A+

This album is extremely good. I would actually say that it is my second favorite Nightwish album. Nightwish have been my favorite band for a while now. The first CD I got was Once, I knew that they were something special after I heard that. I went on to get Wishmaster, then Century Child, then Ocean Born, and now Angels Fall First. Century Child is my favorite, then Angels Fall first, then Wishmaster, then Ocean Born, and lastly, Once. Anyways, I'll go ahead and do a track-by-track summary.



1. Elvenpath: This is a great beginning track of the CD. I think this song is one of all Nightwish's faves. It starts with Tarja talking, and then heads off into some awesome guitars. The lyrics are sort of "Fairy Tale-ish". At the end, it has a part from Lord Of The Rings read by someone. 10/10



2. Beauty and the Beast: I see a lot of complaints from this one and Tutankhamen, but I don't see what's wrong with it. It starts out with this clavichord type thing, and goes into guitars, which are really good and fast beat. Then, Tuomas comes in. I really don't care for Tuomas' vocals at all (thank god for Marco). Its different than Tarja's vocals, but not in a good way, but, in this song he are pretty decent. Great lyrics. 8.5/10



3. The Carpenter: I don't really care much for this song, vocally. The lyrics are about Jesus, and they are pretty interesting. Again, the problem is Tuomas, its mostly him throughout the whole song, and he's not singing in his upper register in this song, so, I don't really like it; and Tarja only get a part in the chorus and at the end. 7/10



4. Astral Romance: This song is one of the stars of the CD. It has a great beat, and Tarja is extremely good in this one. It has some of the best guitar work by Nightwish. I actually prefer the vocal and the instruments to this one other that the re-make on Over the Hills and Far Away, but, I like the lyrics better on OTHAFA. 10/10



5. Angels Fall First: The first ballad of the CD. It's Tarja accompanied by an acoustic guitar, some strings and a flute (and at the end, drums). Tarja is really shinning here; it's probably where she shines the most. Her voice is strong and clear, just beautiful. This is one of my all time favorite Nightwish songs. This is probably the climax of the CD. Superb 10+/10



6. Tutankhamen: Again, I here a lot of complaints about this one as well. Lyrically, it's pretty awesome. GREAT guitar work too. Tarja is really good here too. The only problem I have is the end. I don't really care for it. It sounds too "cartoony". And I think it would have been a lot better with some bass. Over all though, pretty good. 8.5/10



7. Nymphomaniac Fantasia: This song is pretty scary if you're a guy like me. Instruments are really good. Starts out with an acoustic guitar, then leads off into Tarja talking, then GREAT drums, then flutes (which are quite pleasant), then Tarja, singing extremely good. When she says the line "Hear the starry choirs", I get chills because it's sung so well. The last line is really disturbing though. This is one of the few songs where Tarja is "evil". 9/10



8. Know Why the Nightingale Sings: Again, great guitars. Lyrically, it's great as well. But, in some of the lower notes, I hear Tarja straining to hit them, but she makes up for that with the rest of the song. It's a pretty fast beat song, which is good. 8/10



9. Lappi (Lapland) Series: These series of songs are extremely great. The CD started out with a bang, then the climax, and ends with a bang. Some of the best drums I've heard in a while. Eramajaarvi starts it out. It's acoustic and sung in thier native Finnish language. Then, it leads off into Witchdrums. This is a superb instrumental. It has some spacey drums in the background, and some cool Keyboards. Then, This Moment is Eternity. Along with Angels Fall First, this is the highlight on the CD. Lyrically, it's the best song. Tarja is so good in it too. At some points, she is double tracked. It has electric guitars, AWSOME drums, and soaring vocals; then its heads off into Etaitien. This is a great ending to the CD. Its just has Tarja kind of moaning/chanting and an acoustic guitar. 10+/10



Overall, it is a great CD; it has a lot of acoustic stuff, which is good because Nightwish hardly ever do anything acoustic. It has great instruments, vocals, and lyrics. Get Century Child, then this one.

Elvenpath by Nightwish

Nightwish' first album has stayed quite unknown...maybe because there was only one single released from it "The Carpenter"...the song about Jesus. There's a female lead vocalist Tarja Turunen and a male vocalist Tuomas Holopainen but also other band members..."Elvenpath" is a superstitous track about the Gods and other things in the mythology of Finland. "Beauty And the Beast" is a beautiful track except from that when the frog is speaking...uh! "Astral Romance", "Tutankhamen", "Know Why the Nightingale Sings" are great melodic heavy metal songs. They are fast and they have the power. "Nymphomaniac Fantasia"...is kinda sexual but cruel song...check it out! It was once my favourite songs from this album. "Lappi (Lapland)" is maybe the most useless song...there's Finnish language, English language, and instrumental parts. Tells about the Norther Finland...where probably the Santa Claus lives??? "Angels Fall First" is an OK ballad but Nightwish has better ballads...

Stars: Elvenpath, Know Why the Nightingale Sings, The Carenter

Nightwish:The beginning of the best band ever!

I was reading the other reviews and I thought I would add my opinion. This Cd was their first effort adn I loved it. Although Tuomas' voice may not be as melodic as Tarja's I wouldn't call it awful. It's just not polished. Elvenpath is one of the best songs ever. Tuomas adds Lord of the Rings into a song. What other band could pull that one off? This cd gives way to the startings of metal you find in their other Cd's. Oceanborn is an acievement, often hailed as their best(Don't hurt me but I d no agree, although I do love the album). Wishmaster was my favorite until Once. I love the songs on Wishmaster, there are no bad tracks. Century Child breaks the mold, as they add in heavy guitars and Marco's voice. Once tops them all. Nightwish started with this and has worked their way to the top. Every band starts somewhere. Nightwish started on top and stayed there.