Nightwish - An Ocean Of Strange Islands | Reaction / First Listen!

[@davidellinsworth3299]

This song live would melt diamonds. I absolutely love it!!!!

[@michaellein2389]

The best new masterpiece that my neighbor has to listen to. 😉

[@Wollie1979]

LOL! I would come over to listen along 😂

[@kajlax1554]

I concur

[@michaellein2389]

@@kajlax1554 Small update: received my copy today and guys....awesome. Must listen to music now, several times :D

[@michaellein2389]

Small update: received my copy today and guys....awesome. Must listen to music now, several times :D You have a lot to listen to Nikki. ♥

[@jewfish68]

Great reaction and commentary! My take: Tuomas the Ocean Soul yesterwynding over the islands of his life with all the highs and lows, times of calm and frenetic pace, but arriving at a place at peace with the world.

[@frankramakers]

Another great song from Nightwish. And an equal great reaction from Nikki.

[@nikkireviews]

Aw thank you. 😊 Such a good song!

[@RolfMeyer-cl7ou]

Hello Nikki. I read in comment "Old Nightwish " meets "New Nightwish ". I totally agree. What a Masterpiece. Wonderful reaction ❤. Grettings from northern Germany 🤘

[@louisminten7889]

Yepp MASTERPIECE again🤯🤘. How can she remember the lyrics, because it is so fast

[@dejannightwish]

Kai on the beast mode 🤘🤘🔥🔥

[@AdolfoSalinasP]

The MVP Of this song

[@nikkireviews]

Oh for sure!

[@fjnw]

What a masterpiece. As always, after a few listensthe song grows on me. And thank you for your (again) great reaction. Knowing Nightwish and knowing Tuomas I fully agree on your interpretation. Musically it feel very much like the heavier Nightwish, some scenery painted like Vangelis and the ending gives me very strong Mike Oldfield (Ommadawn) vibes. BTW, Paddy Malone playing the Uilleann Pipes on Ommadawn were a big inspriration for Troy to learn to play the pipes 😄

[@APMM58]

You amaze me every time; you read the meaning of every song from Nightwish so good . Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@LASBATSARNAUD]

In the world of Metal Nightwish is a jewel the singer is one of the most versatile and powerfull her voice could be a caress for the ears and also a slap of power for them!

[@dianabryson5264]

This is a first , watching the video with you for the first time Wow. I have heard the song but not the video. The ending with Troy gives me great joy !!

[@silverblack5475]

This will be mind blowing live.

[@RolfMeyer-cl7ou]

Poor Floor. Sing this lyrics in that Tempo. I knew, she do it, but it is a challenge 🤘Grettings from northern Germany

[@jonathanratliff4780]

When??

[@davidellinsworth3299]

This song live would melt diamonds. It's so f*****g good!!!

[@davidellinsworth3299]

@@jonathanratliff4780 probably 2026

[@jonathanratliff4780]

@@davidellinsworth3299 Based on what information?

[@Edogg-c7t]

The best song so far🤘 It contains everything that Nightwish represents👌 You are in the right direction, nice reaction Nikki👍

[@craigbolton5093]

Beautiful song, beautiful analysis. Thanks!

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you for watching! 💛🎵

[@mattgraham2835]

Kai Hahto's drum work is absolutely awesome and her voice comes off the top and emppu's lead is quite brutal and Jukkas bass sounds very prominant and very thick and troy at the end what a sonic masterpiece

[@jennienoppers210]

Well done once more Nikki! Thank you!

[@jimharris367]

I just love this amazing piece, it's everything I hoped it would be - great reaction Nikki, your face said it all 🤘

[@makispertse3073]

Magic!!!!!!!!!!!!! the symphony orchestra was fantastic

[@michaelwanklin3580]

Absolutely brilliant = this song soars - Floor's vocals unbelievable - the musicianship extraordinary.

[@Rackelhane]

Great reaction Nikki. I love this piece of music. Thank you ❤

[@hannu8755]

I hear Anettes era NW on this one and thats only a good thing!! 😍👍🤘🔥

[@stpfs9281]

That "Scaretale" scream and cackle!

[@NickBR57]

Uilleann Pipes at the end. You can hear its a reed instrument. Great analysis for a first listen. Much more to find after a dozen listenings

[@alienware18]

Nikki on beast mode!!! AMAZING AND SPOTLESS reaction... totally agreeing with you... And I also imagine or think of it to even the next level... Your friends being sour wine would represent the cycle of life...We become food fkr plants and animals... we are dust from dust... Dust from Stardust

[@trekkerj]

Watching with you from vacation in Japan driving through mountains. Love this song, its lyrics (very relevant to me traveling with a group around the Japanese islands), and as always, your great and thoughtful reaction. 👍🌄

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you and oh wow, Japan! I hope you have an amazing trip! 🏯

[@pdutchie4924]

Love this musical journey ❤❤❤ Great concert opener 😁 Would be awesome with a full orchestra and choir❣️

[@jeffreyphipps1507]

Keep in mind, the band came to her recording studio at her home not too long after she gave birth to Lucy. They allocated six weeks to record Floor's vocals. She finished in six *days*.

[@helli0n824]

This song makes me feel 20 years younger, when "Once" came out ... and it is 20 Years (!) of waiting for Nightwish music like that ... on the other side, if i would be 20 years younger i don´t know if i could enjoy Troy and his pipes so much then today ... i am crying when the last part is running, even in the car

[@glenngunnis6642]

Thank you, Nikki!🎸🤘

[@PaulSink]

Certain parts of the song so intense for sure and love the change ups.

[@Mars-is4un]

🤗🍒🤘🏻😘 Great great job Nikki as always

[@stpfs9281]

Tuomas doing his déjà vu themes. Did you catch the shout-outs? "The Butterfly Effect"? A Mariner under a sky Moonlit [GLS?] "The Islander" A "Siren"? Decades, make them matter. [Endlessness] A painter, on the shore. [Storytime] Where the cliff greets the sea... [Élan] "Not Waving but Drowning" is a poem by Stevie Smith. More Metal, old skool! The spelling to amuse the Americans, Cay, then Quay. Jokers, jesters [Raving harlequins, gigantic toys?] "Bring Me to Life"! [For the Reactors!] Dancing, in the daylight [Dancing in the dark?] Never Ending Story? Those smiles and grins! Ominous horns Covered in ash [Pompeii?] "An island of past wrecks"; The Antikythera mechanism (the next track). Endless sundown [Sleeping Sun] Meadows [Of Heaven] "Mad despair" [Scaretale] "Lords of a single fly" [Lord of the Flies, William Golding] As John Wick said: “Yeah, I think I'm back!" That was crunchy and chunky... Stop motion to the Bass. "Titanic" vibes from Troy. Uhh, peaceful, take us home. Well done Nikki! The ebb and flow. Seasons of our lives. In one take? Wow, you got it!

[@MrDijaru]

Holy smoke Kai double Bass 🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@seepra9200]

If the lines beginning with 'you who glow....' is a message to Marko, I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever read or heard. Brings tears to my eyes.

[@jimharris367]

I thought this as well, the 'retiree' reference also suggested that to me 🤔

[@ronnoe6708]

I seem to have gotten a completely different take on the song than everyone else did. For me the islands were us, individual people. These days, even with all of our technology (or because of it), we're more isolated than ever before. We live on our own little islands, in our own little worlds. My interpretation of this song is that Tuomas is encouraging us to all go out, leave our own islands and make the journey across the sea, despite "there be monsters", to the other islands. To go out, meet other people and interact. To become part of the world again, to make the journey and that, despite the risks, there will be peace at the end.

[@kimmikke_]

Hey Nikki, always the first sight of you in these reactions just gets me to so happy state of mind. Rock and React on :) Yes the song is about the people you meet during your Life, Tuomas has said this in an interview.

[@davestubbs7274]

Brilliant😊

[@markclements-bs3mb]

Hi Nikki, greetings from UK That was another wonderful reaction, thank you 😉 I like your thoughts, they seem spot on to me, so yes, very impressive! 😊 When I see butterflies in this video I think back to "Perfume Of The Timeless" and remember the butterfly effect that happens whenever we meet someone, so in my original thinking I was thinking that each island represented an individual person. You have helped clarify that this might not be the case, and because the video was showing a ship I am now inclined to agree that we are the ship visiting different islands where there are many different people. The song "Ghost River" had a lyric "Leave a footprint on every island you see" which was telling children to go and explore as many different things as they can. Because they are described as 'strange islands' in this song I think that they are experiences, we have many different experiences throughout our lives (visit many different islands) Small point, 'Quay' is pronounced 'Key' in UK, not sure if there are regional differences in other parts of the world 😁

[@corotto2538]

No words needed,absolute masterpiece❤❤❤

[@JWNanaimo]

Really like this !! Great reaction Nikki🤘🤘 Kai is in serious Beast Mode on the drum kit!! ..and everyone performing at the highest level..as usual🤘🤘 Unfortunately they said they aren’t going to tour Yesterwynd☹️ Got a notice from Amazon that they would advise when my item ships, which updates that Yesterwynd which I preordered back in June when it opened for preorder, is soon to be shipped. Probably in next 2 weeks.👏👏

[@Alicatt1]

I had notice last week that NB records had shipped the CD/DVD been checking the post box every day for a small package...

[@jeffreyphipps1507]

In this song, Troy went out using the Uilleann Pipes. Your interpretation is spot on though. It's kind of a positive song, saying you'll get past the dark times.

[@lillianekockritz2796]

A mariner under a sky moonlit on an island of a crewless ship, a few decades of immortality ahead, a one-man crew for a one-way trip. Islands, islands everywhere, I keep my range with crowded sails. My waves, they kiss every shore I land, steep cliffs will mock my waving hand. Islanders, villagers, universal mariners calling me, guiding me, monsters far beneath, hurricanes on the way, lunatic weathervanes, shipwrecked lovers on a faraway cay. Passing by butterflies, fluttering for a day, jokers, jesters, goddesses, hominidae, deep delicious blue beneath, I'll steer wherever tomorrow is near. Light a beacon so I can navigate through the tempest, through the madness. Light a homefire for the sad man with a begging hand, light a beacon so I can navigate through the tempest following the quintet. Ride on the highest wave, bring me to life, to them who dance in the daylight. Sail and seek the starbound quay, calling you, calling me to be a part of your story. Here raining ash to cover the dead, an island of the past wrecks, of you, of the endless sundown. Hemlock meadows, deepest quicksand, empty harbor by a wasteland. Mirrors, mirrors, everywhere for you of mad despair. Friends, who were for a time, now grapes of sour wine. Lords of a single fly, still, I rue no island of shared solitude. You who glow in deepest woe let it be, retiree, the water's fine, sail carefree. Sail and seek the starbound quay, calling you, calling me to be a part of your story on these strange islands.

[@Thorgrim247]

This will be the opener for the next tour! I love this one so much. We are all strange islands to each other. I think there is a reference to Marco in there (Retiree), " sail carefree". And maybe for Tarja as well. "Friends for a time, now grapes of sour wine"? Never too deep Nikki! You know that for sure. Tuomas hinted at many small nuggets hidden in this record and its songs and artwork.

[@PaulSink]

Heard you say it was a long one so I paused it and got a coffee refill FunFact 😂!

[@nikkireviews]

Oh I love that! I hope that's what people do when watching my videos - get a drink or a snack and relax for a little bit! 😁

[@javirios9234]

I think you hit it on the head with that take on the song. It's similar of what I thought first time I hard it. Great review!❤❤

[@bendeguzlamos2268]

Great video Nikki! The last part with the bagpipes are an altered piece from Human Nature, namely from All The Works Of Nature Which Adorne The World - Moors. You could react to that also, the 2nd CD of Human Nature. It's a 30 minutes journey composed by Tuomas, I highly recommend it.

[@danellwein8679]

good reaction Nikki .. the name of the song could be another way of saying .. brave new world

[@nikkireviews]

Thank you - and I agree, brave new world indeed. 💛

[@flavio_spqr]

I agree there are a lot of references to "old Nightwish" in this, both musically and lyrically, but as far as the lyrics themselves, I can't help but wonder if the song is about Marko, his history with the band and his strugles. Especially this last section: Friends, who were for a time, now grapes of sour wine. Lords of a single fly, still, I rue no island of shared solitude. You who glow in deepest woe let it be, retiree, the water's fine, sail carefree.

[@flavio_spqr]

And if you enjoyed the drumming, you really, really need to see Kai with Wintersun. My suggestion is "Time - Live from Sonic Pump Studios". It will blow your mind.

[@perico1014]

I think maybe we can relate the song also for Nightwish former members. I think the part of quicksands and mirrors may relate to Tarja (reading their open letter helps a lot) and the soft part of “let it be, retiree” may relate to Marko, who left the band because he felt guilty for not keeping the level with the rest of the band. It’s a lot to unpack for such an enormous song. Every member of the band has his place to shine. Even Jukki at the end really shines with his bass. I can’t wait to get the whole album.

[@Cherlindrea99]

I need to hear the song several times to let it all sink in. But not in one day. There is so much going on, first time I heard it, it drained my energy. Usually a Nightwish song is boosting my energy. By now, heard it four times, I'm less puzzled and able to surrender to the sounds and emotions. The lyrics are next to find out more and take it in. From the first seconds I knew it's so brilliant but it is a lot to process. Especially to me because I'm neurodivergent. Tuomas has written the songs during the pandemic. Realising this is helping to understand the theme's and the lyrics of the songs on the new album a little better.

[@johannessilver8653]

Maybe you know that Tuomas gets sounds in his head and then he puts that on paper....this (and most NW songs) is self expression of his thoughts. He does not please or target ... he just says out his thoughts via music and poetical lyrics and has a deep meaning for a listener to study and try to get in.

[@Pascal-the-Rascal]

I may be way off here, but to me it kinda feels like Yesterwynde, so far, is some sort of hybrid between Nightwish and Auri. Maybe Johanna will make a guest appearance once again, as she did in Shoemaker on Human :II: Nature? Speaking of Human :II: Nature, "The Day of..." feels a bit like a darker sibling to Harvest. By the way Nikki, I love the "hmmm" look on your face, smiling, as you listen, trying to make sense of the lyrics, even with the loud music, I can hear the cogs turning. You always have something intelligent to say regarding what you just listened to. Yesterwynde certainly looks like it's going to be an interesting ride, I preordered it, won't be long now. Yeah, I think I have heard Tuomas say that people are free to interpret his songs in any way they want, and of course they are, but still, he, as most writers, probably has a clear vision, and a story he wants to tell with his music and lyrics. I guess he doesn't want to offend people, by saying that they're wrong, even if they are. And also, regardless of what a song is actually about, we all get different emotions and feelings when we listen to it, maybe it brings back a nostalgic memory, and a feeling to someone, that is unique for that person, regardless of the meaning of the lyrics.

[@renejensen7799]

Tuomas said this song is about people we meet along the way in life,each person represent a island.. and the one steering the ship, Tuomas, or maybe you.. it could be your story right, but Tuomas proberly did write it as him steering the ship.

[@NightwishArmyItalianDivision]

❤🤘

[@nikkireviews]

😁🤘🏻💛

[@karihaapanen7520]

👍

[@gunterreihnhol6507]

👏👏

[@jonathanratliff4780]

If you want to hear Kai play like this a lot just listen to almost any Wintersun song where he is almost always going all out due to Jari’s masterful compositions

[@chriso6719]

Only listened to this a few times so far, sounding good, haven't had time to look through the lyrics yet. Nice and heavy, yeah killer drums from Kai. And then Troy slowing it down at the end. 🤘🤘. Sounded to me like Troy was playing the Uilleann pipes. Longest song on the album , will be track #2 , of 12. Looking forward to the album and the MV for "Lanternlight", next Friday.

[@VisionsOfBulgaria]

Romanticide for me.

[@jarnojuhani8942]

😍😍🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘❤💥

[@petrikontkanen7664]

just life on marco hietala nightwish on finland four tv today

[@Drinckx2]

You pinned down the meaning when talking about the 'islands' being people, that we sail through life and our experiences are based on these interactions we have with the people in our lives: family, friends, enemies, encounters, lovers etc. Not my reading - I'm taking it from a list of all the songs on the album in an interview, with Tuomas giving his brief synopsis.

[@Columbasta]

Oh and the "strange islands" from the title are quite obviously all of the NW songs musically referenced in this track 😁

[@Columbasta]

Tuomas i.m.o. still presents Floor with way too many syllables at times for her to match tt rhythm. Kinda reminiscent of the verses in Shoemaker. Back then, during the pre-prod of H:N Tuomas already had discussions with the vocalists (let's assume the "s" represents Marko besides Floor) who argued: Tuomas is not a singer himself who yet covers both the vocal lines and lyrics. This led to e.g. Floor asking "Tuomas, where can I breathe?!" This is apart from the mix on these 3 new YW tracks that remains kinda problematic with too much layering crowding out Floor's voice. Here's how the Metal Mozart himself describes said H:N discussions in his typically understated (offhanded) way: "I remember when the singers brought up that the fact that the song melodies and lyrics are made by a person who can't really sing at all and that adds a special spice to Nightwish's sound ..//.. I often hear in my head exactly how these melodies go, in what voice they are sung, and how the lyrics unfold. Then when I present them to the singers, they tell me that you can't sing that way! There are too many syllables, too many "s" letters and so on. Up to a certain limit, I always try to challenge them to at least try." Note that this time around, Floor had no say in the pre-prod, so this is 100% Tuomas (or perhaps a little - still too much - Troy?)