Human. :II: Nature.

I had no idea people were still writing music with this much depth, heart, and lyrical beauty. I've been a fan of Nightwish since the beginning. I'm also a fan of great music from all genres. Because I've been around awhile, and have both heard and seen more than my share of bands and albums, it takes a lot to turn my head, to get me to sit up and take notice. THIS album does that, and did from the first notes of Disc One. Human Nature is music of such lyrical beauty that I really don't believe words can adequately describe it. Yes, it's typical Nightwish on Disc One. Lots of guitars, soaring vocals, and double-time tempos. Great stuff. As energizing and bombastic as you've come to expect from Nightwish. But it's Disc Two that flips all my buttons. The orchestration is stunning, offering incredibly beautiful melodies. These are genuinely superb compositions that sound like the soundtrack to a movie that tugs at one's heartstrings. This is music that has the power to make me weep. People who cannot feel this music probably don't have feelings. The genius it takes to create music like this is off the charts. Nightwish should be proud of this achievement. I should be grateful that they undertook it. And I am. Please don't listen to naysayers. Give this album a try. Appreciate it for what it is, rather than for what you think it is not.

Nightwish has been around for quite some time now. Every time you listen to Nightwish, you are taken for an epic ride. The poetry in these performances is absolutely stunning. Nobody writes like this No one. Except, of course Tuomas. This edition is not only epic, it is rich with classic and classical references. Sometimes, the most profound ideas are merely hinted at, and it is up to us to fill in the canvas as best we can. This is part of Tuomas' genius. He invites you to take the leap to understanding and comprehension. And have a hell of a good time doing it. You can tell who gets it and who doesn't. It is unsurprising that some may complain that "this isn't the old Nightwish". Of course it isn't. Tuomas Holopainen is perhaps one of the best composers in modern times. It is inevitable that his maturing abilities would leave some behind. Most popular music is a dumpster fire, managing to be bland, insipid and pointlessly angry at the same time. Tuomas is a man full of interests and ideas and most of all a sense of wonder at the world we inhabit, our place in it and our human condition. His works are deeply felt and impeccably realized, especially now that Floor Jansen has joined them. Floor is herself an elemental force of nature. The second CD in particular is the hidden gem in this release, and it is an indication as to where Tuomas and Nightwish are headed. The Finns have given us prodigious talents in the likes of Sebelius, Thomas Bergersen and Tuomas Holopainen. They are all characterized by the fierce independence and refusal to hew to the ordinary and the jejune. Give this release a careful listen, and then listen to it again and again.

I am a huge fan of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. I have all their albums as well as Nightwish founder/composer/keyboardist, T. Holopainen’s solo “Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge” CD and his Auri group’s CD. Holopainen is an incredible songwriter and all of Nightwish’s albums contain amazing songs. I can listen to Nightwish for hours and not get tired. But, I do have to say, it took me about 6 or 7 times to get into the new CD. But once I became familiar with the songs, I again heard the magic of Nightwish – the beautiful melodies, expert instrumentation, and incomparable vocals. The songs, Noise, Pan, Tribal and Endlessness have a harder edge, while How’s the Heart, Shoemaker, Music, Procession and Harvest are softer. Floor’s vocals are beautiful, and Marco and Troy also sing lead on several songs. There are also great three-part harmonies, especially in the folk song, Harvest. Yes, this CD is different than their previous, but that is okay, as bands evolve. But the music is still great. Included is a 2nd disc containing eight classical compositions (instrumentals some with spoken word.) written by Holopainen and performed by an orchestra. I do think the new CD is a wonderful addition to their already impressive catalog of music.

This is a good album. It's not my fave Nightwish album. It would get ranked 7th, but that's because they have such a good catalogue. Stand out tracks for me are Music, Tribal, and Endlessness. Some of these songs will sound killer live. I hated Harvest as a single but it works good listening to it with the whole album. In fact none of these are singles except Noise. You need to listen to all the songs together. Here is hoping the next one is a bit heavier, but this is a very good album. I applaud them for going out of the box for this one. Music is much needed in these trying times!! Thank you Nighwish!!!

Obviously this album will divide all old Nightwish fans. The band has taken a major journey over the years. There are still obvious Nightwish vibe in the songs but they are more complex than anything they have done so far. The development of the band has continued the whole career as each album has been different from previous ones. This album consists the full use of each member, it focuses a lot using all 3 singers. Song structures are closer to classical music than typical rock/pop/metal. Vocals are highly demanding, not many vocalist could have succeed in this album. Harmonies are taken to new levels. Lyrics are complex, even in standards of Tuomas Holopainen. They deal with humanity, nature. E.g. the main character and story teller in first song - Music - is music itself. Music tells the story from the time before humans to current day and beyond. Themes of the album may be found challenging, but they are giving a lot for anyone focusing to hear those. The second disk will be even more challenging for large audience. I took it as additional record, and has not yet focus on it. There is no point to put Nightwish albums in any sequence, they are all excellent products of their time. I just need to say - this album is a master piece. Not an easy one but highly rewarding and will last for long time.

This double CD arrived in the mail only six days after being released. I have listened to both CD's twice and there is no filler. For those expecting the old Nightwish and music that could accompany death growls, you won't find it here. They stopped just short of reinventing themselves. The songs on the band's CD have enough variation to keep things interesting. The second CD is instrumental with The Pale Blue Orchestra and a few spoken words at the start and the end. I find this release to be truly magnificent! Update December 12, 2020: After listening to all 8 CD releases of new material from 2020 by various artists, this set gets my vote as my favorite in this otherwise dismal year of new music. Yes, this is nothing like the Nightwish from the days with Tarja on lead vocals, but it is still quite a thrill. I really applaud them for having the maturity to finally leave those awful death growls out of it. As a creative artist, one must gradually evolve so as not to become stagnant. Evolving too quickly runs the risk of alienating long time fans. Most artists know that they have to create new music to only please themselves and usually their fans will gladly like it. They know that fans are divided into two diverse camps. There are those who will criticize a band for not sounding the same as their old favorites. Then there are those who will criticize a band for still retreading the same old sound. The only way that any artist can win is to produce music that appeals to themselves without going overboard. By the way, I have been a fan of this band for 13 years.

This is not your typical Nightwish album. My comparison for those old enough to remember Yes Tales from Topographical oceans. The writing of the music is a Tomas symphonic master piece . These are not pop songs with strong melody hooks but complex musical statements. The lyrics and punctuation are awkward very few hooks except for Noise Harvest and Tribal which are more traditional Nightwish standards my guest is in other words the Live songs. I think the shoemaker was an attempt to hold another Ghost love score vocal miracle and don't get me wrong I love it but it is pure opera magical moment. The production is the best I have ever heard quality if mix impeccable. A few songs will be a nice addition to the Live show but all in all this album is headphones and leave me alone . Please support the last great band left standing in all if music.

I've been a fan of Nightwish since 2007. I found them right after their split with Tarja and my first album was Dark Passion Play. I remember staring at my stereo mouth agape after listening to Poet and the Pendulum and saying wow. What a first impression. No band or song has been able to recreate that. Needless to say I was hooked. Human Nature is different. Its a soft album. The last eight albums all had quintessential metal riffs and bombastic orchestral peices along with either Tarja's soaring soprano, Anette's rocking belting or Floor's hard heating vocal prowess. Not this one. Instead the majority of the songs are soft, gentle as snowfall. Of course Noise, Pan, and Tribal are the exception as they are the heaviest songs but the rest are soft. And that's not a bad thing! It took me a while to get used to that but it's hauntingly beautiful. Tranquil and luscious. Shoemaker takes the cake, there is something haunting about it, especially at the end. I always get goosebumps and feel close to tears. Floor's operatic singing of laudato si ad astra (Latin for All praise be to the stars) is everything I ever imagined in symphonic metal. Procession is peaceful and hopefully, while Harvest reminds me of the Shire and villages getting together in the shadow of October. Endlessness is... Eldritch in tone. I'm imagining it being sung from the pov of Death and it's the song that features Marko. All The Wonders thag Adorn the World... Now this seems a little jarring and I had the same feeling before when Imaginaerum first came out with Song of Myself, but it works. I can't explain it but when you stop thinking of it as eight seperate songs but one big long one that wraps up 20 years of musical creativity and a lifetime of wonder it just works. It's beautiful, mellifluous and such a beautiful song. Human Nature may not be a heavy metal album, but the fact that Nightwish dared to do this, this soft album that drifts along like falling leaves is spectacular. It shows daring and creativity, the pushing of the limits that Tuomas is known for since Oceanborn. It's a beautiful album. 10/10