Showtime, Storytime cover

Showtime, Storytime

Nightwish · 2013

95 min · 16 tracks · power metal

Epic orchestral arrangements intertwine with powerful vocals, creating a cinematic experience that transcends traditional metal boundaries.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Dark Chest of Wonders Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Ghost Love Score — This track exemplifies Nightwish's grand compositional style, blending haunting melodies with powerful orchestration and emotional depth that captivates audiences.
  • →
    Storytime — As a centerpiece of the setlist, this song encapsulates the themes of storytelling and fantasy that permeate Nightwish's work, enhanced by Floor Jansen's dynamic vocals.
  • →
    I Want My Tears Back — This track showcases the band's ability to mix folk elements with metal, featuring engaging instrumentation and a sing-along chorus that highlights the audience's participation during live shows.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album captures a dramatic live performance with strong orchestration and varied vocal dynamics.

What we noticed

  • Each track is introduced with orchestral interludes, enhancing the cinematic quality of the live performance.
  • The vocal delivery varies between powerful choruses and softer verses, creating contrast throughout the set.
  • The last three tracks build to a climactic finish, with increasing tempo and intensity leading into the final outro.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

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

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • epic storytelling through music
  • headphone detail hunting required
  • immersive experience for long drives

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Captures the band's live energy post-singer change, resonating with dedicated fans.
Themes
narrative-driven spectacle· orchestral storytelling· live performance energy
Career context
Released on November 29, 2013, Showtime, Storytime is Nightwish's first live album since the departure of lead singer Anette Olzon in 2012. This album captures the band's dramatic live performance during their Imaginaerum World Tour, showcasing new vocalist Floor Jansen’s debut with the band and marking a significant transition in their sound and lineup.
Stylistic neighbors
Within Temptation· Epica· Therion
New to Nightwish? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Ghost Love Score

    The narrative shifts from introspection to an overwhelming sense of longing as it explores themes of love and loss amidst a sweeping orchestral backdrop.

    This lyrical progression mirrors the music’s crescendo, enhancing the emotional weight of the performance while showcasing Nightwish’s strength in storytelling through both lyrics and instrumentation.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Dark Chest of Wonders Start here 4:32
  • 2 Wish I Had an Angel 4:48
  • 3 She Is My Sin 4:55
  • 4 Ghost River 6:04
  • 5 Ever Dream 5:21
  • 6 Storytime 5:37
  • 7 I Want My Tears Back 6:44
  • 8 Nemo 4:45
  • 9 Last of the Wilds 6:31

Disc 2

  • 1 Bless the Child 7:06
  • 2 Romanticide 5:39
  • 3 Amaranth 4:25
  • 4 Ghost Love Score 10:30
  • 5 Song of Myself 7:53
  • 6 Last Ride of the Day 4:34
  • 7 Outro: Imaginaerum 6:15

What to play next

Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Listen next

Endless Forms Most Beautiful

2015

Continues the epic orchestral style with fresh themes and a cinematic feel.
Imaginaerum
Go back to

Imaginaerum

2011

Sets the stage for the grand orchestration and storytelling in Showtime, Storytime.
Full Nightwish discography Where to start with Nightwish Artists like Nightwish
power metal symphonic metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

The Quantum Enigma

The Quantum Enigma

Epica

Shares orchestral grandeur and narrative depth, blending symphonic elements with powerful metal riffs.

Hydra

Hydra

Within Temptation

Combines cinematic arrangements with strong storytelling themes and a blend of metal and orchestral sounds.

Silverthorn

Silverthorn

Kamelot

Features epic storytelling through rich orchestration and powerful vocals, creating a dramatic soundscape.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata