are any weaker tracks, not a single one. Pharaoh Sails to Orion will always be my favorite song from them, the climax is especially outstanding. Tarja usually had hard time singing that part live.

Such an amazing album, makes you see glimpses into other dimensions.

Better than the debut in every single way, it has some great tracks scattered throughout but also some that are quite easily skipable. I'm not really into symphonic power metal so this is one of the better ones i've heard in the genre.