What makes Wish I Had an Angel by Nightwish notable?

'Wish I Had an Angel' became a commercial hit in Finland, reaching number one on the charts and solidifying Nightwish's status as a leading band in the genre. The track's popularity and accompanying music video contributed to a surge in interest in symphonic metal worldwide, influencing subsequent bands and artists. Released in 2004, 'Wish I Had an Angel' arrived during Nightwish's rise to prominence within the symphonic metal scene. This single was pivotal as it marked their transition to mainstream success following the departure of their original vocalist Tarja Turunen, setting the stage for their next album, 'Once'.

How many songs are on Wish I Had an Angel?

Wish I Had an Angel has 4 tracks, running approximately 22 minutes.

Wish I Had an Angel

Nightwish · 2004

22 min · 4 tracks · power metal

Powerful orchestration merges with operatic vocals, creating a dramatic soundscape that defines symphonic metal's expansive possibilities.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wish I Had an Angel — This title track combines heavy riffs with soaring melodies and showcases lead vocalist Tarja Turunen's powerful range, making it a defining anthem for the band.
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Ghost Love Score (instrumental score) — As an instrumental composition, this track exemplifies Nightwish's ability to blend orchestral elements with metal, creating an epic atmosphere that captures the essence of their sound.
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Where Were You Last Night — This song features poignant lyrics and a dynamic structure that highlights the band's skill in storytelling through music, further enhancing the album's emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

This single showcases strong composition and craft, with notable contrasts in vocal delivery and orchestration.

What we noticed

The instrumental track 'Ghost Love Score' employs sweeping melodies and complex arrangements, emphasizing the band's orchestral influences.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked Nightwish's transition to mainstream success in symphonic metal.
Themes: cinematic storytelling· personal longing
Career context: Released in 2004, 'Wish I Had an Angel' arrived during Nightwish's rise to prominence within the symphonic metal scene. This single was pivotal as it marked their transition to mainstream success following the departure of their original vocalist Tarja Turunen, setting the stage for their next album, 'Once'.
Stylistic neighbors: Within Temptation· Epica· Therion