Oceanborn

Last updated

We were all such amateurs when it came to recording. We didn't really know what we were doing, so we were just experimenting with a lot of different things, we even brought in this string trio who were complete shit, then another violin, then another violin on top. So we ended up with 'Moondance' having 20 tracks of violin, just because we hadn't done this before and didn't know what we were doing! It's a pretty stuffed album, but I also think it's one of our best because you can hear the excitement of trying all these new things. It seems strange that this became a breakthrough album, because back at the time the music was so funny. It was really operatic, and when you look at the pictures, they look pretty horrific. [12]

According to Kerrang!, "for all its Royal Albert Hall grandiosity, Oceanborn was actually recorded in a Finnish school." [12]

Style

This album marked a definitive change in musical scope for Nightwish from their folk-laden roots in Angels Fall First , showcasing a more bombastic, power metal-oriented [13] sound with faster tempos, harmonic guitar/keyboard leads, and plenty of double-bass-heavy drumwork. During that time, Stratovarius was Holopainen's biggest inspiration, hence the power metal sound of the album. [14] Oceanborn's sound hearkens a more dramatic approach in the overall musical scope, mostly relegated to the symphonic keyboard work and lead singer Tarja Turunen's vocals. According to Mape Ollila, who penned the band's biography:

Along with Therion's Theli , the album came to be known as one of the cornerstones of the emerging genre of symphonic metal. [15]

Most of the lyrics are fantasy-themed, with tracks like "Swanheart" and "Walking in the Air", a cover from the animated TV special The Snowman , as typical examples; however, the song "Gethsemane", has a more religious feel to it. In addition, there are also some theatrical tracks like "Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean". Oceanborn is among their darkest albums, making use of the harsh vocals of Tapio Wilska in the songs "The Pharaoh Sails to Orion" and "Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean".

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Tuomas Holopainen, except where noted; all music is composed by Holopainen, except where noted

Oceanborn
Nightwish Oceanborn.jpg
Studio album by
Released7 December 1998 (1998-12-07)
RecordedAugust–October 1998
Studio
Genre
Length49:02
Label Spinefarm
Producer Nightwish [1]
Nightwish studio album chronology
Angels Fall First
(1997)
Oceanborn
(1998)
Wishmaster
(2000)
Alternative cover
NightwishOceanbornAltCover.jpg
European edition
Oceanborn track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Stargazers"  4:27
2."Gethsemane"  5:21
3."Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean"  4:46
4."Sacrament of Wilderness" 
  • Emppu Vuorinen
  • Holopainen
4:12
5."Passion and the Opera"  4:50
6."Swanheart"  4:44
7."Moondance" (instrumental)  3:31
8."The Riddler"  5:16
9."The Pharaoh Sails to Orion"  6:27
10."Walking in the Air" (Howard Blake cover)BlakeBlake5:28
Total length:49:02
1999 reissue added track
No.TitleLength
11."Sleeping Sun"4:01
Total length:53:03
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
11."Nightquest"4:17
Total length:53:19
Limited European Tour Edition bonus tracks [5]
No.TitleLength
11."Nightquest"4:15
12."A Return to the Sea"5:46
13."Sleeping Sun"4:01
Total length:63:04
2007 reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Nightquest"4:15
13."Sleeping Sun" (live at Summer Breeze Open Air)4:31
14."Swanheart" (live at Pakkahuone)3:55
15."The Pharaoh Sails to Orion" (live at Pakkahuone)6:39
Total length:72:23

Personnel

Credits for Oceanborn adapted from liner notes. [16]

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [17] 5
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [18] 74
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [17] 2

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [19] Platinum68,971 [19]

Accolades

Listicles

YearPublisherListRankRef.
2017 Loudwire Top 25 Power Metal Albums of All Time10 [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightwish</span> Finnish symphonic metal band

Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vänskä after the release of their debut album, Angels Fall First (1997). In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Although Nightwish have been prominent in their home country since Angels Fall First, they did not achieve wider success until the release of the albums Oceanborn (1998), Wishmaster (2000) and Century Child (2002).

<i>Angels Fall First</i> 1997 studio album by Nightwish

Angels Fall First is the debut studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, originally released by Spinefarm Records on 30 September 1997 as a 500-copy limited edition. This edition is highly sought after by collectors and in 2012 a copy was sold for $1137.23 on eBay. It was subsequently released to the general public on 1 November, with four additional songs. The album was released in the US by Century Media in March 2001.

<i>Wishmaster</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Nightwish

Wishmaster is the third studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 8 May 2000 through Spinefarm Records in Finland. The album was released in the rest of Europe by Drakkar Entertainment on 29 May, and in Japan by Toy's Factory on 19 July. In the US, it was released by Century Media on 6 February 2001.

<i>Over the Hills and Far Away</i> (EP) 2001 EP by Nightwish

Over the Hills and Far Away is the first EP by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 25 June 2001 through Spinefarm Records in Finland, and Drakkar Records in the rest of Europe. It was also released by Toy's Factory in Japan and Century Media Records in the US. Bassist Sami Vänskä left the band after its recording, due to musical differences between him and Tuomas Holopainen. He was replaced by the bassist and male vocalist, Marko Hietala.

<i>Century Child</i> 2002 studio album by Nightwish

Century Child is the fourth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released in 2002 through Spinefarm Records in Finland, Drakkar Entertainment in the rest of Europe, Century Media Records in the US, and Toy's Factory in Japan. It is the first album which features now-former bassist and male vocalist Marko Hietala, who left the band in January 2021. It is also the first Nightwish album to feature an orchestra.

<i>Once</i> (Nightwish album) 2004 studio album by Nightwish

Once is the fifth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 7 June 2004 by Spinefarm Records in Finland and Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe. It is the fifth and last album to feature Tarja Turunen on lead vocals. The album cost nearly €250,000 to make, which made it Finland's most expensive recording ever until the release of Nightwish's next album, Dark Passion Play, which cost over €500,000 to produce. As of 2013, Once had sold 2.3 million copies worldwide, becoming Nightwish's most successful album to date. The remastering of the album was released on 6 August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarja Turunen</span> Finnish musician (born 1977)

Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli, known professionally as Tarja Turunen or simply Tarja, is a Finnish heavy metal singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Nightwish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuomas Holopainen</span> Finnish songwriter, producer and keyboardist

Tuomas Lauri Johannes Holopainen is a Finnish musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the primary songwriter, keyboardist, and founding member of symphonic metal band Nightwish. He has stated that his songwriting is influenced by harmonic film music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emppu Vuorinen</span> Musical artist

Erno Matti Juhani "Emppu" Vuorinen is a Finnish guitarist, most famous for being a founding member and occasional songwriter of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. He is the oldest of five children, having a twin brother and three younger sisters. He started to play guitar as a private study at the age of 12 and since then has played in various bands including Nightwish, Brother Firetribe, Barilari, Almah, and Altaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nemo (song)</span> 2004 song by Nightwish

"Nemo" is the eighth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish and the first from the album Once. A big-budget video was made for the song; the director was Antti Jokinen, who had previously worked with Shania Twain, Celine Dion and Eminem. The video was number one on MTV Brasil Video Chart. The song was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single. Although Nightwish already enjoyed a solid fan base in Europe and South America by the time of the single's release, it is considered their breakthrough song since it helped them reach a wider audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Vänskä</span> Musical artist

Sami Vänskä is the former bassist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Sun</span> 1999 Nightwish song

"Sleeping Sun" is a power ballad and the fourth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released as a maxi single with three other songs on 2 August 1999 to coincide with the total solar eclipse that would occur on 11 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tapio Wilska</span> Musical artist

Tapio Wilska is the main vocalist of the heavy metal band Sethian. He is also the ex-lead vocalist for the band Finntroll and is the current vocalist of Canadian band Obscene Eulogy. He gets his inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Dead Kennedys, Venom, Thin Lizzy and The Pixies.

<i>From Wishes to Eternity</i> 2001 video by Nightwish

From Wishes to Eternity – Live is a live DVD/VHS/CD by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was recorded in Tampere, Finland on 29 December 2000. The CD was released as a limited edition of 10.000 copies, available only in Finland. In late 2005, Spinefarm managed to release it in Europe. In addition to a show of Nightwish material, the band also performed a medley, "Crimson Tide, Deep Blue Sea", which borrowed melodies from Hans Zimmer's music in the 1995 film Crimson Tide and Trevor Rabin's music in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea.

<i>End of Innocence</i> (video) 2003 video by Nightwish

End of Innocence is the second official DVD release of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It features numerous clips of the band performing livetracks, including a recording of the band performing one of their first songs, "Beauty and the Beast", with bassist Marko Hietala performing the male vocal part.

<i>Dark Passion Play</i> 2007 studio album by Nightwish

Dark Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 26 September 2007 by Spinefarm Records in Finland, 28 September by Nuclear Blast in Europe and 2 October 2007 by Roadrunner Records in the US. It is the first album without original vocalist Tarja Turunen, who was dismissed in 2005, as well as the first album involving future member Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes and tin whistle. It is the first of only two albums with vocalist Anette Olzon, who was eventually dismissed in 2012 after the release of the band's subsequent album, Imaginaerum. Tuomas Holopainen has referred to this album as the "album that saved his life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightwish discography</span> Band discography

This is the discography of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, which consists of ten studio albums, one extended play, six live albums, four compilations, eighteen music videos and twenty singles.

<i>Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads</i> 2011 compilation album by Nightwish

Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads is the sixth compilation album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in 2011. It contains the "greatest ballads" from the first four albums, two of which are covers. The cover art was created by Andreas Marschall.

<i>Endless Forms Most Beautiful</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Nightwish

Endless Forms Most Beautiful is the eighth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 25 March 2015 in Japan, 27 March in Argentina and most of Europe, 30 March in the UK and 31 March in the US. The album is the band's first featuring singer Floor Jansen and the first with Troy Donockley as a full-time member. It was also the first without drummer Jukka Nevalainen, who took a break from the band due to severe insomnia. Drumming was by Kai Hahto of Wintersun and Swallow the Sun. The album includes only five Nightwish members, despite its being their first album release as a sextet.

References

  1. Sleeping Sun (4 Ballads of the Eclipse) (liner notes). Nightwish. Drakkar Entertainment. 1999.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Ravelin, Antti J. "Nightwish – Oceanborn review". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  3. Rocher, David. "Nightwish – Oceanborn". Chronicles of Chaos . Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  4. Popoff, Martin (1 August 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. pp. 313–314. ISBN   978-1-894959-62-9.
  5. 1 2 "Nightwish – Oceanborn". Metal Storm . Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  6. "The Metal Crypt - Review of Nightwish - Oceanborn" . Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  7. ""Oceanborn" Is Released". Nightwish's Official Website. 7 December 1998. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  8. "Oceanborn releases worldwide". Nightwish's Official Website. 16 February 1999. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  9. "Tilastot - Nightwish" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  10. "Nightwish releases to hit the USA". Nightwish's Official Website. 22 February 2001. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  11. 1 2 Divita, Joe (5 July 2017). "Top 25 Power Metal Albums of All Time". Loudwire . Townsquare Media . Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Ruskell, Nick (16 August 2008). "Treasure Chest. An Ultimate Portrait of a Life in Rock. Tuomas Holopainen.". Kerrang! . Vol. 1223. London, UK: Bauer Media Group. p. 54.
  13. DiVita, Joe (5 July 2017). "Top 25 Power Metal Albums of All Time". Loudwire . Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  14. "Tuomas Holopainen Official: The Escapist - Biography". Tuomas-holopainen.com. 12 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. Ollila 2007, p. 86.
  16. (1998). "Oceanborn liner notes". In Oceanborn [CD booklet]. Spinefarm.
  17. 1 2 "Nightwish: Oceanborn" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Nightwish – Oceanborn" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  19. 1 2 "Nightwish" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.

Bibliography