The third Longplay-DVD shows the Finnsī 2-hour-final of their "Once-Tour" in the sold out Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, and it could not been made more exciting.
For almost two years Nightwish had been touring around the world with the most successful CD in the bandīs history. The grande finale of this giant event should take place in Finland at this point nobody had ever expected that this final show would be also a decisive point in the constellation of the probably best-known Symphonic-Metal-band nowadays: As we all know, right after this concert Nightwish released a public note that they split with their singer Tarja Turunen and caused turmoil among their numerous fans.
Knowing that, "End Of An Era" contains a melancholic tenor that feels like a dark veil covering the concert and als o the specials.
The concert itself shows the band at its best, the Scandinavians seem to release their last ounces of strength, not displaying any effects of those long demanding months; on the contrary, the Finns give full power and celebrate for almost two hours an epic, highly dramatic Super-Symphonic-Metal-Show. All new hits, all classics everybody finds something to enjoy: "Nemo", "Over The Hills And Far Away", "Wishmaster", "Wish I Had An Angel", "The Phantom Of The Opera", "Bless The Child" and "Ghost Love Score", no hymn is missing.
Tarja has the air of a fairy in her costumes and opposes visually and, of course, vocally their male band colleagues who treat their instruments as if there was no tomorrow. During the ballads she is made the central figure on purpose, which has an extraordinary effect at "Sleeping Sun": On a pedestal in white robes, Tarjaīs performance gives you gooseflesh even via monitor, and many people in the Hartwall audience drowned in tears.
Mastermind Tuomas sometimes displays his tension, seemingly distracted; he bangs his head and often has moments looking like in agony, especially during "Ever Dream". If you realize afterwards which burden he had to carry throughout the show, itīs perfectly clear.
The DVD features first class 5.1 Dolby Surround and manages to capture the bombastic live-feeling of the show in an excellent way. Smooth editing allows participating to the action from many camera angles and offers many visual wide screen- and close-up gimmicks. Opulent pyro- and light-effects and instrumental and vocal performances turn this Metal-Opera into a masterpiece, provoking certain doubts if itīs really possible to continue on such high musical level...
Bonus stuff contains a photo gallery and a 60-min documentary "A Day Before Tomorrow" of the bandīs weeks before the big show in Helsinki. You can be close to Nightwish on an unprecedented scale, being with them backstage before the shows, Tarja warming up, at various media-events, at interviews...
The countdown to the Hartwall-Show soon seems like another dark veil on the documentary, the knowledge about the soon-to-come sacking of Tarja creates a rather melancholic feeling, especially if journalists were asking the band about their future plans.
"End Of An Era" is a reasonable release and presents a worthy grande finale of the band, at least of this line-up. Who enjoys Epic Metal should not miss these pioneers of the genre, you surely get an emotionally charged evening.
The limited version also contains a double-CD with all the songs of that show.
This era has passed away... so whatīs Tarja singing at "Creek Marys Blood"? "Soon I Will Be Here No More..." perhaps she knew...
But the next era is coming for sure.
Jasmin Froghy, translation: Klaudia Weber
Read comments: 1
Write comments |
