ION INDIE MAGAZINE June 2015, Volume 13 | Page 100

Endless Forms Most Beautiful • CD Review by Kat Zee Track List: 1. Shudder before the Beautiful 2. Weak Fantasy 3. Elan 4. Yours Is An Empty Hope 5. Our Decades in the Sun 6. My Walden 7. Endless Forms Most Beautiful 8. Edema Ruh 9. Alpenglow 10. Eyes of Sharbat Gula 11. The Greatest Show on Earth The Band: Floor Jansen--Vocals Tuomas Holopainen--Keyboards Marco Hietala--Bass & Vocals Emppu Vourinen--Guitars Jukka Nevalainen--Drums Tony Donockley--Pipes, Flutes, & Whistles NIGHTWISH is female fronted Symphonic Metal band from Kitee in Finland. The band was formed in 1996 and released the albums “Angels Fall First” (1997), “Oceanborn” (1998), “Wishmaster” (2000), “Century Child” (2002), “Once” (2004), “Dark Passion Play” (2007), “Imaginaerum” (2011) and now their new album, “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”, in March 2015. They have featured founding female vocalist TARJA TURUNEN until 2005, and announced the addition of ANETTE OLZON in 2007, and in 2013, FLOOR JANSEN became their vocalist. My favorite song on this CD is the single “Elan”—which boasts a memorable melody with Folkish Celtic echoes. It has an ethereal flavour and FLOOR JANSEN’S vocals are lively and effective. Another track that follows suit is “My Walden”, also featuring Folk elements and spirited music. The ballad “Our Decades in the Sun” opens with gentle wistful vocals and spotlights a beautiful piano composition…very pretty. Instrumental track “Eyes of Sharbat Gula” is a haunting song that melds both piano and flute and presents what can best be described as a “dirge-like” in ambiance.