Old Composer REACTS to NIGHTWISH Élan | Composers Reaction and Analysis 

You should react to The Greatest Show on Earth. Wonderful arrangements in that song. Live in Tampere would be my recommendation. Keep up the great work; and maybe do some Iron Maiden just for the fun of it. \m/ From one old guy to another, brother!

The Islander, both the live and studio versions. They're almost different songs and both are awesome.

If you're looking for orchestral and a studio track, can't go wrong with All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World off their latest album.

Their new Album Human Nature is on RU-vid as lyric videos since they haven’t had a chance to play it live yet. Shoemaker from that album is an awesome tribute to an American planetary scientist named Eugene Shoemaker. His ashes are buried on the moon. Cool song that has a very different sound from older stuff. I think you’d like it.

Fantastic!! You must see SHOEMAKER by Nightwish Album Human Nature

I would suggest Shoemaker from their latest album. Cool song structure, timings, orchestration and it's the album version.

Couple points I haven't seen in the comments - 1) Troy is playing the Tin Whistle for the majority of this performance (I believe there are a couple of passages where he is also playing his uilleann pipes). 2) Cello (stand up bass) - That is the now former bassist Marco (just announced last week that Marco has resigned from the band. You can find his letter to the fans on the Nightwish website. Best of luck in everything you do Marco). Tuomas, the keyboardist, is the primary arranger for the band. Also lovingly referred to as the "Metal Mozart" by the Nightwish Army.

Nightwish - Meadows of Heaven (album version). I think you would really like that arrangement. They even have gospel at the end, which I really enjoy. It's from the Dark Passion Play album with former singer Anette Olzon.

I think their best studio recording is Music from their 2020 album Human | Nature. Not only is the sound incredible, the composition and orchestration is amazing, the performances are phenomenal, and the thematic content of the lyrics is beautiful. Regarding this particular song, it’s fairly simple as far as nightwish music goes, but it has such a beautiful melody. Low key one of my favorite songs of theirs.

Shoemaker from Nightwish's Human Nature album is a song you will love and I would love to hear your take on it. The musician playing the cello is Marko, he's normally the bass player, unfortunately he's just announced his retirement from the music industry. If you would like to hear his vocal abilities the Endlessness from Human Nature is a fantastic song to hear that. So many Nightwish songs I could recommend lol

I would love to hear your thoughts about “Shoemaker.” :)

Please, do pause whenever you feel like you have something to say, it don't think it makes anyone cringe, it's usually very interesting, especially for someone with no musical background who isn't able to pick out all these nuances on their own (like me, haha). Btw, since you seem to enjoy Nightwish so much, maybe you'd consider checking out another major symphonic metal band, Epica. They have just released a stunningly beautiful ballad called "Rivers". Also, there's an awesome live performance of their song "Sancta Terra" with Floor herself (and an entire symphonic orchestra)!

It's really really really difficult to pick Nightwish songs, they are all amazingly composed! However, I highly suggest you to react to the song "Music" from their now album. You, as a composer, will really understand the depth of the song and the homage it pays to, well, the history of music!

If you want to analyze a studio track I'd enjoy seeing you check out something off the new album (2020 release). Noise has a music video but the whole album has really nice lyric videos and music and pan are two of my personal favorites.

In interviews, Floor has mentioned there was a lot of singing low and quiet on this album, which pushed her to try something unique. Some fans interpreted that as being "gracious" because her talents weren't used much and it was somehow easy to do. I think those who don't sing, especially those who aren't sopranos, might not know that "low and quiet" is talking about bringing a mixed or even head voice down to the lower range of the voice. It's actually not very easy to do! And it can be a soprano's weakness. High notes? We've got plenty of those. But some of the verses (Shudder Before the Beautiful) are in the absolute basement of what I can sing, and I imagine it's closer to the bottom of what Floor can do too. So to say "low and quiet" was a unique challenge was honest of her.

A good example of more accurate live recording is Dead Boy's Poem - Live In Buenos Aires 2018. You should try that one too. Very bare, crisp, revealling and clean sound.

Wind instrument: The intro starts with a tin whistle and then when the band comes in, you can also hear an uilleann pipe (the bagpipe-like sound except at a higher register). Both instruments are commonly used in Celtic music and are performed by Troy Donockley in this recording.

'Music' from their newest album is lovely and has some neat musical elements! There's an official lyric video they have up to listen to.

Nice job, Geebz, thank you for doing more Nightwish :-)

"Shoemaker" from their Human Nature album & "The Greatest Show on Earth" from their Tampere live concert! You will not regret this!

You should definitely check out "Shoemaker" by Nightwish. There is a lyrics video. Very dynamic song.

Do Shoemaker from their latest album.

Great review! Just a couple of things I wanted to clarify from your interpretations; 1.) The band's primary composer is Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboardist, who has studied classical music, but generally draws inspiration from cinematic film styles. Though other band members contribute their own compositions, the vision of Nightwish is ultimately determined by him. Tuomas writes orchestra pieces himself, which are then further adapted by record producer Pip Williams for the session orchestra to perform. 2.) The "cellist" you suspected of being the composer is actually the band's bassist/male vocalist, Marko Hietala (the cello was a visual choice for the video). He is a talented composer in his own right, having contributed to the band, as well as his solo work and band with his brother. Marko has a less orchestra-centric background, but he is a classically trained guitarist and vocalist. I would love to hear more Nightwish reactions from you! I definitely have my own requests, but I think the rest of the comment section has you well covered on that.

I've heard so much of their live stuff, and hardly any of their studio album work. I prefer the live stuff by far! Can't say that for too many bands🤘

i think you should try one of these to truly hear the full composition; - harvest - last of the wilds - dead boy's poem - 10th man down (album version) - live to tell the tale (my absolute favorite nightwish song!!!!, but sadly still unreacted to on youtube) (no live exists, as it was a "mere" bonus track)

If you're interested and want a bad in a similar vein, I'd highly suggest Kamelot with their song Elizabeth. The live version is amazing.

Can we all acknowledge how jaw droppingly beautiful floor looked in this video

the backing vocals of Marco in this are just perfect

I’ve noticed from watching a few of your videos that while listening, your eyes move and it’s very clear that your mind is deeply engaged. I find that as entertaining as anything because I’m the same exact way when I’m passively listening to music throughout the day, and I’m no music professional. Just a fan. Also, I get those chills and other physical manifestations of emotion from music, like goosebumps

I did not think Floor could look any better, but when she has the 1940's hairdo she is absolutely stunning!

I really love your stuff man,you do know so much about music it often amazes me so much...

Thank you so much for taking interest in the studio work as well. So many people push the ‘live only!’ mantra that most reactors won’t stray from that. There is so much beautiful work in the catalog that doesn’t exist in quality live form, and even the ones that do have good lives are such a different experience in studio. I can’t imagine choosing one or the other when there’s so much that all of them have to offer.

Dude, just got onto you the last couple of days. By far the best 'reaction/analysis' Chanel on RU-vid. Thanks for the insight and entertainment. It's great seeing someone react so honestly to music for the first time. heartfelt and inspiring; keep up the amazing work.

I could be wrong, but I believe what troy is playing is an Irish tin whistle. Thanks for another great Nightwish reaction video Geebz

Kamelot - Memento Mori that song is quite the experience, still blows me away even after 15 years

The guy in the cello is Marko. He's the (now former) bassist.

Nice reaction, love the analysis from your professional view and expertise.

After hearing this song numerous times (studio and live) I had never noticed the harp run until you mentioned it. Thanks for that.

Yep. Greatest Show on Earth at Tampere. I never saw any band do live, what they did there. 🙂

I was on tour couple years ago, and I'll just say my bandmates' music tastes don't often agree with mine lol. But this song came on and it immediately caught my ear and I asked what it was and added it to my own playlist. Great vid, lovin it all 🤘

Based on this reaction, you'll absolutely love Shomekaer from their newest album. It's accompanied by a beautiful lyric video, and the vocals and story behind this piece is just breathtaking.

I’ve seen them perform this song live twice. It is such a feel good song, almost a celebration. Such a great song.

I love the layers in thie piece. It is also amazing live, as the band brings the audience into the song and it becomes an incredibly high energy piece. The Buenos Aires rendition is my favourite. Thanks.

It would be interesting for you to do a review of Nightwish that’s studio and live back to back.

You should do "How`s the heart" as a two video reacion. First the lyrics version and then the acuostic version.... that would be very interesting for you as a composer.

Ha, Nightwish is the world champion of modulations! Hardly any song goes without one or two! 😉😊

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now, and I'm really enjoying them. I'd love to hear your take on some songs from The Dillinger Escape Plan. A few key songs that stick out to me are "Dissociation", "Mouth Of Ghosts", "Widower", "Nothing to Forget", "43% Burnt", "Understanding Decay" and basically any other song they have out there. Haha. I typically feel like their albums are best went listened to in their entirety, but I understand that's not a realistic request. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

I think viewers Nightwish fans would like if you do reactions/decompose also the music tracks. It will be something new since most people are reacting to live performances all the time.

Superb breakdown. Thank you.

wow, I'm becoming a Nightwish fan.

This song along with the video is one of the most positive songs from Nightwish, and I love it so much!

You can rename this channel to "Billy Joel reacts" and everyone would believe it 🤣 but seriously this has become one of my favorite react channels lately.

Noise - from the new Human Nature album has a video clip! Shoemaker, Pan, Procession - Epic! The whole 2nd CD is orchestral.

Let's see some more band variety!!! :) Thx for awesome videos!

Hey Geebs! I know you mentioned getting back into the metalcore and prog rock soon. I haven't read many of the comments in past videos, but I've been a pretty long time lover of Periphery and they've led me into a pretty cool place for excellent heavy, technical, yet still melodic and ambient bands. My current absolute favourite band is ERRA. I'd love to hear what you have to say about them. Also, through my recent subscription to RU-vid music, I've been turned onto Unprocessed lately. Damn, they're good! Nice to see Spiritbox is getting some plays though, that style is my jam! Love your work, man, always fun to watch and listen to new music and new takes on old favourites. Thanks!

Do a Live version comparison, to pin point the differences.

Thanks for the enlightening reactions.

I almost get teary eyed everytime i hear floors voice... i dont know why but the best i can describe is that it reminds me of the innocence of childhood and brings me back to a time where things were so simple if that made any sense i love nightwish and they pair up perfectly with each other

Hahaha "Howzit" is such South African greeting. Hope you come visit one day. Love your stuff.

This and Ghost Love Score are my two favorite NW songs. I'm a big fan of Celtic influences.

I love that you start every reaction with 'Howzit'. -very South African 🙂🇿🇦

Do we think he's ready for The Greatest Show on Earth yet?😉 I'm partial to the live at Tampere version myself🤘 Keep it up, my friend👍

thanks for listening to the studio versions. as far as reaction videos go they are highly underrated.

Great choice and explanation there. Loved the decomposition like you did for so many recorded Tool tracks before. Nightwish tracks have mostly been composed by a single composer. This results in a lot of well aimed end executed awesomeness, especially given the genre and the elite class performers in the team. In a way the works by Tuomas seem similar to me as the way Devin Townsend approaches his compositions, arrangements and production. From a composing pov I can imagine Tool goes through a rather different kind of process. They more have a 'band'- composing process where each individual instrumentalist (singer included) writes their part as they move along. As a fan of The Gathering and the aforementioned three others, I recognise the Tool way of working in the productions by The Gathering, who have inspired both Tuomas and Devin with their early albums like Mandylion. Now I wonder, and hope, if you could possibly filet one of the following (most of them) lesser known, yet intricate, compositions by The Gathering: * 'Sand and Mercury' (1995): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QFGMroyKUKY.html * 'Travel' (1998): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y46Lft_BZxo.html * 'Analog Park' (2000): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-04vaC74qEM4.html * 'Black Light District' (2002): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g_NrZpyU5H8.html * 'Even the Spirits are Afraid' (2003): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CI_r92LZPqM.html * 'Heroes for Ghosts' (2012): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KUO6MuarlBA.html * 'I can see 4 Miles' (2012): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4Xrkuo5vwVg.html I added a few live performances for reference, but I understand real fans would prefer the recordings for the same reasons you so elaborately explained in the beginning of your video. Recorded tracks are also available on YT. You'll also notice the same differences between the vocals of both Anneke and Silje live versus recorded. Like Floor, Maynard and Devin, Anneke is a force of nature live and appears to hold back (or put in less effort, dependent on how you wish to look at it) in recorded tracks. But unlike Floor and Devin, but like Maynard, she wrote the music for her own instrument. Unlike Nightwish The Gathering chose to stick to a non-commercial approach in everything they did, accepting the consequences of having lower budget for production etc. Yet, nonetheless, many of their compositions are acclaimed for their intricacy. I wonder how you look at the results and these processes.

To really hear what Tuomas can do arrangements wise, I would suggest to react to the official video of his solo project, Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge, especially the song A Lifetime Of Adventure. Regarding live vs studio, when I discovered them a little while back, I bough the compilation studio album Decades which contains all their most important songs sung by the original singers and later I bought their 3 most recent live albums with Floor and let's just say that I almost never listen to the compilation album except for a couple of songs, so that should tell you all that I think about their live performances vs the studio recordings.

I crowd surfed to Elan at Download festival, three times :D

Endless Forms Most Beautiful the video is another great one!🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

I almost missed this video. Not sure how, but I'm here. Lol. Can't go wrong with Nightwish. Geebz, HOW'S IT?! Looking forward to more Meshuggah and Nightwish both.

Yet another great reaction! You should check "The Greatest Show on Earth, Live at Tampere" and check the backstory also.

Alright, now you're getting me into stuff I've never heard before. I'm totally still here and will continue to be.

As always, I enjoy your comments! Tuomas writes the songs and he's also the composer. There are some other really great songs, one that comes to mind is "Shoemaker!"

If you want to see full orchestra, as Konrad Stańczyk suggested, do "Sancta Terra" by Epica. It is live, Floor does a duet with Simone Simons and there is a 90 piece orchestra on stage and about 2 dozen backup singers/choir.

Yep, Floor makes us 'goober' when trying to describe her abilities. Or is that gibber?

Previously I forgot to mention that Tuomas is also the arranger. Nightwish picked up a new member. Troy is I believe Irish and plays the guitar and an Irish flute and bagpipe the names of which have escaped my memory.

Great Reaction. Please, do more Nightwish. They (and especially Tuomas) are worth the decomposing from a good composer. I'm myself are a sinfonic musician and had been working with many great (european) Composers. I'm hoping after this pandemic we all can go back to our orchestra and make great music again. PS: I'm a longtime Nightwish fan (since 2001) and saw them live. They are as good as it seems.

Hello, hello! Great vid as always! Recommending King Crinson - I talk to the wind

Thank you for your insights into the composition. As you said, it enhances the listening experience. And you do a great job at it! Tuomas (keyboard player and main composer) is getting better all the time and you should definitely listen to their latest album Human Nature. One of my personal favourite tracks is Pan and I would love to hear your take on it! Tuomas is heavily inspired by films and filmmusic and this track has a ton of references. I think you will like it.

This was another amazing reaction video to my favorite band thank you.The guy playing the Cello is Marko and he is the bass player. 😊🤘 Can you please react to Nightwish Yours Is An Empty Hope from Wembley 2015.🙏🙏🙏😋

BANDMAID- DOMINATION (LIVE) It'll blow your mind!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Endlessness by Nightwish! It is the last track of their newest album and Marco's final song with the band. I get chills almost every time I listen to it!

Great job thankyou for doing this one, think you would enjoy any song from their new album human nature.

The guy playing the chello (Marco) was the bass player of Nightwish.

The "chello" in the video is an acoustic base played by the ... base player :) It just fits in the 50-ies vibe

They hire real orchestra members to record the orchestral instruments

If you are interested in how Nightwish creates and composes their albums, you should search RU-vid for documentary videos they and others have made about their process including interviews and recording sessions with the orchestra and choirs in London and how they work at the rural studio. Their recordings can include up to 600 tracks, although they say they are reduced to max of 250 in the final mix before mastering. I do like this music video of Elan, even though it is not done live.

love to hear your thoughts on the poet and the pendulum live at Wembley with its 5 segments musically its busy its good to get a composers view on things rather than a singer/vocal coach

Among the others mentioned for arrangements, Meadows of Heaven is something you would never forget...

The Greatest Show on Earth!! 🖤

Looking through your reactions, I’m surprised you haven’t yet reacted to Wintersun! Please consider reacting to their song, “Sons of Winter and Stars,” particularly the live rehearsal recording at Sonic Pump Studios. It’s likely to show up as the top video in your search. It’s a metal masterpiece, including insane drumming from Kai Hanto (who currently drums for Nightwish!) and amazing vocals from Jari Mäenpää, who writes all the music except for the drums, which are written by Kai. I have yet to see a reactor who’s been disappointed by this epic masterwork. Please, please give it a listen on the channel!

Artist-Belakor Song-Venator Amazing melodic death metal! Awesome bassist and super catchy breakdowns with the guitar. It would be amazing to see you give some melodic death metal some love and take a deep dive Into the genre! You can go down that rabbit hole for months on end!

Greetings DeComposer... newer Nightwish songs/albums are amazing... but please when you have the time check some of their older stuff from the Tarja Turunen era... she was one of the founding members with Tuomas Holopainen (keyboardist) and Emppu Vuorinen (guitarist) and she was the lead vocalist from the beginning in 1996 until 2005. Keep DeComposing ! Aloha !

I second that (as a composer) you would love love "The Greatest Show On Earth", but also you might love "The Poet and the Pendulum" I do suggest you do a tiny bit of research on that last one. (Something about a traumatic/depressed time after firing the lead vocalist Tarja) These are 2 true master pieces from Tuomas hand.

Wel now you have to check out the live version in Buenos Aires. Its banging.

I hadn't heard this one before, as I'm not as familiar with some of the stuff they've done since Floor joined. She sounds good, I just haven't been paying attention! My favorite Nightwish song is 7 Days to the Wolves.

I do get what you mean when you say you lose some nuances, ambient and orchestral sounds during live performances but the Nightwish crew people they do a good job adjusting/tuning all these pre-recorded tracks for the live shows, because those orchestral parts are a big part of Nightwish performances. So you really don't miss that much.

I wish they would play the classical guitar ending when they play it live. It's so pretty.

Thanks for this! I usually like live and probably because I grew up going to a bunch of concerts. But sometimes the studio versions are just what the doctor ordered. I highly recommend checking out their latest album Human :||: Nature 😉 They have lyric videos for all of disc one and disc 2 is all symphonic instrumental composition 😎 Have a great night!!!

Been really enjoying your channel ever since I discovered it. For a suggestion, I would love to hear your breakdown of a prog-metal/prog-rock band called Haken. Falling Back To Earth, The Architect, Messiah Complex are all great tracks to check out. Cheers!

Don't know if this was ever released in the U.S., but sure seem like it would be a hit!

Loved the commentary. Very educational. It would have been interesting to see you immediately follow up with the live version. Whether recorded or live Nightwish is excellent. However, live is funner. 😁