Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 10
 She'll never quit July 1, 2008
R. Griffiths (USA)
I'd like to say...Nightwish has really taken a hold on me. Every album they have is amazing...including their newest work "Dark Passion Play". Their style of hard rock just amazes me. There is about every element in music stashed into their songs. The only difference between Nightwish's previous discography and "Dark Passion Play" is the loss of the greatest female vocalist of all time. Although Anette is a decent singer; she could never take place of the operatic styling's of Tarja. This girl is truly amazing and very gifted.
After she was forced to leave Nightwish, she decided to walk alone, under her own name, and still keep the operatic metal alive. This album may not be as catchy and riff-heavy as, say.."Once", but it still is amazing. Honestly, anything this girl sings will always be amazing. I read a few bad things about her cover of Alice Cooper's "Poison"; which in my mind, is intelligent and original. I guess people don't appreciate it because it is a little different from the classic. I would encourage this album, along with anything else she creates, onto anyone rock fan, opera fan, metal fan...anyone. Not only is Tarja possibly the prettiest girl to ever sing behind a microphone, but she definitely is one of the most talented.
This album is a lot darker than her previous work in Nightwish, but it fits her singing very well. There are other head banging songs as well though...including "Ciaran Swell", which shows she can still sing with a very heavy band behind her. After you purchase this disc, I suggest you check out Nightwish's work with her, and pick up the DVD, "End Of An Era" and watch one of the greatest singers of all time do her thing. You will not be disappointed.
A Mesh of genres July 7, 2008
Tony Hansen (Des Moines, Iowa USA)
In a similar fashion to her tenure with Nightwish, Tarja pulls off a cinematic and operatic plays against soundscapes of heavy guitars and new age orchestrial sounds. This album is close to her Nightwish work, but definitely hers (except maybe the Alice Cooper cover). You will hear some sounds like Enya, gothic Nightwish (closest to "Deep Silent Complete" and "Sleeping Sun"), Wagner and Mahler classical, traditional folk music, and progressive Dream Theater.
 A Dark Vision July 23, 2008
Chris Mooney (Pittsburgh , Pa)
I have owned the limited edition with DVD for months and have hesitaited every time that I sat down to write a review. Part of the reason why is because I wanted to avoid the inevitable comparisons with Nightwish. I personally think that both parties involved are worse off than if they had stayed together. Yes, there is some of the power metal guitar work that everyone is used to hearing along side her voice, but it is only on display in a few songs. Enough of that..... This is actually a well conceived album, but it seems, in many songs, to be missing a fullness and depth that Tarja's powerful vocal style demands. Many of the songs would have benefited from addition musical accompaniment and more complex arraingements. Also, this a relentlessly dark CD, with the exception of You Would Have Loved This, from her previous release and the Alice Cooper song Poison. Dark and haunting in a way that only the Scandinavias seem to know how to do. Listen to the words on I Walk Alone and you will have a good idea where the rest of the lyrics are heading. Also, it will give you some idea of the epic sound and texture that this disc almost has. That is, in my opinion, the most frustrating aspect of this CD. Having said that, I would rate this as a 3.5.
Killing them with talent July 24, 2008
P. Erskine (Seattle, WA)
The best revenge is great songs and a great voice! Tarja takes her love of classical music and incorporates it seamlessly into a rock/metal album that is a great start for her solo career. All fans of Tarja's amazing voice should get this! It's hard to pick a favorite on this, I love I Walk Alone, My Little Phoenix, Die Alive, Damned and Divine and Ciaran's Well. However there are also some slower songs on here that people might gripe about: Lost Northern Star, The Reign, Boy and the Ghost, Sing for Me, Our Great Divide, Minor Heaven, and Calling Grace. But Tarja's voice is so hauntingly beautiful to me, brings tears to my eyes, and not just a studio creation: watch her youtube clips or the Nightwish DVDs! That's the type of singer I dig: one who can back it up live. For me she's the best living singer on the planet period! I did not like the NuNightwish album, but I loved My Winter Storm, Tarja really showed them!
Touching and Powerful showcase for Tarja's voice July 25, 2008
MusicFreak (FL)
This album is amazing throughout. Tarja's voice is more upfront, and the song styles are way more varied than they ever were in Nightwish.
We have the rockers such as "Die Alive" and "Ciaran's well." We have more mid-tempo pop-ish items such as "Damned and Divine." And then we have two absolutely amazing and heart-wrenching ballads: "The Reign" and "Our Great Divide." The latter, especially, has almost made me weep. Call me whatever you want, but Tarja's voice in these two songs is as moving and emotionally powerful as it gets.
If you are a Nightwish fan at all, and enjoy a damn good singer with the soaringest vocals around, look no further. This album delivers.
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