Human. :II: Nature. cover

Human. :II: Nature.

Nightwish · 2020

81 min · 17 tracks · power metal

A grand tapestry of symphonic metal woven with lush orchestration and powerful vocals that explore humanity's connection to nature.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Music Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Noise — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of modern life's chaos through heavy riffs and powerful choruses, showcasing Jansen's vocal prowess.
  • →
    Harvest — As a poignant ballad, 'Harvest' contrasts with heavier tracks, emphasizing lyrical introspection and emotional depth, allowing listeners to connect with the album's themes.
  • →
    All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Anthropocene (incl. “Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal”) — This closing track combines ancient influences with modern orchestration, representing the culmination of the album's narrative about humanity's relationship with nature.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious structure and orchestration showcase Nightwish's evolution while maintaining their distinct sound.

What we noticed

  • The album features a two-part structure, with the first half consisting of traditional songs and the second half dedicated to a multi-movement orchestral suite.
  • Several tracks incorporate choral elements and operatic vocals, enhancing the symphonic quality of the music.
  • The final track is over 10 minutes long, blending various musical themes from earlier in the album into a grand conclusion.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing for exploration
  • immersive nature soundscapes
  • dynamic journey through emotions
  • reflective moments of introspection
  • grandiose themes of humanity

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification
  • seek standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Represents an ambitious evolution in sound and concept within their catalog.
Themes
ecological reflection· modern societal distractions· nature's symphonic beauty
Career context
Released on April 10, 2020, 'Human. :II: Nature.' is Nightwish's ninth studio album and marks a significant evolution in their sound. This album arrives after a five-year gap since 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful' and features new vocalist Floor Jansen fully integrated into the band's creative direction, showcasing their continued innovation in the symphonic metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors
Within Temptation· Epica· Therion

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Music Start here 7:23
  • 2 Noise 5:40
  • 3 Shoemaker 5:19
  • 4 Harvest 5:13
  • 5 Pan 5:18
  • 6 How’s the Heart? 5:02
  • 7 Procession 5:31
  • 8 Tribal 3:56
  • 9 Endlessness 7:11

Disc 2

  • 1 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Vista 3:59
  • 2 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – The Blue 3:35
  • 3 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – The Green 4:42
  • 4 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Moors 4:44
  • 5 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Aurorae 2:07
  • 6 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Quiet as the Snow 4:05
  • 7 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Anthropocene (incl. “Hurrian Hymn to Nikkal”) 3:05
  • 8 All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World – Ad Astra 4:41

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata