lukretion By many considered one of the best albums of the Finnish band, Wishmaster is an album that I found somewhat disappointing in relation to the expectations that I had formed about Nightwish after listening to their first two albums. Don’t get me wrong, Wishmaster is a more assured and mature album than any of the preceding two records and there are clear signs of progress in the band’s songwriting and arrangement abilities. But these improvements feel more like baby steps rather than giant leaps towards stardom, resulting in an album that feels like a close cousin to its predecessor Oceanborn, with all the pros and cons of the case.

Sonically, the album is based on similar coordinates as Oceanborn. By their third album, Nightwish have seemingly found a niche of their own with their special blend of symphonic power metal with operatic vocals that pulled them apart from the rest of the power metal scene of the time. As a whole, Wishmaster is perhaps somewhat less “speedy” and aggressive compared to Oceanborn. There are more mid-tempos and the power metal influences are partly diluted by more traditional metal influences, hinting at the transition towards symphonic metal the band will complete a few years down the road.

Relative to Oceanborn, Wishmaster displays clear improvements in the songwriting department. Tuomas Holopainen seems to have refined his ear for strong melodic lines that surface more consistently throughout all tracks of the album. This was one of the main problems with the previous album, where moments of melodic brilliance were starkly juxtaposed to blander and more anonymous episodes. There are more melodic hooks on Wishmaster, with most songs endowed with decent memorable choruses that ensure proper climactic release.

This ensures that Wishmaster overall feels more balanced than its predecessor. Herein, however, lies the biggest limit of the album, perhaps. It all feels a bit too samey, without many really spectacular moments of brilliance like “Swanheart” and “Walking in the Air” on Oceanborn. Sure, there are strong tracks here too. The album opener “She Is My Sin”, the bombastic title-track, the soft ballad “Two for Tragedy” are all excellent compositions, although they perhaps do not reach the level of the aforementioned tracks from Oceanborn. Other tracks are less impactful, like “Come Cover Me”, “Bare Grace Misery” and “Crownless”, continuing Nightwish’s unfortunate tradition of diluting the quality of their albums’ tracklists with fairly anonymous fillers. The longer tracks are equally disappointing, showing that the band have not yet found the formula to write “mini-epics” that are engaging through and through. The end result is that, halfway through the record, one starts having this nagging feeling of deja-vu, as the same ideas are repeated over and over again without much variation.

Nevertheless, Wishmaster is a strong record, confirming the potential of the Finnish band as one of the leading forces in the European metal scene. It is also clear, however, that Nightwish are still “work in progress” as they have not yet found the right formula for a perfect album, capable of flowing seamlessly from start to finish without boring or tiring the listener.

Conor Fynes 'Wishmaster' - Nightwish (6/10)

While Nightwish have never been the most mind-boggling band around, they have had albums where they really seem to push their boundaries forward. Albums like the grandiose 'Dark Passion Play' really deepened their sound into something special. Nightwish also have albums that are more conventional, but still catchy and enjoyable. 'Wishmaster' is one of those less progressive, but fun records.

'Wishmaster' is the sort of album that's good to put on every once in a while and just listen to. Catchy choruses, riffs and undemanding song structures lend a nice, unstraining musical experience. The performance is superb, and the band really works as a singular unit, but the end product is very rarely mind blowing. There are moments in the album however, such as the title track 'Wishmaster' which really make the listener jump out of his seat. It's a sound that's been done many times before, but Nightwish's symphonic metal meld can really project some great musical poetry at times.

Another great song is 'Dead Boy's Poem' which sounds like it was a very carefully composed track. It sheds the verse/chorus mold that seems to envelop much of the album and progresses like a prog metal ballad should. Very deep, epic sound without sounding generic.

There have been alot of albums that have sounded like this one, and most don't even belong in the prog genre. 'Wishmaster' is a great album however, for someone looking for a break from demanding, highly chaotic prog metal proper, and want something with a bit more structure.

Good enjoyment for a few listens!

arcane-beautiful If Oceanborn was the album were they discovered their sound, Wishmaster was definetly the album where the sound was made whole. With techinical metal songs and more poppy songs, this album found a natural balance, and was insteresting throughout.

Being a massive Nightwish fan, I would believe that this album was their best.

1. She Is My Sin - Amazing riff, catchy chorus, incredibly memorable. What more can you want. Oh yea, the lyrics are pretty great too, with some great hooks and one liners.

2. The Kinslayer - One of their most kickass songs in my opinion. From the incredibly crafted crescendo vocal parts for choirs, the dramaticism throughout, and amazing technacallity from all members, this song is definetly one of their best. Even the spoken word parts, which are bit chessy, are exeptable.

3. Come Cover Me - Having covered this song in my band Eternia, this song is incredibly catchy with some incredibly beautiful and kick ass melodies. The more poppier sound that we expect.

4. Wanderlust - One of the most beautiful and techincal things I have ever heard. Usually I can play almost anything on the guitar. But this song always makes me scratch my head. The chorus is incredibly catchy and the end is incredibly beautiful.

5. Two For Tragedy - A lovely ballad, none more to say.

6. Wishmaster - Every Nightwish fan can't not say that this song is kick ass. The misheard lyrics for this song is incredibly funny (cause not even Tarja knows what she is saying). The middle section is amazing as well. The lyrics are pretty odd, but good.

7. Bare Grace Misery - Look at the misheard lyrics I made for this song, (put the title in you tube, it's probably still there). Incredibly catchy and memorable.

8. Crownless - Kickass and very power metal. Catchy chorus adds to the ass kicking.

9.Deep Silent Complete - All Finnish bands end up sounding like HIM for some reason. This is Nightiwish's (that and Sacrament Of Wilderness, even the title of these songs sound like HIM, don't get me wrong, HIM are kickass, and if you disagree, then we shall fight at dawn.)

10. Dead Boy's Poem - The last 2 songs on this album are so good, I had to listen to them twice. This song is incredibly beautiful, very sad and melancholic. Amazing guitar solo, I probabbly did cry while listening to this song.

11. FantasMic - Does the words OH MY GOD, mean anyhthing. God this song rules. With amazing prog dramatic like changes, incredibly lyrics (about Disney films...) and an amazing vocal performance from Tarja and that choir that seems to follow her all the time.

CONCLUSION: Nightwish's best album. Buy it, buy it, buy it, buy it.

Vobiscum Since I heard so far is my favorite album of them. "Wishmaster" represents for me the pinnacle of the band's creativity. What came before and what came after does not compare to this album. They kept the same members of the previous album "Oceanborn". "She Is My Sin" starts the album with the band's characteristic riffs and vocals even better "Tarja Turunen". The chorus is a striking melody. The solo "Emppu Vuorinen" and the technique enhanced "Jukka Nevalainen" in the sticks. This song is the omen of success that this album is.

"The Kinslayer" is a masterpiece in every 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Harmony, pompous arrangements, technical quality.

"Come Cover Me" is used to toast the larger space allowed the guitar from that album. The keyboard is still there, but in a more balanced volume with the other instruments. Even the bass becomes louder. The production of the album was far more exquisite than the first two.

After a more lilting song, "Come Cover Me," "Wanderlust" is already on the run and the combination of keyboard and guitar becomes almost like hand and glove here. With improved techniques, all the instruments stand out.

"Two For Tragedy" slows through dramatic interpretation of "Tarja Turunen" with a vocal technique chilling to the soul. The sound of the flute extends the sound trip, followed by a short but beautiful guitar solo.

The album title is a fantastic song, "Wishmaster". Double bass drums, striking riffs, "Tuomas Holopainen" inserting various sounds from your keyboard, further enriching the song's melody. It seemed impossible to see something better but this was still only the sixth track.

Gently "Sami Vänskä" is exposed on the track "Bare Grace Misery". A song without the same speed of "Wanderlust" and "Wishmaster", but certainly enjoyable.

"Crownless" is a comparison of speed between all instruments, as if to see who can be faster, obviously there is no winner but indivual collective, the band again excels. "Tarja Turunen" seems to sing easier than ever.

"Deep Silent Complete", "Dead Boy's Poem" and "Fantasmic" ends the album in its standard edition.

"Deep Silent Complete" is a song very short but well thought out.

"Dead Boy's Poem" is a ballad to the peculiar style of the band itself, exposing the voice quality of "Tarja" and his dramatic interpretation.

The album could not have done differently, "Fantasmic" is a rhythmic variation that until then the band had not yet experienced. There are more than eight minutes of riffs, chords, arrangements and great technique, and creativity of Finnish. The album is highly recommended even for those not a fan of the band, just be fond of a good quality music and proven technique.