Magnus

The Dutch shows tend to be the originals. Idol and Survivor also came from the Netherlands I think.

I think prior to Decades they were reluctant to release anything reminding the world of their previous two singers. It was a toxic topic when Anette was in the band, for sure. As the world has grown to love the band's current line-up, I feel like it's become safer to re-release old stuff without having it distract from where they're currently at. I think most fans appreciate both the old and the new, because they're in a love where they love the band rather than "used to" love it (as was certainly the case with many during the Anette years). Another difference is that there's finally some communication between the two parties, even if it's purely on a professional level. It seems everyone involved is now willing to celebrate the past. They're clearly all proud of the work they did together, even if they all regret the way things ended.

Yeah. She sounded so good during the Wishmaster and Century Child tours. Her technique completely changed during the Once era, moving away from the hybrid technique she had developed when singing metal since it was bad influence on her actual classical singing, and while it might have been needed in order for her to progress as a vocalist the results just didn't mesh very well with the style of Nightwish. As much as I dislike some of her recent artistic choices in terms of what she's trying to do with her voice, it still sounds better than anything from the Once era. Tremolo like vibrato, oddly pronounced accent as well as paper thin and often "witchy" sounding vocals. Her least impressive era as a singer by far and I don't miss it one bit. I really hope Nightwish can release a full pro-shot show from the Century Child tour someday, as part of a box set or something.

I miss the way Tarja sang in Nightwish, prior to Once. I don't miss Tarja being in Nightwish.

I really like Resist for what it is. It's got its flaws, and Firelight still sticks out like a sore thumb but overall it feels very fresh. According to Sharon there might be a new album within the next couple of years already and I doubt they'll linger on this sound. Even though there are songs on Hydra that I like better individually, as an album this is what Hydra should have been.

I don't get why they keep writing songs with such shouty choruses It's been an issue ever since Stand My Ground. It's not that she can't hit those notes, but she lacks the technique to do it with her chest voice without sounding like she's forcing herself. It would be interesting to hear switch to her head voice instead, because she could easily hit those notes that way, but I guess she feels like they sound too pretty and lacks in punch. Her voice is an amazing instrument, when used properly. Those shouty moments are definitely the least flattering aspect of her as a vocalist and really don't do her skills any justice. I know she's said she doesn't think it's for her, but I really think finding the right vocal coach could help her improve her technique and work with improving her strengths without sacrificing the soul of her singing. On a different note, the more I listen to this album the more I think it sounds like it totally could have been a collaboration with Hurts.

I think this might be the one and the same Guy Elliott who sang the choir boy parts in The Poet and the Pendulum - all grown up! https://twitter.com/guyplus He's really good! It would be cool if they worked with him again for the next album, similar to how they brought back the boy from Dead Boy's Poem in Bless the Child and Beauty and the Beast.

It's nice, and sadly rare, to see a famous woman share real pictures on social media like this. No make-up, no Instagram beauty filters. Just a normal everyday life picture of her looking happy. It reminds me of pictures you'd find in an old photo album, before everything went digital.

Songs I hope they take into consideration: Oceanborn Moondance Pharao Sails to Orion Century Child Dead to the World Feel for You Beauty of the Beast Once Planet Hell The Siren Higher Than Hope Dark Passion Play Sahara Whoever Brings the Night Meadows of Heaven Escapist Imaginaerum Ghost River Turn Loose the Mermaids Endless Forms Most Beautiful Weak Fantasy Our Decades in the Sun Edema Ruh

Yeah, to me he is all technique and no real emotion. It feels like the mannerisms and emotional expressions he does have is stuff that he's copying from other more seasoned singers. On top of that, I'm guessing he doesn't write his own music either. It feels very generic and reminds me of the average album track by Celine Dion, Il Divo or Sarah Brightman. I guess you can chalk some of that up to him being so young, and also probably having a lot of industry people around him making all the creative decisions for him. If he does learn too use his talent beyond just showing off his technical prowess though, he'll be a force to be reckoned with for sure.

They're pretty good. On the subject of Japanese power metal, I'm a big fan of Versailles myself.

I think you meant to write "mental state", but "metal state" also works

His range is insane, although I don't really feel anything while listening to him sing as impressive as he is on a technical level. Maybe it's a combination of the song choices and his lack of experience?

At this point I have to wonder if you actually read her piece though. Here's the quote, verbatim: This is so clearly not about individual people. You have to do some serious mental gymnastics to interpret this as being about anything other than religion as an institution! The reason being because Holy Rome is not a current example, and I just wanted to make sure we're both on the same page. One only needs to look at Uganda and Russia for good examples of how Christianity is being used to oppress people in extreme ways even today. At the end of the day, I don't think Floor is out to take a jab at people of faith but rather religious institutions. However, my point still stands. Lot of people still conflate the two, and will take her unfavourable views on religion as a personal attack on their own character even though that's not what she meant.