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""Endless Forms Most Beautiful" revives both the dark lyricism of "Once" and the cinematic grandiloquence of its two predecessors."
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4/5
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If Nightwish's albums are always eagerly awaited, "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" was even more awaited than the others because it is the first to welcome Floor Jansen behind the microphone, the third singer of the band. Troy Donockley, in charge of the Celtic touches and some backing vocals and discreet vocal lines since "Dark Passion Play", is now a full member. For health reasons, drummer Jukka Nevalainen had to give up his place for an indefinite period of time to his compatriot Kai Hahto from Swallow The Sun.
Three years after an "Imaginaerum", this "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" revives both the dark lyricism of "Once" and the cinematic grandiloquence of its two predecessors. In spite of its 80 minutes, the album goes by very quickly, offering gems at the same time less symphonic and sharper ('Weak Fantasy'), even downright aggressive like 'Yours Is An Empty Hope' where Marco Hietala's rough voice is coupled with a heavy rhythm while Tuomas' keyboards distill a threatening climate. It's been a long time since the guitar of the underestimated Emppu Vuorinen has sounded so aggressive, as witnessed by this gigantic 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful'.
The arrangements, as always beautiful, and the Celtic escapes ('My Walden') never stifle the flamboyant energy that finds its perfect vehicle in Floor's powerful voice. In retreat since the split of After Forever, which her project ReVamp couldn't replace, the beautiful girl shows that she hasn't lost any of her charisma, as illustrated by the melancholic 'Our Decades In The Sun', probably one of the album's highlights, which reveals its twilight colours.
It's a pity then that 'The Greatest Show On Earth', a 24-minute final track, goes on forever, parasitized by a narration that weighs down a canvas yet generous in symphonic lightning. Without this last part, the result borders on the faultless and can't disappoint, able to federate both the early fans and those that "Dark Passion Play" and "Imaginaerum" seduced.
We couldn't have hoped for a better album at this moment of the Finns' career, as we can think that the arrival of Floor Jansen brought them a new desire mixed with a dose of fresh blood. Revealing itself a bit more with each listening, "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" is a great record that will make Nightwish's history. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Shudder Before The Beautiful
02. Weak Fantasy
03. Élan
04. Yours Is An Empty Hope
05. Our Decades In The Sun
06. My Walden
07. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
08. Edema Ruh
09. Alpenglow
10. The Eyes Of Sharbat Gula
11. The Greatest Show On Earth
LINEUP:
Emppu Vuorinen: Guitares
Floor Jansen: Chant
Marco Hietala: Chant / Basse
Troy Donockley: Flûte, Cornemuse
Tuomas Holopainen: Claviers
Kai Hahto: Batterie / Invité
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3.9/5 (9 view(s))
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