Musician/Producer Reacts to "Amaranth" by Nightwish

[@StrateleStudios]

CORRECTION: Not her first show with the band. Thanks for the assist on this guys. 🫶

[@robertbrown8576]

It was her first MAJOR concert with the band so I think you should claim points for that. Keep up the great work, Jeff!!! 🤘✌

[@StrateleStudios]

@@robertbrown8576 hahaha thanks brotha! 🫶

[@foh8501]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Best Female Voice In The World In The Best Band In The World

[@TheJama64]

In Finland all Nightwish songs are radio friendly, but so are Sabaton, Metallica ….

[@davidellinsworth22]

I want Finnish radio in the UK 🤘

[@sateentuoksu]

Finland has the highest heavy metal density in the world, 54.3 bands / 100.000 inhabitants (altogether 2,825 bands alive and kicking / 5.2 million inhabitants). So, if the Germans could say "Sauerkraut ist unsere Spezialität" (okay, not fair..Really: Bier!) , we could say: "Ours is...🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🖤🤘"

[@helky8]

Mostly in Radio Rock 👍🤟

[@jaskau2462]

@@sateentuoksu Where we've suddenly lost 350 000 people of the population??? Definitely not recruited for any "Special Operation" to our eastern neighbor... 🙈 🤘😹

[@RonniePeterson]

I think it was obvious to anyone watching this show that Floor was the perfect fit for this band and the band for Floor. A match made in heaven. The last three are just killer, GLS, SOM and LROTD!

[@mouseketeery]

This wasn't her first concert with them, she'd been with them a few months. They felt they had to fire Anette - in the middle of a world tour! They called Floor to see if she would stand in for them (she was at her sister's wedding when the call came!), in a few hours she was on a plane to the US, trying to learn the lyrics on the way. There's a documentary of the tour here on KZbin called "Please Learn The Setlist In 48 Hours" that's worth your time. A good intro to the personalities etc. too. This was Floor's real intro to their big European audience, though. After the concert, there were young women sobbing all over the place - "She's so PERFECT for them!", "They look so happy!"

[@StrateleStudios]

Oh wow! Very cool ok thanks for the correction!

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. The Nightwish army loves you, too.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you my friend! 😊😊😊🫶

[@PittDaddy]

I love when Floor has the crowd chanting Hey hey hey, Tuomas has his hands behind his head marveling at her control of the crowd.

[@StrateleStudios]

I love that part!

[@shadokat]

Lots of people are talking about whether or not Tuomas standing there with his hands on his head is him reacting to Floor's rapport with the crowd. Now, obviously I don't know Tuomas but this is a gesture I've seen him make a lot when he seems to be amazed or surprised by something. Check out his reaction at the end of the Wembley concert. He does the same thing - puts his hands on his head and you can see by the look on his face that he is in awe of what just happened. Like he can't believe the cheering is for him and his band. I love Tuomas and I go out of my way to find him on screen when he can be seen. He closes his eyes a lot and sings along to most songs. You can tell he loves what he does and is incredibly proud of their accomplishments. But he isn't arrogant or full of himself. None of them are. Love this band.

[@ValtteL]

I'm Finnish and I think you're absolutely right. This is a very typical mannerism for Finns - it's like "I can't believe this, wow". At least I've seen a lot of people do it, my close friends and I myself use this expression "hands on head" when you're telling a story, something amazing or surprising happened, you say it and then you put your hands on your head and you keep quiet for a couple of seconds. This can be positive or negative. Or you reflect after intense movie/tv series/game whatever. I'm 98,9% sure in this video Tuomas give this expression to crowd like "wow, can't believe you guys, didnt expected that, amazing!".

[@Thehappykebeb]

I can recommend "Please learn the set list in 48 hours" in that doc you learn how Floor ended up in Nightwish. This was not the first concert, but early.

[@StrateleStudios]

I will definitely watch that! Thanks!

[@helky8]

Very good documentary! I've watched it sooo many times 🤭

[@missrubyphoenix]

I love seeing Tuomas's reaction to the dynamic between the audience and Floor, from how he puts his hands to his head (either as a form of rest or because he is in awe by how she commands the stage) to also fist bump hard in the air, along with the crowd

[@StrateleStudios]

Sooo good!!!

[@tsiouparoglou4493]

She's so unbelievably breathtaking it's insane

[@kentk2215]

Song of Myself is my personal favorite from this show. Looking forward to it. And don’t worry… there is still SO much more great Nightwish to discover beyond Wacken 2013. This was her first tour with the band but not first show. She joined them early in the Imaginaerum tour, about 10 months prior. It was one of the first European shows, and most in the crowd were probably seeing her as the new lead singer with the band for the first time. They had done shows in North and South America, Asia, Australia, and a couple in UK with her prior to this. Nightwish Army loves you too, man!

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah ok…so she did have some time to kick in with the band before this. Makes sense.

[@robertsheeler321]

Good job, remember every song here were wrote for the 1st 2 singers but Floor makes them her own . this was wrote for Anette 2007-2012 she was a very poppy singer

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes! Makes perfect sense!

[@merqury5]

This is a song that grows on you the more you hear it.

[@davidellinsworth22]

Love Floor's playfulness in this one. Such an easy song for her to sing so she just has a fool around on stage. She's a brilliant crowd commander. There's a reason you've seen Song of Myself in the comments a lot.... it's an absolute peach of a song. After that it's Last Ride of the Day and you're done with Wacken. Maybe before you start with (I'm guessing) Wembley 2015 I advise reacting to Nightwish's rendition of Pink Floyd's High Hopes.... I hate covers in general, but this is different; it's a tribute to Floyd, and it's just perfect in every way.... Marko is the sole lead vocalist on that one and you will be shocked at just how good he is.

[@StrateleStudios]

I’ve had many many requests for High Hopes so… 😉☺️☺️☺️

[@davidellinsworth22]

@@StrateleStudios you gotta do it man.... you know you do!!! 😂😂😂

[@blueeyes1110]

Ten months with the band at this point what I love about this concert is that it's the best in my opinion but also she's not a member yet that comes in October

[@MrStonemason67]

After Wacken you should consider doing either Wembley or Tampre or if you want more of their new content the 2022 Hellfest concert is awesome too.

[@mouseketeery]

I like this song. You're right about the radio-friendliness of it, it was a pretty big hit for them, maybe their biggest beyond Finland (where everything thing they do is a hit!). It was recorded with Anette and has a pretty cool video. You can also find the true original on KZbin - it was written before Anette had been hired, was going to be sung by Marko and was called "Reach". The chorus is slightly different, both musically and lyrically. Three good versions of a very catchy song that the band clearly enjoy playing. Oh, and I think "Song of Myself" will be right up your alley!

[@christinaalgate4899]

Floor puts Power and energy into the song. Anette does a good job on this . I love Tuomas's reaction with his arms above his head

[@chriso6719]

Floor has complete control of the crowd. More radio friendly-yes. It's their most successful single. First official single from Dark Passion Play, the first album with Anette. One of Anette's best songs (IMO) The music video for it is based on a Finnish painting called 'The Wounded Angel'

[@sateentuoksu]

Hugo Simberg's Wounded angel fresco is next to the altar in Tampere cathedral (on the other side of it is his fresco "The garden of death"). The cathedral was designed by Lars Sonck, who also designed "Ainola" - the home of Jean Sibelius and his wife Aino.

[@StrateleStudios]

I just watched the MV I really liked it 🫶

[@chriso6719]

@@StrateleStudios is that you're first time hearing Anette? If so, that is one of the better places to start for her.

[@StrateleStudios]

@@chriso6719 ya that’s my first time hearing her!

[@sateentuoksu]

@@StrateleStudios Did you make a video of it? Would surely want to see ❤️

[@bpetrikovics]

Just gotta love that stage presence :)

[@StrateleStudios]

A master class!

[@goranelez9956]

To have such a world class vocalist like Marko and use him sporadically for few seconds like in this song or Ever Dream, it's a luxury. That's just one of their strengths: with 3 singers, infinite instruments at disposal and Tuomas' inspiration, you never know what'll happen next, just that it'll be awesome.

[@Dodgevair]

A genius + The Alpha=greatness.

[@RM-vt1wy]

And we appreciate You. Thank you for your genuine and enthusiastic reactions ! 🤟😊

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks R M 😊😊😊❤️

[@honorarythamesman5732]

Wonderful reaction as always. Don't worry, they frequently choke people up when you're not expecting it. You set me off actually 😆- I was already very emotional as our Queen of 70 years passes away today as you’ll no doubt know. But your reaction as always was nice and positive and so uplifting. So thank you so much - I've lost a very good friend in the last couple of weeks and today the Queen so I definitely needed some positivity! Btw, song of myself is a tour de force, not only musically but lyrically too - I know you're going to love it! Take good care of yourself 😃

[@StrateleStudios]

I heard the news, it’s very sad. I’m sorry to hear about your friend too. It makes me happy to hear that in some way my videos bring you some positivity and comfort. It’s the main reason why I do it. This is a tough life we live and we all need that. ❤️❤️❤️

[@frankmerris8821]

so after your done with this concert on to the next one.i concur

[@StrateleStudios]

Oh ya, not stopping anytime soon! 😅👏👏👏🫶

[@Thorgrim247]

Big hit from 2007 for Nightwish. A single from "Dark Passion Play". A metaphor for the band itself after Tarja. The dream will live on! The Amaranth, in myth, is a deep red or purple, never fading flower, and a symbol of immortality. This flower does not die as all other flowers do. It is never changing and always beautiful. In Ancient Greece, the flower was thought to have special healing powers and was used to decorate images of the gods and tombs. Song of Myself was inspired by a Walt Whitman poem of the same name from 1852. See you for the next epic song. Loved it Jeff! 🙏🙏

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you for this comment! I had no idea it was a flower! Yes, I’m so looking forward to the next one! 😃😄😃❤️

[@MK-xc9to]

it was not the first concert with floor , Wacken open Air is on a yearly base , it was her first concert with Nightwish in Wacken , a big one with 82000 People in the Audience , she entert Nightwish ~ 9 Month earlier , thrown into a world Tournee , here first concerts were in South America with Nightwish in 2012

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah gotcha thanks!

[@amygoodson-catlady]

This is Nightwish's most commercially successful single, debuted by Anette. Floor does a great job of respecting how Anette handled it live. Where is Part 2 if the Romanticide guitar breakdown??!!

[@StrateleStudios]

Coming soon! Hahaha, I’ve not been in my studio for the last week but will be back on Monday. 😊🫶

[@amygoodson-catlady]

@@StrateleStudios Oh great! I'm really looking fwd to that! But I like all of your reactions...its totally normal to get choked up about the band...and The Army! Both are life-changing events! There are always a few assholes, but the Nightwish philosophy is humanity, empathy and kindness...and speaking for myself, I try to project that, be inclusive. Esp to serious music lovers that I can geek out with!

[@bobgross8761]

Beautiful song, stellar performance and a great reaction, Jeff. This was a pretty big hit, and worked very well with Anette's voice. You should check out the official studio version and video from Dark Passion Play to get a full appreciation of what Floor adds to the experience. It's simply amazing. Also, I just love Jukka's showmanship behind the kit. Many thanks! P.S. You'll have fun counting out meters on Song of Myself. 😎

[@StrateleStudios]

Just watched bathe MV of this song with Annette. It’s a really cool video! Oh I can’t wait for crazy meters to come 😄👏👏👏🫶

[@ThePms96]

Good Job! I always wait when you next reaction coming😀. Can't wait for song of myself🙃🤟🇫🇮!!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks! I ALWAYS look forward to reacting to their videos!

[@ib8595]

You make such an awesome reactions to my fav band, keep it up pls!:)

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you!!!!🫶🫶🫶

[@Bolo2028]

You do such a great job with your reactions and commentaries.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you so much! 😊😊😊🫶

[@ValtteL]

I found a Finnish interview with Tuomas, that took place in 2019. I looked a bit and as far as I know, no one has ever translated it. I thought I might translate it because interview was superb. This was Teosto Podcast, episode "Tuomas Holopainen: "Kappeleita tarinoista, joita haluan kertoa". My only motive is to share this for Nightwish fans who don't speak Finnish. I'm not a professional, I think I have a decent English skills, so I hope you'll give me some slack if translation is sometimes little bit rough from the edges. Translating Finnish into English, especially when it's a casual conversation, is sometimes a bit tricky because our way of speaking doesn't always translate easily. I have tried my best to give right kind of interpretation what and how Tuomas said things. Luckily most of the things were quite straightforward. I've added a couple of "notes" when I felt I needed to point something out. I think, I removed two questions that were so general and Tuomas has answered them a million times, so I felt it was not worth repeating them. This interview has a bit of the same things you can see in the documentary "Making of Endless Forms Most Beautiful", but this one goes a lot deeper in certain parts. The interview lasted almost 40 minutes. It was really relaxed and the interviewer gave Tuomas time to think and answer questions. Teosto is a non-profit performance rights organization that collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and composers in Finland. Teosto is a member of the Confédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Auteurs et Compositeurs (CISAC). It represents 29 000 Finnish, and nearly three million foreign composers, songwriters, arrangers and publishers. The organization's clients are 29,000 music-using companies and communities. I thought I'd drop this whole thing to a few reactors who have a good Nightwish rabbit hole going. Many have enjoyed Stratele Studios Nightwish journey so this is little bit extra spice to that. So this from Finland to Nightwish Army, with love...

[@ValtteL]

What kind of process songwriting is for you? Tuomas: It's always very personal. It's the kind of thing that always goes along with life, you can never get rid of it and you never want to get rid of it. It's a very comprehensive experience for me, which I take extremely seriously, but also self-ironically. What does it mean? Tuomas: It means that music is a really serious thing for me, it's such a thing that I can't live without, but you shouldn't take music so seriously that you can't laugh at it in every situation. When I look at our band what we've done, especially 20 years ago, and also today, yes it puts a smile on my face - it is funny!... but it's not a joke. Songs are made by putting heart and soul into it and also with great respect. We thought very carefully about what we wanted to make songs about, what stories to tell and how to tell them. It takes 1-2 years to make one album, the process is very long and carefully thought out. Tuomas: How I go about making a song always starts from topic. What I've discussed with other songwriter colleagues, it usually doesn't go that way. So this way of ours is quite rare. I don't remember ever making a song in such a way that I jam at the piano or synthesizer, then a good melody or riff comes along and after that I start thinking about what this song could be about. Every song I've ever made has started from the theme and the story you want to tell. Is the story/theme easy to come up with? Tuomas: This world is full of stories, inspiring things and people. Then when you add a fictional world to this, you have endless possibilities, how many stories there are. You just have to find the things that somehow resonate with you and you feel that you could build an interesting piece of music from this story. Do you also think that the topic/theme must be so interesting that you can last 1-2 years in the creation phase and also live with the finished work for the rest of your life? Tuomas: Absolutely! English composer Gustav Holst said it best: "don't even start making music unless the thought of not making music is absolutely unbearable" Pretty good, and do you think so too? Tuomas: indeed, and I see myself in that aphorism quite completely. You just have to do it! Even if we never had success - no one would know anything about us, it's quite certain that I would still make those songs because I can't live without them. Has it ever happened that you have taken on a topic that has seemed like it won't work and there aren't enough inspiring ingredients? Tuomas: I don't remember that ever happening. If there has ever been something like this, it has been rejected at the very beginning. I don't have any leftover songs. There are no bonus tracks or any unreleased Nightwish songs. Let's focus on quality and not quantity. One example related to the topic is the solo album I made in 2014, 'Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge'. I got the feeling that I can't do this with Nightwish, because it's not fair to the other band members because they don't have the same grip on that theme that I do. They certainly wouldn't have found the motivation to focus on that story for 1-2 years. So you have to think about things like this, and that's why I ended up making a solo album.

[@ValtteL]

When it was a solo album, did it free you up as a composer in any different way, not having to think about the fact that you have to be able to perform this in Buenos Aires, Helsinki and everywhere for the next two years and maybe even throughout the rest of Nightwish's career? (Note: Tuomas is very amused by the question, but gets serious when he starts to answer) Tuomas: When making Nightwish's songs, I never think about such things. And this is perhaps how I differ from other band members. When we rehearse, often get these comments "but how do we do this live?!" - I never think about it. I just want to make the best possible quality of the song we have, so that it sounds as good as possible when it is listened to. Let's think about those live modifications later... back to the question, how did making the album differ from Nightwish - it was kind of liberating, but kind of not. At that point, you have total control on everything and it creates more pressure when you realize that everything is on your own shoulders. When making a album with a band, you can ask others for help. At that point, however, you may have to make more compromises. It has its pros and cons. Is composing a lonely process for you? Tuomas: Yes. It is a part of this big picture that is the most dear and important to me personally, what I enjoy the most. It's February (2019) and I'm in that moment right now. I know that I have time, peace and solitude until the summer to finish the songs for the upcoming album. And I'm all fired up. I can just be at home and focus on it. It's actually the only way I can make a song, is that I can be alone and in peace. I've never made a song in a hotel room or on the road in a tour bus. It requires that loneliness and the idea of ​​making songs only for yourself. It is an extremely selfish process. I never think about others, who will listen to that song, what they think about it. In a way, I want to try to make music for this world that I would like to hear and that I haven't heard yet. Fills that void... And that can be inspired by Scrooge McDuck or any fictional or factual story!? Tuomas: Any story, human encounter or anything fact or fiction, which gives you goosebumps and somehow gets under your skin and won't go away unless you make music out of it. It's a great moment when you find that story. For example, there will be a song on the upcoming album that tells the story of one such person (Note: Human Nature album track #3 Shoemaker), which many people do not know. When I read his story, I felt that this has to be made into a song, why don't people know this story, this is absolutely amazing! It was an incredible inspiration and I knew right away - "the song will be like this, the lyrics will be like this and so on". I'm guessing you can't tell me more about him at this point? Tuomas: I can't when the other members of the band haven't heard it and they deserve to hear it first. Okay, I understand. Tuomas: The point here was that these moments are the best part of this whole thing. When you find that story and that great feeling when you get goosebumps. As a composer, it is also very important for me to constantly challenge myself. Every melody, chord, rhythm that is in the song - I challenge it at least once, could it be something else - can this major chord be minor or what key is it, let's try the tempo 4 bpm up, 4 bpm down. I challenge the lyrics, every word, if it could be better. When the process has reached the point where I have nothing more to give to this, everything is done as well as I can do it, then I present the songs to the band and we start the process together from the beginning. At that point, the band might be very satisfied that there's not much to do about it, and then the other extreme is that it doesn't work at all, that what if this vocal melody went like this, or what if this guitar riff went like this, or let's drop the keys, or anything at all. It may change a lot or not at all. But it is very important to me that I get to work with those songs in total solitude for a long time until I myself am satisfied with them.

[@ValtteL]

How does it feel when you take the songs to present to the band? Are you afraid of how they will take it? Tuomas: Afraid is perhaps a bit strong word, but it's the only moment in this process when I'm genuinely very nervous. That moment when you play the demos for the first time to the other band members. Because I would love for them to be motivated by the material and then we would have lot of fun when we rehearse it and are in the studio. That they too would get goosebumps from the stories we are going to tell. It's a moment of true when you see those expressions and if there is nothing, it's "oh no, what now?". At the point when the album comes out or we have a listening event for the members of the record company or the media, I haven't been nervous about it for years. The first 3-4 albums maybe, but nowadays I can look at more with a wider perspective. They might not get excited, but you trust that there are people in the world who do? Tuomas: yes, definetely... and it's very simple. You can't think of anyone but you and the band. If you yourself are satisfied with that end result, then everything else after that is only a plus. How do you think when Nightwish has a certain image and a certain framework within which you kind of operate. There are world expectations for Nightwish. Do you see this as something that makes it easier to compose, in the sense that you have a format in which to do it, or do you sometimes even find it limiting? Tuomas: I slightly disagree with that. I feel that Nightwish doesn't have any kind of format, that we can do anything. The range of music and different genres we've made songs with in these 23 years is really wide. You can find our albums in the "heavy metal" section of the record store, but we've done one jazz song, orchestral songs, one gospel song, a lot of acoustic stuff, folk, so I've never felt that we were in any way genre dependent. I feel that we can do whatever we want. I have said that because Nightwish started as an acoustic project, so when we know that this journey will end, maybe the last album will be acoustic where we play with a kantele (traditional Finnish and Karelian plucked string instrument). (note: Laughs in the end. He is joking.) How have your composition processes changed? If we think about the very first days... Tuomas: not really in any way. That philosophy, the way I approach songs, has been exactly the same since 1996. First the story, search that right feeling that we want to convey through the song and then start thinking about how this story could be brought to light in the best possible way. "Is this a heavy song, is this a folk song...no, this is a ballad.. this is definitely a ballad, but is this driven by an acoustic guitar or is this piano driven?" I then start to think about how this theme would get the music it deserves. At the point when the music is done - the vocal melodies are ready, after that I write the final lyrics. Every song I've done has followed this same template, at least until now. So you have a very clear process. Tuomas: Yes. I find it a very strange idea that I would just make a song with a melody and then send it to the lyricist, who will write the text for it. In my opinion, music and lyrics go hand in hand, or they should go hand in hand. I personally can't imagine ever making a song like that. That way of working of course works, the world is full of great songs that are made that way. I just feel that it is not the right way for me.

[@ValtteL]

Is composing a moment of celebration? Tuomas: Most of the time, it is. I've been here in Helsinki for almost two days now and I'm dying to get on the train in two hours to get back to the keyboard. Once you get into that flow, it's very hard to let go. You don't want to let go, you want to be in that world 24/7 all the time. Of course, there will also be moments of frustration - I remember when I was making the Once album in 2003, I broke one of the keyboards. I punched it as hard as I could (laughs). So if you ask if anything has changed over the years, tantrums like that don't happen anymore. Do you remember your state of mind that led to this? Tuomas: Well, that was probably the worst writers block I've ever had. I had been trying to make songs for a couple of months and nothing came of it. It all sounded like crap. Some music was born, but nothing good enough to get excited about? Tuomas: Exactly. Nothing sounded good to my ears, didn't get goosebumps. I remember the feeling of frustration that why nothing is coming. Is this the end now? I had a big desire to do it, but I couldn't really find the stories and the melodies and chords didn't really fit. The way I solved this problem was that I decided to make a song about writer's block. That was the big aha moment, this is such a strong feeling that I have in my head - annoying, frustrating, angry and I'm not a violent person in any way and I just broke one of the keyboards using physical force. This is not me at all, so something has to be done. Well, let's make this feeling into a song. That song was called Dead Gardens, which can be found on the Once album. Then all the floodgates opened. That album took the band to a new level in terms of popularity. More breakthroughs in Europe and around the world. Do you feel that you reached a new level as a songwriter with this album? Or was it just a reward that the public happened to discover that album and the Nemo song. Tuomas: I definitely didn't feel that I had risen to a new level. It always feels to the artist, the band and the songwriter that this previous album is the best album, or at least very often it feels that way. But I didn't feel that I had developed in any special way as a songwriter from the previous album to the Once album. It just happened that many pieces fell into place, we were in the right place at the right time. The first semi-hit Nemo was created and somehow everything fell into place and the band rose to another level. I would say that calling Nemo a semi-hit is an understatement. It was a big song that year. Tuomas: Well that year, yeah. (note: almost as if he were ashamed to praise his own work). Probably still our most famous song. The band's singers have changed over the years. How much does it determine your songwriting when you know who is going to sing them and what kind of voice she has? Tuomas: In 2006, when the album Dark Passion Play was made, it was a fun process in that sense, that we had all the songs composed, the lyrics ready, the songs were even recorded. Only the orchestra parts and the vocals were missing and we had no idea who our singer would be. It was a bit difficult to find a singer and the whole thing was done quite thoroughly, so it went pretty close to the deadline. it was an exciting process because those songs were ready - the song melodies were built and then we just tried to find a suitable voice and finally ended up with Anette. Usually whenever I make songs, I think about our band - who will play them, what is their playing style, the vocal scale, the colors of the sound. I hear the songs very comprehensively in my head already in the songwriting phase, except for this one album.

[@ValtteL]

Nowadays, is there confidence that if there is some kind of writers block, that it will pass and after some time you will be able to produce material that satisfies you? Tuomas: I have very high confidence in it. I would like to go back to what you said at the beginning, you said that "you are serious but you also laugh" - what makes you laugh? Where does that self-irony come from and where is it directed? Tuomas: ..(thinks).. When you look at the big picture, when there are 6 band members on stage and long hair swings to the rhythm of fantasy music where they sing about sauna elves and flying with a snowman. Sometimes a little more serious topics, but some of it is such fantasy nonsense, so you have to laugh at it... I don't mean that the band is a joke to be laughed at. The songs were made very seriously back then, and the lyrics were polished for months, that we found just the right feelings.. like, if we really wanna fly with snowman, how it should feel like. Everything has a purpose, but it's not like that "You can't laugh at this, god's sake, i gave my heart and soul to these songs, do not laugh". Of course you can laugh at them. That's what I mean by this self-irony. Does the feedback you get from the listeners affect your writing and the production of Nightwish in general? Tuomas: No, it doesn't really affect me. This is why I try to be as far away from social media as possible. I don't have facebook, instagram or twitter accounts... and I don't visit forums to read, because I've done that too and I noticed how strongly it affects. I realized years ago that it's better not to go at all, so I don't feel bad. (laughs) Your mind is in the real world or fantasy world, not in social media. Tuomas: It's a very scary place. The upcoming album has certain themes that deal with social media (Human Nature track #2 Noise). That's why I ended up doing this kind of empirical research, to dive into that world, to get that kind of feeling of disgust that you can absorb from there, that you can make those songs. Well, it's a wild world...but also fascinating in terms of human nature and makes you think about what's in the near future. Do you know the TV series Black Mirror? I know that, but I haven't watched it yet Tuomas: It deals with these topics geniously. And it has inspired you? Tuomas: It has greatly inspired the themes of this upcoming album. Can it be interpreted this way that even though Nightwish is known for the fantasy world that this time there are also topical issues? Tuomas: Maybe a little more than before and we already made that transition on that previous album (note: Endless Forms Most Beautiful), which was probably the least personal album we've ever made. About very important things and things that interest us all. They weren't so much an interpretation of the pages of my own diary as the earlier records. This same trend continues on this upcoming album.

[@bocatampere]

Love your reactions, sir 🙏🏻 Greets from Finland 🤘🔥❤️🇫🇮

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you Markus! 😊😊😊🎉🎈🫶🤘

[@clivematthews5296]

Usually if they appear simpler and more radio friendly they are often written for the more limited ability of Anette.

[@StrateleStudios]

Makes total sense ya

[@joekel55]

At 4:00 into your video you see Tuomas with his hands on his head,... He knew he made the right choise to make Floor lead vocalist.

[@k.l.7788]

I love also the look Marko gives Floor at about 4:04 ☺️

[@scottb.4472]

A lot of reactors say after viewing this song that they weren't blown away by it and they're not going to it's not that kind of song, but this is a very popular song by a lot of the nightwish fans and as you can see it was great for fan interaction......... And yeah you're right this song is very basic and simple and you could actually say radio friendly....... And yeah it's a little bit more maybe on the pop side but not 100% and the song is just so simple but I actually like it because of that reason and I normally would not say that.........

[@badsiony]

Thanks for another good reaction, I look forward to these :)

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you badsiony! 😊😊😊🫶

[@cyborgnj]

Just want to correct ya for a moment, this wasn't Floor's first concert, it was her first European Festival, she had been on tour with the band for several months before this.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thanks for the correction! Still impressive though hahaha

[@george93308]

This song was written for Annette who had a pop music style voice. She actually kills this song. Metal Queen Floor Jansen is singing opera and pop style songs written for other great singers. The original versions need to be appropriated also, sometimes.

[@juantimer]

You are one of my favorite reactors and always do NW and Floor justice. The journey has only just begun :)

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah thank you! Yes much more to come!!! 😃😃😃❤️

[@lynsmith1096]

Great review Jeff. As a big Nightwish fan I have watched a good few of your reviews on them so I have now subscribed to your channel.

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank I you Lyn! Lots more to come, it’s a joy covering them! 😅🤘🫶

[@johnsoma6485]

I love that Floor sings this song like Cher's avenging angel.

[@StrateleStudios]

Hahaha good one! 👏👏👏

[@rickphil9999]

Hi Jeff. Very cool indeed. It is great seeing Floor get the crowd going to the point that Tuomas puts both hands on his head in amazement. Typical Jukka trying to destroy his kit on every song. Loved your reaction. After you get done with Wacken 2013, I recommend you check them out at a huge festival in France this year. ARTE (French and German television) uploaded the entire concert video from the Nightwish sunset concert at Hellfest 2022 and, in just over 2 months, it has more than 2.1 million views. Another incredible show where you can check out the band with Kai Hahto (from Wintersun) on drums and Jukka Koskinen (also from Wintersun) on bass. I am so happy that Nightwish recently announced that the new Jukka is now officially a member of Nightwish. Thank you for continuing your Nightwish reactions. BTW, here is a link to the entire Hellfest 2022 concert: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poqsiWSArsdpaqc

[@StrateleStudios]

Ah man they don’t do Romanticide? 😩

[@rickphil9999]

@@StrateleStudios Ha. Not in the current setlist. Hey, they can't fit everything and their new stuff. That's one of those that was heavily dependent on Marko. Interesting enough, Floor is doing some of Marko's stuff in songs like Planet Hell and Troy is backing up Floor nicely.

[@StrateleStudios]

@@rickphil9999 it will be interesting seeing the new players!

[@jaskau2462]

🤩👌💥💯 Starting to get eager for their next album. Full album demo is done, some vocals by Floor and Troy on it and the rehearsals for the actual album making starts 1st of July 2023..... 😉👍 🤘😎🇫🇮💙

[@StrateleStudios]

🎉🎊👏👏

[@Ireksojkowski]

Hi nice reaction

[@sterlingknight8087]

A choir leader for 82,000. Amazing.

[@StrateleStudios]

😃👏👏👏🫶

[@bazarista4720]

Please do reaction video to Human Nature album. Absolutely insane album

[@chadbennett7873]

Adding to the list of excellence, Jeff ... please don't slow down ... waiting impatiently until you work up to The Greatest Show On Earth." I'm hoping you choose the Tampere version first, then maybe a comparison with the Wembley version ... there are several variations between the two, but if nothing else, react to Tampere, then add the last part with Richard Dawkins from Wembley. 👍👍👍 Even though I'm not qualified to give more than two thumbs, as I only have two to give, I snuck in a third, cause you're worth it!!

[@StrateleStudios]

Hahaha 👍👍👍❤️

[@danettecrossley7912]

That's one of the problems with USA they write for the radio and thats the problem corporations run the music industry and they are tone deaf no longer about the music money money money thank God for other countries it's still about the music not first concert with floor she'd been with them about 11 months it's the first major concert with them God bless

[@StrateleStudios]

You know it. They write for the 💰💵

[@shirazzza]

I hope other things include different concerts & the new ones!

[@StrateleStudios]

Absolutely Shannon!

[@shirazzza]

@@StrateleStudios yay awesome. I think eventually you'll get around to Epica & the concert where Floor joins in on a couple of songs. And Ayreon. Ah music is all so interlinked it's really cool

[@StrateleStudios]

@@shirazzza I’ll add to my list 😊😊😊

[@TimoArula]

That was something ❤‍🔥. This song was from Anette era (Album "Dark Passion Play"). Anette studio version is Great, but nothing can get close to compare Floor's Live POWER!!!! I really liked the hype part, especially Tuomas, who was like: " holy crap, we unleashed Floor (holding his head in both hands), hopefully Odin doesn't notice that Valkyrie doesn't show up on work now " 🤣. NWSU 🤘😎🤘.

[@StrateleStudios]

Ya just watched the MV for this tune and got a taste of what Annette sounded like on it. It’s different from what Floor does but still has merit! ❤️

[@JariJuslin]

Weird enough, I like this particular song more with Anette. She has a much poppier voice than Tarja and Floor and for a poppier song like this it actually was a good fit.

[@wanmac31]

😊🇫🇮❤️🎼✨🤘💙

[@Mars-is4un]

🤗🍒👍🏻

[@Andre-gy2kq]

Maaaan, i miss Marko so much... F*CK

[@manuelmorante9465]

👍👍😎😎🤘🤘

[@sulliken77]

To be fair. Even though Floor Jansen is the best thing that has happened to Symphonic Metal, this song is best with Anette Olzon in the music video.

[@sweetcougar]

You should listen to the music video of this song with Annette.

[@StrateleStudios]

Pretty cool MV actually. Definitely a difference between Annette and Floor singing this song. I think Floor covers this a fierce beauty and power. How do you feel about it?

[@sweetcougar]

@@StrateleStudios I like both. Annette voice suite the song pretty good since it was made for her style. But Floor brings more to it.

[@StrateleStudios]

@@sweetcougar that sums it up for me too, ya.