The phrase ”time and tide wait for no man” is still as potent and vital today as it was eons ago. A call to keep moving forward, such is the case with the internationally renowned Metal band known as Nightwish.
With a history that dates back nearly thirty years now, Nightwish has fought through rough waters to become Finland’s most successful band. Accomplishments that they have worked hard for, some would say it was 2004’s Once that made them so well-known all around the globe. Their fifth studio album, ironically as they began to peak, would be their last recordings with original Vocalist Tarja Turunen. A fan-favorite, they quickly made the move to add Anette Olzon, she served well through two records (2007’s Dark Passion Play and 2011’s Imaginaerum), but over the last eleven years, the dusts have settled with former After Forever Vocalist Floor Jansen taken the crown of leading lady.
A good fit for everyone, winds of change were still ahead; because Troy Donockley joined full-time in 2013, with Wintersun Drummer Kai Hahto coming on board in 2019. This is notwithstanding the most recent change where beloved Bassist/Vocalist Marko Hietala bowed out in 2022 after nearly two decades with the band. Replaced with Wintersun’s Jukka Koskinen on bass, at this point, the only original members of Nightwish are Keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen and Guitarist Emppu Vuorinen.
A lot to consider, going back to the adage of moving forward, Nightwish has seemingly found new inspiration once more with their tenth studio album, Yesterwynde, out on September 20, 2024, through Nuclear Blast Records. Now over four years removed from 2020’s Human. :II: Nature., as time passed the aforementioned lineup changes occurred, but Floor Jansen also released her first-ever solo album Paragon in 2022. Giving band leader, key songwriter, as well as producer Tuomas Holopainen plenty of time to collect ideas, even amidst work with side projects like side projects Auri and Darkwoods My Betrothed, there seems to be a newfound fire within Nightwish.
An album thematically centered around the concept of our humanist connections with history, it also reminds us that we soon will be a part of the past as well. Truly an existential thought for all of us, fortunately, the music surrounding these ideas inside Yesterwynde is full of positivity. Essentially, what you take from the mean is up to you, but if you are in the right frame of mind, perhaps it should teach you that even in the bleaks of moments there is hope to be found, and when we think the world is coming tumbling down, these days of darkness will eventually give to light once more.
Letting this sink in for a moment, what makes Yesterwynde a strong album is the arrangements which are full and bombastic, but not oversaturated to the point of being overwhelming. Filled with delicate orchestration, the mood shifts throughout as momentum builds, helping the more explosive moments stand out boldly. With this, Jansen’s voice matches each composition perfectly, all brought forth with intrigue and mounds of energy.
Very much a concept record, with twelve songs, the highlights here are less scattered than other more recent Nightwish albums. What this means is while lasting just over seventy minutes, it seems a more direct attack is exhibited, thus leaving little room for you to drift off in boredom. Also quite theatrical, some epic moments include “An Ocean of Strange Islands,” followed by an onslaught of power with “The Antikythera Mechanism” “The Day of…,” and “Perfume of the Timeless.” This of course is complemented by others later on like “The Children of ‘Ata,” but also “Spider Silk.”
However, as alluded to, Yesterwynde is something to indulge in as a collective piece. Sure, you can piece it apart, but there is no denying the striking effect it has if you listen to it all at once. With that in mind, you will have plenty of time to do so; because reportedly Nightwish will not be partaking in any touring in support of the album. A ponderous decision, you have to remember that Nightwish has been hitting the pavement hard touring the world for decades now, so perhaps a hiatus from it would do them some good mentally and physically. Whatever the case is, it is a blessing to see the band still creating music at such a high level as they are. If anything, Yesterwynde is a very surprising album that could be their most emotionally moving in some time. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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