I originally didn't know what to make of "Angels Fall First" because there wasn't really anything that made a major impact on me like the songs off "Wishmaster" and "Oceanborn", but that was on a first listen. Now that I am listening to the album again, I have decided the album isn't so bad as I originally thought. I think the major flaw on this album is that a lot of the songs are drawn out as 5-6 minute long epics which tends to come off as redundant and a bit tedious at times. "Beauty and the Beast" is a perfect example of why some songs should be limited to 4 minutes at the most. I did love hearing flutes particularly on "Nymphomaniac Fantasia". They make a great addition to Nightwish's brand of heavy metal.

I should keep in mind that "Angels Fall First" was Nightwish's first album and a band has to start somewhere. "Oceanborn" was the band's next progression and eventually "Wishmaster" which I consider a heavy metal classic. Perfect "Angels Fall First" it isn't, awful it definitely is not. With songs like "Elvenpath" and "The Carpenter" makes up for the tediousness of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tutankhamen".


Not bad, but later albums are far superior   August 26, 2005
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Nightwish really hit upon a good idea: Take European power metal music and combine it with operatic vocals courtesy of classically-trained singer Tarja Turunen, throw in a dash of gothicism for good measure, for a sound like no other. Unfortunately, their debut album "Angels Fall First" is plagued by the same problems that typically afflict debut albums: questionable production, sketchy songwriting, and an uneven quality in musicianship the result of a band "finding its sound." AFF certainly isn't a horrible album, but it's totally outclassed by Nightwish's subsequent efforts.

No doubt that Tarja is a beautifully gifted vocalist. But the lyrics on this album are often simplistic and shallow, and suffer from the "cheese" endemic to many power metal lyrics. Songs like "Elvenpath" and "Tutankhamen" are the absolute worst, good musically, but atrocious lyrically. The former reads like poetry from a Tolkien fanboy, and the latter like a reject from the Stargate soundtrack. The tracks like "The Carpenter" and "Astral Romance," while possessing some lyrical depth, fail to rise above the cheese of the rest. The only track not reeking of cheese is "Lappi" and only because it's sung partially in Finnish.

Another problem is the use of male vocals from Tuomas. His high-pitched voice sounds like something from a boy band, and it positively ruins tracks like "The Carpenter," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Astral Romance." Tarja is a brilliant vocalist, easily one of the best in heavy metal music today, so why ruin it with such a mediocre accompanying singer who can't harmonize with the lead? Mercifully, subsequent Nightwish albums would feature few, if any, male vocals.

Production wise, the album is also lacking. The music often sounds needlessly harsh and lacking the crispness of later albums, coming through as thin and lackluster. Worst of all, however, has to be the use of synth string instruments. Nothing says tacky like badly synthesized string instruments. Listen to Nightwish's latest album "Once" where an actual orchestra was used, and you can hear the difference.

Song Summaries:

1. Elvenpath - Tolkien-esque (even reciting passages from the book) opener, which is probably the heaviest song on the album. The lyrics are pure cheese, but it doesn't hurt the song too badly. B+
2. Beauty and the Beast - Tuomas's vocals make their first appearance here, and ruin what otherwise might have been a good song. Goes on for too long and tends to drag. C-
3. The Carpenter - A song about mankind's relationship with Jesus Christ, once again ruined by godawful male vocals. The way Tuomas sings "...who for us had died" makes me cringe. D+
4. Astral Romance - One of the better songs on the album, with some good guitar work and (mostly) absent male vocals. B+
5: Angels Fall First - The title track is mostly acoustic and flute dominated. Nightwish wouldn't ever release a song much like this on any of their following releases. B+
6: Tutankhamen - It's not bad musically, but lyrically it's pure cheese. Like many of the tracks on Angels Fall First, it runs on for far too long as well. C+
7: Nymphomaniac Fantasia - Profoundly silly song about some spurned woman who decides to exact revenge in a rather...unpleasant fashion. One of the songs Tuomas regretted writing, and it's not hard to see why. D-
8: Know Why the Nightingale Sings - Faster in tempo than most of the songs here, it merely hints at what the band would do on later albums - B+
9: Lappi (Lapland) - Four-part track, with lyrics in both Finnish and English. Beautiful work here, and a good way to end the album. A-

I have rather mixed feelings about this album. At many times you can hear the greatness that would evolve on later albums, but too often it's buried under a layer of bad male vocals, lyrical cheese and poor production. It's different enough to warrant a purchase from more devoted fans, showing more of a folk influence than metal, but otherwise, it's best to stick to their subsequent albums.


A+   November 14, 2004
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This album is extremely good. I would actually say that it is my second favorite Nightwish album. Nightwish have been my favorite band for a while now. The first CD I got was Once, I knew that they were something special after I heard that. I went on to get Wishmaster, then Century Child, then Ocean Born, and now Angels Fall First. Century Child is my favorite, then Angels Fall first, then Wishmaster, then Ocean Born, and lastly, Once. Anyways, I'll go ahead and do a track-by-track summary.

1. Elvenpath: This is a great beginning track of the CD. I think this song is one of all Nightwish's faves. It starts with Tarja talking, and then heads off into some awesome guitars. The lyrics are sort of "Fairy Tale-ish". At the end, it has a part from Lord Of The Rings read by someone. 10/10

2. Beauty and the Beast: I see a lot of complaints from this one and Tutankhamen, but I don't see what's wrong with it. It starts out with this clavichord type thing, and goes into guitars, which are really good and fast beat. Then, Tuomas comes in. I really don't care for Tuomas' vocals at all (thank god for Marco). Its different than Tarja's vocals, but not in a good way, but, in this song he are pretty decent. Great lyrics. 8.5/10

3. The Carpenter: I don't really care much for this song, vocally. The lyrics are about Jesus, and they are pretty interesting. Again, the problem is Tuomas, its mostly him throughout the whole song, and he's not singing in his upper register in this song, so, I don't really like it; and Tarja only get a part in the chorus and at the end. 7/10

4. Astral Romance: This song is one of the stars of the CD. It has a great beat, and Tarja is extremely good in this one. It has some of the best guitar work by Nightwish. I actually prefer the vocal and the instruments to this one other that the re-make on Over the Hills and Far Away, but, I like the lyrics better on OTHAFA. 10/10

5. Angels Fall First: The first ballad of the CD. It's Tarja accompanied by an acoustic guitar, some strings and a flute (and at the end, drums). Tarja is really shinning here; it's probably where she shines the most. Her voice is strong and clear, just beautiful. This is one of my all time favorite Nightwish songs. This is probably the climax of the CD. Superb 10+/10

6. Tutankhamen: Again, I here a lot of complaints about this one as well. Lyrically, it's pretty awesome. GREAT guitar work too. Tarja is really good here too. The only problem I have is the end. I don't really care for it. It sounds too "cartoony". And I think it would have been a lot better with some bass. Over all though, pretty good. 8.5/10

7. Nymphomaniac Fantasia: This song is pretty scary if you're a guy like me. Instruments are really good. Starts out with an acoustic guitar, then leads off into Tarja talking, then GREAT drums, then flutes (which are quite pleasant), then Tarja, singing extremely good. When she says the line "Hear the starry choirs", I get chills because it's sung so well. The last line is really disturbing though. This is one of the few songs where Tarja is "evil". 9/10

8. Know Why the Nightingale Sings: Again, great guitars. Lyrically, it's great as well. But, in some of the lower notes, I hear Tarja straining to hit them, but she makes up for that with the rest of the song. It's a pretty fast beat song, which is good. 8/10

9. Lappi (Lapland) Series: These series of songs are extremely great. The CD started out with a bang, then the climax, and ends with a bang. Some of the best drums I've heard in a while. Eramajaarvi starts it out. It's acoustic and sung in thier native Finnish language. Then, it leads off into Witchdrums. This is a superb instrumental. It has some spacey drums in the background, and some cool Keyboards. Then, This Moment is Eternity. Along with Angels Fall First, this is the highlight on the CD. Lyrically, it's the best song. Tarja is so good in it too. At some points, she is double tracked. It has electric guitars, AWSOME drums, and soaring vocals; then its heads off into Etaitien. This is a great ending to the CD. Its just has Tarja kind of moaning/chanting and an acoustic guitar. 10+/10

Overall, it is a great CD; it has a lot of acoustic stuff, which is good because Nightwish hardly ever do anything acoustic. It has great instruments, vocals, and lyrics. Get Century Child, then this one.