| Wishmaster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 8 May 2000 (2000-05-08) | |||
| Recorded | January–March 2000 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 53:30 | |||
| Label | Spinefarm | |||
| Producer |
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| Nightwish studio album chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Wishmaster | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles | [2] |
| Chronicles of Chaos | [3] |
| Metal Hammer (GER) | [4] |
| Kerrang! | [citation needed] |
Wishmaster is the third studio album by the Finnishsymphonic metal bandNightwish. It was released on 8 May 2000 throughSpinefarm Records in Finland. The album was released in the rest of Europe byDrakkar Entertainment on 29 May, and in Japan byToy's Factory on 19 July. In the US, it was released byCentury Media on 6 February 2001.[5]
Wishmaster peaked at No. 1 in the official Finnish charts;[6] the album also debuted in the European charts at No. 21 in Germany[7] and No. 66 in France.[8]Wishmaster has sold more than 79,447 copies in Finland alone,[9] and as of January 2023, more than 150,000 copies have been sold in Germany alone, certifying the album Gold.[10] In 2019,Metal Hammer ranked it as the 18th best power metal album of all time.[11]
Mostreissues of the album contain the song "Sleepwalker", which was released in July 2000 to compete in theFinnish national final for theEurovision Song Contest 2000.[12]
The writing and recording ofWishmaster was very fast and devoid of complications, in contrast with what had happened forOceanborn.[13] The main composerTuomas Holopainen considers the album "the most distant and least personal (...) in the Nightwish catalogue", despite containing the "mother of all Nightwish songs - Dead Boys' Poem."[14] The image of the dead boy would reappear in several songs of the following albums.Wishmaster was issued on 8 May 2000, a few days earlier than its scheduled release,[15] because the music had leaked onto the Internet.[13]
Wishmaster's sound continues the bombasticsymphonic power metal approach originally featured onOceanborn, albeit with more emphasis on atmosphere and melody versus speed and heaviness. Perhaps even more so than its predecessor,Wishmaster has a very clear fantasy theme.[14] While commonly considered to be closer to conventionalpower metal, there is still a great variety with slower songs like "Two for Tragedy" and "Dead Boy's Poem", and more epic pieces like "FantasMic". "The Kinslayer" is written about the victims of theColumbine High School massacre.[16] "Wishmaster" was inspired by the fantasy novel seriesThe Lord of the Rings andDragonlance, mentioningElbereth,Lórien, and the Grey Havens from the former; andDalamar,Raistlin Majere (Dalamar'sshalafi, or "master"), Gilthanas, the Sla-Mori, Silvara and theInn of the Last Home from the latter.[16] "FantasMic" is a song about theDisneyanimated movies, particularly their fantasy and fable elements, taking its title from theDisneyland showFantasmic!.[14]
All lyrics are written byTuomas Holopainen; all music is composed by Holopainen, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "She Is My Sin" | 4:46 | |
| 2. | "The Kinslayer" | 3:59 | |
| 3. | "Come Cover Me" |
| 4:34 |
| 4. | "Wanderlust" | 4:50 | |
| 5. | "Two for Tragedy" | 3:51 | |
| 6. | "Wishmaster" | 4:23 | |
| 7. | "Bare Grace Misery" |
| 3:39 |
| 8. | "Crownless" |
| 4:26 |
| 9. | "Deep Silent Complete" | 3:57 | |
| 10. | "Dead Boy's Poem" | 6:47 | |
| 11. | "FantasMic" | 8:18 | |
| Total length: | 53:30 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Sleepwalker" (heavy mix) | 3:10 |
| Total length: | 56:40 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Sleepwalker" (original version) | 2:57 |
| 13. | "Wanderlust" (live at Pakkahuone) | 4:34 |
| 14. | "Deep Silent Complete" (live at Pakkahuone) | 4:24 |
| Total length: | 65:25 | |
Credits forWishmaster adapted from liner notes.[17]
Nightwish
| Additional musicians
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Production
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| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[18] | 1 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[19] | 66 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] | 21 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[21] | Platinum | 79,447[21] |
| Germany (BVMI)[22] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Live albums | |
| EPs | |
| Compilations | |
| Box sets | |
| Singles |
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| Songs | |
| Videos | |
| Concert tours | |
| Related articles | |
