Wishmaster (album)
Wishmaster | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 8 May 2000 | |||
Recorded | January–March 2000 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 53:30 | |||
Label | Spinefarm | |||
Producer |
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Nightwish studio album chronology | ||||
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Singles from Wishmaster | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chronicles of Chaos | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Metal Hammer (GER) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kerrang! | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Wishmaster is the third studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 8 May 2000 through Spinefarm Records in Finland. The album was released in the rest of Europe by Drakkar Entertainment on 29 May, and in Japan by Toy's Factory on 19 July. In the US, it was released by Century Media on 6 February 2001.[5]
Wishmaster peaked at No. 1 in the official Finnish charts;[6] the album also debuted in the European charts at No. 21 in Germany[7] and No. 66 in France.[8] Wishmaster has sold more than 79,000 copies in Finland alone.[9] In 2019, Metal Hammer ranked it as the 18th best power metal album of all time.[10]
Most reissues of the album contain the song "Sleepwalker", which was released in July 2000 to compete in the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest tryouts.
Background and release[]
The writing and recording of Wishmaster was very fast and devoid of complications, in contrast with what had happened for Oceanborn.[11] The main composer Tuomas Holopainen considers the album "the most distant and least personal (...) in the Nightwish catalogue", despite containing the "mother of all Nightwish songs - Dead Boys' Poem."[12] The image of the dead boy would reappear in several songs of the following albums. Wishmaster was issued on 8 May 2000, a few days earlier than its scheduled release,[13] because the music had leaked onto the Internet.[11]
Music style[]
Wishmaster's sound continues the bombastic symphonic power metal approach originally featured on Oceanborn, albeit with more emphasis on atmosphere and melody versus speed and heaviness. Perhaps even more so than its predecessor, Wishmaster has a very clear fantasy theme.[12] While commonly considered to be closer to conventional power metal, there is still a great variety with slower songs like "Two for Tragedy" and "Dead Boy's Poem", and more epic pieces like "FantasMic". "The Kinslayer" is written about the victims of the Columbine High School massacre.[14] "Wishmaster" was inspired by the fantasy novel series The Lord of the Rings and Dragonlance, mentioning Elbereth, Lórien, and the Grey Havens from the former; and Dalamar, Raistlin Majere (Dalamar's shalafi, or "master"), Gilthanas, the Sla-Mori, Silvara and the Inn of the Last Home from the latter.[14] "FantasMic" is a song about the Disney animated movies, particularly their fantasy and fable elements, taking its title from the Disneyland show Fantasmic!.[12]
Live performances[]
The song "Wishmaster" has remained one of Nightwish's greatest hits, appearing on several best of compilations. Since its release, it has been a recurring track during live performances and was featured on the live DVD End of an Era, recorded in 2005. It is still often performed live despite the band's change of vocalists and is the third most played song with 472 live performances as of December 2018.[15] A new orchestral intro for the track was recorded during the orchestral recording of Dark Passion Play. Other recurring live songs from the album are "She Is My Sin", "Dead Boy's Poem" and "Come Cover Me".
Track listing[]
All lyrics are written by Tuomas Holopainen; all music is composed by Holopainen, except where noted.
No. | Title | Music | Length |
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1. | "She Is My Sin" | 4:46 | |
2. | "The Kinslayer" | 3:59 | |
3. | "Come Cover Me" |
| 4:34 |
4. | "Wanderlust" | 4:50 | |
5. | "Two for Tragedy" | 3:51 | |
6. | "Wishmaster" | 4:23 | |
7. | "Bare Grace Misery" |
| 3:39 |
8. | "Crownless" |
| 4:26 |
9. | "Deep Silent Complete" | 3:57 | |
10. | "Dead Boy's Poem" | 6:47 | |
11. | "FantasMic" | 8:18 | |
Total length: | 53:30 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Sleepwalker" (heavy mix) | 3:10 |
Total length: | 56:40 |
No. | Title | Length |
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12. | "Sleepwalker" (original version) | 2:57 |
13. | "Wanderlust" (live at Pakkahuone) | 4:34 |
14. | "Deep Silent Complete" (live at Pakkahuone) | 4:24 |
Total length: | 65:25 |
Personnel[]
Credits for Wishmaster adapted from liner notes.[16]
Nightwish
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Additional musicians
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Production
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Charts[]
Album[]
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Singles[]
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Certifications[]
Country | Organization | Year | Sales |
Finland | IFPI | 2000 | Platinum (+ 40,000)[9] |
References[]
- ^ Ravelin, Antti J. "Nightwish - Wishmaster review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Gromen, Mark (6 June 2000). "Nightwish - Wishmaster". Bravewords.com. Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Wee, Alvin (10 January 2001). "Nightwish - Wishmaster". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ "Nightwish - Wishmaster". Metal Hammer (in German). June 2000. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ "Nightwish releases to hit the USA". Nightwish's Official Website. 22 February 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Nightwish - Wishmaster (album)". Finnishcharts.com. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Album – Nightwish, Wishmaster". Charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Nightwish - Wishmaster (album)". Lescharts.com (in French). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Tilastot - Nightwish" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ^ Chantler, Chris (14 November 2019). "The 25 greatest power metal albums". Metal Hammer. Future plc. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Bonutto, Dante (2007). Wishmaster (CD Booklet). Nightwish. London, UK: Spinefarm Records UK. p. 14. 0602517449350.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Holopainen, Tuomas (2007). Wishmaster (CD Booklet). Nightwish. London, UK: Spinefarm Records UK. p. 3. 0602517449350.
- ^ "New Album: Wishmaster". Nightwish's Official Website. 1 May 2000. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Holopainen, Tuomas. "Lyrics - Wishmaster". Nightwish Official Website. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2006.
- ^ Wishmaster by Nightwish
- ^ (2000). "Wishmaster liner notes". In Wishmaster [CD booklet]. Spinefarm.
- ^ "Nightwish – Deep Siulent Complete (song)". Finnishcharts.com. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
Bibliography[]
- Ollila, Mape (2007). Once Upon a Nightwish. Deggael Communications. ISBN 978-952-99749-2-4.
External links[]
- 2000 albums
- Century Media Records albums
- Nightwish albums
- Spinefarm Records albums