ALBUM REVIEW: Yesterwynde – Nightwish
When it comes to symphonic metal, few artists can conjure up the evocative soaring imagery of NIGHTWISH. The six-piece metal melody magicians have been creating some of the most memorable, grandiose riff driven music since 1996. Their history as a band is as storied as the themes of their music, with musicians coming and going, sometimes not always under the best of circumstances. While their music takes on tales of gothic poetry, fantasy and touches of history, there has always been more than a touch of melodrama about the band. Yet through it all their music has been captivating and while some of their releases haven’t always hit the mark or resonated with as many people as others, they have always been a reliable source of symphonic metal. With new album Yesterwynde they prove once again why they are at the forefront of the genre.
It may be nearly five years since their last outing, but NIGHTWISH have lost none of their drive or ambition. A soft, ethereal opening in the form of the title track gives way to a full pelt powerful tour de force in the form of An Ocean Of Strange Islands. A track which has the band in resplendent form, it entices with richly layered dynamics, giving space for lead singer Floor Jansen to demonstrate her magnificent vocals. This is everything that NIGHTWISH have been great at distilled into one track, but they’re not stopping there.
Yesterwynde is full tilt spectacle. The Antikythera Mechanism further fulfils the headbanging credentials of the band. Huge soundscapes of synths back up crashing riffs and rhythms while the vocals continue to deliver passionate, vocal cord-stretching majesty. Spin the musical kaleidoscope another way and you’ll get gentle acoustics from the likes of Sway that ebb and flow into symphonic grandeur. Spider Silk takes elements of everything and puts a slight pop-sheen onto the beat. The result is an energetic track that will likely bring even the most sullen goth to a smile. With a production and mix that lends as much weight to the formidable riffs as it does to the delicate embellishments, the resulting sound is one of a band at their peak. On Yesterwynde, NIGHTWISH come across as being at one of their most creative highpoints and sounding heavier than they have done in years. Each track offers something new to be captivated by yet retains a sense of continuity that never once loses its way.
The bombastic nature of the music may turn some away, as might the 71-minute runtime. However, this is an opus. To enjoy in one sitting requires a degree of participation but it is a richly rewarding experience. Pre-existing fans of both the band and genre will likely know what to expect before pressing play. However, as they’ve done before, NIGHTWISH will never simply rehash old ideas. They like to push a boundary or two and present something that can stand apart from its peers. They will draw you in with the familiar and then expand into new directions and it’s a most enjoyable journey. The steps taken from The Day Of… to The Children Of ‘Ata are classic but with an exhilarating twist that will leave many coming back for more.
Dramatic, gothic, melodic – pick an ‘ic’ and this album delivers. NIGHTWISH have produced an impassioned work that rises in symphonic (another ‘ic’) triumph. Intertwining the pomp and ceremony of their sound with crisply supplied riffs and the ever-powerful operatic vocals, Yesterwynde is vintage NIGHTWISH. There are moments that hark back to their earliest releases, a comforting familiarity that allows for a solid foundation for them to continue to develop ideas and push the boundaries of symphonic metal. With ten albums in their catalogue, there are going to be some that get more attention than others and some that will slip off the radar, but Yesterwynde has all the hallmarks of a record that will stamp its presence and have a place among their most popular releases for years to come.
Rating: 9/10
Yesterwynde is set for release on September 20th via Nuclear Blast Records.
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