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
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Music Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Noise — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of modern life's chaos through heavy riffs and powerful choruses, showcasing Jansen's vocal prowess.
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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.
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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.
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
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Holographic Principle
Epica
Shares grand orchestration and lyrical depth exploring humanity's existential themes.
Hydra
Within Temptation
Combines symphonic elements with modern themes of nature and societal struggles.
The Shadow Theory
Kamelot
Explores complex narratives and emotional landscapes, blending metal with orchestral influences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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