Those who truly know me and are close to me will know who my favourite band is. For years Nightwish has been a huge part of my world. From the genius writer and composer Tuomas Holopainen to the many talented and enthralling voices of the singers Tarja, Anette and Floor, the band has fuelled my creativity, inspiration and got me through many difficult times in my life.
I first fell in love with Nightwish when I was in school, having seen another student wearing one of their hoodies. Interested, I looked them up when I got home and I never looked back. It was in secondary school that I began to explore the "Gothic" way of things and their earlier music seemed to match what I was looking for. I loved metal and rock but Nightwish included orchestra, epic scores and chorus choirs that I had not heard mixed with metal before. Symphonic metal was a whole new concept to me but it very quickly grew on me. The music, however, was just one half of it. The musical genius composed by Tuomas... I will never have words enough to do this man justice in praise! Every new album he creates, every new song, every new chorus; he is the poet! Even just sitting reading the lyrics without the musical backing, they are beautiful words.
I often get asked, as a Nightwish lover, which is my favourite singer (there has been 3) and my answer has always been the same. I love them all! I have never felt compelled to fall into that argument and pick, for I have long felt and believed that each singer, in their own way, has brought something to the music. A unique style, a pitch level, a presence.