Nightwish returns with an ambitious epic metal opus that begins promisingly enough but quickly devolves into another formulaic power rock affair. The band's at its most powerful and convincing on the opening "The Poet and the Pendulum" (all 14 minutes of it), the dynamic "Bye Bye Beautiful," and the infectious pop-inflected "Amaranth." But mid-album tracks such as "Sahara," "For the Heart I Once Had," and the limpid closer, "Meadows of Heaven," retread familiar ground that reminds us of epic metal's more disappointing tendencies--faux pop, bombastic bombast, anemic anthems, and a penchant for the maudlin. With new vocalist Annette Olzon in the ranks, the Finnish outfit stands poised to make a thoroughly convincing and wholehearted classic (listen to "The Islander" for further proof) but falls short, delivering a decent but distracted recording. It's too ambitious, too scattered, and, simply, too long--and that's too bad. --Jedd Beaudoin

Although it is their sixth studio album,Dark Passion Play marks the beginning of a new era for Finnish symphonic metal masters Nightwish. With new vocalist Annette Olzon onboard, Nightwish returns with their most accessible material to date. Firmly rooted in their trademark symphonic sounds featuring elaborate keyboard and guitar parts blended seamlessly with intricate string and choir sections, Olzon's vocals have more pop sensibility as they are far less operatic than those of her predecessor. This is perfectly exemplified in the vocal melodies in Amaranth, Eva and the scorching duet with bassist Marco Hietala titled Bye Bye Beautiful. Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) not only wrote all the lyrics and all but two songs on the album, but also helmed the project as one of the producers along with T.C. Kinnunen and Mikko Karmila, who also mixed the album. Dark Passion Play has already made history as Finland's most expensive recording project to date with massive string sections and choirs and it is clearly evident in the impeccable production. Nightwish have taken the symphonic elements of their prior works and infused them with a new voice to create a sound representative of the album title: dark, playful and, most of all, passionate.

2007 Return of the Finnish Band with their Sixth Full Length Album that is Richer and More Varied Than Before, Touching Lightly on More Ethnic Flavours and Being as Ever Bombastic as it Bloody Well Can Be. The Heavenly Voice of New Singer Anette Olzon Carries Through Bright and Powerful - and also More Varied Than that of her Predecessor. She Truly is What Nightwish's Music Deserves.

Nightwish was good, but they are the perfect orchestral goth band with their new singer. This is their best album so far.

Why this band isn't killing in the US is beyond me. What an awesome sound!

Well, I had never listened to Nightwish before ordering Dark Passion Play, and boy was I hooked!!! The music is varied, with great heavy, guitar-laden songs, like Master Passion Greed-- as well as folk-sounding music, The Islander--and darned catchy songs, like Amaranth, that you just have to sing along with. I love it. I had no preconceived expectations, having never heard them before, and I've since ordered their other albums and enjoy them as well. I love both Anette's vocals and Tarja's. Nightwish is definitely my new favorite band!

Unlike most people that have reviewed this CD, I believe that this is one of, if not, the best CD Nightwish has put out. For one thing, the greatest song on their greatest hits was the Pink Floyd remake, "Hope."
The new vocalist Annette, is by far a greater addition to this band. Maybe i wasn't the biggest Nightwish fan, but now I am going to be a loyal fan as long as they have this vocalist. In my opinion, this is a must have and the best Nightwish has to offer.

im not quite sure how these people do not like anettes voice or give it a bad review. Yeah tarja was an amazing vocalist but anette is too. There is not one crappy song on this album. Its probably one of the only albums id give a 5/5 for. it doesnt matter how many times i listen to the album. it never gets old. Even the bonus tracks on all the limited additions are amazing. Ive been into metal for quite awile and this is one of the best bands lyrically, musically and vocal out there. this one will not dissapoint, not one bit.