Friday, 28 March 2008
(Things Wot We Actually Like, Music and Gigs) Rami gets excited by Finnish metalheads
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I'll be the first to admit that Nightwish, a symphonic metal band from Finland, are a bit of a niche taste. So if you're not into slightly outlandish metal you probably want to stop right here, and I wouldn't blame you at all. If you are, read on...
Drama on stage is de rigueur for the genre, and Nightwish have had their fair share of drama off stage as well -- not too long ago they kicked out their old singer amidst a host of recriminations. As if to drive the message further home with their fans, they opened the concert with a song aimed directly at the acrimonious split: "Bye Bye Beautiful", from their new album (Dark Passion Play, you see, features a shiny new frontwoman). Fast-paced, heavy, and featuring plenty of powerful vocals from bassist Marco, it certainly worked as an opener and set the tone for a high-energy show to come.
I haven't seen Nightwish live before, except for video clips, so I can't compare performances -- from what I've seen, though, their previous singer Tarja was aloof and reserved, providing her (glorious) voice and very little else to the proceedings (another review of the previous night says Tarja "had all the stage personality of a walnut"). Annette, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of energy -- dancing around the stage, joking with the audience, interacting with the others, and clearly enjoying herself to the full. She also kept little of the limelight to herself, so we were able to see each of the other band members doing what they do best -- performing, be it strumming a guitar, on keyboards, pounding at drums or belting out lyrics at the top of their lungs. They were having a great time, and it showed.
Every piece from Dark Passion Play came out fantastically, with every member of the band in his or her element and the crowd's enthusiasm for the music infusing the performance. I especially appreciated their choices of songs to open up and finish off the concert -- as I've already said, "Bye Bye Beautiful" started things going energetically and unashamedly declared that this was the new Nightwish, and they were proud of it; the last song, "Seven Days to the Wolves", is one of my favorites from the new album as well. I was also impressed to find out that the haunting flute tones in the wholly-instrumental "Last of the Wilds" were actually produced by what looked like a set of bagpipes, expertly played by a guest from the London Philharmonic.
The downside of the new Nightwish is that their older songs fall a little flat -- this was particularly evident during songs where Annette was clearly out of her vocal range and simply couldn't sustain the clear high notes or match Tarja's vocal projection (in "The Siren", for instance, she couldn't help but be drowned out by Marco's more powerful voice). On the other hand, a couple of old favorites -- "Wishmaster" and "Wish I Had An Angel" were raw enough in their tone to work well for her obviously straining voice, and "Nemo" couldn't help but be a hit simply because of the enthusiasm rolling out from the crowd.
On the whole, Nightwish put on a fantastic show -- and if, in future, they focus more on their newer offerings they'll continue to blow the socks off anyone who goes to see them!
Drama on stage is de rigueur for the genre, and Nightwish have had their fair share of drama off stage as well -- not too long ago they kicked out their old singer amidst a host of recriminations. As if to drive the message further home with their fans, they opened the concert with a song aimed directly at the acrimonious split: "Bye Bye Beautiful", from their new album (Dark Passion Play, you see, features a shiny new frontwoman). Fast-paced, heavy, and featuring plenty of powerful vocals from bassist Marco, it certainly worked as an opener and set the tone for a high-energy show to come.
I haven't seen Nightwish live before, except for video clips, so I can't compare performances -- from what I've seen, though, their previous singer Tarja was aloof and reserved, providing her (glorious) voice and very little else to the proceedings (another review of the previous night says Tarja "had all the stage personality of a walnut"). Annette, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of energy -- dancing around the stage, joking with the audience, interacting with the others, and clearly enjoying herself to the full. She also kept little of the limelight to herself, so we were able to see each of the other band members doing what they do best -- performing, be it strumming a guitar, on keyboards, pounding at drums or belting out lyrics at the top of their lungs. They were having a great time, and it showed.
Every piece from Dark Passion Play came out fantastically, with every member of the band in his or her element and the crowd's enthusiasm for the music infusing the performance. I especially appreciated their choices of songs to open up and finish off the concert -- as I've already said, "Bye Bye Beautiful" started things going energetically and unashamedly declared that this was the new Nightwish, and they were proud of it; the last song, "Seven Days to the Wolves", is one of my favorites from the new album as well. I was also impressed to find out that the haunting flute tones in the wholly-instrumental "Last of the Wilds" were actually produced by what looked like a set of bagpipes, expertly played by a guest from the London Philharmonic.
The downside of the new Nightwish is that their older songs fall a little flat -- this was particularly evident during songs where Annette was clearly out of her vocal range and simply couldn't sustain the clear high notes or match Tarja's vocal projection (in "The Siren", for instance, she couldn't help but be drowned out by Marco's more powerful voice). On the other hand, a couple of old favorites -- "Wishmaster" and "Wish I Had An Angel" were raw enough in their tone to work well for her obviously straining voice, and "Nemo" couldn't help but be a hit simply because of the enthusiasm rolling out from the crowd.
On the whole, Nightwish put on a fantastic show -- and if, in future, they focus more on their newer offerings they'll continue to blow the socks off anyone who goes to see them!
~
I wasn't so impressed by the support, I have to admit - although perhaps I'm being harsh. They certainly warmed the crowd up effectively, I will say that, but dear God the music was ... well ... not bad (except for their pointless cover of Eleanor Rigby which was excrutiating) but sort of generic. But what can you expect from a Swedish metal band called PAIN. Hilarious quantities of head-banging though.
NOOBQ - how is symphonic metal different from metal? I like symphonies but am pained and disorientated by real metal. Would I like symphonic metal?
Symphonic metal has vocals tending towards the operatic. Mainstream metal has somewhat aggressive shouting. Extreme metal has vocals ranging from Cookie Monster to Cookie Monster with his blue fuzzy balls in a vice.
Symphonic metal is likely to be influenced by classical music, folk music, and 70s prog rock bands (who, indeed, sometimes described themselves as "symphonic rock"). Mainstream metal is likely to be influenced by Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. Extreme metal is likely to be influenced by a keen desire to upset your parents.
Symphonic metal bands ideally have a very pretty vocalist, and even when they can't manage it are at least well-dressed. Mainstream metal bands have torn jeans and Slayer shirts. Extreme metal bands have an alarming tendency to wear KISS-inspired makeup and fake blood.
Symphonic metal bands do concept albums based on The Lord of the Rings (or their own mythology which basically involves elves and wizards anyway). Mainstream metal bands are less keen on concept albums overall, but will sing about Conan the Barbarian if pressed. Extreme metal bands do concept albums about fucking you to death in the eye socket and shitting on the face of Christ, though if you can actually decipher enough of the lyrics to understand that you're doing pretty well.
The stage shows of symphonic metal bands - well, Rami describes one above fairly well. The stage shows of mainstream metal bands involve more mosh pits. The stage shows of extreme metal bands involve more pig heads on spits.
Symphonic metal bands tend not to sing about Satan. Mainstream metal bands will occasionally mention about how cool Satan is. Not only will extreme metal bands never shut up about Satan if/when they get onto the subject, but they're much more likely to be serious about it.
I can't tell you whether or not you'd like symphonic metal: ultimately, it is still all about the loud guitars, but this time they borrow more from Mozart than from Tony Iommi. You could do a lot worse than checking out some Nightwish or Rhapsody of Fire or Dragonforce videos on YouTube.
For what it's worth, I adore Nightwish ... they're just so *dramatic* and, as people have said, they're loudly melodious as opposed to just, y'know, *loud*.
Arthur: you missed out VIKING METAL!
(sorry, it's Friday, I'm hysterical).