Nightwish – Discography Ranking

For 2024 standards, Nightwish are still considered one of the most important Symphonic Metal groups and for many, the genre’s leading force. Competition for the top spot is fierce and you would not be blamed for giving that title to some of their colleagues, but what no one can deny is the contribution of Nightwish for the establishment of this category of music as we know it. Every band that has reached a status similar to them, perhaps indirectly owes them their success, as they most probably grew up with Tuomas, Jukka, Marko, Emppu and Tarja as their idols. 

They were not the first to add female vocals in metal, bands like Chastain or Doro did that almost 10 years earlier. Nor were they the first to dress their music with symphonic details, as Therion preceded them with Theli and Within Temptation debuted almost at the same time with them. What they did was start gathering attention for blending a female voice with the European Power Metal style of Stratovarius at first. Until they became the reason Symphonic Metal reached countless households, the time they released Once back in 2004. We are talking about an album that caused a frenzy in the metal world. It sold like hot cakes, Nemo was in every music station and not only did it send a message that this kind of music exists, but paved the way for countless other bands to be born. The bad thing is that it took many years for most of them to understand that operatic vocals alone do not make the cut, but that is another story. 

The leading mind behind Nightwish is none other than the keyboardist, composer and musical genius Tuomas Holopainen. There are countless arguments on who is the vocalist that brought the best period for the band, but that matters little because the spirit of this musical entity was always present and intact, at least in the studio, as the stage part definitely has its ups and downs. Having said that, Tuomas has been accompanied by three very talented frontwomen, each excelling in a different area, and they of course are Tarja Turunen and Anette Olzon formerly, Floor Jansen currently. I have many things to discuss about each one of them, but I will do it in another article or podcast in the future. You will allow me to strictly focus on the albums here so that we finish at a reasonable time. 

Another pillar for the band was the former bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala, for whom I can sing praises all day. He is substituted by Jukka Koskinen just for the bass duties, with the still vacant position of male vocals being a major issue that needs to be solved, at least as per my opinion. Jukka Nevalainen was another iconic figure behind his drum kit, before giving his position to Kai Hahto after 22 years of service. The puzzle is being completed with the multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, who joined the band 11 years ago and is responsible for bringing to life the folk elements that Nightwish adopted recently. 

After this long introduction it is time we start the countdown that will be interesting to say the least, because with the correct justification, any album could equally end in the first as in the last positions: 

9. Angels Fall First (1997)

I believe it deserves its spot in the list, yet I wouldn’t skip or dismiss the value of the debut. If I was not five years old when it was released and that was the first I ever heard from Nightwish, I would be mumbling in my sleep. Imagine if your introduction to Symphonic Metal were songs like Elvenpath, Astral Romance and Tutankhamen, before being exposed to the flute of Nymphomaniac Fantasia. There was great promise in Angels Fall First, but that promise cannot compare with what Nightwish actually delivered after that. There are many raw parts and there is a good reason why Tuomas did not extend his presence on the vocals beyond this record. Still, I admit that this innocent side of the band is very charming and a reason enough for listening.    

8. Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)

Floor forgive me, the album is very good generally speaking, there is no denying, but with a vocalist that can sing anything and an artist that can compose anything, Endless… treads on very safe paths. It starts in a very promising way with the early parts being full of heavy moments, even if not something unheard of, but it quickly shifts to a much more watered down direction. At that point, the songs trade the cinematic dressing of the past for a more folk instrumentation. On top of that, Marko has a more limited role behind the microphone with Troy covering some of the ground, which I find to be a bad trade off. All those things may be details that others will love, but I am not in that category. In my mind this record is closer to the fact that Tuomas cannot write bad music and far more distant from it being the most inspired or innovative result.  

7. Century Child (2002)

I hold Century Child in very high esteem for various reasons. It was the first time we saw Marko with the band. It houses one of the most to the point covers of all time (Phantom of the Opera). It has the hits End of all Hope, Dead to the World, Ever Dream and one of the heaviest Nightwish songs, Slaying the Dreamer. For some reason, I cannot imagine this record without the melancholic Feel for You and Ocean Soul. Overall Century Child is surrounded by a dark aura and is sentiment rich, characteristics that I strongly appreciate. It is not the best work the band has to offer, but for sure, it overflows with quality.  To be more precise, other bands dream of releasing something that good.  

6. Human :||: Nature (2020)

A very dividing record as I have seen many people not liking it at all and others loving it. I understand both and I belong to the love it category. Admittedly Human Nature has forgotten how to be Metal, as it is perhaps the most gentle release of Nightwish. Yet, its Symphonic approach is very good and at least follows a new direction, rather than the safe/ recycled one of Endless Forms… The vocal weight falls mostly on Floor, with Troy assisting in Harvest, the only song I don’t like, and Marko leading Endlessness, a glorious ending for the album and his perfect swan song with the band. For the record, I always skip the second and instrumental only part. The music of this record emanates such a magical aura, that it is hard to resist. 

5. Wishmaster (2000)

When Nightwish embraced their Power Metal side at its fullest. Wishmaster is rather simple in terms of song structure, however it is melancholic, fast and filled with great tracks. Fans go crazy for the title track, but truth be told the rest do not lack in comparison. A record that greatly matches Tarja’s voice resulting in a true Power gem with Symphonic appetites and not the other way around. Something must be wrong with me, as my favorite pick is Bare Grace Misery, who is also their least streamed one out of Wishmaster!  

4. Dark Passion Play (2007)

You just lost your frontwoman at the peak of your career and her replacement is the totally opposite tone wise, trading the fully operatic voice for an almost Pop approach. An album that shook the very foundations of the fanbase. But in the end it proves that Tuomas is the soul of the band, with Dark Passion Play being awesome not in its entirety, but in its majority. Starting with a 14 minute song is a ballsy move, something that is contradicted by the need to repeat the success of Nemo and Wish I Had an Angel, with Amaranthe and Bye Bye Beautiful, with the first couple outperforming the latter easily. After that, the record finds its originality again and I like how heavy it is at times, especially during the destructive Master Passion Greed. If the last couple songs were not so melodic and heaviness was maintained, we would most probably talk about a number one or two spot. Regardless of opinions, proving to the world that Symphonic Metal does NOT need an operatic voice to be successful, was the best thing that Dark Passion Play achieved. 

3. Imaginaerum (2011)

If you like soundtrack and cinematic music then I cannot see how you will not be enthralled by Imaginaerum. This direction derives from the fact that it was accompanied by the same named movie. Music is very adventurous to say the least, as we have some unique moments like Scaretale, the jazzy Slow, Love, Slow, a children choir in Ghost River and the fan favorite Storytime. Inspiration and innovation have hit red, the heaviness is not eclipsed yet, with Nightwish blowing minds from the studio perhaps for the last time till now. 

2. Oceanborn (1998)

I admit, this is the most subjective placing in the whole list, because there is no way Oceanborn outperforms some of its follow ups. But there is only one word I can use to describe it: MAGIC. There was great beauty in the early stages of Nightwish, with this one excelling in songwritting as well. Just like its cover, the music of Oceanborn is cold and uninviting at times, yet captivating and alluring at others. It is an album that houses both Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean, as well as Passion and the Opera. May not be peak Nightwish, but is peak Power Symphonic Metal. 

1. Once (2004)

After Once, you were prepared for the compositional expertise of Dark Passion Play and Imaginaerum. But there was no warning for the giant leap from Century Child to Once. A huge record by all regards and I dare you to find any album of that genre, that has a better opening than Dark Chest of Wonders. Do you want to discuss the “hit cannot describe them” Nemo and Wish I Had an Angel? What about Ghost Love Score, whose popularity peaked after Floor’s performance at Wacken in 2013? The fun part is that those are not even my favorite moments of Once. Against the flow, I just hit my head on the wall during the triple attack of The Siren, Dead Gardens and Romanticide. For Symphonic Metal, the album is really heavy and the legacy it created by making the genre mainstream will never be replicated, or even approached.   

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain