A wonderful Ode to Eugene Shoemaker, an American geologist and one of the founders of the field of planetary science. The only human buried on the moon. The shakespeare quote was inscribed on his the capsule which held Eugene's ashes. There was a choir incorporated into the operatic ending part. Laudato Si (Praise be to you) Ad Astra (To the Stars).
About the ending. Floor rehearsed a lot and she and Tuomas recorded it several times before they were satisfied. Then Floor went home to Sweden - but she didn't have the right feeling yet. So, she listened to the choir, rehearsed some more - and then recorded it in her home studio - got the right feeling - sent it to Tuomas - and that is the ending on the album. Floor is a voice nerd and a perfectionist, maybe that's why this number are considered to be the masterpiece on the album. But in my humble opinion, this album is a masterpiece, and the perfect follow up on the Endless forms most beautiful album. A little background: Both Tuomas, Floor and Troy wanted to be biologist, when they were children, and it is their big passion - just like the evolution are. And Marco is totally into the evolution ad well, but might be more into science, space and astronomy - and this is why they (Tuomas) writes so deep lyrics about these subjects. They are sharing the same passion. And then I have to mention a small mistake you have made - but you didn't know. You actually have to listen to the new album in the order from the album, to get the red line in the album (human, evolution, technology, the effects, behavior, feelings and emotions). Most people have to listen to it more than once to digest and catch the red line - but it just becomes better and better, with new details, angels and perspectives appearing each time - it is a true masterpiece. If you listen to Shoemaker again, now with the knowledge about who he was and he was buried on the moon - just look and listen to the ending - that is brilliant. It all makes perfectly sence Enjoy 🤘🤘
You need to read about the accomplishments of Eugene Shoemaker in interplanetary science. The cool thing is that they took a scoop of his ashes to the moon in a probe and crashed it into the Shoemaker crater at the moons southern pole. On the container that held his ashes was inscribed the quote from Romeo & Juliet that was used in the spoken part of this song.. To this day he is the only human to be laid to rest on a celestial body other than earth.
Excellent reaction! Fun fact: the woman speaking the Shakespeare quote, Johanna Kurkela, is married to Tuomas. The two of them plus Troy have a side project/band called Auri.
Actually in this album there are vocals not only by Floor and Marco, but also by Troy. Whenever you hear a soft male voice it is Troy. Marco's voice is a little harsher and edgier. If you are not aware, Troy Donockley is a multi-instrumentalist that toured with nightwish as a session musician for quite some time. During the 2012-2013 nightwish world tour Floor came in to replace Anette, but she wasnt yet a permanent member. After the tour they signed both Floor and Troy as permanent members, so nightwish went from 5 to 6 members.
David Harris Are you sure that in harmony part was Floor. I remember somebody commenting she was Tuomas's wife Johanna who also read the Romeo and Julia lines. TBH she sounds just a little bit like Johanna, but I really am not sure.
What a great song! Eugene Shoemaker is one of my very favorite people in the history of science. Killed in a car wreck in Australia I believe while there to research impact craters.
Read about who the song is about: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Merle_Shoemaker That instrument you're hearing is a hammered dulcimer or the synth equivalent. "Laudato Si Ad Astra" is Latin for "Praise be to the stars." "Laudato Si" is the opening of a poem by St Francis of Assisi and also a papal encyclical from 2015 by Pope Francis. Both are about the environment. By the way, as a Brit, you should be aware that the motto of the Royal Air Force is "Per Ardua Ad Astra" which is "through adversity to the stars".
Laudato si ad astra (Latin for All praise be to the stars) Eugene Shoemaker is not only buried (tucked in) on the moon, the urn his ashes were in had the Shakespear quote on it and it was placed into the crater on the Moon named after him.
Doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, I still tear up from the time Tuomas' wife, Johanna, recites the Shakespeare part to when Floor starts the operatic part and then to the end when the choir joins her and the song builds to that powerful ending! Epic! Knowing the story behind it turns up the emotions even more (not sure if I explained myself very well, but I hope you get what I mean) Goosebumps on top of goosebumps. Thanks for doing this one, and definitely looks like you enjoyed it as well! 🤘☮💗
Eugene Shoemaker was going to travel to the moon, but was diagnosed with Addison's disease and couldn't go. It was his biggest letdown. He even prepped astronauts to go to space. That would be hard to imagine. Shoemaker died from a head-on collision in Australia and his wife was seriously injured. As a tribute, Eugene's ashes were sent to a crater on the moon. I believe it was the same crater that he discovered. The excerpt from Romeo and Juliet was buried with the urn that was sent to the moon.
No, the ending was Floor and a choir. What you took for a lute was either a bouzouki played by Troy or just keyboards. "Laudato si" is the title of a hymn by Francis of Assisi and of an encyclica by Pope Francis. It is in an old Italian dialect (I believe Umbrian) and means "be praised". The two Francises meant it as a hymn to all creation. Now Nightwish is an expressly atheist, secular band (they even have two "fight songs" that are very critical of religion, Weak Fantasy and Tribal), so it's possible the addressee here is either Eugene Shoemaker, or they're doing it in the spirit of the two Francises notwithstanding and are addressing the cosmos. "Ad astra" is Latin and means "to the stars". It's used as a catchphrase or slogan by quite a lot of organizations: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_astra_(phrase) You'll see an interpretation from other fans that "Laudato si ad astra" means "Praise be to the stars" or "Be praised to the stars". I don't think so; there are two different languages involved.
to add my 2 cents ... while i m agnostic myself.... i was raised in Greek orthodox faith, i think Laudato Si is the latin equivalent of the Greek Αξιον Εστί ( Axion esti) which translates " worthy is" but literally means "worthy (of praise) is", consider the root of that word and the english word laudable which more or less means praiseworthy
I will just add my two cents to the already beautiful observation and guess (for I have not looked for confirmation) that the "mystery instrument" characterizing this track is the hammered dulcimer - old folk and Baroque instrument. Surely, it could be pre-programmed keys. But as "dreamlike dulcimer" also appears in the text, I am pretty sure Tuomas and Troy would go to the lengths to record it. Tuomas the composer is usually very attentive to such details.
There is another ytreactor called Guylain Prince. He is from Canada, rockfan, drummer turned franciscan friar. He dipped his toe into Nightwish and has done an in my opinion outstanding reaction on Shoemaker. You almost lost it in his reaction video when the Laudato Si part came up as it has so much meaning for him as an Franciscan. I highly - as an atheist myself - recommend all to watch his reaction video but above all his analysis video where he takes a deep dive into the lyrics.
The new album is a masterpiece. It might be my favorite one by them. It's just growing over time. May be it's time for reacting to "The Poet and the Pendulum" live at Wembley. There's a version with that includes the lyrics. But I strongly recommend researching what the song is about before reacting to it. Prepare for a strong emotional journey, and don't forget to count the 3 minutes when they start ;)
The instrument is a (dreamlike) Dulcimer. Harmonies in the "chorus" are Marko (left ear) with Troy main and I think Floor right ear. If you look up Eugene Shoemaker, you will understand the Romeo and Juliet quote. Laudato Si, Ad Astra. Roughly "Praise be to Him. (Go) To the Stars" (think "to infinity and beyond")
I see other commenters have discussed in detail who Eugene Shoemaker was, and his importance to interplanetary science. One thing I can add is the incredible tragic yet ultimately beautiful backstory on the events leading him to be the only human being to have his ashes placed on any celestial body. During the Apollo Moon flights era, he was selected to be a candidate for one of the missions, but was disqualified when he was diagnosed with Addison's disease, crushing his dream to explore the lunar surface. Years later, he was involved in a fatal car crash, but in a twist of fate, what he was blocked from doing in life--going to the Moon--he accomplished in death. I think when you listen to this song again, hearing it with this story in mind will give you an even greater appreciation for the beauty and poetic majesty of this song, and of the life of Mr. Shoemaker. I know it did for me.
Just my thoughts: the verses sung by Floor are directed towards Eugene Shoemaker, the short quiet interludes sung by Troy could be seen as Eugene’s reply. And since Eugene is buried in a crater on the moon the whole song is almost a call to go back to the moon following Eugene’s “guiding light”.
Thanks for the review! Here's a little background behind various parts of the song that might not be immediately obvious. This song was a tribute to the life of Eugene Shoemaker. Shoemaker was a geologist and well-known as being "the father of planetary science". You may have heard of his name before as one of the discoverers of the Shoemaker-Levy comet that broke up and collided with Jupiter back in 1994. Anyway, Shoemaker worked for NASA for many years and was part of the Apollo program as an astronaut until his being diagnosed with Addison's disease, which grounded him. Later, he said that the greatest disappointment of his life was that he never got to go bang his hammer on the moon. He was killed in a car accident in 1997 while in Australia researching a meteor crater there. In 1999 a special urn carrying his ashes was attached to the Lunar Prospector probe which mapped the moon and then (intentionally) crashed into a crater near the lunar south pole (which by the way was named after Shoemaker already), making him the only person to be buried on another celestial body. The urn was engraved with the Shakespeare quote from Romeo and Juliet in the video. The "Laudato Si" and "Ad Astra" bits at the end were Latin, meaning "Praise be" and "To the stars". But there's a little more to it than just that. "Laudato Si" is a phrase taken from St. Francis of Assissi's famous song "The Canticle of the Sun", in which he praises the air, water, fire, sun, planets, animals, etc. as being our brothers and sisters. Death as well. And the most notable line regarding this song was: "Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora Luna e le stelle: in celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle." which means: "Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful." The term "Ad astra" is used in a variety of places in ancient Latin writings as well as in some modern contexts. Beyond its literal meaning, it implies the accomplishment of something that is practically impossible or very difficult. The first known usage is from Virgil in The Aneid, where he wrote "sic itur ad astra" or "thus one journeys to the stars" with the idea that it is how one accomplishes the impossible, and "opta ardua pennis astra sequi" or "desire to pursue the high (or hard to reach) stars on wings" when Aeneas taunts Turnus in combat. Another origin is Seneca the Younger, who wrote "non est ad astra mollis e terris via" or "there is no easy way from the earth to the stars". After the disaster of Apollo 1 in which three astronauts were killed in a flash fire that destroyed their capsule on the launching pad, a memorial was erected with the phrase "ad astra per aspera" which means "to the stars through hardships".
Shoemaker has become my favorite from the new album. Floor said before its release that this one was quite difficult to sing and challenged her. Even going as far to say it will be very difficult to perform live. I sure hope I get to be one of the lucky ones to see it happen if they don't perform it at every show
As many have already said, it's about the scientist Eugene Shoemaker. Others have already given the rundown about his life (and death) so I won't repeat it. But go back to the song after reading up on him, it makes the lyrics make sense. The very prominent scientist with lots of contributions and accolades but who's greatest regret in life was that he never got to the moon, where in the end sent "home" to rest, and his legacy and memory will forever have an impact on future scientists and space exploration. Fantastic tribute.
From the new album there are for obvious reasons no live sessions so far. For all songs there are lyric videos, except for „Noise". But maybe you'll give some songs a try as well. It's an awesome album. Definitely not an "easy" one with a lot of really unique songs, different from what is "typical" for Nightwish. Floor said that she was really challenged to sing the songs that Tuomas wrote for her. Knowing her abilities, you can imagine that they are "special“. „ -->"Noise" is probably the most "typical" song and the only one with "real video". The video is great as the song itself --> "Tribal" is the heaviest one and Kai, the drummer, had to change his normal setup to be able to play it. -> „Pan“ is just an amazing ride. When it starts you for a moment think you‘re listening to Floors husbands band „Sabaton“. In the song you‘ll be reminded to „Tribal“ and „Noise“. -> Procession“ a rather calm song with so amazing vocals by Floor --> "Harvest" is so different with Troy singing, that you will wonder if you're listening to Nightwish. -> „Endlessness“ is Marcos song and shows his great voice. --> "Music", „How's the Heart", ... are really cool songs as well. Of course.
The harmonies where male voices are front, it is Troy and Marko but Marko is sometimes hid. If I have my full sound system going I get the three of them pretty well, but the lesser system hides him. Listening on my phone with my sound canceling muffs (mowing or what) I get Marko in one ear, Troy the other, and Floor center. The ending is a choir (though the guys might be there as well) and it took that being recorded for Floor to nail her part. She and Tuomas were not totally happy with her ending until she heard that, recorded her part in her home studio and sent it to Tuomas. Once you know the story of Shoemaker and his burial spot on the moon, the words make a lot more sense. His impact/burial site on the moon is the Shoemaker Crater, named for him, near the south pole of the moon, so his view is of an eternal Earthrise, much like the closing scene of the video.
This song was written for and dedicated to William Shoemaker, the only human whose ashes were buried on the moon by the Lunar Prospector. Eugene Merle Shoemaker was an American geologist and one of the founders of the field of planetary science. He co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with his wife Carolyn S. Shoemaker and David H. Levy. This comet hit Jupiter in July 1994: the impact was televised around the world. In the songs lyrics at the end, LAUDATO SI' is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle "on care for our common home". In it, the pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action." AD ASTRA is Latin for “to the stars” Now in the song, I hear FLOOR being humankind, and Troy being Shoemaker’s spirit from the moon.
Hi Tommy. I can't add to any of the information provided by all of your commentees, What I can say is that throughout the new album, all three singers are used. Marco sings the tenor line and Troy the bass line. Floor often intertwines between the two as well as singing the Soprano lines of course! Take care, fellow Brit, Kev
Eugene Shoemaker. His remains was sent to the Moon. His life long dream was to go to the Moon but his health prevented him from becoming an astronaut, so he became a very important astro geologist.
I always get emotional when I hear this song 😢. Eugene Merle Shoemaker was a world famous Astro-geologist. He is partially buried on the moon. The capsule is engraved with text from Romeo and Juliet where this song refers to. See Wikipedia.
Laudato SI, is an impertive form and means Thou have to be honoured, Ad Astra means to the stars as a shoutout, The ashes of Eugene Shoemaker were send to the moon in an urn with the poem of Shakespeare engraved on it, where they rest n the crater named after him at the south pole and where he can see the wonderful sight if the rising earth every day.
Perhaps the reason you're not getting many requests for the new album is because most of the Nightwish fandom is obsessed with their live videos right now, and there aren't any live videos for these new songs yet. The new album "Human Nature" is a concept album. Disc one is about humanity and disc two is about nature. There are themes about the separation between humans and nature as well as themes about their unity. The human disc features the whole band doing their thing, and the nature disc is what happens when Toumas binge-watches nature documentaries. It's a disc of instrumental, orchestral mood music (no guitars or drums).
There is actually one Live recording - an acoustic version of "How's the Heart?" with only Floor and Troy on guitar. Some fans maintain, it is even more touching than the album version. to me, both have their strong points in their arrangements. One thing for sure: when Floor goes to THAT tone of her voice midway through the song (you will know by now - THAT tone), it is hard not to tear up. Plus the message is beautiful. Surely a tip to watch. :)
@@bigg2988 That is a nice version of that song but it's not the kind of live recording I was thinking of. I meant more like a the full band, full audience, Wacken/Wembley kind of live video.
@@JamesBrisnehan I see what you meant. Oh well, we will have to wait for that (sniff)... In the meantime that video (and Floor's blogging) is my "straw" when I grasp for new NIGHTWISH stuff.
Hey do me a favor - I'm also not a big fan of Annette over Floor but I just watched your Amaranth reaction - You should watch Scaretale Live or Music Video - they both sound similar/great. There are a few songs I've discovered that I can LOVE Annette's voice on, I think you might as well. Plus the composition in general is so awesome in Scaretale and really catches you off guard a few times!
This song is a big change from the ones you were doing from Wacken. Still very Nightwish but it's a different side. I wouldn't say they evolved because for me Wacken is at the top of their game, but definitely Tuomas is reinventing himself each album, which is nice. The new album has a lot of variety. And yeah, the operatic part in the end is incredible, it's Floor with a backing choir, there's a video preview with Floor explaining that she had to do several shots to get it right. And as you said the main verses are tricky to sing too. There were rumours that they won't play it live because of the complexity but let's hope they do because it's a great song
@@ChrisPage68 I guess you are right, what i meant is that they are not getting better necessarly but of course it's part of the evolution. In the end what's better or worse in music is subjective.
Hi again mate hope uok it steve the ptimal scream fan again .this album isnt as heavy it more a masterpiece mate .ad astra etc is latin i believe .and forgive my spelling ladato se is latin to .this off album human@nature i got 3dcd box set for 50pound it comes in 12inch box 1inch thick with 3 cds and 48page book
Check out "Now united" please (sometimes abbreviated as N.U) is a global pop music group created in December 2017 by American Idol creator Simon Fuller, and is managed by XIX Entertainment. The group consists of 15 members, each of a different nationality. Names Any- Brazil Josh- Canada Noah- USA Sina- Germany Sabina- Mexico Diarra- senegal Sofya- Russia Lamar- uk Bailey- Philippines Shivani- India Krystian-china Heyoon- South Korea Hina- Japan Joalin- Finland And the new member Savannah- Australia They have little flags in the clothes Hope you like ❤️🇧🇷
Nice reaction......Quite a change of pace for the band. You can listen to this ten times and hear five new things each time. Then there are the lyrics, just open the thesaurus. I think you have to be in a certain mood to listen to this song, not every day music for me. Check out Eugene Shoemaker, cool guy. Now you know who the man in the moon really is ! Not to be a bother but, LIVE please.
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![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.6 (1/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/m05kZ2GDKXg/mqdefault.jpg)
A wonderful Ode to Eugene Shoemaker, an American geologist and one of the founders of the field of planetary science. The only human buried on the moon. The shakespeare quote was inscribed on his the capsule which held Eugene's ashes. There was a choir incorporated into the operatic ending part. Laudato Si (Praise be to you) Ad Astra (To the Stars).
It wasn't a choir, just multiple takes of Floor.
@@js0988 What about the male part of the choir?
@@js0988 it literally says in the credits its a choir (The Metro Voices) . They often use two including a child's choir.
About the ending. Floor rehearsed a lot and she and Tuomas recorded it several times before they were satisfied. Then Floor went home to Sweden - but she didn't have the right feeling yet. So, she listened to the choir, rehearsed some more - and then recorded it in her home studio - got the right feeling - sent it to Tuomas - and that is the ending on the album. Floor is a voice nerd and a perfectionist, maybe that's why this number are considered to be the masterpiece on the album. But in my humble opinion, this album is a masterpiece, and the perfect follow up on the Endless forms most beautiful album. A little background:
Both Tuomas, Floor and Troy wanted to be biologist, when they were children, and it is their big passion - just like the evolution are. And Marco is totally into the evolution ad well, but might be more into science, space and astronomy - and this is why they (Tuomas) writes so deep lyrics about these subjects. They are sharing the same passion.
And then I have to mention a small mistake you have made - but you didn't know.
You actually have to listen to the new album in the order from the album, to get the red line in the album (human, evolution, technology, the effects, behavior, feelings and emotions). Most people have to listen to it more than once to digest and catch the red line - but it just becomes better and better, with new details, angels and perspectives appearing each time - it is a true masterpiece.
If you listen to Shoemaker again, now with the knowledge about who he was and he was buried on the moon - just look and listen to the ending - that is brilliant. It all makes perfectly sence
Enjoy 🤘🤘
if you dont get chills all over your body when the line "Ad Astra" come out, you are not alive.......
You need to read about the accomplishments of Eugene Shoemaker in interplanetary science. The cool thing is that they took a scoop of his ashes to the moon in a probe and crashed it into the Shoemaker crater at the moons southern pole. On the container that held his ashes was inscribed the quote from Romeo & Juliet that was used in the spoken part of this song.. To this day he is the only human to be laid to rest on a celestial body other than earth.
Excellent reaction! Fun fact: the woman speaking the Shakespeare quote, Johanna Kurkela, is married to Tuomas. The two of them plus Troy have a side project/band called Auri.
Actually in this album there are vocals not only by Floor and Marco, but also by Troy. Whenever you hear a soft male voice it is Troy. Marco's voice is a little harsher and edgier.
If you are not aware, Troy Donockley is a multi-instrumentalist that toured with nightwish as a session musician for quite some time. During the 2012-2013 nightwish world tour Floor came in to replace Anette, but she wasnt yet a permanent member. After the tour they signed both Floor and Troy as permanent members, so nightwish went from 5 to 6 members.
The harmony you were hearing there was Floor, Marko and Troy. They did this in a number of places on the new album.
They worked on the 3 part harmonies in sessions round a campfire. The campsite is credited on the album.
David Harris
Are you sure that in harmony part was Floor.
I remember somebody commenting she was Tuomas's wife Johanna who also read the Romeo and Julia lines.
TBH she sounds just a little bit like Johanna, but I really am not sure.
What a great song! Eugene Shoemaker is one of my very favorite people in the history of science. Killed in a car wreck in Australia I believe while there to research impact craters.
Read about who the song is about: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Merle_Shoemaker That instrument you're hearing is a hammered dulcimer or the synth equivalent. "Laudato Si Ad Astra" is Latin for "Praise be to the stars." "Laudato Si" is the opening of a poem by St Francis of Assisi and also a papal encyclical from 2015 by Pope Francis. Both are about the environment. By the way, as a Brit, you should be aware that the motto of the Royal Air Force is "Per Ardua Ad Astra" which is "through adversity to the stars".
It is a pleasure to follow your reactions as you do this with your heart and soul. You love music and it is heard and seen by you. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind comments
Laudato si ad astra (Latin for All praise be to the stars) Eugene Shoemaker is not only buried (tucked in) on the moon, the urn his ashes were in had the Shakespear quote on it and it was placed into the crater on the Moon named after him.
Doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, I still tear up from the time Tuomas' wife, Johanna, recites the Shakespeare part to when Floor starts the operatic part and then to the end when the choir joins her and the song builds to that powerful ending! Epic! Knowing the story behind it turns up the emotions even more (not sure if I explained myself very well, but I hope you get what I mean) Goosebumps on top of goosebumps. Thanks for doing this one, and definitely looks like you enjoyed it as well! 🤘☮💗
As always, REMARKABLE!
Eugene Shoemaker was going to travel to the moon, but was diagnosed with Addison's disease and couldn't go. It was his biggest letdown. He even prepped astronauts to go to space. That would be hard to imagine. Shoemaker died from a head-on collision in Australia and his wife was seriously injured. As a tribute, Eugene's ashes were sent to a crater on the moon. I believe it was the same crater that he discovered. The excerpt from Romeo and Juliet was buried with the urn that was sent to the moon.
Thank you from Finland.
Imagine this song live ! I expect them to do it when they can start touring.
No, the ending was Floor and a choir. What you took for a lute was either a bouzouki played by Troy or just keyboards.
"Laudato si" is the title of a hymn by Francis of Assisi and of an encyclica by Pope Francis. It is in an old Italian dialect (I believe Umbrian) and means "be praised". The two Francises meant it as a hymn to all creation. Now Nightwish is an expressly atheist, secular band (they even have two "fight songs" that are very critical of religion, Weak Fantasy and Tribal), so it's possible the addressee here is either Eugene Shoemaker, or they're doing it in the spirit of the two Francises notwithstanding and are addressing the cosmos.
"Ad astra" is Latin and means "to the stars". It's used as a catchphrase or slogan by quite a lot of organizations:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_astra_(phrase)
You'll see an interpretation from other fans that "Laudato si ad astra" means "Praise be to the stars" or "Be praised to the stars". I don't think so; there are two different languages involved.
to add my 2 cents ... while i m agnostic myself.... i was raised in Greek orthodox faith, i think Laudato Si is the latin equivalent of the Greek Αξιον Εστί ( Axion esti) which translates " worthy is" but literally means "worthy (of praise) is", consider the root of that word and the english word laudable which more or less means praiseworthy
I will just add my two cents to the already beautiful observation and guess (for I have not looked for confirmation) that the "mystery instrument" characterizing this track is the hammered dulcimer - old folk and Baroque instrument. Surely, it could be pre-programmed keys. But as "dreamlike dulcimer" also appears in the text, I am pretty sure Tuomas and Troy would go to the lengths to record it. Tuomas the composer is usually very attentive to such details.
@@bigg2988 Troy would jump at the chance to play an unusual instrument
There is another ytreactor called Guylain Prince. He is from Canada, rockfan, drummer turned franciscan friar. He dipped his toe into Nightwish and has done an in my opinion outstanding reaction on Shoemaker. You almost lost it in his reaction video when the Laudato Si part came up as it has so much meaning for him as an Franciscan. I highly - as an atheist myself - recommend all to watch his reaction video but above all his analysis video where he takes a deep dive into the lyrics.
@@diamondback6653 He spotted things I hadn't noticed, and I've been a fan for 20+ years
He absolutely loves Nightwish
Remember the comet Shoemaker - Levy 9? That's the Shoemaker they're singing about.
Brilliant, brilliant song!
I get the feeling lately you are kind of maybe just a little bit excited for December? 😁
The new album is a masterpiece. It might be my favorite one by them.
It's just growing over time.
May be it's time for reacting to "The Poet and the Pendulum" live at Wembley. There's a version with that includes the lyrics.
But I strongly recommend researching what the song is about before reacting to it.
Prepare for a strong emotional journey, and don't forget to count the 3 minutes when they start ;)
The instrument is a (dreamlike) Dulcimer. Harmonies in the "chorus" are Marko (left ear) with Troy main and I think Floor right ear. If you look up Eugene Shoemaker, you will understand the Romeo and Juliet quote. Laudato Si, Ad Astra. Roughly "Praise be to Him. (Go) To the Stars" (think "to infinity and beyond")
So different - but so Nightwish at the same time. I love it...
I see other commenters have discussed in detail who Eugene Shoemaker was, and his importance to interplanetary science. One thing I can add is the incredible tragic yet ultimately beautiful backstory on the events leading him to be the only human being to have his ashes placed on any celestial body. During the Apollo Moon flights era, he was selected to be a candidate for one of the missions, but was disqualified when he was diagnosed with Addison's disease, crushing his dream to explore the lunar surface. Years later, he was involved in a fatal car crash, but in a twist of fate, what he was blocked from doing in life--going to the Moon--he accomplished in death. I think when you listen to this song again, hearing it with this story in mind will give you an even greater appreciation for the beauty and poetic majesty of this song, and of the life of Mr. Shoemaker. I know it did for me.
The album is brilliant. Slightly different but great
Just my thoughts: the verses sung by Floor are directed towards Eugene Shoemaker, the short quiet interludes sung by Troy could be seen as Eugene’s reply. And since Eugene is buried in a crater on the moon the whole song is almost a call to go back to the moon following Eugene’s “guiding light”.
I think we all just want to see your completely unbiased reaction to an amazing album! This song gives me the chills every single time I hear it
Thanks for the review!
Here's a little background behind various parts of the song that might not be immediately obvious.
This song was a tribute to the life of Eugene Shoemaker. Shoemaker was a geologist and well-known as being "the father of planetary science". You may have heard of his name before as one of the discoverers of the Shoemaker-Levy comet that broke up and collided with Jupiter back in 1994. Anyway, Shoemaker worked for NASA for many years and was part of the Apollo program as an astronaut until his being diagnosed with Addison's disease, which grounded him. Later, he said that the greatest disappointment of his life was that he never got to go bang his hammer on the moon. He was killed in a car accident in 1997 while in Australia researching a meteor crater there. In 1999 a special urn carrying his ashes was attached to the Lunar Prospector probe which mapped the moon and then (intentionally) crashed into a crater near the lunar south pole (which by the way was named after Shoemaker already), making him the only person to be buried on another celestial body. The urn was engraved with the Shakespeare quote from Romeo and Juliet in the video.
The "Laudato Si" and "Ad Astra" bits at the end were Latin, meaning "Praise be" and "To the stars". But there's a little more to it than just that.
"Laudato Si" is a phrase taken from St. Francis of Assissi's famous song "The Canticle of the Sun", in which he praises the air, water, fire, sun, planets, animals, etc. as being our brothers and sisters. Death as well. And the most notable line regarding this song was:
"Laudato si, mi Signore, per sora Luna e le stelle:
in celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle."
which means:
"Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful."
The term "Ad astra" is used in a variety of places in ancient Latin writings as well as in some modern contexts. Beyond its literal meaning, it implies the accomplishment of something that is practically impossible or very difficult. The first known usage is from Virgil in The Aneid, where he wrote "sic itur ad astra" or "thus one journeys to the stars" with the idea that it is how one accomplishes the impossible, and "opta ardua pennis astra sequi" or "desire to pursue the high (or hard to reach) stars on wings" when Aeneas taunts Turnus in combat. Another origin is Seneca the Younger, who wrote "non est ad astra mollis e terris via" or "there is no easy way from the earth to the stars".
After the disaster of Apollo 1 in which three astronauts were killed in a flash fire that destroyed their capsule on the launching pad, a memorial was erected with the phrase "ad astra per aspera" which means "to the stars through hardships".
Honestly, this is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this.
NorthernEar my pleasure!
Thankyou for this reaction it was great the whole album...its a masterpiece both cd's.
Shoemaker has become my favorite from the new album. Floor said before its release that this one was quite difficult to sing and challenged her. Even going as far to say it will be very difficult to perform live. I sure hope I get to be one of the lucky ones to see it happen if they don't perform it at every show
As many have already said, it's about the scientist Eugene Shoemaker. Others have already given the rundown about his life (and death) so I won't repeat it. But go back to the song after reading up on him, it makes the lyrics make sense. The very prominent scientist with lots of contributions and accolades but who's greatest regret in life was that he never got to the moon, where in the end sent "home" to rest, and his legacy and memory will forever have an impact on future scientists and space exploration. Fantastic tribute.
Troy was there too.
Check out his contributions when you have a chance
Superb 🤘💜🙏🏼...Nightwish Army is with You 💎
From the new album there are for obvious reasons no live sessions so far. For all songs there are lyric videos, except for „Noise". But maybe you'll give some songs a try as well. It's an awesome album. Definitely not an "easy" one with a lot of really unique songs, different from what is "typical" for Nightwish. Floor said that she was really challenged to sing the songs that Tuomas wrote for her. Knowing her abilities, you can imagine that they are "special“. „
-->"Noise" is probably the most "typical" song and the only one with "real video". The video is great as the song itself
--> "Tribal" is the heaviest one and Kai, the drummer, had to change his normal setup to be able to play it.
-> „Pan“ is just an amazing ride. When it starts you for a moment think you‘re listening to Floors husbands band „Sabaton“. In the song you‘ll be reminded to „Tribal“ and „Noise“.
-> Procession“ a rather calm song with so amazing vocals by Floor
--> "Harvest" is so different with Troy singing, that you will wonder if you're listening to Nightwish.
-> „Endlessness“ is Marcos song and shows his great voice.
--> "Music", „How's the Heart", ... are really cool songs as well. Of course.
I could SEE you getting goosebumps there! Great reaction, following for more.
If Mozart came back to life he would be a fan of Tuomas... #metalmozart
Just imagine a competition between the two... we'd certainly be the winners.
The harmonies where male voices are front, it is Troy and Marko but Marko is sometimes hid. If I have my full sound system going I get the three of them pretty well, but the lesser system hides him. Listening on my phone with my sound canceling muffs (mowing or what) I get Marko in one ear, Troy the other, and Floor center. The ending is a choir (though the guys might be there as well) and it took that being recorded for Floor to nail her part. She and Tuomas were not totally happy with her ending until she heard that, recorded her part in her home studio and sent it to Tuomas.
Once you know the story of Shoemaker and his burial spot on the moon, the words make a lot more sense. His impact/burial site on the moon is the Shoemaker Crater, named for him, near the south pole of the moon, so his view is of an eternal Earthrise, much like the closing scene of the video.
Since you liked Troy voice with Floor, you should also check out Hows the heart accoustic version. :)
Myriad endings is a nice touch.
You will like.... Harvest ...from this album
The instrument is mentioned in the song -"a dreamlike Dulcimer".
The male voices at the end sound like a choir. I guess it's English since they record their symphonic tracks there.
This song was written for and dedicated to William Shoemaker, the only human whose ashes were buried on the moon by the Lunar Prospector. Eugene Merle Shoemaker was an American geologist and one of the founders of the field of planetary science. He co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with his wife Carolyn S. Shoemaker and David H. Levy. This comet hit Jupiter in July 1994: the impact was televised around the world.
In the songs lyrics at the end, LAUDATO SI' is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle "on care for our common home". In it, the pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and unified global action."
AD ASTRA is Latin for “to the stars”
Now in the song, I hear FLOOR being humankind, and Troy being Shoemaker’s spirit from the moon.
Thank you so much
Nice reaction Tommy as usual.
Hi Tommy. I can't add to any of the information provided by all of your commentees, What I can say is that throughout the new album, all three singers are used. Marco sings the tenor line and Troy the bass line. Floor often intertwines between the two as well as singing the Soprano lines of course! Take care, fellow Brit, Kev
Eugene Shoemaker. His remains was sent to the Moon. His life long dream was to go to the Moon but his health prevented him from becoming an astronaut, so he became a very important astro geologist.
I always get emotional when I hear this song 😢.
Eugene Merle Shoemaker was a world famous Astro-geologist. He is partially buried on the moon. The capsule is engraved with text from Romeo and Juliet where this song refers to. See Wikipedia.
It is a tribute to Eugene Shoemaker, and his ashes is bury on the moon.
Laudato SI, is an impertive form and means Thou have to be honoured, Ad Astra means to the stars as a shoutout, The ashes of Eugene Shoemaker were send to the moon in an urn with the poem of Shakespeare engraved on it, where they rest n the crater named after him at the south pole and where he can see the wonderful sight if the rising earth every day.
Next time
The poet and the pendulum.
First read the story behind the song. This song touche your heart . Live version whit Floor Jansen. Don't cry. 😉
Perhaps the reason you're not getting many requests for the new album is because most of the Nightwish fandom is obsessed with their live videos right now, and there aren't any live videos for these new songs yet.
The new album "Human Nature" is a concept album. Disc one is about humanity and disc two is about nature. There are themes about the separation between humans and nature as well as themes about their unity. The human disc features the whole band doing their thing, and the nature disc is what happens when Toumas binge-watches nature documentaries. It's a disc of instrumental, orchestral mood music (no guitars or drums).
There is actually one Live recording - an acoustic version of "How's the Heart?" with only Floor and Troy on guitar. Some fans maintain, it is even more touching than the album version. to me, both have their strong points in their arrangements. One thing for sure: when Floor goes to THAT tone of her voice midway through the song (you will know by now - THAT tone), it is hard not to tear up. Plus the message is beautiful. Surely a tip to watch. :)
Tuomas said it isn't a concept album, but there's a theme running through it.
@@bigg2988 That is a nice version of that song but it's not the kind of live recording I was thinking of. I meant more like a the full band, full audience, Wacken/Wembley kind of live video.
@@JamesBrisnehan I see what you meant. Oh well, we will have to wait for that (sniff)... In the meantime that video (and Floor's blogging) is my "straw" when I grasp for new NIGHTWISH stuff.
suggest you do the album in order
Hey do me a favor - I'm also not a big fan of Annette over Floor but I just watched your Amaranth reaction - You should watch Scaretale Live or Music Video - they both sound similar/great. There are a few songs I've discovered that I can LOVE Annette's voice on, I think you might as well. Plus the composition in general is so awesome in Scaretale and really catches you off guard a few times!
This song is a big change from the ones you were doing from Wacken. Still very Nightwish but it's a different side. I wouldn't say they evolved because for me Wacken is at the top of their game, but definitely Tuomas is reinventing himself each album, which is nice. The new album has a lot of variety.
And yeah, the operatic part in the end is incredible, it's Floor with a backing choir, there's a video preview with Floor explaining that she had to do several shots to get it right. And as you said the main verses are tricky to sing too.
There were rumours that they won't play it live because of the complexity but let's hope they do because it's a great song
They aren't at the top of their game yet, but they are definitely evolving.
@@ChrisPage68 I guess you are right, what i meant is that they are not getting better necessarly but of course it's part of the evolution. In the end what's better or worse in music is subjective.
Check out my favourite NightWish reactions from across TH-cam! th-cam.com/play/PLhHrgMNSTIpQbl517lRm9nuFmm4A0QYU6.html
Laudato si Ad Astra is we praise thee to the stars in Latin
nightwwish month maybe enough. NW week, nah :)
You actually want to have a song explained? No, that is for you to find out.
Hi again mate hope uok it steve the ptimal scream fan again .this album isnt as heavy it more a masterpiece mate .ad astra etc is latin i believe .and forgive my spelling ladato se is latin to .this off album human@nature i got 3dcd box set for 50pound it comes in 12inch box 1inch thick with 3 cds and 48page book
Check out "Now united" please
(sometimes abbreviated as N.U) is a global pop music group created in December 2017 by American Idol creator Simon Fuller, and is managed by XIX Entertainment. The group consists of 15 members, each of a different nationality.
Names
Any- Brazil
Josh- Canada
Noah- USA
Sina- Germany
Sabina- Mexico
Diarra- senegal
Sofya- Russia
Lamar- uk
Bailey- Philippines
Shivani- India
Krystian-china
Heyoon- South Korea
Hina- Japan
Joalin- Finland
And the new member
Savannah- Australia
They have little flags in the clothes
Hope you like ❤️🇧🇷
Nice reaction......Quite a change of pace for the band. You can listen to this ten times and hear five new things each time. Then there are the lyrics, just open the thesaurus. I think you have to be in a certain mood to listen to this song, not every day music for me. Check out Eugene Shoemaker, cool guy. Now you know who the man in the moon really is ! Not to be a bother but, LIVE please.
I don’t think there is a live version of this yet as they’ve not been gigging anywhere!
Didn't mean this song or new album. I'm aware they are gigging, I have tickets for LA in Sept. Not looking good.Be well.
Thomas Lilly ah ok, I thought I was missing out on a live version of this for a second! Haha. Hope you get to see them