NIGHTWISH: Endless Forms Most Beautiful

[Diamond45]

To borrow a phrase from Spinal Tap, Floor’s voice “goes to 11” – but you never really get a sense of that with this CD. There are a few moments where we come close to hearing her true potential (including “The Greatest Show on Earth” and last part of “Our Decades in the Sun&#8221, but I kept expecting to hear hear her at full power – something along the lines of “Digital Deceit” or “Under my Skin”.

I tend to agree with you. Floor didn't "Floor me" as much as she did with After Forever and ReVamp. However you can hear some of her greatness on "Yours Is An Empty Hope" or "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". Overall they could have let her voice shine a bit more.

On the plus side, I *love* the symphonic stuff, so was really happy that Nightwish kept this element, as I had read a while ago that they were going to tone it down. Bring on the bombast!

I had seen some of the YouTube videos that the band had made during the production of the album, so I knew it would have symphonic elements as well as a choir. Most impressed on how it turned out.

I noticed that the CD was mixed in December and mastered in January for a March release. Isn't that pretty fast for a major worldwide release?

My guess is that these days that album releases can move really fast now that all production and post-production is all done on computer. I think the band did most of the work themselves. It's not like the old days when it was primarily done on tape. The longest delay is probably the non recording/mixing/mastering side of it (pressing CDs and records, printing of booklets, etc.)

I am really liking this album a lot. I have gotten a ton of mileage from it already. While some other albums this year have faded very quickly for me (Angra, Eclipse), this one seems like it has some staying power.

Edit: I still give this CD a 9.5/10, and so far this is my #1 album for 2015. I know it's early in the year but it would take a lot to remove this from the top of my 2015 list.

 

[High Speed Kurt]

I thought Imaginareum was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I feel a little let down by this.

Floor is underutilized. I can hear Annette singing 90% of this stuff.

I am having trouble getting into the album because of the concept. It seems to follow the same pattern as Something Wicked Part 2. For that one, the main thing I got out of every song was that "Here I am I am so wicked I have come for mankind" The nightwish is kinda rehashed "we have evolved from nothing here we are its the greatest show on earth" again and again.

Maybe I was expecting too much.

 

[DADRocks]

I think your nuts. Every time I listen to Greatest Show on Earth, I can't help but think it would have been a perfect closer to the Ayreon project.

Ok, so I'm nuts. Well, It's not an Ayreon project.....I didn't care for the sleepy 6 minute score filler of Sharbat Gula, and I didn't care for the 5-6+ min into & closing of the last track.....I'm sure I'm not the only one with this opinion. To each their own.

 

[hoodaman]

I got a chance to listen to the whole thing. It's too same-y. I wouldn't call it musically bankrupt but it's definitely not as exciting for my tastes as any given track off Oceanborn, Wishmaster or Century Child. I feel like almost every song follows the same pattern down to the chord changes and melodies. Emppu and Floor aren't given hardly any room at all to flex and the orchestra is laid on too thick. I had a feeling this would be the case given the advance tracks they released which is why I inquired about it earlier in the thread.

 

[J-Man]

I got a chance to listen to the whole thing. It's too same-y. I wouldn't call it musically bankrupt but it's definitely not as exciting for my tastes as any given track off Oceanborn, Wishmaster or Century Child. I feel like almost every song follows the same pattern down to the chord changes and melodies. Emppu and Floor aren't given hardly any room at all to flex and the orchestra is laid on too thick. I had a feeling this would be the case given the advance tracks they released which is why I inquired about it earlier in the thread.

I don't know what album you listened to, but it is by no means samey. Emppu and Floor aren't given the room to flex? Orchestra to thick? You maybe need to listen again. There is a perfect blend of all aspects. But then again this is your opinion, and who am I to argue. BUT..... to someone who has been listening to this band since 2000, I believe and now granted my opinion this is the most dynamic, and musically exciting album to date from them, and seems quite a few agree.
I remember with the release of DPP, and then Imaginarium people said the same things that are being said about "Endless forms Most Beautiful. And there is one thing I don't think Anette could achieve anything that Floor does on "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". Maybe it's because Floor had input in the vocals arrangements. Now I don't want to offend anyone with my comments, but this is my opinion and mine alone.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

I don't know what album you listened to, but it is by no means samey. Emppu and Floor aren't given the room to flex? Orchestra to thick? You maybe need to listen again. There is a perfect blend of all aspects. But then again this is your opinion, and who am I to argue. BUT..... to someone who has been listening to this band since 2000, I believe and now granted my opinion this is the most dynamic, and musically exciting album to date from them, and seems quite a few agree.
I remember with the release of DPP, and then Imaginarium people said the same things that are being said about "Endless forms Most Beautiful. And there is one thing I don't think Anette could achieve anything that Floor does on "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". Maybe it's because Floor had input in the vocals arrangements. Now I don't want to offend anyone with my comments, but this is my opinion and mine alone.

In defense of Hoodaman, I have to agree with the comment about song sameness on this album. As I said in my earlier post, there are some OUTSTANDING tracks here, but many of the others tend to follow the same musical themes as a lot of the material they did on the last couple of albums. Just my opinion...I guess I was just hoping for something even greater.
BTW- I been listening to this band since Angels Fall First was first released back in 97, and I feel that some of their earlier efforts were more dynamic than this one. Again, just my opinion.

 

[TwizstedJesus]

I don't know what album you listened to, but it is by no means samey. Emppu and Floor aren't given the room to flex? Orchestra to thick? You maybe need to listen again. There is a perfect blend of all aspects. But then again this is your opinion, and who am I to argue. BUT..... to someone who has been listening to this band since 2000, I believe and now granted my opinion this is the most dynamic, and musically exciting album to date from them, and seems quite a few agree.
I remember with the release of DPP, and then Imaginarium people said the same things that are being said about "Endless forms Most Beautiful. And there is one thing I don't think Anette could achieve anything that Floor does on "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". Maybe it's because Floor had input in the vocals arrangements. Now I don't want to offend anyone with my comments, but this is my opinion and mine alone.

I'm in agreement with Hoodaman here. I was expecting so much more with this cd, but its sameyness kinda turned me off. Floor is under-utilized and this lacks the dynamics of earlier work like Century Child.

In saying that, it is definitely an improvement from the Annette Era Nightwish and it is still a decent addition to the discography. Its just not as classic as it could have been.

 

[hoodaman]

I don't know what album you listened to, but it is by no means samey. Emppu and Floor aren't given the room to flex? Orchestra to thick? You maybe need to listen again. There is a perfect blend of all aspects. But then again this is your opinion, and who am I to argue. BUT..... to someone who has been listening to this band since 2000, I believe and now granted my opinion this is the most dynamic, and musically exciting album to date from them, and seems quite a few agree.
I remember with the release of DPP, and then Imaginarium people said the same things that are being said about "Endless forms Most Beautiful. And there is one thing I don't think Anette could achieve anything that Floor does on "Endless Forms Most Beautiful". Maybe it's because Floor had input in the vocals arrangements. Now I don't want to offend anyone with my comments, but this is my opinion and mine alone.

Our musical tastes have lined up in the past and you've recommended some great CDs when you worked the Nightmare table. Its a bummer for me that I couldn't get into it like you but I'm glad you are having a good time with it

 

[LunaTEKKE]

I still give this CD a 9.5/10, and so far this is my #1 album for 2015. I know it's early in the year but it would take a lot to remove this from the top of my 2015 list.

I'm liking it more after repeated listens. Really digging Alpenglow, Shudder Before the Beautiful, and Our Decades in the Sun.

Floor is underutilized. I can hear Annette singing 90% of this stuff.

Exactly. Still puzzled by the fact that she didn't contribute to the writing, which I think would have made a difference.

It's too same-y.

I do get the same-y comments...the intro to "Shudder Before the Beautiful" sounds a lot like "Storytime."

 

[KingsGene]

NIGHTWISH - UNOFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO FOR "ENDLESS FORMS MOST BEAUTIFUL" POSTED

Edit: video removed by YouTube.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

I started a thread on this about the album's deplorable sound. Too quiet, muddy sound, and vocals are ridiculously low in the mix. Unless I have a bad disc, then this is a horrible production, mixing, and mastering. It ruins the whole experience when an album sounds as shitty as this one.

 

[J-Man]

Okay an edit with all

#34 Billboard Top 200 Albums
#23 Top Current Albums
#2 Independent Albums
#4 Top Hard Music Albums
#8 Top Current Rock Albums

 

[edgeofthorns]

I'm a huge Nightwish fan...basically, they're my second favorite band. So, I'm speaking from a "fanboy" perspective here. I've been through this album at least 10 times, since it's release date. Overall, it's an average album in my opinion. Floor isn't utilized like she should be...not even close. The music itself is the same stuff they've been doing since Once. I guess I was hoping for Century Child Part II, so I set myself up for a disappointment. I like EFMB, but by Nightwish standards, it's the weakest album in their catalog, after Angels Fall First for me personally.

~Brian~

 

[Megawozniak]

Tons better than Dark Passion Play, probably about the same as Imaginaerium. Like many others, I wish Floor had the chance to unleash her voice. I'd have to imagine that Tuomas has been burnt one too many times though, what happens if they have a 20 minute signature song with the singer doing operatic, growls, and power and then she quits? Can't really get an Annette to fill it.

 

[King Lek]

First Listen........Eh.........Time to move on as this particular musical format for the band is a bit tired sounding for me.

 

[LunaTEKKE]

Like many others, I wish Floor had the chance to unleash her voice. I'd have to imagine that Tuomas has been burnt one too many times though, what happens if they have a 20 minute signature song with the singer doing operatic, growls, and power and then she quits? Can't really get an Annette to fill it.

Wow, this would be a seriously crappy reason to hire one of the best singers on the planet (male or female, any genre) and then not let her perform up to her potential. But I sure haven’t heard a better explanation. I’ve read a few reviews on Amazon from people complaining about Floor. One was called “Please Stop Saying Floor Has Range and Depth.” Definitely planning to leave a reply on that one… :Smug:

 

[nailz]

Am I really the only one who thinks Floor performed this album brilliantly, and lended depth and character to every song? What exactly is everyone complaining about? I thought the vocal performances captured what each song intended. Just because she has a canon voice doesn't mean she has to destroy it. If she's got the ability to be as 'thread the needle' as she did on Endless, (and her range on the album, imo, ranged from beautifully haunting to rage-power), I don't see that as a negative.

 

[mattbrood]

Am I really the only one who thinks Floor performed this album brilliantly, and lended depth and character to every song? What exactly is everyone complaining about? I thought the vocal performances captured what each song intended. Just because she has a canon voice doesn't mean she has to destroy it. If she's got the ability to be as 'thread the needle' as she did on Endless, (and her range on the album, imo, ranged from beautifully haunting to rage-power), I don't see that as a negative.

my feelings exactly, I love this album a little more each time i listen to it and after seeing the band in NYC and MA I can say she was absolutely flawless live and the new songs went over extremely well

 

[TheLongshot]

Am I really the only one who thinks Floor performed this album brilliantly, and lended depth and character to every song? What exactly is everyone complaining about? I thought the vocal performances captured what each song intended. Just because she has a canon voice doesn't mean she has to destroy it. If she's got the ability to be as 'thread the needle' as she did on Endless, (and her range on the album, imo, ranged from beautifully haunting to rage-power), I don't see that as a negative.

I think some fans are disappointed that Floor seems to be more limited here than in AF/Revamp. An understandable view given what we know what she's capable of. That being said, it seems obvious to me that starting with Once and the choice of Annette as singer, Tuomas wanted to get away from the operatic style that was the signature of the band. I'm thinking there was some hope of getting some of that back. I'd admit that I had some hope of that too, but I do realize that the band had moved on from that. As for her more aggressive vocals, that probably isn't needed with Marco's presence.

I think Floor sounds fine, but I need some time with the songs to see if they sink in eventually.

 

[J-Man]

Am I really the only one who thinks Floor performed this album brilliantly, and lended depth and character to every song? What exactly is everyone complaining about? I thought the vocal performances captured what each song intended. Just because she has a canon voice doesn't mean she has to destroy it. If she's got the ability to be as 'thread the needle' as she did on Endless, (and her range on the album, imo, ranged from beautifully haunting to rage-power), I don't see that as a negative.

My sentiments exactly.