Nightwish is the only band that can make me cry. More on that later on. For now, it’s great to finally have them return stateside and with Beast in Black. I have to say it was kind of nice just to have two bands on a show. I get that everybody wants to tour and play catch up but sometimes less is more.

After the long trek to Terminal 5 in Manhattan. It’s an awesome venue, but just not near public transportation. Once there, the fans in attendance are not the typical metal crowd, and even Security noticed. You’re not getting crowd surfers and mosh pits. You’re getting headbanging and pogo’s.

This was my first time catching Beast in Black. With a set list leaning more to the first album Berserker and three from the new record Dark Connection. They just power metalled the hell out of that stage. There’s something about this style of metal that just makes you happy to hear it. Great musicianship, with clear and powerful vocals. Did I mention they all like to smile a lot?

Nightwish came out swinging with songs from the under-appreciated in my mind, Human II Nature album. This is definitely not the best of hits set list. This was let’s see how many songs we can play from as many records as possible, set. They managed to run through seven records in almost three hours, which was good enough for me.

This was also the first time seeing Nightwish without long-time bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala. It took me a minute to get used to a male voice but once I did he complimented whoever was singing with the band. I will miss his energy. However, Wintersun bassist Jukka Koskinen did a fine job. While multi-instrumentalist, Troy Donockley took over those vocal parts.

Little side note, The night of the show was also Mother’s Day in America. Now Nightwish was one of the few bands my mom enjoyed. She sadly passed away from cancer in 2003. So Nightwish has a special place in my heart. So of course we get to “Ghost Love Score” which was one of my favorite songs before anything happened in my life. As we got near the end of the night, into the song, my metal exterior cracked so hard I was singing and weeping and head banging. I wished I could share this moment with my mother. Beyond their musicianship, Nightwish will forever be connected to me. What a great show and Happy Mother’s Day to all. 

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY OMAR CORDY