#nightwish — Public Fediverse posts

During my last solar eclipse I was young and the FOMO was strong so I viewed it through a stack of 3 CDs and a layer of clouds. Can't say that I saw much, OTOH I have retained very good vision 3 decades later.

Today I'll be making a pinhole camera because I'm 3 decades wiser, and I'll be listening to #Nightwish a lot because some things don't change.

During my last solar eclipse I was young and the FOMO was strong so I viewed it through a stack of 3 CDs and a layer of clouds. Can't say that I saw much, OTOH I have retained very good vision 3 decades later.

Today I'll be making a pinhole camera because I'm 3 decades wiser, and I'll be listening to #Nightwish a lot because some things don't change.

I was surprised to learn that we’ve never reviewed Xandria here. The German project of one Marco Heubaum (who covers guitars, keys, and the odd vocal spot), Xandria released their first full-length in 2003, performing gothic and, eventually, symphonic power metal. They first grabbed me with 2012’s Neverworld’s End, a fantastic orchestral metal album that I still enjoy today. But consistency has never been Xandria’s strong suit—apart from Heubaum, the entire lineup changed in 2022, with Ambre Vourvahis being the latest of six lead vocalists, several of whom left on unpleasant terms. There’s a lot going on there—but inconsistent doesn’t necessarily mean bad (or, more accurately, doesn’t mean always bad), so I’m opting to approach Eclipse, Xandria’s ninth full-length release, with fresh eyes.

Or rather, I tried to approach Eclipse with fresh eyes, but the truth is that it sounds so much like a Nightwish record that I can’t. The thesis statement of Eclipse seems to be “what if Imaginaerum had breakdowns?” and the result is an album familiar, grandiose, and surprisingly heavy for its style. Throughout, huge choruses, grand orchestrations, and unintelligible chants set the scenes for standard symphonic power metal showdowns, with guest spots for violin (“Lore”), tin whistles (most prominently on “The Shannon’s Home”), and, yes, a children’s choir (“The Last Generation”) as needed for dramatic or nostalgic effect. Even lyrically, the comparison fits; Eclipse focuses on social issues with heavy-handed poetry that stretches authenticity (“The Poetry of the Real World”). Alongside the symphonic, there is also a genuine heaviness to Eclipse that albums in this style often lack. Most songs feature a metalcore-style breakdown at some point, occasionally accompanied by Heubaum’s hoarse shouting (“Eclipse,” “Colours”), and drummer Dimitrios Gatsios puts in an exceptional and lively performance throughout. Admittedly, said breakdowns don’t always feel natural, but they do highlight that Heubaum and Rob Klawonn’s guitars are not neglected, creating a general sense of balance between bombastic orchestration and genuinely heavy metal.

The result—unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your preferences—is that Eclipse’s strongest moments come as it best imitates its idols. “The Shannon’s Home” is the best example: a folky, mid-tempo song brimming with saccharine nostalgic wonder that I had to double-check isn’t a Nightwish cover. It really shouldn’t work, but Xandria’s earnest performance pulls it off. “Eclipse” is fast-paced and fun, with orchestral hits and a huge, catchy chorus that remind me of Within Temptation too. The heavier moments are a great counterbalance, and I love the guitar solo partway through. On the heavier side. “Masquerade” delivers with riffs, despite a whimsical chorus that, lyrically, evokes—yes, I’m name-dropping them again—Nightwish. Throughout Eclipse, Xandria confidently emulate a sound that, for better or worse, has massively influenced the genre they compose in.

Is that surprising? I’m not sure—but it is a little disappointing that nine albums and twenty-three years in, Xandria still seem like they’d rather emulate others than define their own sound. Maybe that’s a harsh read, but Eclipse feels predictable and restrained precisely because it’s so standard. “The Grand Delusion,” for example, is the cheeriest song about abuse of power I’ve heard in some time because, despite its grim lyrical content, Xandria maintain a genre-standard tempo and bombastic chorus. “Wave of Tanis” has my favorite chorus on the album, but I can’t honestly remember the rest of the song because it’s so over-the-top. None of this is a mark on the band’s talent or skill—on the contrary, everything sounds great—but it does make Eclipse feel repetitive. When Xandria needs drama, a choir starts chanting, most songs end on a modulated final chorus, and even the serious songs are upbeat and catchy. “The Last Generation” is the only exception, but it’s so heavy-handed as it does so that its meaning gets lost. Well before the twelve tracks clock the hour, you’ve figured out what you’re getting and are never challenged on the assumption.

And yet, Xandria do it well—Eclipse is strong symphonic power metal, taking a familiar style and basking triumphantly in its glory days. I like it; it’s a good album, but I wish it were fresher, more ambitious, and more willing to take chances. When I close my eyes and recall a time now a decade past, I think I could be blown away by Eclipse. As is, I just think too many others got there first.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: xandria.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/xandriaofficial
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

I was surprised to learn that we’ve never reviewed Xandria here. The German project of one Marco Heubaum (who covers guitars, keys, and the odd vocal spot), Xandria released their first full-length in 2003, performing gothic and, eventually, symphonic power metal. They first grabbed me with 2012’s Neverworld’s End, a fantastic orchestral metal album that I still enjoy today. But consistency has never been Xandria’s strong suit—apart from Heubaum, the entire lineup changed in 2022, with Ambre Vourvahis being the latest of six lead vocalists, several of whom left on unpleasant terms. There’s a lot going on there—but inconsistent doesn’t necessarily mean bad (or, more accurately, doesn’t mean always bad), so I’m opting to approach Eclipse, Xandria’s ninth full-length release, with fresh eyes.

Or rather, I tried to approach Eclipse with fresh eyes, but the truth is that it sounds so much like a Nightwish record that I can’t. The thesis statement of Eclipse seems to be “what if Imaginaerum had breakdowns?” and the result is an album familiar, grandiose, and surprisingly heavy for its style. Throughout, huge choruses, grand orchestrations, and unintelligible chants set the scenes for standard symphonic power metal showdowns, with guest spots for violin (“Lore”), tin whistles (most prominently on “The Shannon’s Home”), and, yes, a children’s choir (“The Last Generation”) as needed for dramatic or nostalgic effect. Even lyrically, the comparison fits; Eclipse focuses on social issues with heavy-handed poetry that stretches authenticity (“The Poetry of the Real World”). Alongside the symphonic, there is also a genuine heaviness to Eclipse that albums in this style often lack. Most songs feature a metalcore-style breakdown at some point, occasionally accompanied by Heubaum’s hoarse shouting (“Eclipse,” “Colours”), and drummer Dimitrios Gatsios puts in an exceptional and lively performance throughout. Admittedly, said breakdowns don’t always feel natural, but they do highlight that Heubaum and Rob Klawonn’s guitars are not neglected, creating a general sense of balance between bombastic orchestration and genuinely heavy metal.

The result—unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your preferences—is that Eclipse’s strongest moments come as it best imitates its idols. “The Shannon’s Home” is the best example: a folky, mid-tempo song brimming with saccharine nostalgic wonder that I had to double-check isn’t a Nightwish cover. It really shouldn’t work, but Xandria’s earnest performance pulls it off. “Eclipse” is fast-paced and fun, with orchestral hits and a huge, catchy chorus that remind me of Within Temptation too. The heavier moments are a great counterbalance, and I love the guitar solo partway through. On the heavier side. “Masquerade” delivers with riffs, despite a whimsical chorus that, lyrically, evokes—yes, I’m name-dropping them again—Nightwish. Throughout Eclipse, Xandria confidently emulate a sound that, for better or worse, has massively influenced the genre they compose in.

Is that surprising? I’m not sure—but it is a little disappointing that nine albums and twenty-three years in, Xandria still seem like they’d rather emulate others than define their own sound. Maybe that’s a harsh read, but Eclipse feels predictable and restrained precisely because it’s so standard. “The Grand Delusion,” for example, is the cheeriest song about abuse of power I’ve heard in some time because, despite its grim lyrical content, Xandria maintain a genre-standard tempo and bombastic chorus. “Wave of Tanis” has my favorite chorus on the album, but I can’t honestly remember the rest of the song because it’s so over-the-top. None of this is a mark on the band’s talent or skill—on the contrary, everything sounds great—but it does make Eclipse feel repetitive. When Xandria needs drama, a choir starts chanting, most songs end on a modulated final chorus, and even the serious songs are upbeat and catchy. “The Last Generation” is the only exception, but it’s so heavy-handed as it does so that its meaning gets lost. Well before the twelve tracks clock the hour, you’ve figured out what you’re getting and are never challenged on the assumption.

And yet, Xandria do it well—Eclipse is strong symphonic power metal, taking a familiar style and basking triumphantly in its glory days. I like it; it’s a good album, but I wish it were fresher, more ambitious, and more willing to take chances. When I close my eyes and recall a time now a decade past, I think I could be blown away by Eclipse. As is, I just think too many others got there first.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: N/A | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: xandria.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/xandriaofficial
Releases Worldwide: August 7th, 2026

Song of the Day... 🎶

Nightwish - "How's The Heart" Acoustic 👩‍🎤 🎶

Time = 4 minutes 38 seconds ⏱️

https://youtu.be/yYtkPpFYzOo?si=UkHaPG1-QJpiGSbA

#Music #Nightwish

Song of the Day... 🎶

Nightwish - "How's The Heart" Acoustic 👩‍🎤 🎶

Time = 4 minutes 38 seconds ⏱️

https://youtu.be/yYtkPpFYzOo?si=UkHaPG1-QJpiGSbA

#Music #Nightwish

Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen has released her new solo single "Run”

Details: https://metalinsider.net/video/floor-jansen-unveils-new-solo-single-run

#FloorJansen #Nightwish #Run #NewMusic

Nightwish – Amaranth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9MsW1b0QAA

• Lyrics

Nightwish – Amaranth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9MsW1b0QAA

• Lyrics

Agora que eu vi que saiu o álbum novo da Tarja: Frisson Noir.

O Marko Hietala que era do Nightwish fez participação em uma música. Amo esses dois juntos.

#tarjaturunen #tarja #frissonnoir #nightwish

Agora que eu vi que saiu o álbum novo da Tarja: Frisson Noir.

O Marko Hietala que era do Nightwish fez participação em uma música. Amo esses dois juntos.

#tarjaturunen #tarja #frissonnoir #nightwish

Tarja, la ex voz de Nightwish, también se hizo presente en los nuevos lanzamientos de música esta semana con «Frisson Noir»

https://album.link/s/6lfAwm0XnsI1AtVTTYYse8

#Tarja #AlbumReleases #rel2026 #Música #Nightwish #Metal #Rock

Tarja, la ex voz de Nightwish, también se hizo presente en los nuevos lanzamientos de música esta semana con «Frisson Noir»

https://album.link/s/6lfAwm0XnsI1AtVTTYYse8

#Tarja #AlbumReleases #rel2026 #Música #Nightwish #Metal #Rock

So, what’s happening here is Australian symphonic metalers Ana and their debut record, Motivated by Death are set on pioneering a new sub-sub-genre. “Couture metal.” For the blue-jeans-and-band-tees wearers among us, couture fashion is all about expressive, customized statements in clothing, often expensive and always personalized. This is an evident visual influence for Ana, and musically the band cites their style as “a sophisticated, upscale evolution of the craft that prioritizes high-fashion theatricality alongside punishing sonic precision.” Fewer corsets, more spandex. One thing’s for sure, Ana have bought into themselves: they have a series of comics in the works written in tandem with their music,1 as well as a documentary film titled Watch Me as I Rise.2 But what about Motivated by Death? Their album, for their music band? Does it live up to the hoo-ha, or is Ana’s rising star a premature liftoff?

Ana are banking on the power of Y2K nostalgia on Motivated by Death. Early-aughts goth, symphonic, and nü metals comprise the core of Ana’s sound, with choruses sounding like Nightwish taking on Evanescence and Evanescence taking on Powerman 5000. Guitarist Josh Mak’s riffs shift between metalcore chugs, nü/alt-rock power chords, and gallops while drummer Andres Osorio and bassist Cody Lamb keep Motivated by Death consistently groovy and moving. There’s a smörgåsbord of synth sounds at keyboardist Mark Shi’s disposal, and when shredding alongside Mak Ana have a surprising knack for showy solos (“Shadow of Life,” “Papa”). Vocalist Anna Hristenko is, predictably, the crux of Ana’s sound, layering Motivated by Death with sultry, classically-inspired but pop-informed bars. She brings gravity to Ana along with unquestionable showmanship, and when Motivated by Death is kicking it recalls not only this millennium’s early rock/metal scene but a time when pop music was more audacious and bombastic.

But Motivated by Death often feels too overly calculated for its own good. Ana make sure to hit all of the beats of a radio hit on Motivated by Death. There’s the booming opener with “Hate Me” followed by the cyber goth panache of “Shadow of Life,” its one-two punch showing listeners that they got both the riffs and hooks they crave. There are two ballads, one power in “You Loved Me More than I Loved Myself” and one Evanescence’s “My Immortal” in “Sick Love” so radio has a choice in what they want play to death. Ana even outsourced a closer by covering System of a Down’s “Aerials,” safely assuring Motivated by Death ends well (in theory). What makes this mathematical approach especially jarring is that Motivated by Death is a very short album, barely hitting thirty-five minutes. Ana just fly through the motions, the listener’s every emotion carefully road-mapped along the way. Motivated by Death feels like a proof-of-concept for Ana, not their debut.

Motivated by Death is also just messy. Ana’s core symphonic sound is imbued with so many Y2K-era rock stylings that there’s hardly enough time spent on one thing to figure out what Motivated by Death is. Its diversity works against memorability; “Eyes of a Child” features a sitar riff in its bridge, and Hristenko breaks out her operatic chops on “Papa,” and yet I forget these things even happen every time. Hristenko is a powerful singer, but clumsy phrasings in the verses of “Sick Love” and “Aerials” leave them feeling awkward, while her declaration of “Listen up you motha fuckeeeeeers!” in “Following the Wind” isn’t aggressive or cheeky enough to land convincingly. Motivated by Death is not helped by Ana’s insistence on loudness and its radio-made production that makes the drums sound like plastic cans and robs any of the dynamics songs like “You Loved Me More than I Loved Myself” and “Aerials” need.3 Motivated by Death sounds like Ana were throwing things at the wall and seeing what stuck. Not enough stuck, and what did doesn’t work too well together.

I fear that Motivated by Death isn’t the statement Ana were hoping for. Ana are a talented, driven bunch, and there’s no doubt there’s a market for what they do. It’s not all bad—”Shadow of Life” slaps and “Sick Love” can be pretty moving at times4—but both playing it safe and half-baking your album is a bad combo. Despite its truncated runtime Motivated by Death proves a slog to get through. I could see a world where I stick up for Ana, one where they’re more bold-faced and adventurous, and I’m getting wedgied for liking “couture metal.” Right now, that’s not this one.

Rating: Bad
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Eclipse Records
Websites: anaband.com.au | facebook.com/ana.band.0fficial
Releases Worldwide: May 29th, 2026

So, what’s happening here is Australian symphonic metalers Ana and their debut record, Motivated by Death are set on pioneering a new sub-sub-genre. “Couture metal.” For the blue-jeans-and-band-tees wearers among us, couture fashion is all about expressive, customized statements in clothing, often expensive and always personalized. This is an evident visual influence for Ana, and musically the band cites their style as “a sophisticated, upscale evolution of the craft that prioritizes high-fashion theatricality alongside punishing sonic precision.” Fewer corsets, more spandex. One thing’s for sure, Ana have bought into themselves: they have a series of comics in the works written in tandem with their music,1 as well as a documentary film titled Watch Me as I Rise.2 But what about Motivated by Death? Their album, for their music band? Does it live up to the hoo-ha, or is Ana’s rising star a premature liftoff?

Ana are banking on the power of Y2K nostalgia on Motivated by Death. Early-aughts goth, symphonic, and nü metals comprise the core of Ana’s sound, with choruses sounding like Nightwish taking on Evanescence and Evanescence taking on Powerman 5000. Guitarist Josh Mak’s riffs shift between metalcore chugs, nü/alt-rock power chords, and gallops while drummer Andres Osorio and bassist Cody Lamb keep Motivated by Death consistently groovy and moving. There’s a smörgåsbord of synth sounds at keyboardist Mark Shi’s disposal, and when shredding alongside Mak Ana have a surprising knack for showy solos (“Shadow of Life,” “Papa”). Vocalist Anna Hristenko is, predictably, the crux of Ana’s sound, layering Motivated by Death with sultry, classically-inspired but pop-informed bars. She brings gravity to Ana along with unquestionable showmanship, and when Motivated by Death is kicking it recalls not only this millennium’s early rock/metal scene but a time when pop music was more audacious and bombastic.

But Motivated by Death often feels too overly calculated for its own good. Ana make sure to hit all of the beats of a radio hit on Motivated by Death. There’s the booming opener with “Hate Me” followed by the cyber goth panache of “Shadow of Life,” its one-two punch showing listeners that they got both the riffs and hooks they crave. There are two ballads, one power in “You Loved Me More than I Loved Myself” and one Evanescence’s “My Immortal” in “Sick Love” so radio has a choice in what they want play to death. Ana even outsourced a closer by covering System of a Down’s “Aerials,” safely assuring Motivated by Death ends well (in theory). What makes this mathematical approach especially jarring is that Motivated by Death is a very short album, barely hitting thirty-five minutes. Ana just fly through the motions, the listener’s every emotion carefully road-mapped along the way. Motivated by Death feels like a proof-of-concept for Ana, not their debut.

Motivated by Death is also just messy. Ana’s core symphonic sound is imbued with so many Y2K-era rock stylings that there’s hardly enough time spent on one thing to figure out what Motivated by Death is. Its diversity works against memorability; “Eyes of a Child” features a sitar riff in its bridge, and Hristenko breaks out her operatic chops on “Papa,” and yet I forget these things even happen every time. Hristenko is a powerful singer, but clumsy phrasings in the verses of “Sick Love” and “Aerials” leave them feeling awkward, while her declaration of “Listen up you motha fuckeeeeeers!” in “Following the Wind” isn’t aggressive or cheeky enough to land convincingly. Motivated by Death is not helped by Ana’s insistence on loudness and its radio-made production that makes the drums sound like plastic cans and robs any of the dynamics songs like “You Loved Me More than I Loved Myself” and “Aerials” need.3 Motivated by Death sounds like Ana were throwing things at the wall and seeing what stuck. Not enough stuck, and what did doesn’t work too well together.

I fear that Motivated by Death isn’t the statement Ana were hoping for. Ana are a talented, driven bunch, and there’s no doubt there’s a market for what they do. It’s not all bad—”Shadow of Life” slaps and “Sick Love” can be pretty moving at times4—but both playing it safe and half-baking your album is a bad combo. Despite its truncated runtime Motivated by Death proves a slog to get through. I could see a world where I stick up for Ana, one where they’re more bold-faced and adventurous, and I’m getting wedgied for liking “couture metal.” Right now, that’s not this one.

Rating: Bad
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Eclipse Records
Websites: anaband.com.au | facebook.com/ana.band.0fficial
Releases Worldwide: May 29th, 2026

At their best, Dimmu Borgir exudes a wicked majesty, governing the forces of darkness with dispassionate contempt and an utter certainty in their ungodly mandate. This attitude, along with the confluence of grandeur and melodrama, defines what initially drew me to Dimmu Borgir years ago, and what has kept me interested despite the interminable gaps between releases. Since forming in 1993, Shagrath and Silenoz have consistently delivered symphonic black metal that tempers the unrelenting acrimony of second-wave black metal with wistful melodies, sculpting an extensive emotional palette. In 2000, Dimmu Borgir enlisted Old Man’s Child’s Galder as lead guitarist, and the three of them penned bewitching black metal for a quarter century. As with all good things, though, it didn’t last, and Galder departed in 2024 to focus on Old Man’s Child once more. Given the shakeup of a longtime winning formula, do Shagrath and Silenoz silence naysayers with Grand Serpent Rising, or are listeners saddled with Temu Borgir?1

As ever, Dimmu Borgir discharges extravagant theater through the lens of black metal, drenching Grand Serpent Rising in haunting atmospherics and lush orchestrations. Since Death Cult Armageddon, the incorporation of symphonic elements has steadily grown more prominent, and over the years, these Norwegians have carved out a niche that exists somewhere between Gorgoroth and Nightwish. And like Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir goes for baroque, though instead of luxuriating in garish excess, they compose with nuanced sophistication. Grand Serpent Rising is the culmination of the intervening albums, with Galder’s departure pushing Dimmu Borgir to fill the void he left with more deliberate arrangements. Thankfully, Grand Serpent Rising advances what yielded success for the band over the last couple decades, dredging textural depths and honing the intricate interplays of instrumentation that didn’t reach quite far enough on Eonian.

Though Shagrath and Silenoz shoulder many of Grand Serpent Rising’s performances, a handful of guests play pivotal roles in defining one of Dimmu Borgir’s best-sounding records. Longtime session and live drummer Daray gets an immediate boost, where the drumheads’ natural timbres and resonances leap out of the mix to imbue a thunderous dimension missing from Eonian (“The Qryptfarer,” “Phantom of the Nemesis”). The orchestrations and keyboards also integrate better on Grand Serpent Rising,2 their presence is more intentional and interwoven in lieu of Galder’s nimble lead work. None of this should suggest that the guitars take a backseat, though, as Silenoz and Kjell ‘Damage’ Karlsen (Chrome Division)3 pluck and shred with conviction as songs demand (check the intro to “Repository of Divine Transmutation” and the solo in “Ascent”). The riffs and leads merit attention as well, with soaring melodies (“Slik Minnes en Alkymist”), crystalline cleans (“As Seen in the Unseen”), and trem-picked offensives emboldening the Serpent. All the while, Shagrath croaks (“Slik Minnes en Alkymist”) and croons (“Ascent”), supplying one of black metal’s least abrasive vocal styles.

Dimmu Borgir prevails throughout Grand Serpent Rising, although a few issues from previous albums linger. At sixty-nine minutes long, Grand Serpent Rising sprawls. To be fair, the album is dynamic and intricate enough that parts rarely (if ever) feel repetitive, and proceedings slither quicker than the length suggests. Yet condensing the runtime by ten minutes would improve the overarching impact and effectiveness. Compounding and confounding the duration is the complexity of Grand Serpent Rising’s arrangements—they richly reward those with the patience to fully engage for multiple listens, but present a hurdle for impatient or distracted listening. Still, while the album isn’t perfect, these complaints pale in comparison to the triumph Dimmu Burger devises on Grand Serpent Rising.

In the end, Dimmu Borgir has written an album that refines their sound rather than reinventing it. If you’ve listened to any of their recent albums and formed an opinion, Grand Serpent Rising won’t change it. Instead, it proves that Dimmu remains as skilled as ever at creating opulent symphoblack, regardless of how long it takes between albums or what crucial personnel changes they endure. Dimmu Borgir perseveres For all tid, and if you’re not wholly opposed to flamboyant black metal on principle, their latest awaits to stimulate, captivate, and ensure your Grand Serpent’s Rising.

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Websites: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: May 22nd, 2026