NIGHTWISH - THE CARPENTER - Ryan Mear Reacts

This is a beautiful song....and heavy.....pretty much Nightwish.

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

Their first single release and the song that got them a record deal. Tuomas was in a band called Nattvindens Gråt, which was on tour in 1997 with the Babylon Whores, whose rhythm guitarist was an A&R guy for Spineform Records. To pass time on the tour bus, he'd brought along a box and a plastic bag full of hundreds of demo tapes. If someone on the bus didn't like the demo within the first 20 seconds, it went out the window. Tuomas had brought along a demo tape, consisting of three songs - 'The Carpenter', 'Astral Romance' and 'Angels Fall First' - done acoustically, as that had been Tuomas's original concept for the band. Having seen how ruthless they were with other demos, Tuomas had to be persuaded to hand over his demo tape. It was different from everything else, which was mainly death metal "clones", and they ended up playing it on a daily basis - the box of remaining demo tapes went out the window and was run over by a truck. It was 'The Carpenter that got "over two hundred" plays. Ewo offered Tuomas a record deal and the rest is, as they say, history. (This, BTW, is from the official biography.)

[@JackM.]

The Carpenter is from the first Nightwish album which Tuomas considers as a demo that record label wanted to release as a full album. This live is from the Decades tour where they played mostly old songs, for example The Carpenter was played last time in 1998 and now in 2018. That's why Troy was joking about it being a hit in China 1600's. It was a true fan service, because this song was thought to be never be played again.

[@RyanMear]

Well, he got me on that one, for sure....

[@mikeatwork3279]

Nice job! "The Carpenter" does really not show up too often on any channel, so a very nice change - thx!

[@RyanMear]

It's such a good song, though!

[@MsCatstaff]

Fun fact if you ever listen to the album version: they hadn't yet gotten a bass player, so Emppu laid the bass tracks as well as guitar on the whole Angels Fall First album.

[@black4pienus]

Wasn't Sami Vanska their bassist back then? I know he was, before Marko.

[@MsCatstaff]

@@black4pienus He was bassist before Marko, but he didn't join until they started recording Oceanborn. Per Wikipedia: The band made their live debut in their hometown Kitee at the Huvikeskus on December 31, 1997 in front of 400 people. The band recalled being both nervous and terrified when performing for the first time.[3][20] Since they were missing a bass player, Samppa Hirvonen joined them as a sessional live member. Marianna Pellinen was also a sessional live member as an additional keyboard player and a backing vocalist for Turunen.[3][20] There were plans to make Hirvonen a permanent member, but he joined the army as part of Finnish army conscription just as they began recording Oceanborn, so they asked Sami Vänskä to join instead, since Tuomas knew him from the band Nattvindens Gråt.

[@marcel021065]

You really getting in the Rabbit hole of Nightwish, this one is underreated by tons of reactors, and makes me smile you picked it, go on , lots more to discover😀

[@TheIpadfanatic]

Great job Ryan! There are so many things to love about this performance aside from one of Floor's best tour costumes. This is Troy's song for lead vocal. And when Floor comes in, she is standing behind and off to the side. I have noticed her do this several times when either Troy or Marko had lead vocal duties. It appears to me like she is stepping away from the focus and being respectful of her band mates. If anyone has a different interpretation, please share. Floor does so many tiny little things during a performance that add up to monumental in the end. It is why we love her so much!!!

[@RyanMear]

I agree.

[@kimfabritiusdetengnagel2038]

I am glad you liked it. And just for the record - Troy is often misguiding you with his cryptic words. Originally it was about Jesus - but this version plays with your mind and gives you clues of the Far East and China - intended of course 😂 I think it is a great version - Floor holding back to match Troy - the different instruments also keeping it down, but still with great power - and Marko joined it at the end and Floor giving it more power. The way the uses the strength of Troy's Bouzouki, Emppu and Tuomas - well this is the perfect way to use all 6 artist's talents. 👍👌💪🤘🤘

[@D-ragon-S]

Never heard this one.... Thanks Ryan! for showing me. 💙💛💙 Much Love

[@kevingunning7569]

Ryan, Please pay no attention to Troy's comment about China! It is his quirky British sense of humour.! I share it too, and got his irony straight away. Cheers Kev from England

[@RyanMear]

Oh yeah, his calm voice and demeanor lured me in and got me for sure! LOL

[@black4pienus]

I love Troy. He's good egg! And a funny egg. And a talented egg. So I guess Troy is 3 eggs.

[@calanor4130]

I might be Swede, but it's still my kind of humour 😄 I've enjoyed Troy's dry humour in many interviews!

[@Rigyification]

​@@black4pienus or a Kinderegg 😅

[@akashvankessel1249]

Revisiting this song again with you. It really is a great song. I can't remember any other Nightwish song that strikes this particular cord within me...a tender, still, comforting space. Like mother's arms wrapped around you.

[@RonniePeterson]

Its amazing how you don't just listen and watch Nightwish. You feel the experience with them. A real treat this one.

[@lisakelly6669]

Love it first time hearing Troy sing

[@julianne_warren]

This song doesn't get nearly as much love and attention as it deserves. Has a lovely and rich sound. This version with Troy singing is IMO the best version yet. Although the album version with Tuomas is an experience. :-)

[@MsCatstaff]

I honestly love the album version and Tuomas on vocals. No, he's not great, but he's not terrible either. And there's something... I don't know, endearing? about him just putting it all out there because they needed a male voice there and he was the best option.

[@julianne_warren]

@@MsCatstaff I think endearing is a good choice for a word. I have never heard Sami or Emppu sing. :-)

[@MsCatstaff]

@@julianne_warren Never even saw Sami move his lips, but I've seen Emppu singing along in a few videos, not on a mic, but you can read his lips that he's singing along. And for some reason, I have this headcanon of him being the one always singing 99 Bottles of Beer (or whatever the Finnish equivalent might be) on the tour bus, and everyone else tossing stuff at him to get him to shut up. :-) (Oh, I never heard Jukka sing either.)

[@julianne_warren]

​@@MsCatstaff Emppu always seems like a easy going guy that loves joking and pulling pranks at others. Both on and off the stage. All members of NW can be seen singing along with their vocalist during their concerts. Marco (even when he is not singing into the mic, he frequently sings along), Tuomas, Emppu. I have seen some shots of Kai also doing this and I'm sure Jukka did that as well. It shows their investment into their songs and being in-the-moment. Instead of just play their part and hope that concert ends soon Not every band is like that, unfortunately. That's one of the things that makes NW performances so much fun to watch.

[@ToTheWolves]

End of All Hope at Buenos Aires. 👏👏👏👨🏻‍🎤👨🏻‍🎤👨🏻‍🎤

[@craigbolton5093]

That blast of Phrygian-dominant from Empuu was a treat- I got a little Dick Dale shiver there!

[@alanfoster6589]

Around 6:39 and such you hear, from the beginning of the band, Tuomas's interest in Middle Eastern sounds. That this song was played on this tour shows his affection for the song.

[@akashvankessel1249]

I had forgotten about this song. Thanks for bringing it back! Love it.

[@chrisw8515]

This is one of those rare Nightwish songs I don't ever seek out. I still listen if it comes up in the car, though lol

[@fearmac]

I love how the bouzouki is getting more play with Troy in the band. It has a unique sound and fits in well with the music. Great song choice 👍

[@dac2007]

First single of the first album if I'm not mistaken, a really old song. Tarja sung Floor's part and Tuomas (yes Tuomas lol) did the male vocals. He was alright but soon realized he was better off not singing. Probably never going to be played again live but it's a pretty cool song for me, even though it's not really the symphonic sound they were about later Also pretty sure it's about Jesus, in the beginning Tuomas was not as cryptic with the lyrics lol

[@RyanMear]

Cool man, thanks🤘👍

[@MarjattaJewelry]

Yes, Tuomas has a great voice. Too bad he didn't sing again.

[@johanlindberg4837]

You Rock Ryan, /sweden 🤘

[@RyanMear]

Thank you! Indiana, USA

[@TomTomson81]

One of the few songs I can't do much with. But great reaction, as always 😁

[@RyanMear]

Ha! I forgot to make a thumbnail for this one!

[@retrospect6904]

You need to react to elvenjig & elvenpath in one reaction...elvinjig is complimentary piece that introduces and leads into elvenpath.

[@maggaw9869]

Nightwish Beauty Of The Best. Live.

[@phils866]

When Troy sings in this, I get a real Roger Waters vibe. His and Floor's voices blend really well. I'm enjoying your journey with these less well-known older songs which, I have to admit, I have not listened to. My bad!

[@calanor4130]

Yeah, I definitely get a Pink Floyd vibe from several sections of this song.

[@calanor4130]

I didn't pay much attention at all to the album version, but this performance is a different matter entirely. As an old prog head, I'd definitely place this song in that category. I feel that Troy's voice is very well suited for this kind of music. Thanks for the reaction, Ryan! As others have noted, it's relatively unusual to see a reaction to this one.

[@ZzKevZz]

I highly recommend this whole concert.

[@corneliusantonius3108]

I heared this live at the "Decades" tour.

[@ralfmeyer9086]

In the Beginng, Floor, Troy, Marko, the new Members (ok, Marko not new, but not OM)on side of the Stage.and then he goes to Tuomas and Emppu, to the OGs.great🤘🤗

[@marcel021065]

Ryan you where not WRONGO at the last part it was marco troy and floor togheter, so the 3 great singers togheter, that makes it special😀

[@AudriusZu]

The Gethsemane next live same show PLEASE 💯✅🙌

[@lisagubbins6772]

I like this song ...but then again i do like a lot of their early stuff i do think it should be sang n played in a higher key though ..... enjoyed ur reaction Ryan 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@flavio_spqr]

The late 1500's big hit in China thing was just Troy trolling around.

[@RyanMear]

I know that now! LOL! I guess I'm still getting to know Troy

[@flavio_spqr]

@@RyanMear He's got that dry Brit sense of humor, but I reckon it runs in the band. You've seen Emppu goofing around on stage, Marko is also very known for throwing in a humorous remark in between songs, and Floor... Well, if you watch any of her Floor Fan Friday videos on her YT channel... Lets just say she's a goofball. :)

[@alextol9950]

This is from their very first album and it was essentially a demo album where the male vocals were done by Tuomas. He wasn't very good so I'm very glad that Troy is singing here. It is still one of my least favorite NW songs. Not sure if anyone has pushed you towards Ayreon yet but he is really worth checking out. Ayreon is a one man project who makes heavy use of guest musicians and vocalists. On 'The Day that the World Breaks Down' you will hear 11 singers, one of whom you already know very well. On his official video he gives a peek behind the scenes, explaines the story the album is about and introduces the vocalists involved. Highly recommended you check him out but prepare to fall down another rabbit hole if you do.

[@alextol9950]

LOL. just saw that you already reacted to him

[@NickBR57]

Thanks Ryan, a nice change down to lower energy (well, it still has energy but I didn't want to say lower key as I don't mean pitch) and good to see one of the older songs, from the Decades tour. Good choice!

[@tjsherminator]

This is a great version but you should check out the original music video with Tarja and Tuomas doing vocals. Has a slightly different feel to it that I personally prefer. Loving your reactions!

[@tjsherminator]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGWkZnutgrSZjZo

[@glenngunnis6642]

Tuomas sings the male voice on the original!🤘🎸

[@alleninfinity6730]

I think you would appreciate this song, not often played, but as all Nightwish songs, quality and good as hell to me. Edema Ruh kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHPJkp6PirBgZrM Nice reaction.

[@johanlindberg4837]

Hey man,, I really Think it's time to do "shudder before the beautiful" would love to se you do that one/Johan of sweden 🤘

[@RyanMear]

Didn't I do that already??

[@karinjanssen8987]

Yes Ryan..you did that one!

[@simonagliga4960]

Hi Ryan, I think, after this you should react to "Weak Fantasy", to see how the band really feels about religion (in Tampere). Thanks and cheers from Ireland ☘🤘

[@RyanMear]

That title speaks volumes....I think I'll like it

[@572Btriode]

@@simonagliga4960 Oh yes please !!

[@Marko-TKDD]

If you really want to do something different there is this movie from 2012 imeginaerum and its composed By nightwish and its based to Nightwish music, and of course Marko, Tuomas, Jukka and so on are in that movie

[@RyanMear]

I'm aware of that and I'm very interested in seeing it

[@Idefixu]

Do check the original with Tuomas vocals, and you see/hear why Tuomas said "never again" about him singing. Even in the description box it says Tuomas - keys, Tarja - vocals. Nothing about Tuomas' vocals.

[@christophschmedes5975]

TROY SING THIS SONG WITH Föoor

[@martine3293]

One of my least favourite songs. Still nice to listen to and watch every now and then... Personally, I think this song is about attempting to reach perfection, to be divine (but going unnoticed or unappreciated in doing so).

[@wanmac31]

😊🇫🇮🤘❤️🎶🎹🎸🥁✨👍

[@geuseliohulk8661]

7'59" another Metallica tribute ??? Old Metallica. I dont't listen Metallica after black album.

[@RyanMear]

Their last two albums are great!

[@silverblack5475]

Honestly im not that particularly fond of Troys voice , there weak to me , i much prefer markos vocals with floor , they really push each other .

[@geraldgetskow3420]

I thought Tuomas' original vocals were bad. Not even Tony's voice could fix this song. I'm absolutely shocked they brought this song out of the dusty closet. Not a good choice by the band IMO

[@Hamish_Whitehaven]

this was a tour specially for the old and important songs!

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

It was their first single release and the song that got them a record deal, which is why it was probably included on the retrospective tour.