SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NIGHTWISH – HUMAN. :II: NATURE.

Nightwish
Human. :II: Nature.
Nuclear Blast

Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish are back with their ninth studio album Human. :II: Nature.. With vocalist Floor Jansen as their leading front woman, this new album takes the band further along their journey of exploring the human element and our impact on planet Earth throughout history. Human. :II: Nature. exists as a two-disc album, with the first disc being their main collection featuring singles “Noise”, and “Music”. The second disc is a collection of tracks that all exist as parts of one song “All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World”.

Having been a fan of Nightwish for many years, it’s become quite clear that their influences have shifted and though they may still be considered one of the foremost symphonic metal bands, it seems their sound now sits closer to symphonic music with hard rock and metal elements. Human. :II: Nature. falls on that symphonic side. As a whole, it sounds like a vast and epic movie score.

Lead single “Noise” is a fantastical reminder to step away from technological gadgetry every so often. If you’ve spent any time watching Game of Thrones, you will struggle to not associate this song with the theme. The similarities, especially with that charging violin line, are uncanny.

“Shoemaker” is a song that hits by surprise. It’s a beautiful tribute to American geologist Eugene Shoemaker, a leader in the field of planetary science. After tragically passing from a car accident, some of his ashes were transported to the moon with the Lunar Prospector mission in July of 1999. This song features a passage from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and the second encyclical of Pope Francis “Laudato Si” that is performed as an operatic chant and is incredibly moving.

Human. :II: Nature. is an album that you will experience in layers and as you peel each one back, you’re bound to discover profound new meanings in each. The lyrics in most of these new songs bear references to events in history or other artworks that have greatly impacted civilization. “Pan” praises the gifts that authors and playwrights have given humanity.

The second disc, “All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World”, is an instrumental journey for the mind. It begins with “Vista” and a quote from Lord Byron’s “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”, and ends with “Ad Astra” and a passage from Carl Sagan’s book “A Pale Blue Dot”. The time in between is wherever you will allow the music to take your mind. The instrumental pieces here are sweeping and all encompassing. If you’re a fan of powerful movie scores, you will love this.

That is where Nightwish is now. If you love rich and potent symphonic music with a metal edge, this is Nightwish. I can only hope this symphony-heavy music can translate well to their live shows as this begs to be performed with a full orchestra.

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