Okay, here is my original comment, in full: Great reaction guys, thanks for the dedication, and I hope you feel better. Juliette’s beautiful and beautifully expressionless face is the best present I could ask for. One note though, I am a guy. Haha, I thought the long hair of my avatar and the Izzy might throw you, and take no offense whatsoever. You’re not the first - until I get a buzzcut and change my name to Roger it will keep happening! When I was a young stud of about 20, lead guitarist in the band, (and nicknamed after Izzy Stradlin of Guns ’n’ Roses) I had a 26" waist, extremely long, shiny hair, and dressed like someone who had been rejected from Mötley Crüe for being too flamboyant. In the ludicrously dim lighting of the average metal nightclub, this was, much to my chagrin, enough to deceive many an amorous dude. In fact, I felt like that cat in the Pepe LePew cartoons. I chuckle when I think of those times, so in a funny way, you've made me feel young again! But never mind that, I have prepared a little something for Juliette: Dear Juliette, Today I am 40. In my life I’ve been the lead guitarist in a metal band, hung out with Iron Maiden, studied at a music academy, and for many years, served as manager of a popular and beloved record store. I’ve immersed myself in music and yet, there were still times when my ears were closed to all but my first love, Thrash Metal. It energized and inspired me from a young age (Metallica’s “Justice” was the first album I bought too!), it made me take up the electric guitar, gave me an identity and allowed me to find a welcoming group of passionately like-minded friends. But as I grew older it was clear that to immerse oneself in any one genre, let alone sub-genre, is too restrictive. The energy my friends and I got from Thrash was potent but one-dimensional; angry, relentless, hell-for-leather. This is not always useful and a rounded person it does not make. Looking around, I came to realize that a love of music shapes a person’s life best when that love is broad and not just deep. I actively set out to explore other genres and this was largely behind my decision to work in, and ultimately manage, a record store. I was the resident “Metal expert”, but immersed myself in anything and everything. Swimming in CDs like Scrooge McDuck for 12 hours a day, the lessons I learned were threefold: Firstly, that records did not burn the day I was born, that music is written for everyone, present and future, and that the music of the so-called past is more abundant, brilliant, inspiring, and most surprisingly; relevant to you and the world in which we live, than you could possibly imagine. Secondly I realized that the remedy for any condition can be found within music if only you know what to listen to. With the right music you need never be sad, dispirited, or frightened, never alone or isolated, never tired, jaded or uninspired. Broaden your musical horizons as much as you can and you’ll have a friend to hold your hand through any hardship. And if you can’t find quite the right medicine, just ask someone who can. Which brings me to the third: I learned that my elders, not just parents but older friends and colleagues, were just those who had already discovered the above wisdom, and could provide me with a ticket to a world of life-changing music that I might not otherwise have found. It is profoundly poignant for me, on my fortieth birthday, to realize that I might now be one of those elders. The advent of music reaction videos has given me a world of wide-eyed youngsters upon whom to pay this wisdom forward, in lieu of children of my own. Much as the thrill of Christmas for me is now in the giving, not the receiving, I couldn’t be more happy about that, but it must not go without note that my journey is not over either. I still have elders of my own, still pointing the way to mines unexplored, and this is not the only source of insight. Those younger than me, but from a different sphere of experience, such as you, are also showing me great things, all the time. As such, regardless of generation, we can all be a musical guru to someone, and continue to discover this strange magic together. Erudite as you are, I’m quite sure you already knew all of this, but I felt the need, for you, for myself as well as for others reading this, to put it all into words lest we forget and fall once more into those familiar ruts. Find the good in every genre, discriminate against none, and never forget that your favorite song is one you have not yet heard, so never stop searching. Izzy x REPLY
Make it many man. Respect. 👊. Words in right order, can be really emonational. You can't study life, You have to live it. That comes out strongly from Your text...
The thing I love most about this video (obviously music too) is that, almost at the end, Marco and Emppu went and stayed by Tuomas side, just to give him some emotional support. That's beautiful!
@@ajayjust2626 Exactly, man. To me that's what music is meant to be. Music was created to affect people; it's the perfect way to create a bond between human beings and, sometimes, that bOnd evolves into a bAnd.
"Years I've been strapped on this altar" refers that he had led the band in high position back then and feeling being responsible to the fans. Nightwish was very hyped at that time and made their final global breakthrough. Then Tarja and her husband made it impossible to go on. Tuomas was largely blamed as the frontman for this and it was a frontpage news in Finland. "Altar" is the execution stage at this context.
I can totally understand you girl. Don't feel bad because some human beings think that you look bored. They don't understand that universum inside your head. I could clearly see that you were really deep in to the song and probably feeling a lot of different emotions. It's beautiful. Btw. Keep doing these reactions, I love the contrast between you two. Great stuff!
You know those times when a blocked video suddenly gets unblocked? No idea how this happened but no complaints here!! What do you think about this performance? Any suggestions?
I have no idea how that happens either but I’m glad it did. I was bummed out when it originally got blocked because it’s such a good song and performance and now we get to watch it!! C.O.D.💀
Fun fact It's 3 minutes, running time, from the time it's mentioned in the talking section. Till the Pendulum falls. Greatest show on earth next up please
@Chemicalreactions! THIS. It's mentioned at 11:30, but the last heartbeat falls at 16:52 because you paused the video to talk a bit, but for watching, is exactly 3 minutes after that line.
You can see Tuomas singing out the lyrics with a pained expression for just a split second near the end, and that right there is the most powerful thing I've seen in any live performance.
Mother and Father is based on a real conversation with his parents. Watch it again and you'll notice the other band members check he's OK during the song, as this song is painful for him as it's very personal.
@JS 09 That's when you're not exactly right, the situation had grown to the point where other band members were basically saying that they can't and won't take that situation anymore and are considering leaving. Markko was pretty clear that he had these thoughts and in the end the choice was - either lose one person or lose everyone else. As hard as that choice was, it was also simple compared to other choice. So no, no one "forced" anyone, the situation itself "forced the choice".
This is a song about the feelings Tuomas had after the firing of Tarja, all the comments were directed at him, and he took it very personnaly to the point where he considered suicide, but his close friend Tony Kakko and the Marco, Jukka, and Emppu convinced him the world would be worst off with him, so he wrote this masterpiece in which he commits suicide, so he wouldn't do it in real life. They very rarely play this live, this is the first tome in a long time, notice how at the end Marco and Emppu come stand next to him to show their support, he also has them turn off the voice in his in ear monitors, and only hears the music. As Tuomas said Floor puts al the emotion, and heart and sould into the song that he meant it to have.
This song is about Tuomas committing suicide via song, rather then doing it in real life, as he was in a very dark place at the time... So when Floor can make you feel the emotions Tuomas was feeling while he wrote this song, is just pure talent!
tuomas had a very difficult time after the band decided to kick Tarja out, to some extent even prior to that. she wasnt just a band member, she was an old friend. but for the greater good of the band there was no other solution than kicking her out (for the reasons why, the story behind it, just google :P). he stated in an interview "i lost a friend. i lost a lot." he also said that he literally killed himself in this song so he wouldnt have to do it in real life. describing the song as being cathartic etc. nowadays he sometimes asks the sound engineer to cut off the vocals for his in ear, so he doesnt have to listen to the lyrics. he obviously went through really dark times during that period and that gives you an idea of how dark it was and what this song means to him.
There is nothing like nightwish. And Tuomas, our times best composer have brought tears, emotions and feelings out you didnt know you had, or wasnt ready to feel.. The music. the combosing.. there is just a magical emotional deepness...
Poet and the Pendulum is one of the songs that always makes you feel something. Its just amazing song, with awesome musicians and its just... so many emotions. I always cry in the end. Its just so beautiful. I am glad you liked the song and I am hopeful that you would do more NW reactions in the future. May I suggest Nightwish's cover to Pink Floyds song "High Hopes"?
Great reaction guys. This is such an emotional and touching song. Floor shows just how great she is by the way she expresses the emotional weight of the song perfectly. And she looks so gorgeous too, as always.
The most darkest Nightwish song...This song is about Tuomas's pain in letting Tarja go from the band. The pendulum represents the day he fired her.... it was always coming, closer and closer, and he knew the ultimate pain would happen eventually. Tuomas with this song just made lyrical suicide instead of real when kick Tarja and whole world blame him. And his father and mom save him from this state if i'm not mistaken.
@@ChemicalReactions there was a big conflict between the members of the band and Tomas got caught up and then got harsh criticism from all sides and got a depression where he was thinking about suicide and parts of the song should be his suicide letter. It's a little I think you misinterpreted in the reaction but with a little more background so listen to the song so maybe you change your interpretation of what the text says. Then when they mention that you have a face for the world and one for God, then one thing many people with depression said they have a facade that they show to others to hide how they feel so the inside and outside are two different faces (heard that Tomas is not a believer and searched for religion but rejected everyone so when he mentions God it is probably your inner person that no one can see)
@@black4pienus Yip, I dont understand how people cant hear the difference between a young boy & a fuller grown women's voice. All but one of the many 'Vocal Coach' Reactions got it wrong, it goes to show how much they really know.
@@aryanbianca3189 well, that's why they get children to sing the role of women, especially in the times before women were allowed to perform. That's where the castrato voice was developed, so the feminine voice could be emulated with a grown man. The closest that we really get to encountering the style now is in children's choirs, like the ones that Nightwish frequently employs.
@@guitargodthor2 no, it's not. In the beginning the voice is Guy Elliott, a choirboy soprano aka treble, both on album and live (from backing track) Later in the song the part "Sparkle my scenery" all the way to "Swaying blade my lullaby" is sung on album by another boysoprano/treble, Tom Williams. This part was sung live by Anette and now by Floor, but on album it's Williams. The whispering and talked parts are by Williams too. If you don't want to take my word for it, they're mentioned in the album credits too ;)
The Poet and the Pendulum might be the best Nightwish song so far. Regarding the latest news of Kai Hahto becoming full member of Nightwish, maybe you could check out Kai's band Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars live rehearsal @ Sonic Pump Studios.
Yeah, I really believe he felt he had betrayed her. I understand that sentiment better than I'd have preferred, so this song really is a gut-punch for me. Even now, on the rare occasion they play this live, he will request not to receive the vocals in-ear. It's still that painful for him. He has said that he had to write his death into a song to avoid doing himself in for real. In this video, you can see Empuu in particular go over to check on him during the song, and stay by his side for several minutes. The piece drew significant inspiration from Poe's piece, "The Pit and the Pendulum."
Tuomas seems like somebody who is tougher on himself than anybody can be. I know, I'm that way and I can see it in how he's almost embarrassed by the applause and attention. His heart is very much on his sleeve and from everything I've read he had a deep love for Tarja, so it was a difficult act. In my opinion, it was a very smart move. I appreciate her talent, but I really didn't enjoy her style and I feel they have become the best band in the world with Floor at the front. It's really difficult when somebody seems to be putting them self ahead of the collective band. There is a long list of bands who have gone separate ways over that very thing. In her case, I think her husband got in her head and figured he had a cash cow he could milk. Just my opinion.
The Mother and Father part lyrics was actually made up of things Tuomas’s parents actually said to him. I absolutely bawl my eyes out at this part every single time.
I was required to read several works of Edgar Allen Poe in high school. The Cask of Amontillado, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, etc. Amazing works by a seemingly tormented soul.
Edgar Allen Poe wrote Pit and The Pendulum while being depressed about losing not one, but three women he loved in life: His mother, his wife, and his sister -- who all died from tuberculosis. If Poe were alive today, I think even he would agree that this song encapsulates the feelings he had while writing Pit and the Pendulum.
That last part V. Mother and Father.. its so freaking beautiful and kind of sad.. First time i heard this live ill cried.. it was so emotional to see that live.. and the it just hitted..
Great reaction and discussion. Floor gave this song ALL the anger, frustration, hopelessness, and depression it deserved, she ran the song through the entire gamut of emotions needed and sounded absolutely awesome doing it. The fact that it was LIVE is even more of a testament to her stage presence, power and range. That arena holds 12,000+ fans and I swear at times during that song you could hear a pin drop, she had that crowd just mesmerized with her vocals. A song done rarely as it covers a very difficult part of NW's past. Luckily, Floor seems to have bridged many of those divides and being a good friend of Tarja (done duets together) seems to have settled everyone down except those that keep the argument going on who is better (silly as they are difference but awesome in their own way). Don't forget about Annette, the 2nd singer and her ballads that were great although she gets very little love from a lot of the fans who argue over who is number 1 but always rank her number 3!
Tuomas is a genius. My favorite Nightwish song, for everything that it represents. Thank you for this great reaction. You are a bit confuse on the interpretation of some parts of the song, but you will get it reading de comments.
The song is almost analogous to the 7 stages of grief put into a symphony -- in poetry and music. There is anger, bitterness, sadness (as low as the depths of the Pacific), despair ... and finally acceptance and peace. His parents obviously helped him get to the last step. Note that near the beginning of the song you hear the whispered words "The end" ... and near the end of the song, you hear the whispered words "The beginning". "The end" refers to the end of life in the band as he knew it -- and the end of a life-long friendship with a dear friend. And "The beginning" referring to finally finding peace and starting the next phase of life with a "new band" and newfound peace.
Another beautiful part of this song is that it encompasses so much of the imagery and symbolism from the rest of Nightwish's catalog. In the Act "The Pacific" it says "Tuck me in beneath the blue, beneath the pain, beneath the rain" it is talking about the metaphorical ocean. Throughout many songs they refer to an Ocean Soul or an Oceanborn. This generally refers to a vast loneliness, or one that is completely alone. Then it says "on the shore we hoped...." I take this to mean that for a short time, the ocean soul found peace and companionship. Later, in "Mother and Father" it says "Search for beauty, find your shore....you have such oceans within...." In this part, I interpret it as the song version of Tuomas has killed himself (the actual Dark Passion Play), and his mother knew how lonely he was and had hoped that throughout his life he would have found that companionship to end his loneliness; however, with the last monologue before "Mother and Father" we know that, although his work has ended and has become lost, his pain has also ended. Hence, the smile on his face.
Juliette, when i saw what you said about your way of reacting to the music and songs, it finally made sense to me. I've seen many of your reactions, and it always puzzled me that you most of the time looked like you were bored, but when i've seen your reactions again, after your comment, i saw a bunch of reactions in your face, not big, but small suttle reactions. So keep reacting to music in your own way, always, because yor reactions and feelings are always your own! With wishes for many more reactions to come. You are a very bright young woman.
@@Lowko4456 That's what I initially thought too, when I first heard the song, but if you look in the album liner notes, it lists "Guy Elliott: Lead Boy Soprano (on track 1)." So it's not Annette.
Excited for this reaction! I'd love to see a reaction to older songs by In Flames or Dark Tranquility. For some newer metal, 'Yuve Yuve Yu' by The Hu (Mongolian Metal) or 'Ari Ari' by Bloodywood (Indian Metal)
I think this is the best song Nightwish ever made&performanced, so thank you so much for making this video. You both seem like very nice people, Juliette is definitely an old soul, she's been here many times for sure. Anyways, thank you and have a nice day.
After the firing of Tarja, things got ugly and some of the fans turned against the band. Tuomas fell into a deep depression and the song is his musical "suicide".
Humble thanks for this reaction, as well as background work, which you have done.Although I have heard this particular song dozens of times, it did not help and my eyes got wet ...This is the story of life and fate that touches.
Tuomas has said about this piece that he was so depressed when he wrote the song that he had to commit suicide in the song to avoid doing it in real life. That's why the song seems to be longing for dead. It is about depression and dead. You can notice at the end of the section "Dark Passion Play" there is the sound of a blade at the same time that Tuomas makes a sign of cutting his throat, followed by the sound of heartbeats coming to an end. My understanding of the last section, Mother and Father is he imagines both of them receiving him in Heaven. "Bleed no more" would equate to suffer no more. Just as a side note, there are several parts of the lyrics that I interpret as explaining how it feels to be depressed, but with no personal experience is just imagination. But I saw another reactor who has battled with depression almost lost it with the line "Forgive me, I have but two faces, one for the world one for God" because he said that when you are battling with depression you work hard at putting a face to the world and when you are alone with no one but God to hear your thoughts, you place a completely different face and it happens to be very painful, just a note that might provide another interpretation to the lyrics.
It's back! For those that didn't see the video before it got taken down the first time, I am a guy (innocent mistake!). I wrote something like a 1000 word comment, like an open letter about broadening one's musical horizons. I'll repost it if anyone is interested!...
More suggestions for Metal maiden Mondays: Avatarium - Moonhorse (doom metal) Beyond The Black - Beautiful Lies (pop metal) Draconian - Stellar Tombs (doom/death metal) Elvellon - Born From Hope (symphonic metal, very Nightwish-like) Helion Prime - Life Finds A Way (power/prog/traditional metal) Issa - Angels Crying (pop metal) Kobra And The Lotus - Light Me Up (heavy rock/metal) Leave's Eyes - Across The Sea (symphonic viking metal) MindMaze - End Of Eternity (prog/power/traditional metal) Nightmare - Ikarus (heavy metal) Once Human - Eye Of Chaos (death/groove metal) Seven Spires - Cabaret Of Dreams (symphonic/progressive metal) Trees Of Eternity - Broken Mirror (doom metal, very sad back story behind the band/album) Visions Of Atlantis - Heroes Of The Dawn (symphonic metal)
A genius song composition.. Epic, dramatic, full of emotion More than a song, its like a movie It brings your emotion up & down, like riding a roller coster Nice reaction video Keep it up 👍👍👍
The "for years I've been strapped on to this alter" part represents the fact for years thomus was stuck in the middle of the turmoil between the rest of the band and his best friend. Yall also didn't pay attention to the "3 minutes and counting" you heard the cranks of the pendulum blade being raised 3 minutes later you heard the blade swinging in another whispered speech followed by the slice of the blade but you were correct about the heart beat.
Hi! As you enjoy Nightwish live I can recomend "the greatest show on earth" from Tampere (Finland) 2015. That is absolutely stunning!! A little tip from Sweden...
You could watch the demo version of this song, where Marco does all the singing. Also you could check Master Passion Greed (no live versio tho) since it's their heaviest song and also related to Tarja's departure (more directed towards her husband)
I've said it before but it bears repeating that Juliette has unbelievably deep insights into the music that you two react to! Again...wise beyond her years! Keep up the reactions and great work!! Thank you for it!
Hi! My name is Magnus and I found this explanation on a Finish Nightwish fan site and wanted you to copy it for you... I also wanted to know what The song is about and this is a really good explanation of The lyrics.. /Best wishes from Sweden! Okay... I'm going to do my best with this one. This song is about Tuomas's pain in letting Tarja go from the band. The pendulum represents the day he fired her.... it was always coming, closer and closer, and he knew the ultimate pain would happen eventually. "For years, I have been strapped unto this altar." The widowed writer line refers to a writer that has lost something, e.g. a wife or a muse, i.e. Tarja. "Oh Christ, how I hate what I have become Take me home." He wants to forget all about these troubles and just fade away back into his childhood (the 'dreamer's hideaway'). I think The Pacific represents the doubt - the blind eye he turned to the friction with Tarja all thoe years. Everything is perfect, the turquoise waterfalls. He wants to be tucked in beneath blue, the pain and the rain (all representingso he won't have to see it and he can pretend it's not there. The 'blue' doesn't have a capital B like in Dark Chest of Wonders, where it's referred to as a good thing. In this song there is no capital B, and so it refers to sadness, for example, "I'm feeling blue." His lullaby is the swaying blade. The problem is always lingering above him, even though he is tucked beneath it. Late at night he knows it draws near. "On the shore we sat and hoped." This is possibly a direct reference to Tarja. He invited her into his world and - his oceans - and hoped with her that the pale moon - his music - would keep them together just as it keeps the fans together "Whose guiding light chose you, chose you all." Then the music changes and the fear kicks in once again. "2nd robber to the right of Christ." In the bible, two robbers were crucified next to Jesus Christ. The first one mocked and condemned him. The second robber defended Christ, proclaiming him to be innocent and indeed the son of God. Jesus then allows this second robber to be the first soul to join him in Heaven. Tuomas refers to himself as this second robber, perhaps because he believed until the end that Nightwish could live on with Tarja. But it was not to be. He is torn in half and so comes the death of his inner infant, his beliefs and his innocence. The crows represent everyone in the world who think they have a right to judge him. They take advantage of his suffering. He views himelf as having a "heart of stone". He feels that he should go to Hell for doing what he did, and that everyone would be glad for it. "Slain by the bell tolling for his farewell." This line refers to the pendulum, which he always knew would ultimately bring about his farewell. "The Year of Our Lord" is the year that Jesus was born. Perhaps 2005 was a kind of anniversary... I'm not quite sure. This possibly hints that even though Tuomas has died, there is a coming rebirth as he is "called from the cares of the world". He lies with a "smile on his face" (more positivity). However, the "1000 pages of erased text" represents everything he has ever written and worked for in his life. As Tarja leaves it is all gone, and all his pages of hopeful poetry are rendered meaningless. "Save me!" In the end, Tuomas's soul is revived thanks to the love and support from his parents. They see that he has become cold, and warn him that "the blade will keep on descending". There will always be problems in life. They warm his heart and bring him back to life by reassuring him that he will alway have their love. And so... The beginning...
If you listen, at the end section of part 3, you can hear the pendulum being raised and then rope being cut to release it. At the part where Toumas cuts across his neck, that’s the pendulum coming across. I’ve always loved the even more powerful symbolism since I first heard the song when the album came out in 2005.
The opening was sung by a boy soprano. In the original Anette version, two boy sopranos were used. The passage "Sparkle my scenery" was sung by a boy soprano in the Anette version. Here Floor sings the same passage with the high, thin, slightly unstable voice of a boy soprano. You need to read the backstory and listen to this a few times to get the full impact of Tuomos writing about his musical suicide. One little tidbit: when the boy soprano states, "three minutes and counting" to the blade slicing Tuomos' throat is exactly is exactly three minutes. The Edgar Allen Poe short story "Pit and the Pendulum" is the inspiration for the music.
Finally one of my NW fav song, this song got me so bad when the first time I watch this live version, Floor did a good job with her voice and expression to interpret the emotion of the song.
It was a whole lot more convoluted than just firing Tarja. I think the raw emotion in this song shows this. It brings tears to my eyes every single listen.
Check the lyrics again. Its a really sad song (and beautiful at same time). Its Tuomas who dies in that song. He had thougts about suicide and neeeded that song to can continue...
Nice reaction you guys!:) This is such an imotional song. You need to see it a few times to really let it sink in. And if you ever have experienced something hard during your life; This will help you getting past that part both in a reall way, and future way:) Thanx guys:) Take care- from a dude in Norway:)
I was surprised that you didn't get right away the Poe reference to The Pit and the Pendulum. The Telltale Heart definitely does figure in hearing the heartbeat, but the part about the altar is actually a quotation from The Pit and the Pendulum. I do love your reactions to this song, and look forward to more Metal Maiden Monday videos.
Tuomas Holopainen is a genius, his compositions are masterpieces, Nightwish albums "Whismaster", "Once", "Oceansborn", "Over the hills and far away", "Century child", "Dark Passion play", "Imaginarium", "Angels Fall first", etc. Other bands like "Auri", "Eternal tears of sorrow", and "The Life and time of Scrooge"
The next Nightwish song to react should be The Greatest Show On Earth from Live At Tampere. That The longest song from Nightwish and in my humble opninion the best!
I disagree. While ghost love score and poet have the payoff at the end that closes the epic nicely, I think greatest show is at its best at the beginning and the ending is rather pedestrian for tuomas.
@@dougmphilly but the ending is meant to be all about the impact of what Richard Dawkins is saying. If the end was over composed it would take too much away from the impact of his words.
Pete Thorley no, I love the Dawkins part. I am referring to the music section. It’s an anthem that comes close to arena rock. The early bits are much better. When you write an epic, the payoff should payoff.?
joined the chem fam... love the reactions.. juliette shocked me with her knowledge. very impressed and she loves the 80's def plus haha...looking foward to catching up on the vids and viewing the new ones
That girl has really exceptional taste of percieving this music, considering she listened it for the first time. Most of things she says are right on point.
The poet and the pendulum indeed is a song written by the synthesizer player. He wrote it to be able to deal with the depression he fell in after the departure of the first singer. I don’t know if it is this live show, another live show or every live show, but at the end of the song the guitarist and another player walk to the synthesizer player to give him their support. Also there are certain parts in the song the guy can’t listen to, even after all these years, so during live concerts, there are a few moments the crew has to turn down the volume of his earbuds, because otherwise he can’t take it.
One detail that you may have missed: If you watch the video again, right before the heartbeat begins, right at the instrumental ascendent slide, you'll see Tuomas slice his own neck from front to back, signifying the death of himself from the pendulum -- because, as you guessed, he is the titular "Poet" named in the title of the song. The allegory of the ship was his fear that Tarja's departure meant the end of Nightwish, as many fans considered Tarja to be the voice of the band. This is why, if you look at the lyrics, the "ship" -- Nightwish -- is looking for a safe harbor, because of the "storm" of criticism that happened when Tarja was fired via the "Open Letter." Thankfully, they have recovered from those dark days, for the most part -- and if you watch Wacken 2013, they are smiling in different parts of the concert. Even today, they are doing well, in spite of losing Jukka, their drummer, as he officially stepped down not yet (as of this comment) a week ago. His departure was over his health, as he suffered insomnia for years, and last year, had to have hand surgery. As far as I know, he is not leaving the band fully, as he has transitioned to taking care of the business side of Nightwish.
I was impressed by ability to draw parallels between Edgar Allan Poe's life and what Tuomas expresses in this song. Seeing young people this smart and educated gives me hope for the future!
It is so cool to see your reactions, it reminds me of the first time I heard these Nightwish songs. :) In case no one has pointed out, White Land of Empathica is NOT sung by Floor, Nightwish sometimes has young choir boys sing parts of their songs. Like Dead Boys Poem, for example.
There's a short story by EAP "The Pit and the Pendulum" where the main character is a prisoner tied to a table in complete darkness and above him is a swaying blade that is slowly descending and he knows it will kill him soon. There's more to it, but that was the main inspiration for the song. But the main topic is probably his love for Tarja (this song is not a great example, but Ghost Love Score is obviously about his love for her, even though they never confirmed that), good times they all as a band had together (On the shore we sat and hoped / Under the same pale moon / Whose guiding light chose you / Chose you all), buildup as the time got closer when he knew he will have to fire her (For years I've been strapped to this altar.. - a reference to the story) and the fear that Nightwish will die without her. Longing for death you mention is pretty much his depression after everything that happened. By the way - her name is pronounced Tar-ya.
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Okay, here is my original comment, in full:
Great reaction guys, thanks for the dedication, and I hope you feel better. Juliette’s beautiful and beautifully expressionless face is the best present I could ask for. One note though, I am a guy. Haha, I thought the long hair of my avatar and the Izzy might throw you, and take no offense whatsoever. You’re not the first - until I get a buzzcut and change my name to Roger it will keep happening!
When I was a young stud of about 20, lead guitarist in the band, (and nicknamed after Izzy Stradlin of Guns ’n’ Roses) I had a 26" waist, extremely long, shiny hair, and dressed like someone who had been rejected from Mötley Crüe for being too flamboyant. In the ludicrously dim lighting of the average metal nightclub, this was, much to my chagrin, enough to deceive many an amorous dude. In fact, I felt like that cat in the Pepe LePew cartoons. I chuckle when I think of those times, so in a funny way, you've made me feel young again!
But never mind that, I have prepared a little something for Juliette:
Dear Juliette,
Today I am 40. In my life I’ve been the lead guitarist in a metal band, hung out with Iron Maiden, studied at a music academy, and for many years, served as manager of a popular and beloved record store. I’ve immersed myself in music and yet, there were still times when my ears were closed to all but my first love, Thrash Metal. It energized and inspired me from a young age (Metallica’s “Justice” was the first album I bought too!), it made me take up the electric guitar, gave me an identity and allowed me to find a welcoming group of passionately like-minded friends.
But as I grew older it was clear that to immerse oneself in any one genre, let alone sub-genre, is too restrictive. The energy my friends and I got from Thrash was potent but one-dimensional; angry, relentless, hell-for-leather. This is not always useful and a rounded person it does not make. Looking around, I came to realize that a love of music shapes a person’s life best when that love is broad and not just deep. I actively set out to explore other genres and this was largely behind my decision to work in, and ultimately manage, a record store. I was the resident “Metal expert”, but immersed myself in anything and everything.
Swimming in CDs like Scrooge McDuck for 12 hours a day, the lessons I learned were threefold: Firstly, that records did not burn the day I was born, that music is written for everyone, present and future, and that the music of the so-called past is more abundant, brilliant, inspiring, and most surprisingly; relevant to you and the world in which we live, than you could possibly imagine.
Secondly I realized that the remedy for any condition can be found within music if only you know what to listen to. With the right music you need never be sad, dispirited, or frightened, never alone or isolated, never tired, jaded or uninspired. Broaden your musical horizons as much as you can and you’ll have a friend to hold your hand through any hardship. And if you can’t find quite the right medicine, just ask someone who can.
Which brings me to the third: I learned that my elders, not just parents but older friends and colleagues, were just those who had already discovered the above wisdom, and could provide me with a ticket to a world of life-changing music that I might not otherwise have found. It is profoundly poignant for me, on my fortieth birthday, to realize that I might now be one of those elders. The advent of music reaction videos has given me a world of wide-eyed youngsters upon whom to pay this wisdom forward, in lieu of children of my own.
Much as the thrill of Christmas for me is now in the giving, not the receiving, I couldn’t be more happy about that, but it must not go without note that my journey is not over either. I still have elders of my own, still pointing the way to mines unexplored, and this is not the only source of insight. Those younger than me, but from a different sphere of experience, such as you, are also showing me great things, all the time. As such, regardless of generation, we can all be a musical guru to someone, and continue to discover this strange magic together.
Erudite as you are, I’m quite sure you already knew all of this, but I felt the need, for you, for myself as well as for others reading this, to put it all into words lest we forget and fall once more into those familiar ruts.
Find the good in every genre, discriminate against none, and never forget that your favorite song is one you have not yet heard, so never stop searching.
Izzy x
REPLY
This is quite possibly the best TH-cam comment I've ever read.
@@sumguy4435 Thanks! It's always a relief, in this age of brevity, to find that at least one person made it to the end of something like this.
Great comment.
Excellently written comment.
Make it many man. Respect. 👊. Words in right order, can be really emonational. You can't study life, You have to live it. That comes out strongly from Your text...
With the father and mother part, I have goose bumps every time and often tears in the eyes.
knut ruther Me, too, except I always also cry.
I so feel you. Every time tears in the eyes there
Doesn't matter how many times I've listened to this song I still tear up and cry by the end. His pain is so strong throughout the lyrics.
The thing I love most about this video (obviously music too) is that, almost at the end, Marco and Emppu went and stayed by Tuomas side, just to give him some emotional support.
That's beautiful!
Shows how much this song affects Tuomas and how much the other members care for each other.
@@ajayjust2626 Exactly, man. To me that's what music is meant to be. Music was created to affect people; it's the perfect way to create a bond between human beings and, sometimes, that bOnd evolves into a bAnd.
@@marcopatro this, this right here 👆
that part with Tuomas singing with eyes closed always gets me man, you can physically feel that pain.
Same. Especially since I also struggle with depression. So you really feel the emotions.
"Years I've been strapped on this altar" refers that he had led the band in high position back then and feeling being responsible to the fans. Nightwish was very hyped at that time and made their final global breakthrough. Then Tarja and her husband made it impossible to go on. Tuomas was largely blamed as the frontman for this and it was a frontpage news in Finland. "Altar" is the execution stage at this context.
I can totally understand you girl. Don't feel bad because some human beings think that you look bored. They don't understand that universum inside your head. I could clearly see that you were really deep in to the song and probably feeling a lot of different emotions. It's beautiful. Btw. Keep doing these reactions, I love the contrast between you two. Great stuff!
I get a similar expression when I'm hyper focused on something
I'm hearing this song for 60th time but it still shakes me to my core.tnx for this reaction.
You know those times when a blocked video suddenly gets unblocked? No idea how this happened but no complaints here!! What do you think about this performance? Any suggestions?
One Word: MASTERPIECE ❤
I have no idea how that happens either but I’m glad it did. I was bummed out when it originally got blocked because it’s such a good song and performance and now we get to watch it!!
C.O.D.💀
React to Moonspell
@@pyssy123 Agreed. It grows on you so much. What a beautiful song, especially with Floor's voice in the fifth part.
WORD...👍
Fun fact
It's 3 minutes, running time, from the time it's mentioned in the talking section. Till the Pendulum falls.
Greatest show on earth next up please
Greatest show on earth is a must after this
@Chemicalreactions! THIS. It's mentioned at 11:30, but the last heartbeat falls at 16:52 because you paused the video to talk a bit, but for watching, is exactly 3 minutes after that line.
You can see Tuomas singing out the lyrics with a pained expression for just a split second near the end, and that right there is the most powerful thing I've seen in any live performance.
Yes. Singing without a mic, singing to let it out of himself.
Mother and Father is based on a real conversation with his parents. Watch it again and you'll notice the other band members check he's OK during the song, as this song is painful for him as it's very personal.
You're right. I noticed Marco coming to see him, you could tell with real empathy.
Emppu was there also with Tuomas and Marco.
Marco was the first one to say it aloud.
@JS 09 That's when you're not exactly right, the situation had grown to the point where other band members were basically saying that they can't and won't take that situation anymore and are considering leaving. Markko was pretty clear that he had these thoughts and in the end the choice was - either lose one person or lose everyone else. As hard as that choice was, it was also simple compared to other choice. So no, no one "forced" anyone, the situation itself "forced the choice".
I love the guys bond its beautiful to watch.
This is a song about the feelings Tuomas had after the firing of Tarja, all the comments were directed at him, and he took it very personnaly to the point where he considered suicide, but his close friend Tony Kakko and the Marco, Jukka, and Emppu convinced him the world would be worst off with him, so he wrote this masterpiece in which he commits suicide, so he wouldn't do it in real life. They very rarely play this live, this is the first tome in a long time, notice how at the end Marco and Emppu come stand next to him to show their support, he also has them turn off the voice in his in ear monitors, and only hears the music. As Tuomas said Floor puts al the emotion, and heart and sould into the song that he meant it to have.
This song is about Tuomas committing suicide via song, rather then doing it in real life, as he was in a very dark place at the time...
So when Floor can make you feel the emotions Tuomas was feeling while he wrote this song, is just pure talent!
tuomas had a very difficult time after the band decided to kick Tarja out, to some extent even prior to that. she wasnt just a band member, she was an old friend. but for the greater good of the band there was no other solution than kicking her out (for the reasons why, the story behind it, just google :P).
he stated in an interview "i lost a friend. i lost a lot." he also said that he literally killed himself in this song so he wouldnt have to do it in real life. describing the song as being cathartic etc. nowadays he sometimes asks the sound engineer to cut off the vocals for his in ear, so he doesnt have to listen to the lyrics. he obviously went through really dark times during that period and that gives you an idea of how dark it was and what this song means to him.
There is nothing like nightwish.
And Tuomas, our times best composer have brought tears, emotions and feelings out you didnt know you had, or wasnt ready to feel..
The music. the combosing.. there is just a magical emotional deepness...
Poet and the Pendulum is one of the songs that always makes you feel something. Its just amazing song, with awesome musicians and its just... so many emotions. I always cry in the end. Its just so beautiful. I am glad you liked the song and I am hopeful that you would do more NW reactions in the future. May I suggest Nightwish's cover to Pink Floyds song "High Hopes"?
Knowing the story behind it makes me sad to know he felt that way. He's such a good song writer!
Thank You. Epic Masterpiece. Roller coaster ride to Genius main of Tuomas Holopainen...Cant pick better than this...👍
Great reaction guys. This is such an emotional and touching song. Floor shows just how great she is by the way she expresses the emotional weight of the song perfectly. And she looks so gorgeous too, as always.
I had a chance to listen to it a few more times since this first listen. It almost brings me to tear just to think of Mother and Father.
The most darkest Nightwish song...This song is about Tuomas's pain in letting Tarja go from the band. The pendulum represents the day he fired her.... it was always coming, closer and closer, and he knew the ultimate pain would happen eventually. Tuomas with this song just made lyrical suicide instead of real when kick Tarja and whole world blame him. And his father and mom save him from this state if i'm not mistaken.
This is my favorite band, I've been listening to them since the age of 16, so around 20 years and no one is growing up to their heels.
Tuomas had to kill himself in the song so he would not do it in life :(
We lost too many great voices, couldn't bear to lose one more.
He was not suicidal but sailed deep waters that time and you can hear it in the song very well.
@@mikkolaine4883 he's over 27, so it's not cool anymore.
@@ChemicalReactions
there was a big conflict between the members of the band and Tomas got caught up and then got harsh criticism from all sides and got a depression where he was thinking about suicide and parts of the song should be his suicide letter.
It's a little I think you misinterpreted in the reaction but with a little more background so listen to the song so maybe you change your interpretation of what the text says.
Then when they mention that you have a face for the world and one for God, then one thing many people with depression said they have a facade that they show to others to hide how they feel so the inside and outside are two different faces (heard that Tomas is not a believer and searched for religion but rejected everyone so when he mentions God it is probably your inner person that no one can see)
jadu79 This.
The voice in the beginning is not Floor, it's Guy Elliot, a boy soprano and it comes from backing track
Were there seriously people thinking that was Floor? lolz
@@black4pienus Yip, I dont understand how people cant hear the difference between a young boy & a fuller grown women's voice. All but one of the many 'Vocal Coach' Reactions got it wrong, it goes to show how much they really know.
@@aryanbianca3189 well, that's why they get children to sing the role of women, especially in the times before women were allowed to perform. That's where the castrato voice was developed, so the feminine voice could be emulated with a grown man. The closest that we really get to encountering the style now is in children's choirs, like the ones that Nightwish frequently employs.
It's Annett in the beginning. The song was written for her voice so they just use her original voice for it and various other parts.
@@guitargodthor2 no, it's not.
In the beginning the voice is Guy Elliott, a choirboy soprano aka treble, both on album and live (from backing track)
Later in the song the part "Sparkle my scenery" all the way to "Swaying blade my lullaby" is sung on album by another boysoprano/treble, Tom Williams. This part was sung live by Anette and now by Floor, but on album it's Williams.
The whispering and talked parts are by Williams too.
If you don't want to take my word for it, they're mentioned in the album credits too ;)
The Poet and the Pendulum might be the best Nightwish song so far.
Regarding the latest news of Kai Hahto becoming full member of Nightwish, maybe you could check out Kai's band Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars live rehearsal @ Sonic Pump Studios.
I agree. It's hard to choose among so many masterpieces by Nightwish, but I think this is their best song.
This might even be one of the of best art pieces (of any art form) ever created on this world. I'm not joking.
Yeah, I really believe he felt he had betrayed her. I understand that sentiment better than I'd have preferred, so this song really is a gut-punch for me. Even now, on the rare occasion they play this live, he will request not to receive the vocals in-ear. It's still that painful for him. He has said that he had to write his death into a song to avoid doing himself in for real. In this video, you can see Empuu in particular go over to check on him during the song, and stay by his side for several minutes.
The piece drew significant inspiration from Poe's piece, "The Pit and the Pendulum."
Tuomas seems like somebody who is tougher on himself than anybody can be. I know, I'm that way and I can see it in how he's almost embarrassed by the applause and attention. His heart is very much on his sleeve and from everything I've read he had a deep love for Tarja, so it was a difficult act. In my opinion, it was a very smart move. I appreciate her talent, but I really didn't enjoy her style and I feel they have become the best band in the world with Floor at the front. It's really difficult when somebody seems to be putting them self ahead of the collective band. There is a long list of bands who have gone separate ways over that very thing. In her case, I think her husband got in her head and figured he had a cash cow he could milk. Just my opinion.
The Mother and Father part lyrics was actually made up of things Tuomas’s parents actually said to him. I absolutely bawl my eyes out at this part every single time.
It is impossible not to cry with that emotional, last part of the song
@@nightgathering I cried throughout the whole song, back when I even did not know the whole background of the lyrics.
Thankyou for everything Nightwish, they’re such a special band..and with Floor they’re spectacular.
There is an Edgar Allan Poe poem called The Pit and the Pendulum
Really? Never heard of it. Will have to read it.
I was required to read several works of Edgar Allen Poe in high school. The Cask of Amontillado, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, etc. Amazing works by a seemingly tormented soul.
ChemicalReactions! Great movie starring Vincent price as well. Great gothic horror.
th-cam.com/video/-z6WS1ayoGA/w-d-xo.html
Edgar Allen Poe wrote Pit and The Pendulum while being depressed about losing not one, but three women he loved in life: His mother, his wife, and his sister -- who all died from tuberculosis.
If Poe were alive today, I think even he would agree that this song encapsulates the feelings he had while writing Pit and the Pendulum.
Mother and Farther, The Pacific and Dark Passion play is my favorit parts of the song
Mother and Farther will always make me cry it's so beautiful
Couldn't agree more.
I have but three minutes and counting
3 minutes later....last heartbeat sound.
Perfection
There's so many elements in this song that makes it a masterpiece.
Right when the pendulum blade falls. 😢
When she sings "find your shore" I always think that I m so happy Tuomas found Johanna.
So true, so true. They have kept their relationship quite well hidden. I dig both musically and as a human being. Great couple and really talented...
warre1 who dat?
@@metalmanny666 Johanna Kurkela,his wife.
You guys should really react to The Greatest Show On Earth (also by Nightwish) live at Tampere.
That last part V. Mother and Father.. its so freaking beautiful and kind of sad.. First time i heard this live ill cried.. it was so emotional to see that live.. and the it just hitted..
Me, too.
Brutally poignant!
brings tears to my eyes every time....
I have heard this song literally dozens of times and everytime that last section hits me right in the feels.
Great reaction and discussion. Floor gave this song ALL the anger, frustration, hopelessness, and depression it deserved, she ran the song through the entire gamut of emotions needed and sounded absolutely awesome doing it. The fact that it was LIVE is even more of a testament to her stage presence, power and range. That arena holds 12,000+ fans and I swear at times during that song you could hear a pin drop, she had that crowd just mesmerized with her vocals. A song done rarely as it covers a very difficult part of NW's past. Luckily, Floor seems to have bridged many of those divides and being a good friend of Tarja (done duets together) seems to have settled everyone down except those that keep the argument going on who is better (silly as they are difference but awesome in their own way). Don't forget about Annette, the 2nd singer and her ballads that were great although she gets very little love from a lot of the fans who argue over who is number 1 but always rank her number 3!
Tuomas is a genius.
My favorite Nightwish song, for everything that it represents.
Thank you for this great reaction.
You are a bit confuse on the interpretation of some parts of the song, but you will get it reading de comments.
The song is almost analogous to the 7 stages of grief put into a symphony -- in poetry and music. There is anger, bitterness, sadness (as low as the depths of the Pacific), despair ... and finally acceptance and peace. His parents obviously helped him get to the last step. Note that near the beginning of the song you hear the whispered words "The end" ... and near the end of the song, you hear the whispered words "The beginning". "The end" refers to the end of life in the band as he knew it -- and the end of a life-long friendship with a dear friend. And "The beginning" referring to finally finding peace and starting the next phase of life with a "new band" and newfound peace.
Another beautiful part of this song is that it encompasses so much of the imagery and symbolism from the rest of Nightwish's catalog. In the Act "The Pacific" it says "Tuck me in beneath the blue, beneath the pain, beneath the rain" it is talking about the metaphorical ocean. Throughout many songs they refer to an Ocean Soul or an Oceanborn. This generally refers to a vast loneliness, or one that is completely alone. Then it says "on the shore we hoped...." I take this to mean that for a short time, the ocean soul found peace and companionship. Later, in "Mother and Father" it says "Search for beauty, find your shore....you have such oceans within...." In this part, I interpret it as the song version of Tuomas has killed himself (the actual Dark Passion Play), and his mother knew how lonely he was and had hoped that throughout his life he would have found that companionship to end his loneliness; however, with the last monologue before "Mother and Father" we know that, although his work has ended and has become lost, his pain has also ended. Hence, the smile on his face.
I always cry in the mother and father section. The emotion Floor puts into it just gets me every time.😭😥 Enjoyed your reaction! 👍💯
I think a person's level of empathy determines how much they like and understand this song.
Juliette, when i saw what you said about your way of reacting to the music and songs, it finally made sense to me. I've seen many of your reactions,
and it always puzzled me that you most of the time looked like you were bored, but when i've seen your reactions again, after your comment, i saw a bunch of reactions in your face, not big, but small suttle reactions. So keep reacting to music in your own way, always, because yor reactions and feelings are always your own! With wishes for many more reactions to come. You are a very bright young woman.
It's not Floor at the beginning. It's a choir boy.
It could also be the pre recorded vocals of Annette Olzon
It can't be Anette, is the same voice that there is in the demo version sing by Marco before Anette was hired.
Intresting is that Floor offered to do this part aswell but Tuomas wanted to keep choirboy in.
@@Lowko4456 That's what I initially thought too, when I first heard the song, but if you look in the album liner notes, it lists "Guy Elliott: Lead Boy Soprano (on track 1)." So it's not Annette.
Yeah she can
Great reaction. Other side of this Tarja-case is Master Passion Greed. It's quite angry and heavy piece of Nightwish music.
It's more about Tarja's husband, they will never play that live as they aren't proud of making it =)
@@thamor4746 As petty as that song is... it does sound very awesome!
@@thamor4746 I heard that they're not allowed to play it live (same as Bye bye beautiful) by a court ruling from Marcelo and Tarja.
Excited for this reaction! I'd love to see a reaction to older songs by In Flames or Dark Tranquility. For some newer metal, 'Yuve Yuve Yu' by The Hu (Mongolian Metal) or 'Ari Ari' by Bloodywood (Indian Metal)
Yes Dark Tranquillity!!!
Thank you! Great reaction. "Weak fantasy" from Tampere, please!
I think this is the best song Nightwish ever made&performanced, so thank you so much for making this video. You both seem like very nice people, Juliette is definitely an old soul, she's been here many times for sure. Anyways, thank you and have a nice day.
After the firing of Tarja, things got ugly and some of the fans turned against the band. Tuomas fell into a deep depression and the song is his musical "suicide".
Even the Prime Minister of Finland got involved! Pressure much?
Yup Tony Kakko took him hiking to get away from the situation and heal
This song has the heaviest mood. Always gets me.
I love this song. So full of emotions
Humble thanks for this reaction, as well as background work, which you have done.Although I have heard this particular song dozens of times, it did not help and my eyes got wet ...This is the story of life and fate that touches.
I get more emotional with every new listen. Mark of a powerful song and performance.
this song is so beautiful, sad, and perfect
Tuomas has said about this piece that he was so depressed when he wrote the song that he had to commit suicide in the song to avoid doing it in real life. That's why the song seems to be longing for dead. It is about depression and dead.
You can notice at the end of the section "Dark Passion Play" there is the sound of a blade at the same time that Tuomas makes a sign of cutting his throat, followed by the sound of heartbeats coming to an end.
My understanding of the last section, Mother and Father is he imagines both of them receiving him in Heaven. "Bleed no more" would equate to suffer no more.
Just as a side note, there are several parts of the lyrics that I interpret as explaining how it feels to be depressed, but with no personal experience is just imagination. But I saw another reactor who has battled with depression almost lost it with the line "Forgive me, I have but two faces, one for the world one for God" because he said that when you are battling with depression you work hard at putting a face to the world and when you are alone with no one but God to hear your thoughts, you place a completely different face and it happens to be very painful, just a note that might provide another interpretation to the lyrics.
It's back! For those that didn't see the video before it got taken down the first time, I am a guy (innocent mistake!). I wrote something like a 1000 word comment, like an open letter about broadening one's musical horizons. I'll repost it if anyone is interested!...
Please do! One of the multiple bummers with having to take it down was losing your awesome comment!
@@ChemicalReactions Good thing I'm an essayist who habitually makes copies of everything I write! It has been reposted in full.
@@sylbaryn Ha! No, Tuomas has got one up on me there.
More suggestions for Metal maiden Mondays:
Avatarium - Moonhorse (doom metal)
Beyond The Black - Beautiful Lies (pop metal)
Draconian - Stellar Tombs (doom/death metal)
Elvellon - Born From Hope (symphonic metal, very Nightwish-like)
Helion Prime - Life Finds A Way (power/prog/traditional metal)
Issa - Angels Crying (pop metal)
Kobra And The Lotus - Light Me Up (heavy rock/metal)
Leave's Eyes - Across The Sea (symphonic viking metal)
MindMaze - End Of Eternity (prog/power/traditional metal)
Nightmare - Ikarus (heavy metal)
Once Human - Eye Of Chaos (death/groove metal)
Seven Spires - Cabaret Of Dreams (symphonic/progressive metal)
Trees Of Eternity - Broken Mirror (doom metal, very sad back story behind the band/album)
Visions Of Atlantis - Heroes Of The Dawn (symphonic metal)
A genius song composition..
Epic, dramatic, full of emotion
More than a song, its like a movie
It brings your emotion up & down, like riding a roller coster
Nice reaction video
Keep it up 👍👍👍
Love this Father/Daughter Team! Nightwish as usual,kicks ass
Hey guys, the three minutes refers to Tuomas will kill himself in the song in three minutes you didn't catch the move when he slit his throat!!!
You two are the most stoic reaction-people I have run across so far.
The "for years I've been strapped on to this alter" part represents the fact for years thomus was stuck in the middle of the turmoil between the rest of the band and his best friend. Yall also didn't pay attention to the "3 minutes and counting" you heard the cranks of the pendulum blade being raised 3 minutes later you heard the blade swinging in another whispered speech followed by the slice of the blade but you were correct about the heart beat.
*Tuomas
Hi! As you enjoy Nightwish live I can recomend "the greatest show on earth" from Tampere (Finland) 2015. That is absolutely stunning!! A little tip from Sweden...
Glad to see your video got unblocked. Such an awesome song. My suggestion for the next Nightwish video is Song of Myself live at Wacken 2013..
You could watch the demo version of this song, where Marco does all the singing. Also you could check Master Passion Greed (no live versio tho) since it's their heaviest song and also related to Tarja's departure (more directed towards her husband)
Beautiful song. My favorite from Nightwish after Ghost Love Score and then The Islander right after this one.
I've never clicked on a video so fast after seeing this was posted
Keep Nightwish coming. Also revisit Jinjer, they don't have a bad song, but start with Teacher Teacher.
Thank you, one of the most beautiful songs from Nightwish.
Check out "The Greatest Show On Earth" live in Tampere...Nightwish of course ;)
I've said it before but it bears repeating that Juliette has unbelievably deep insights into the music that you two react to! Again...wise beyond her years! Keep up the reactions and great work!! Thank you for it!
I love 'Ghost Love Score' more as a song, but this one has amazing structure and story. Very hard to choose!
Blind Guardian - Time stands still (at the iron hill)
Rush cover?
Excellent suggestion! One badass of a sonf
I was just listening to this song yesterday! The whole album is great.
Hi!
My name is Magnus and I found this explanation on a Finish Nightwish fan site and wanted you to copy it for you... I also wanted to know what The song is about and this is a really good explanation of The lyrics.. /Best wishes from Sweden!
Okay... I'm going to do my best with this one.
This song is about Tuomas's pain in letting Tarja go from the band. The pendulum represents the day he fired her.... it was always coming, closer and closer, and he knew the ultimate pain would happen eventually.
"For years, I have been strapped unto this altar."
The widowed writer line refers to a writer that has lost something, e.g. a wife or a muse, i.e. Tarja.
"Oh Christ, how I hate what I have become
Take me home."
He wants to forget all about these troubles and just fade away back into his childhood (the 'dreamer's hideaway').
I think The Pacific represents the doubt - the blind eye he turned to the friction with Tarja all thoe years. Everything is perfect, the turquoise waterfalls. He wants to be tucked in beneath blue, the pain and the rain (all representingso he won't have to see it and he can pretend it's not there.
The 'blue' doesn't have a capital B like in Dark Chest of Wonders, where it's referred to as a good thing. In this song there is no capital B, and so it refers to sadness, for example, "I'm feeling blue."
His lullaby is the swaying blade. The problem is always lingering above him, even though he is tucked beneath it. Late at night he knows it draws near.
"On the shore we sat and hoped."
This is possibly a direct reference to Tarja. He invited her into his world and - his oceans - and hoped with her that the pale moon - his music - would keep them together just as it keeps the fans together
"Whose guiding light chose you, chose you all."
Then the music changes and the fear kicks in once again.
"2nd robber to the right of Christ."
In the bible, two robbers were crucified next to Jesus Christ. The first one mocked and condemned him. The second robber defended Christ, proclaiming him to be innocent and indeed the son of God. Jesus then allows this second robber to be the first soul to join him in Heaven.
Tuomas refers to himself as this second robber, perhaps because he believed until the end that Nightwish could live on with Tarja. But it was not to be. He is torn in half and so comes the death of his inner infant, his beliefs and his innocence.
The crows represent everyone in the world who think they have a right to judge him. They take advantage of his suffering.
He views himelf as having a "heart of stone". He feels that he should go to Hell for doing what he did, and that everyone would be glad for it.
"Slain by the bell tolling for his farewell."
This line refers to the pendulum, which he always knew would ultimately bring about his farewell.
"The Year of Our Lord" is the year that Jesus was born. Perhaps 2005 was a kind of anniversary... I'm not quite sure. This possibly hints that even though Tuomas has died, there is a coming rebirth as he is "called from the cares of the world".
He lies with a "smile on his face" (more positivity).
However, the "1000 pages of erased text" represents everything he has ever written and worked for in his life. As Tarja leaves it is all gone, and all his pages of hopeful poetry are rendered meaningless.
"Save me!"
In the end, Tuomas's soul is revived thanks to the love and support from his parents. They see that he has become cold, and warn him that "the blade will keep on descending". There will always be problems in life.
They warm his heart and bring him back to life by reassuring him that he will alway have their love.
And so... The beginning...
This is Music in Next Level. One of the best ever wrote Songs. Respect that you can watch this without crying.
She did her homework, and can analyze it well. There is hope for the future. Smart young woman. Good job dad.
If you listen, at the end section of part 3, you can hear the pendulum being raised and then rope being cut to release it. At the part where Toumas cuts across his neck, that’s the pendulum coming across. I’ve always loved the even more powerful symbolism since I first heard the song when the album came out in 2005.
The opening was sung by a boy soprano. In the original Anette version, two boy sopranos were used. The passage "Sparkle my scenery" was sung by a boy soprano in the Anette version. Here Floor sings the same passage with the high, thin, slightly unstable voice of a boy soprano.
You need to read the backstory and listen to this a few times to get the full impact of Tuomos writing about his musical suicide. One little tidbit: when the boy soprano states, "three minutes and counting" to the blade slicing Tuomos' throat is exactly is exactly three minutes.
The Edgar Allen Poe short story "Pit and the Pendulum" is the inspiration for the music.
Of all the reaction videos of this song I have watched only a couple have mentioned the dying heartbeat.
We miss a lot but glad to hear that sometimes we catch something others don't!
I am extremely impressed that Juliette knows Edgar Allan Poe. That makes me love and respect you two even more. Great video guys. Y'all are great.
Next up: Greatest Show on Earth to complete the Nightwish Triple Crown.
Finally one of my NW fav song, this song got me so bad when the first time I watch this live version, Floor did a good job with her voice and expression to interpret the emotion of the song.
It was a whole lot more convoluted than just firing Tarja. I think the raw emotion in this song shows this. It brings tears to my eyes every single listen.
Check the lyrics again. Its a really sad song (and beautiful at same time). Its Tuomas who dies in that song. He had thougts about suicide and neeeded that song to can continue...
Great! Thanks for reaction! Best wishes!
Nice reaction you guys!:) This is such an imotional song. You need to see it a few times to really let it sink in. And if you ever have experienced something hard during your life; This will help you getting past that part both in a reall way, and future way:) Thanx guys:) Take care- from a dude in Norway:)
I was surprised that you didn't get right away the Poe reference to The Pit and the Pendulum. The Telltale Heart definitely does figure in hearing the heartbeat, but the part about the altar is actually a quotation from The Pit and the Pendulum. I do love your reactions to this song, and look forward to more Metal Maiden Monday videos.
Tuomas Holopainen is a genius, his compositions are masterpieces,
Nightwish albums "Whismaster", "Once", "Oceansborn", "Over the hills and
far away", "Century child", "Dark Passion play", "Imaginarium", "Angels
Fall first", etc.
Other bands like "Auri", "Eternal tears of sorrow", and "The Life and time of Scrooge"
Your daughter would be good at poker.
LOL
She does look like she has that poker mind..she probably beat me..I suck at poker😞😞😢
The next Nightwish song to react should be The Greatest Show On Earth from Live At Tampere. That The longest song from Nightwish and in my humble opninion the best!
Not just the best NW song. But imo possibly the greatest song ever written!!
I disagree. While ghost love score and poet have the payoff at the end that closes the epic nicely, I think greatest show is at its best at the beginning and the ending is rather pedestrian for tuomas.
@@dougmphilly but the ending is meant to be all about the impact of what Richard Dawkins is saying. If the end was over composed it would take too much away from the impact of his words.
Pete Thorley no, I love the Dawkins part. I am referring to the music section. It’s an anthem that comes close to arena rock. The early bits are much better. When you write an epic, the payoff should payoff.?
@@petethorley5998 It is the greatest show on earth after all! We will have to check it out!
joined the chem fam... love the reactions.. juliette shocked me with her knowledge. very impressed and she loves the 80's def plus haha...looking foward to catching up on the vids and viewing the new ones
greatest show on earth should be next for you guys
Very nice reaction, good analysis and interpetations. Thanks for the video. Keep on rocking.
Loved the reaction, thanks guys
That girl has really exceptional taste of percieving this music, considering she listened it for the first time. Most of things she says are right on point.
The poet and the pendulum indeed is a song written by the synthesizer player. He wrote it to be able to deal with the depression he fell in after the departure of the first singer. I don’t know if it is this live show, another live show or every live show, but at the end of the song the guitarist and another player walk to the synthesizer player to give him their support. Also there are certain parts in the song the guy can’t listen to, even after all these years, so during live concerts, there are a few moments the crew has to turn down the volume of his earbuds, because otherwise he can’t take it.
One detail that you may have missed:
If you watch the video again, right before the heartbeat begins, right at the instrumental ascendent slide, you'll see Tuomas slice his own neck from front to back, signifying the death of himself from the pendulum -- because, as you guessed, he is the titular "Poet" named in the title of the song.
The allegory of the ship was his fear that Tarja's departure meant the end of Nightwish, as many fans considered Tarja to be the voice of the band. This is why, if you look at the lyrics, the "ship" -- Nightwish -- is looking for a safe harbor, because of the "storm" of criticism that happened when Tarja was fired via the "Open Letter."
Thankfully, they have recovered from those dark days, for the most part -- and if you watch Wacken 2013, they are smiling in different parts of the concert. Even today, they are doing well, in spite of losing Jukka, their drummer, as he officially stepped down not yet (as of this comment) a week ago. His departure was over his health, as he suffered insomnia for years, and last year, had to have hand surgery. As far as I know, he is not leaving the band fully, as he has transitioned to taking care of the business side of Nightwish.
Pit and the pendulum. A great story!
I was impressed by ability to draw parallels between Edgar Allan Poe's life and what Tuomas expresses in this song. Seeing young people this smart and educated gives me hope for the future!
It is so cool to see your reactions, it reminds me of the first time I heard these Nightwish songs. :)
In case no one has pointed out, White Land of Empathica is NOT sung by Floor, Nightwish sometimes has young choir boys sing parts of their songs. Like Dead Boys Poem, for example.
There's a short story by EAP "The Pit and the Pendulum" where the main character is a prisoner tied to a table in complete darkness and above him is a swaying blade that is slowly descending and he knows it will kill him soon. There's more to it, but that was the main inspiration for the song. But the main topic is probably his love for Tarja (this song is not a great example, but Ghost Love Score is obviously about his love for her, even though they never confirmed that), good times they all as a band had together (On the shore we sat and hoped
/ Under the same pale moon / Whose guiding light chose you / Chose you all), buildup as the time got closer when he knew he will have to fire her (For years I've been strapped to this altar.. - a reference to the story) and the fear that Nightwish will die without her. Longing for death you mention is pretty much his depression after everything that happened.
By the way - her name is pronounced Tar-ya.
I'm so happy for you that this one got reversed and you were able to upload it.
Great job!
I really love the lyrics of the songs Tuomas writes, most of them are like poetry with lots and lots of deep emotional meaning.