Over the Hills and Far Away
Nightwish · 2001
75 min · 15 tracks · power metal · symphonic metal
Symphonic arrangements intertwine with operatic vocals and heavy guitar riffs, creating an epic metal landscape.
Why this album works
This EP reached significant chart positions across Europe and showcased Nightwish’s expanding influence in the power metal scene. It helped solidify their reputation for theatricality in live performances, leading to a devoted fanbase that would grow exponentially in subsequent years. The release also marked the beginning of their experimentation with orchestral elements that would become a hallmark of their later work.
- Best for
- dynamic live performance energy wave-like emotional crescendos epic soundscapes for escapism
- Context
- Released in 2001, 'Over the Hills and Far Away' is Nightwish's first EP following their breakthrough album 'Wishmaster' from 2000. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the symphonic metal genre, showcasing their ability to blend classical music influences with heavy metal elements. The EP featured both new and live tracks, reflecting their growing popularity and performance prowess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nocturna· Amberian Dawn· Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Over the Hills and Far Away Standout 5:03
- 2 10th Man Down Standout 5:24
- 3 Away 4:33
- 4 Astral Romance (remake 2001) 5:22
- 5 The Kinslayer (live) 4:12
- 6 She Is My Sin (live) Standout 4:44
- 7 Sacrament of Wilderness (live) 5:01
- 8 Walking in the Air (live) 5:10
- 9 Beauty and the Beast (live) 6:40
- 10 Wishmaster (live) 5:03
- 11 The Pharaoh Sails to Orion (live) 6:51
- 12 Come Cover Me (live) 4:44
- 13 Wanderlust (live) 4:35
- 14 Elvenpath (live) 4:51
- 15 FantasMic, Part 3 (live) 3:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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