Nightwish Album: “Angels Fall First [DVD Bonus Track]”

Originally released in 1997, Angels Fall First was the debut release from Finland's Nightwish. The album came at a time when European artists were radically changing the heavy metal landscape. Bands like Stratovarius and Conception were redefining the idea of progressive metal, the Gothenburg scene revolutionized the death metal genre, and bands like Blind Guardian and Rhapsody were changing the face of power metal. In this same manner Nightwish came along and essentially offered up an entirely new kind of heavy metal.

Keyboardist/songwriter Tuomas Holopainen merged elements of traditional heavy metal with orchestral arrangements (initially via keyboard and later with an actual orchestra), and operatic female vocals courtesy of classically-trained Tarja Turunin. The result was an album that was classy and melodic yet still retained a measure of the aggression and power that is so characteristic of heavy metal. Tarja's powerful and emotional vocal performance is what immediately stands out, though the symphonic elements and captivating songwriting reinforce the music's overall presence.

Today, symphonic metal bands with female vocalists are literally a dime a dozen, but the whole scene started with this album. Overall, Angels Fall First is probably the weakest of the "Tarja Era" Nightwish albums, but it's better than most of its imitators and will always stand out as a milestone for the genre. The fact that Nightwish would continue to improve significantly with each release that followed shows just how incredible this band was in their prime.

NOTE: The 2008 reissue of Angels Fall First features digitally remastered sound, expanded liner notes, and a handful of bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are Return to the Sea (originally from an import version of Angels Fall First) and demo versions of Nightwish, Forever Moments, and Etiainen. Another key difference between this reissue and the original version of Angels Fall First is that each part of the epic song Lappi (Lapland) is broken down here as a separate track. Between the improved sound, bonus tracks, and the new info and band photos, I didn't think twice about replacing my old copy of Angels Fall First with this classy reissue.

I understand this is the first Nightwish album, and is not as good as oceeanborn, but it's still a great combination of classical music and rock album, one of the best songs is "Beauty and the Beast". I don't understand why people think S&M by Metallica is something amazing and new, but if they listen to bands like nightwish and some others like therion, they will notice that the orchestration work is a lot better than Kamen - Hettfield - Ulrich effort. Please listen to this album and see what a good fusion work is, it's got energy, melody and Tarja's voice is perfect.

It's good for what it is. It's no surprise that Nightwish's presentation isn't quite as confident as on later releases. After all, who could've guessed that they would become one of Finland's most successful musicians in history? But Angels Fall First still delivers, and anyone who has heard their later material owes it to themselves to go back and pick this gem up.

Like any other Nightwish album, the music is clearly driven by Tarja's heavenly operatic vocals. The woman sings like no other, and she's what makes such songs as "Elvenpath" and "Tutankhamen" stand out from the typical power metal mold. Emppu, one of the guitarists I respect most, once again fails to disappoint with his fast and harmonious riffs. What makes Angels Fall First stand out from later releases, however, is the frequent use of acoustics. They are done quite beautifully, if I must say, and fit the songs very well. It is no surprise that the band originally started out as an acoustic project. Jukka's drumming and Tuomas' keyboards are once again well done, but the thin production isn't exactly to my liking, particularly the keyboards, which often blend in too much with the guitars. My main problem however, is Tuomas' vocals. I notice others have the same irritations - he sounds way off-key, can't harmonize with Tarja, has too strong of an accent, etc. I'm glad he doesn't sing on any other albums, if I must say so myself.

I'd say the highlights for me include the driving "Elvenpath", the beautiful ballad "Angels Fall First", the Egyptian-oriented "Tutankhamen" and also "The Carpenter", which is far from perfect (bad vocal parts, annoying clicking noises) but still manages to be a decent Nightwish single. Their first, actually. =)

Once again, get this if you've heard the other albums and like them. I still don't think I'd recommend this as a first Nightwish experience, let that be Oceanborn, or maybe Century Child.

9/10

I'm not sure why some people don't like this album as much as Nightwish's subsequent albums, but I thought it was great. Anyone who truly loves Nightwish will appreciate Angels Fall First. Beautiful music.

Well, this is the first Nightwish cd, and apparently is in fact a demo.

It is very raw, since they were just setting out, but in my opinion, it is still brilliant. I'd reccomend not to buy it untill you own all the other albums, and it its only for big fans, but if you do buy it, you will not be dissapointed.

On this albim, Tuomas (The composer\lyric writer\ keyboard and piano player) sings. Many people didlike his voice, but I don't. Its by no means perfect, but it fits the songs well.

This album also features more spoken passahes than usual.

Elvenpath.- Similar to Wishmaster and FantasMic, this song is a tribute to fantasy. Nice vocals and a good chorus. Very power metal-ish. Some may find it cheesy

4/5

Beauty And The Beast.- Beutiful song between Tuomas and Tarja, the fact that Tuomas' voclas aren't too great, makes Tarja's sound even better. great lyrics

4/5

The Carpenter. - Quite a good song, about Jesus. Tuomas' quiet vocals are excellent on this song, though the chorus isn't sung as well.

3.5/5

Astral Romance. - Nice guitars at the beginning, excellent double-tracked Tarja vocals, and not too bad Tuomas vocals. Good lyrics

4.5/5

Angels Fall First. - Beautiful slow song with beautiful acoustic guitars.

4.5/5

Tutankhamen. - Nice song, with Stargate references, kind of sexual, with agood bombastic chorus

3/5

Nymphomaniac Fantasia.- The only song Tuomas regrets writing apparenty. Freaky song about a woman who's husband as cheated on her, and is out for revenge. The last line which is spoken is disturbing... in a funny way

If you dislike this song, do not let it ruin your opinion of Nightwish. Like I said, even the band say IT WAS A MISTAKE

The lyrics are awful, though the vocals are good especially the line, "Hear The Stary Choir" is sung excellently

1.5/5

Know Why The Nightingale Sings- Excellent up - tempo song with great keyboards at the end.

4.5/5

Lappi. - A beautiful song with acoustic guitars, four parts, teo of which feature vocals, one in Finnish and the other in English. Creates a wonderful atmosphere

4.5/5

*A Return To The Sea (Bonus Track on some copies)- A good song, about the end of human existence, and the world being better off without humans. Good lyrics and vocals, though it drags a bit.

4/5

Well like I said, this album should only be bought if you lile Nightwish's other work, especially Oceanborn and Wishmaster.