Nightwish - Century Child
	Released: 2002/2003 Label: Spinefarm / Century Media Cat. No.: 149 / 8189-2 Total Time: 50:15
	Reviewed by: Mathieu Chamberland, November 2002 Let put this clear right away, as I want to be honest with all of our readers so they won't think I'm being paid by the band – I'll try to be [as] non-biased as I can regarding Nightwish's new album. Century Child is my album of the year and I'm pretty sure nothing will top that in my book this year. It'll be funny to see in December if I will have changed my mind. Let's try anyway to write an objective review. For me, Nightwish's previous album Wishmaster was a major let down. I won't get into any details, but I was really displeased with their third album following Angels Fall First and Oceanborn. As you may have guessed, my expectations were really high for this new CD and I want to say that this album is perfect. It has power, speed, emotions, everything bathed in pure beauty. This is the Nightwish I knew from the Oceanborn-era back to break my heart again with stunning vocal melodies by Tarja. She may sing less operatically than previously, but still, she's one of the only female singers to deliver such strong performances album after album. And it's not bad at all to hear her sing differently, as it adds one more quality to her already incredible talent. This time around, they have changed their bassist, and have added to their line-up Marco Hietala (bassist and singer of the band Tarot, ex-Sinergy). If rumours of Tarja leaving Nightwish to pursue vocal studies are true, then Marco would be the perfect singer for Nightwish to continue and evolve their sound as his singing on Century Child is simply stunning. On Century Child, the sound has already evolved one step further. Whilst Wishmaster was way too polished, Century Child has a more thrash sound, especially in the guitar fields contrasting with the operatic and melodic keyboard playing of Tuomas. Also, Emppu (g) has done another great job in the riff section delivering a top notch performance - just listen to the song "Slaying The Dreamer" - yummy :). No problem at all with Jukka's drumming and this album puts him as one of the best drummers in this metal style. Add to the fact that they have done a great metalised version of "The Phantom Of The Opera." Nightwish have sold 30,000 copies of this album in Finland already and I can understand why. This is a high class original band with people that have continued to evolve. Kudos to Nightwish. Similar To: Unique in their own style PPO Rating: 8/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Steph's review -ed.] More about Century Child: Track Listing: Bless The Child (6:12) / End Of All Hope (3:54) / Dead To The World (4:19) / Ever Dream (4:43) / Slaying The Dreamer (4:31) / Forever Yours (3:51) / Ocean Soul (4:14) / Feel For You (3:54) / The Phantom Of The Opera (4:09) / Beauty Of The Beast: Long Lost Love - One More Night To Live - Christabel (10:22) Musicians: Tarja Turunen – vocals Tuomas Holopainen - keys and piano Jukka Nevalainen – drums Emmpu Vuorinen – guitars Marco Hietala - bass and vocals Guests: Joenssu City Orchestra, lead by Juha Ikonen Choir – choir master – Hilkka Kangasniemi orchestral percussion - Mongo Aaltoinen Kristiina Ilmonen - tin whistle (6) Sam Hardwick - Dead Boy's voice Orchestra, choir and percussion arranged, orchestrated and produced by Veijo Laine and Riku Niemi, conducted by Riku Niemi Contact: Website: www.nightwish.com Note: will open new browser window Discography Angels Fall First (1997) Oceanborn (1998) Wishmaster (2000) Over The Hills And Far Away (2001) (EP) Century Child (2002/2003) Once (2004) From Wishes to Eternity (2001) (DVD/VID) (and CD in Finland only) Live Review: Nightwish supported by Tristiana
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