Customer Reviews

Amaranth 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The internationally-acclaimed symphonic metal band Nightwish has been through a lot since they fired lead vocalist Tarja Turunen in 2006. With Anette Olzon as their new singer, the Finns are ready to release their sixth studio album Dark Passion Play and embark on a US tour. Amaranth is the second of three singles from DPP (Eva, Amaranth, and to-be-released Bye Bye Beautiful).
Where to begin? I am a huge fan of symphonic metal and Nightwish was my gateway into the genre; as a classical violinist and singer and someone who loves power riffs, it was perfect. The four tracks on this CD are just a sampling of Dark Passion Play (for which I obtained a promo copy of). Nightwish itself has only changed in vocals. DPP is much like Once was, continuing the break away from their roots that began with Century Child, mixing in more than just operatic vocals, varying the sounds, and experimenting with new musical themes.
A bit about Anette Olzon. She sounds almost nothing like Tarja. Almost none. Very little vibrato as compared to operatic-style. Alto as compared to soprano. Rock-sounding as compared to classical-sounding. In my opinion she is just as good as, if not better than Tarja was, and I hold vocalists like Tarja, Floor Jansen, and Sharon den Adel in highest regard. Comparison is inevitable, but comparisons aside or not, Anette is a very capable and great-sounding vocalist.
A track-by-track analysis:

1) Amaranth: Amaranth is in no way representative of the huge, varied masterpiece that DPP is. In fact, until the band heard it recorded with Anette, it was to be a bonus track. Despite Tuomas' refusals, the band and producers and such thought it was a very catchy-sounding tune and forced it not only into the main tracklist of DPP, but to be packaged as the second single. Like Eva, neither sounds that much like the rest of the album, though considering the variety that DPP provides, the only song the band seems to call the "soul" of the album would be the 14-minute epic Poet and the Pendulum.

Amaranth itself is, as Tuomas and the band have said is very catchy and has a nearly-pop-sounding chorus, very much an ideal song for a single. With the full power of the London Session Orchestra behind them and a full choir as well, the song immediately blasts you after a soft opening. Anette is the sole vocalist on the track and much of her vocals are accompanied with a strong drumbeat with the orchestra playing lightly in the background for most of the song. The chorus is basically the song, very catchy with Anette's vocals layered on top of each other for a very nice-sounding harmony. A fun song and much more easily accessible than the rest of DPP. 9/10
2) Reach (Amaranth Demo Version): Reach is basically Amaranth with no orchestra and Marco singing vocals (presumably this was recorded before Anette joined the band). It is very much a demo, but still worth a listen. The chorus is completely different and for much of the song, Marco's strong falsetto seems to be in pain. 7/10, though it is a demo.
3) Eva (Orchestral Version): I loved Eva. I was always surprised by NW's decision to release a ballad as their first single, but it is an excellent song. Always nice that Nightwish chooses to release instrumental versions of their tracks because the orchestrations are very well-done and always worth a listen. 8/10
4) While Your Lips Are Still Red: While this is not a Nightwish song, it is definitely my favorite on the album. Written by Tuomas for a Finnish film "Lieska," it was originally written for a female vocalist to sing, but after hearing Marco record a demo of it, the director was convinced that Marco would stay. I am very glad he did because this song unleashes a softer side to Marco's voice we have not yet heard from in his time with Nightwish (The Islander from DPP, a Marco-only track is close to it, but not really). The vocal and piano parts of this piece are phenomenal and it is a very beautiful and emotional track. I hope that Tuomas continues to do works like this in the future, whether for NW or on the side. 9.5/10

Conclusion: Amaranth is a great single sampling an even better album. Pick up a copy to whet your appetite for DPP (if you're a NW fan, of course). If you don't really know NW or didn't like Tarja's vocals, have a listen to Amaranth and if it's something you like, buy DPP when it comes out.

9/10

What a Great CD. There are two versions of this cd out for sale. I got both of them on one CD for just one simple price from Metal Haven in Chicago, IL. This Mini Single (that I have) gives you the original Amaranth, Orchestrational, Demo. Plus as a special bonus of "While Your Lips Are Still Red." This Mini CD packs a good punch. Starting with Amaranth, this gives you a good sound of what the album should sound like with a new vocalist. I don't know her name, but I'm sure when the Dark Passion Plays comes out I'll know it then. This song could have been a left over from Once. It's in the same vein as that album was taken. When I first heard it, it reminded me of the song "Nemo", it gives off the feeling of searching for a name and then found it. Then you have REACH. This is a demo version, this is the name that Amaranth was to have. This has Marco singing on it. To me, this seems like a duet song live, it should be. Then you have EVA the Orchestral Version. No singing just the Orchestra playing. Then WHILE YOUR LIPS ARE STILL RED. Thankfully I didn't have to search the ends of the seas for this song. Then on CD2 you have the original AMARANTH, the orchestal version of AMARANTH and then the demo version of EVA. The EVA demo version has Marco singing again. I wonder if Tuomas was thinking about releasing this album with Marco singing if they couldn't find a replacement for Tarja. If you've heard Tarot, Marco's band you gte the idea of his voice. If Amaranth is what is to come on Dark Passion Play I just can't wait. I believe that I will enjoy Dark Passion Play compared to the Once album.

I have been a loyal Nightwish fan and proudly own all albums and have even been to a couple concerts, so I feel that I can honestly say, hold off on the single and buy the full album for the same, or less, price tag. The album, Dark Passion Play, is phenominal, however the tracks featured on this single are less-than-adequate and not the best showing of the groups (and new singers) talent. Save your money - or just get the full album.

Amaranth is the second single from Nightwish's Dark Passion Play album. Though it's the second single from the album, "Amaranth" was the first widely popular song from Nightwish's new album and featured the band's new frontwoman Anette Olzon. Though the song has received mixed reviews from both fans and media, mostly due to the big vocal difference between Anette and previous singer Tarja. Honestly, I though that Anette brings a fresh, enjoyable sound to the band and really, her work on "Amaranth" is catchy and fun. Sure, it may not be what most fans expected, but it's still good.

The single also includes the demo version of "Amaranth," at the time called "Reach," sung by bassist Marco Hietala. It's interesting to hear the band's process in the creation of the song, how the lyrics changed and what it sounded like before the orchestral sections were added.

There's also B-side "While Your Lips Are Still Red," which was written for a Finnish movie during the period without a singer, where Marco provided the vocal work. Though it's a B-side, this song is one of my favorite Nightwish ballads ever. It has an amazing warmth and beauty that just resonates in Marco's deep vocals and in the beautiful violin work throughout the song. It just has the mournful, yet beautifully tragic feel that draws me in and makes me want more.

An orchestral version of "Eva" is also included on here, which is lovely. I'm not as excited about it as orchestral versions of other Nightwish songs, such as "Amaranth," but it's a great piece to have and makes me wish there were more orchestral arrangements of Nightwish songs available.

Annette has a long way to go, but she shines in Amaranth. Though Reach, the original version of Amaranth where Marco is singing, is kind of a weak link... While Your Lips Are Still Red more than makes up for it, and that song alone made the CD worth getting. This music is beautiful to the point of being addictive, and I have faith that Annette has every potential to be a great addition to Nightwish from now on.

I have been a long-time Nightwish fan and a singles release 'addict'. While one has the wonderful delivery of a full album, with the luck sometimes of a 'concept' flow, singles releases give us a slightly different view of an artist's approach to their craft with some angular variations on what we might typically hear. In this case we have the upbeat, almost mainstream sound of 'Amaranth' with the new vocalist Anette who might actually draw a new fan base of those otherwise put off by the former symphonic sounds of the earlier works. For this, you can rely on the full album Dark Passion Play. The real treats are the vocals of Marco in the Amaranth Demo version 'Reach', although stretched a bit in the high end (we know he can pull this off though), and 'While Your Lips Are Still Red', the theme song written by Tuomas and sung by Marco for the Finnish movie "Lieksa!" This is another rare venture into Marco's broad style and vocal abilities and a lovely piece, and makes me hope for more features with his sounds. The orchestral version of 'Eva', a gentle and touching song, whether sung by Anette or Marco, gives us further insight to Tuomas' talents as a composer of beautiful, thoughtful, and complex works which sometimes can be covered up in the delivery of their typically energetic (and fantastic) power style. This group has changed in a huge way as far as vocals are concerned, and it will pay off for all fans to listen closely and watch as the message and new style evolve. This single will be difficult to obtain in the near future, and it's worth the money if only to have a recording of 'WYLASR' in your library.

AmaranthThis has to be one of the best CD singles I have come across. Not only do you get the fantastic single with the new and extremely competent Anette at the helm, but you get the underrated Marco singing a sensational version of Amaranth. It makes you wonder how many other demo songs are sitting in the archives that would be a pleasure for fans to hear. I also love "While your lips are still red". This should have been a single in its own right.

Again worth getting with the other vesion of the single.

This first single from Nightwish's upcoming album, Dark Passion Play, is absolute brillance. I'm in love with Annette's voice. The lyrics, music, melody...ah, it was all so amazing.