Holy Moly! | 3 Generation Reaction | Nightwish | The Poet And The Pendulum 

At 9:30 "sounded like a young boy.. young girl singing". A young boy soprano indeed. Kudos to Lulu for picking up on that on a first hearing since not everyone does. Cheers! 🤘

Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's The Pit And The Pendulum. Poe describes the torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition. This song was written after the fall out after the dismissal of Tarja from Nightwish. The whole band wanted her gone, so the band wrote an open letter to her. Unfortunately Tuomas got most of the flack for it. Even the head of Finland got involved. Tuomas was very depressed because of the backlash, so instead of committing suicide he decided to kill himself in this song. It also describes how he came out the other side with the help of his parents. When the young boy says 3 minutes and counting, it is exactly 3 minutes until Tuomas kills himself in the song with the slice across his neck. Timing is unbelievable.Originally sung by Anette Olzon, who replaced Tarja on their Dark Passion Play album. The song is broken up into 5 parts. 1 White Lands of Empathica 2 Home 3 Pacific 4 Dark Passion Play 5 Mother and Father The first voice singing is Guy Elliott and the second voice speaking is Tom Williams

I will let the rest of the NightWish army discuss the importance and meaning of this song … it hits deep and Floor puts tears in my eyes every time… great job ladies …. You have not seen anything yet lol

You wanna hear Marco's soft voice? Check out "while your lips are still red" from the same concert

The Holy Grail of Nightwish songs. Always tears at the end. If you check out the "story" behind, the song is gonna hit you right into your face. We are all happy Tuomas committed suicide only in this masterpiece and is still part of our Nightwish journey. 🙂

I like how the band members stood by Toumas as they know how personal this song is to him. ❤️

Hello The song "The Poet and the Pendulum" is a 13 Minute journey through the mind and turmoil of Tuomas Holopainen after the year 2005. It was in that year the band parted with their long-time singer Tarja Turunen and had a personal falling out with her. The pain of the separation was big on both sides, and shown in this song. There is the responsibility that the band and Holopainen had to show towards the fans,. It was the End of an Era for them, and reason for Holopainen being lost as described in these lyrics. We can only of course to a certain degree suppose how much of these are truly Holopainen's feelings, wishes and pains - but we do know that the lyrics of Nightwish have been up to then very personal. Other songs on the album also digest this separation and falling out of the members with Turunen. This is one of the interpretations and i know lots of fans do not agree, they just need to read the open letter that was given to Tarja by the whole band at her last concert with Nightwish, where they fired her. And the main reason that Tuomas went through a depression was that specially the Tarja fans where furious and showed that in the media and everyone was blaming Tuomas. (the fans spit on his grave). He felt the whole world was against him. However personal and "real" these thoughts are, I feel like this song definitely takes us not only on a journey with Holopainen but also into ourselves. The music underlines the emotional gravity of the song extremely well. And I believe a lot of people can actually relate to a sense of guilt and being overwhelmed that all they desired for is the safety of home and innocence. While being personal, the song can still ring true to it's listener. That's a quality Nighwish possesses in many, many more songs. The emotional journey is one we can all share and very few bands know how to put that journey into song and especially into sound as well as Nightwish does. The band remains through all it's shores and Oceans, one of my main favourites and I hold special place for the band in my musical heart. I hope you have enjoyed reading my analysis and share some of my thoughts. If you do have any comments, please feel free to let me know. And remember the beauty of interpretation is that it is subjective; we can see all and feel different things in the same song and continue to love it endlessly. Lyric analysis by Annika Hausen Greetings from the Netherlands

Not an emotional person, but this version of this song never fails to almost get a tear out of me on the last segment which is called "Mother and Father." I think it all has to do with how Floor Jansen, the singer, performs it. Both love and hate her, and the band, for it. It's too beautiful and well written and performed.

You need to look up the background to this song to really understand it.

I still think "you have such oceans within" is one of the most beautiful compliments anyone has ever voiced. love those lyrics.

Y’all jumped into the deep end with this one. Review the background for this song

One thing you need to know about Nightwish and the songwriter Tuomas Holopainen on the keyboards. He just don't write music from thin air, every song has a story from his mind. It can be a book he has read, a story in a newspaper, a tv show, a picture he has seen, anything that touches him in his mind thst he wants to put into music. This explains a lot why their music goes so deep, and one of rhe deepest is this song. Another special song for Tuomas is Dead Boys Poem from Buenos Aires, worth checking out.

Please keep formost in your minds that Tuomas (keys) the main composer of the music and lyrics for most Nightwish songs is known for his deep level poetic lyrics. He uses many words and concepts such as the sexual connotations in this song as metaphors to express his inner emotions regarding the subject of the song. I was taken by your shocked expressions during the spoken section and wanted to make sure you understood its usage and context. This is a very personal song for Tuomas and all Nightwish fans as it deals with a tragic episode in the bands history. Many commenters will provide you ladies with many of the details within this song. It is artistic musical brilliance at the highest level. Uniquely Tuomas and Nightwish. I have never heard or experienced another like it in all my years as a passionate music enthusiast. Lulu was correct. The intro vocals were sung by a your English choir boy. It was meant to represent the innocence of youth before the incident this song is all about.

Y'all ain't ready for this song yet

Another Nightwish song I love is “Song of myself”

For a long time, Floor worked with Netherland's costume designer Ingeborg Steenhorst. For her latest outfits she employed Royal Black Couture & Corsetry. She gives them a quick briefing with pictures and details of what she wants, but otherwise they have creative freedom to design something steampunk inspired for her. 😊🤘

Absolutely love your reactions. This is one of those songs that you need the history of the group. Love watching Donnas expressions.

I am so happy this recording of Poet and the Pendulum exists, the effects, the screens, the editing, everything is on point and I don't think the band will ever play this live again so it is unlikely to be surpassed. The track encapsulates the spirit of Symphonic Metal - dramatic, theatrical, cinematic, with narrative focus. The whole thing is a miniature musical about a stressful and difficult time in the keyboardist's life. Tuomas took most of the flack and it really caused a mental crisis (you can sense the crisis point as the music escalates right before Marko starts growling). I am relieved he has the talent and sensitivity to channel himself into music - he had said that he committed suicide in the song so he wouldn't in real life. The closing passage is the voice of his parents reaching out to him. This is one of two tracks they produced I cannot get through without tears - sometimes at the crisis escalation, sometimes at the desperate cry of "save me" as the blade falls. I cannot think of a better artistic interpretation of what it is like to go to such a terribly dark place. This video is a genuine masterpiece.

Great catch Lulu when you said that it sounded like a young boy or girl there in the beginning as it was indeed a young boy soprano from a children's choir and recorded as part of the backing track along with the orchestra and the choirs backing vocals. Great song choice and hope you follow with more Nightwish performances. Good job ladies, keep it up!!!

This epic song by Nightwish was originally sung by their 2nd female vocalist Anette Olzen on her 1st Nightwish album 'Dark passion play' in 2007... 'The Poet & the pendulum' was the opening track and featured a child soprano singing the intro (which the band had to play pre-recorded before the instruments kicked in...) The song is in 5 parts: i) White lands of Empathica ii) Home iii) The Pacific iv) Dark passion play v) Mother & Father. The lyrics by Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) were about him struggling w/ the aftermath of his decision to fire the original female singer Tarja Turunen... he felt a sense of guilt because she was a friend and to sack her from Nightwish because of the demands of the music business did not make it any easier. He wrote the songs for 'Dark passion play' from 2005 to '07 while they did not have a singer... and he was unsure if Nightwish would continue... Still, Tuomas finally finished the songs and began the process of looking for a female singer who could bring the new album to life... After extensive auditions, he picked Anette Olzen from Sweden, who was not an operatic singer and had a pop-oriented voice... Tuomas wanted a different kind of vocalist and felt like a departure from the operatic voice of Tarja was needed for the album... Usually, a new vocalist can spell the end of a popular metal band because hardcore fans r not willing to accept a new singer up front... and Anette Olzen also faced scrutiny & backlash after joining Nightwish... However, the album 'Dark passion play' became Nightwish's biggest-selling record and charted all over the world... It outsold Tarja's debut solo album 'My winter storm' by 5 times... There was no doubt that there was life after Tarja for Nightwish.

As others have said I highjly recoomend you look up and read the full story and backgground to this song, or others will give it in the comments. That will really help you undertand the lyrics and meaning behind the song for the band and for fans. Basically this song is covering a really turbulent time for Tuomas, keyboad player and song writer for the band, and the aftermath and depression etc. that came after the firing of their original lead singer Tarja Turunen.

For the Ultimate Floor and Marco singing duo, you have to watch Seven Days to the Wolves live at Wembley 2015 (same concert as this one)

When a suicide letter is turned into a 14 minutes masterpiece. I was lucky enough to witness that song at my first NW gig a few days before this show. It's still one of my best Nightwish memories from the four concerts I attended to so far.

The Poet and the Pendulum was written after firing Tarja the original singer. She was the face of Nightwish at the time, and Tuomas (Keyboards) wrote this and considered her a muse to many of the songs he had written at that point. They had also grown up in the same city and knew each other since early childhood. All the band members decided together to fire her for acting too much of a diva And her husband & Manager was stepping way outta bounds concerning the band business He always wanted more money , only big paying show but the band did it for the love of music and there fans . According to all the band members, Tarja was missing lots of rehearsals and would not even travel with the band anymore. Tuomas was painted as the devil by many fans, and went through a deep depression. He even considered ending the band . He wrote The Poet and the Pendulum at that time, and actually kills himself in the song. He said he killed himself in the song at the 10:00 time stamp , as to kill the pain he was going through . To this day every time he plays it, it takes him back to those feelings, and shows on his face. In the last part, Mother and Father, words are said to him that his real mother said to him at that time of his deep depression. One part that touches me at the end when the guitarist Emppu and bassist Marko, the only other two involved with firing Tarja (that were still active with the band at the time of this show )were standing with Tuomas at the end in solidarity and love., NOTE : the 1st two words are (The End) and the last two words are (The Beginning) representing the end of the 1st era of Nightwish and the beginning of the next era

The song is actually a story... a part of Tuoma's life and his suicidal thoughts. You can see how well composed it is by something like: This voice says "counting 3 minutes" and a good 3 minutes later Tuomas performs the kill move on his neck

An absolute masterpiece! Tuomas’s magnum opus in my opinion, though there are other candidates. This was very emotional for him. A catharsis after the difficult breakup with their original lead singer. There is so much feeling in the lyrics and music. They only performed this 20 times with Floor. And not since 2016 and never again. My favorite Nightwish performance ever. Understanding the story and background makes it all the more powerful. Keep exploring Nightwish - Nightwish Army North Texas division

For months if not years after Tuomas wrote and performed this live, he'd have the vocals cut out of his ear piece during the song because the meaning was still too close for him. When you see Emmpu and Marko talking to him they're checking to make sure he's OK. Please check into the back story and read the letter Nightwish gave to Tarja as an explanation why the band was firing her, then read her letter of response. Firing Tarja was a devastating time for Tuomas. He, Tarja and Emmpu were the original members and childhood friends. Now that you've seen Wembley, check out "Shudder Before the Beautiful" from that show. You might want to put on some seatbelts - a helmet isn't out of the question either. Enjoy

In the first part, it's an English choirboy singing not Floor. Floor did tell Tuomas that she could sing that part but Tuomas (the Keyboardist and leader of the band) decided to use the tape of the choirboy.

This song is no longer played live. All involved have moved past this. Yes, this is at Wembley arena in London 2015. The song is from the 2007 album, Dark Passion Play, first album with Anette Olzon on lead vocals. The song is about Tuomas' feelings of depression caused by the huge fan backlash after the firing of original lead singer Tarja(Tar-ya) Turunen. The entire band was responsible, but most of it was directed at Tuomas, even the Finnish Prime Minister had a comment. The split was going to happen eventually. Tarja wanted to do the 6th album, with limited touring, then go solo. The band decided to go ahead and part ways at the end of the tour for the 5th album ,Once. But the method they chose to do it (an ope n lett er posted online) was far less than ideal. The lyrics in the last section are some of the words that Tuomas' mother said to him when he went home. I recommend checking out a song with Tarja. A couple that would be good to start with for her are "The Siren" and their cover of "Phantom of the Opera" from the 2005 Helsinki concert (End of an Era DVD).

Lu Lu is correct. It was a young boys voice singing in the beginning of the song

Your first time seeing Tatted Floor ......Story behind this song is very personal to Tuomas ( the keyboardist / writer / composer) . So much more Nightwish and Floor has a deep rabbit hole as well .

The ultimate composed Nightwish song, one of the best three.

Kai Hahto are playing the drums on this show. He are proffesinal drummer hired by many bands. I think he is their prior drummer by now, and I really think you one day should check his other band Wintersun. I suggest the song "Time" studiorehearsal.

How can one not love these women?

You mast read the subtitles ,then you now the story , THAT’S INTENSE !!

This concert was my introduction to Nightwish, here at Wembley Arena in London. I had never heard of them before, and I was given a ticket by a friend who couldn't go that night. I was a fan from the first note. Now, I think it is time you met Troy, the fifth member of the band. This is from the same concert and it is a song, mainly about the poetry of Walt Whitman. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-knqeI807ZlY.html

Good one , what's next Dead Boys Poem ?

My Queen my Goddess forever.

@Kathy: Your emotions are spot on with the emotions this song is supposed to make you feel. I saw a couple of times where it looked like you were fighting back tears. This song is an emotional roller-coaster ride. The background of this song and why Tuomas "The Poet" wrote the explains the emotional roller-coaster.

Young girls ears are good it was a young boy singing in the beginning 😀

Lulu has great reactions, such expressiveness. You can tell when she's really feeling it ...

Masterpiece ! Who else but Tuomas could say I only have three minutes and counting the exactly three minutes to the second the blade falls? And the riff Marco plays in his part without looking mind blowing 🤯

You are the most wholesome family on youtube. And the way You appreciate your youngest family member's opinion like we tend to listen to our younger ones here in The Netherlands.

One example how difficult moment it was for Tuomas in 2005. He tells a story about it in this masterpiece. The angelic boy choir begins the end and in the end there is beginning. Right - 3 min counting exactly. This song is so much more and deep than singers voice or outlook - do the homework to understand this properly.

-Dead Boys Poem (Buenos Aires 2018) -7 Days to the Wolves (Wembley 2015) -Shudder before the Beautiful (Wembley 2015) -Endless Forms Most Beautiful (Tampere 2015) -Weak Fantasy (Tampere 2015) -Phantom of the Opera (1. with Original Singer Tarja : End of an Era 2005 / 2nd: Amsterdam 2023) -Beauty *OF* the Beast (go for a lyric video version !, there is no good life recording of this) -Wanderlust (lyric video) -Pharaoh Sails to Orion ( Tampere 2001 ) yes, 2001 ! =) ...should i go on ? and at the very last reaction you are going to record for/with Nightwish: The Greatest Show on Earth (2015 Tampere)

One of the big 3, a song that bleeds the pain felt by Tuomas after the fallout from Tarja being let go from the band (you should check out some of her stunning performances). A song that only Floor can carry perfectly from soaring vocals, operatic highs and emotional bursts. The song defines this band but is rarely played as it is very painful for the group and Tuomas in particular.

It's a lot different. The first singer is a young boy from a children's choir. I can't remember his name but I'm sure someone will post it.

Don't forget that Tuomas and Emppu, the guitarist, were the founders of the band together with Tarja, the first singer. Marko joined later, but he was there when Tarja dismissed, so he experienced the consequences. Kai and Floor maybe read about it in the newspapers. I suggest you to watch cover of "High Hopes" and pay attention to the drummer (it was Jukka then) and Emppu.

FLOOR is called the Valkyrie Goddess of Metal and Empathy ( metal head and empath) Emmpu is the Electric Hobbit. Marko is the Viking. Kai is known as the Human Metrinome. Tuomas aka the Metal Mozart ( band leader). Troy is the Bard ( not present in this song ) Ps Washington, Wasp, Wacken 😊.

This song is so emotional. As a grown up man I always end up with tears knowing the 'story' behind this song.

There will never be another song like this one. Tuomas can be a poet in distress but he also represented many others. It reminds me of Antero de Quental. He had bipolar disorder and he shot himself on a bench right beside a convent. Unfortunately, he didn't die right away. The shot didn't kill him and he suffered all the way to the hospital. His poetry is beautiful and he is still a huge inspiration to me.

May I recommend the next song to react to: "The Greatest Show On Earth" - Live in Tampere 2015. Perhaps their finest hour. Please note: There are multiple videos of this concert available on RU-vid; be sure to use this one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SJepbPuqNU4.html Many videos cut too soon in the end, leving perhaps the most importand part off. Make sure to watch _all the way_ to 21:09 - even if it looks like the show has ended. Just be patient and watch it all the way. You will not regret...! :)

Such a long song and so captivating. Another missed performance but glad we have this footage.

Ladies, it was a joy as always to see your reaction. I suggest High Hopes with Marko as lead, or Love is an empty hope to hear Floor growling, or Shoemaker (Live at Hellfest) if you want to be ulimatively floored and have goosebumps ❣️Greetings from germany 🤘🔥🫶

The brilliance, nuance and mastery of Tuomas’ songwriting lyrics and composition never ceases to amaze me. 3 minutes exactly from where he says “I have 3 minutes and counting “ is when he simulates with his hand the pendulum cutting his throat.This is just an amazing piece of music art!🤘🤘

In 8:10 of your video the voiceover says: Now i have only 3 minutes and counting. After exactly 3 minutes in the song Tuomas making that gesture where blade cuts his head off. Every time I see that I have goosebumps. Another great song from this concert is 7 days to the wolves. And of course The Greatest Show On Earth, song about creation of universe, our planet, life, evolution, this song is a Masterpiece!

Donna's "That was awesome" regularly makes my day! 😁

Sometimes you don't really need to know the true meaning... Just the haunting melody and Floor's otherworldly voice is enough.

Thanks for the reaction! To really appreciate the genius of Nightwish songs you have to take a deep dive into the lyrics and composition. Unbelievable talent and ability to be able to produce such music.

At the end how Emppu and Marko rally around Tuomas and give support him ❤

Lulu is correct. It's a young boy singing in the beginning. And yes, like a sheet... 'tuck me in, underneath the blue'. The guitar player is checking if Tuomas is ok. It's a very difficult song for him. I assume other commenters have explained it.

Best band Live ever

Love the reaction. Really looking forward to when you get to songs like I Want My Tears Back(Live Buenos Aires) , Everdream, 7 Days to the Wolves, etc.

I love that the different generations focus on different things during a reaction. The story behind is song is quite interesting to look up, gives a lot more to the song.

This is the greatest song ever composed and the greatest performance. This video and song saved me from a fate worse then death

It's interesting watching Tuomas during the performance. Knowing the story it isn't surprising that he's very moved by this song considering what it represents, but you can tell when it hits him the most. During the Home part (if I remember correctly what the different segments of the song are called)

Donna was so excited to check out more Nightwish! I love seeing people discover the greatness of Nightwish. You have no idea how many youtubers I've seen falling in love with Floor. Hahaha.

Really a song whose lyrics are the most emotional, and the most poignant when we know their origin. It easily entered my top 5 of Nightwish songs

Enjoyed the looks on y'all faces. This is a deep song, while I was watching I was thinking about all the songs y'all still got to do. Kinda jealous, of course I will be listening with y'all enjoy all of it. I been listening to NIGHTWISH since 2015, and I still love them, even more now.

these extremely talented musicians and the music compositions they write along with floor just compliments each other

Ha little miss mini miss just looked like she melted into her seat and looked like she was fighting to either stay awake or to stop closing her eyes in getting lost in this journey, sweetheart, it is s allowed, they are a beautiful lullaby and amazing to get lost in your thoughts to, it's allowed, no shame, and for mammy bear, i noticed you looking at yours arms, you're had a floorgasm xD haha, we all do ;) tthapt aside, another amazing reaction, ladies

Nice reaction You may notice that some part oft the lyrics in this song is very deep/heavy. It is because deal with dismissal first singer Tarja and Tuomas(keyboard/songwriter depression after that. Maybe next little different and happier song" I Want My Tears back" live Buenos Aires 2018. This song you also get to see band sixth member Troy Doneckley.

she has a series of 1 minute fan friday videos on her channel, where you can hear her speak, and learn a bit about her. she is pretty amazing even with her singing.

It was a young boy singing the opening part. Great reaction - Keep them coming!

absolute one f the best songs created by Tuomas but its very personal this song created after Tarya was let go and the aftermath that tuomas needed to get his feelings crafted in this song where he basicly commited suicide watch the 3 min warning in the song

Hello ladies, greetings from UK That was a great reaction, thank you 😉 As others will tell you, there was a backstory with this one which is why it might be a bit confusing at first. No other Nightwish videos are like this

Floor can sing rough to she growls in the song Nightwish yours is a empty hope live rock in Rio there you seen Floor Jansen growl

Such a dang rollercoaster of emotions this song is. It hurts so beautifully.

Good choice. Check the hole Wembley, its brillant

Should watch with the lyrics, the song is mesmerizing and impactful. Nightwish is so well written

As a hard core nightwish fan, I was so scared when this album came out. I was afraid wouldn't be as good as previous albums. Boy, was I wrong. This is the first song on the album and I felt completely drained after hearing it, and back then I didn't even know what the lyrics were about. And Donna, you're my new hero. Never lose that accent! 😘😁

There are several Nightwish concert videos. The all are great!🎸🤘

Not a kid's song. Nor one to go into blind.

The boy soprano at the start was Guy Elliott from St Mary's Choir School, Reigate, UK. "Sparkle my scenery..." was also sung by another boy soprano on the album but Floor said that she could do it live and Tuomas agreed. Definitely in my top 3 Nightwish songs. Part of a trilogy about the "Tarja thing" - the other 2 being "Bye Bye Beautiful" and "Master Passion Greed". So glad Tuomas did "it" in song rather than reality - WE still need his music! edit: for Lulu - Floor's friend, Simone (from Epica), is also a cosmetics model and shared haircare and other tips with Floor!)

It is so great to see your reactions together to music and art, lovely to see how your different personalities and generations react, and how you discuss it together

You're early to TPATP. Really, knowing the history helps. I prefer BA 2018 and Wembley 2015 to Wacken 2013 to be honest. Here are my accumulated notes: My no 1 song. A masterpiece. Tuomas' refers to the ocean frequently - the second album is called Oceanborn, Dead Boys Poem ends with reference to ocean soul and Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean ends with lyrics about setting the dolphins free and "we shall wash the darkened blood red sea, our voices shall echo over the mountains and seas". Tuomas' had thought of becoming a marine biologist IIRC. Accumulated notes follow... Tuomas is a very special person and this is, for me, the pinnacle of his work. Nothing surpasses it. For him it is one of the deepest songs. Quotes from the band on the making of the album and the song... TUOMAS: We will never play "Bye Bye Beautiful" or "Master Passion Greed" live again, [sic] because the lyrics are just too unambiguous and personal. There was at least as much gloom behind "The Poet and the Pendulum", too, but it leaves a bit more room for interpretation. It's easily one of our best songs but especially, the "Mother and Father'" part in the end always stirs up such a storm of emotions that it's impossible for me to do it every night. Playing "The Poet and the Pendulum' is a real rollercoaster ride - it makes me feel anxious, blush, laugh, and, in the end, just happy that that part of my life is behind me. My notes: My number 1 Nightwish song and for good reasons. (No 2, Song of Myself, No 3 7 Days to the Wolves.) This is a deeply emotional and meaningful song with which I empathise and it helped me to see that there was a way forward when depression struck. I am not alone in being "saved" by Nightwish, a fact that Tuomas has referred to and said he could not terminate the band because he knows they have meant so much to some fans who feel their lives have been saved by Nightwish. He feels that he has a responsibility to the fans - not your standard rock musician then. Floor is worth watching closely, her facial, hand and whole-body motions reflect the emotions she is portraying. Hands in Mother and Father for example. Tearing her hair in the Dark Passion Play section. Note that when Tuomas talks about "Poet" he is always referencing himself. It happens throughout his ouvre. You will see other cross-references too. Tuomas does that deliberately to give the fans a sort of anchor. Meadows of Heaven is another example - a song in itself and often referenced. For what it's worth, here are are my thoughts and interpretations... End to beginning - death of one era of the band, beginning of a new era. Regarding the end of the first Era, I see no point in the blame game. The band split, that is all we need to know. Whatever the causes there was bound to be emotion on both sides so I leave it at that. But this masterpiece is what came out of Tuomas' emotions. The beginning is a boy soprano, Guy Elliott who also does the spoken parts. The whispering at the beginning is the central spoken section, but played in reverse. Then we get the whole section "Home". I see the "shoulder cries more" as having no shoulder to cry on because the other members of the band - his friends - were equally upset. The "whore for the cold world" I see as the selling of his whole life to the music industry (the metaphorical pimps, hence the "whore" references) which is not interested in the person, only what they can get from the band. The two faces bit is self explanatory; almost everyone will have been in situations where they have to hide their feelings and present a false front to the world. The reference to betrayal is again obvious and there are lots of metaphors in the surrounding words. The altar I think, is the tie to the band - these upheavals in 2004/5 were not the first time Tuomas had felt like ending the band. By the way, note the 3 minutes and counting: exactly 3 minutes later you get the guillotine motion. By the way, Marco made the demo version of this, with all the lyrics sung by himself and with harsher lyrics at this point too. Next we get to the Mother and Father section with Floor, Marco and Emppu all sitting, while Floor sings lyrics reflecting the words from his mother when he went back home for a break in the middle of all this turmoil. These are the words of love and then of advice, that he was given. Floor here is using her finger movements to accentuate emotion. This whole section and the way Floor sings it, is packed with those damned Onion Ninjas. Marco's harmonies are wonderful. We end with the final ethereal notes from Floor and here is another tingle-factor moment. Then a gentle piano ending, the calm after the emotional storm. Here, as in Sparkle my Scenery, the choir on the original album is replaced by Floor who wanted to sing them herself (and proved completely capable of it) which Anette could not have done - she could probably get the notes but the emotion is there in the choral original and is amplified when Floor sings it. The low brass used in many places is really effective. On the performance itself: When Emppu goes over to Tuomas and later both Marco and Emppu go over, it is a sign of moral support. They both know how difficult this is for him - eventually he had the vocals turned off in his in-ear, so he didn't have to listen to them because Floor put such emotion into them. At the end, she does not say "Thank you" immediately, as she does normally. Instead she looks over for a few seconds to check on him from her position. BTW, I have never bought the theory that Tuomas was "in love" with Tarja. Those who say he asked her to join the band because he knew her from school - she was suggested by Emppu who had known her as an acquaintance at school. Tuomas' did know her of course and his mother was for a while her piano teacher, but it was Emppu who suggested her.

The band's lineup is the same as Wacken with one exception. Kai Hahto (formerly of Wintersun) has taken over the drumming from Jukka. This song is older than the Wacken festival.

I am really enjoying your guys' reactions to Nightwish. I'm so glad you're enjoying their music and sharing that enjoyment with others. Floor Jansen is an amazing vocalist and one of my all time favorites. I would LOVE to see you react to other Nightwish songs that do not feature Floor. Please try Nemo or Over the Hills and Far Away featuring the original singer Tarja. or Bye Bye Beautiful or Planet Hell that feature their second vocalist Annette. Nightwish is great because of Tuomas and Emppu. It is their compositions, musicianship and excellence that make Nightwish brilliant! Keep up the great vids!

oh wow, this is a very deep heavy song and very personal to Tuomas (keyboards, composer) Please read a little about the departure of thei first singer (and childhood friend) and the role her manager and husban played in the band. It all backfires and the guys were dragged threw mud, by some friends, fans, media and even by the prime minister of Finland. Tuomas shielded the guys, but got in a very deep depression. His best friend told him to write about his depression and suicidal thoughts...and he did. They don't perform this anymore, it's a chapter from the past, like Master passion Greed (with very clear lyrics about Marcello, Tarja her husband) Nightwish has very deep lyrics, especially in these longer masterpieces.

Always tearing up with this one, especially at the end ❤🥺best read the comments and watch it again.

The beginning is the end, the end is the beginning… 🤘

This is their masterpiece. Shame that they won't play it anymore (Marco left and Tuomas doesn't want the song performed anymore). I am not a metal fan. But in this the metal was necessary to tell the story. It is not loud because it needs to be metal. That is why this transcends metal and is just a musical masterpiece.

This whole concert is brilliant. Check out Shudder before the beautiful, 7 days to the Wolves or Alpenglow & for a Marko on vocals Kiss while your lips are still red. Enjoy!

You three are just fabulous to watch..l Three generations of reactions and three reactors... Things just hits different on each of you and that is the richness of your thing!

This song has so much meaning. You really need to research the reason it was written. This song is something that should have been watched later in your Nightwish journey

a true but sad story beyond this song...epic for sure.

Floor's cover of Shallow on Beste Zengers

Symphonic Metal at its finest .

OOh another great reaction to a great song!

Lulu, you want to hear Marco sing? Then listen to Kiss while your lips are still red.