ALBUM REVIEW: Nightwish – Yesterwynde


Despite the unwavering presence of founder member, composer, and keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen, the Nightwish of today is very different to the Nightwish which began in 1996. From a three-track demo to multi-million dollar selling albums featuring full orchestras and huge production values, the band has grown from three Finnish musicians to becoming a multinational enterprise. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Darkwoods My Betrothed – Angel Of Carnage Unleashed


One of the more fascinating projects to be revived during everyone’s pandemic-induced free time, Darkwoods My Betrothed has returned with their first album since 1998’s Witch-Hunts. Angel of Carnage Unleashed (Napalm Records) sustains their old style for the most part, showing off a variant of Viking Black Metal with hearty Symphonic flourishes. Of course, it’s always interesting to see how time will toy with a preexisting formula, especially one that has gone undisturbed for twenty-three years.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Nightwish – Human. :||: Nature.


With gaps of up to five years between studio albums, it takes some serious dedication to be a Nightwish fan these days. Since 2007, the band has only released four albums, but in that time, their fanbase has grown so large that the symphonic Finns (well, mostly Finnish) have been able to make that often treacherous leap from mid-sized venues to selling out full arenas. Continue reading →