Yesterwynde Nightwish

Album review

If there were ever a female-led symphonic metal group capable of winning over each and every fan of this unique, highly-codified genre, it would undoubtedly be Nightwish (unrivalled even by Epica, Within Temptation, or Delain). The group, led by composer and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen since its founding almost thirty years ago, has maintained a captive and ever-growing audience in spite of several significant line-up changes (Floor Jansen, formerly of After Forever, assumed her post in 2013, making her the third lead singer Nightwish has recruited). Although they’ve announced they’re taking a break from touring, the group has nevertheless released a jam-packed new album that serves as the conclusion to a trilogy that has spanned nine years (beginning in 2015 with Endless Forms Most Beautiful, then continued with 2020’s Human. :II: Nature., and now completed by Vesterwynde).

Although there are some references to these previous releases, most notably in the form of long, ambitious, solemn pieces, Vesterwynde (a word invented by the group to simultaneously mean yesterday as well as the desire to go where one has never gone before) was also concocted with ingredients that allow the group to explore fresh ideas. Discreetly inserted here and there, these explorations prevent Nightwish from going in circles, although they still honour the arrangements that contributed to forging their identity. ‘80s synths appear on “The Day of…” and bold guitar riffs impose themselves on “The Weave,” while orchestral interventions and epic choirs, inherent to the genre, remain a nostalgic trademark of a bygone era.

The album’s strength is precisely that: managing to stay true to tradition, all while embracing the new in such a way that prevents Vesterwynde from sounding like an incoherent catch-all. Once again, this approach has led to music that brings to mind the epic soundtracks from a number of different films, the Deluxe edition’s orchestral versions drawing this parallel even more clearly. Although they have no plans to hit the road anytime soon, Nightwish have nevertheless given their fans the opportunity to spend countless hours breaking down music that’s got plenty of surprises, making the album one of the crown jewels of the group’s discography. © Chief Brody/Qobuz