Upon first listen it is clear that Nightwish wants to put their older style of music to a close and bring a grander and more epic sound with them this time around. Starting with the 14 minute powerhouse The Poet And The Pendulum the band shows off their new sound. A long introduction featuring Olzon singing softly in the background is a great way to reintroduce Nightwish to the world. One minute into the song the first hard hitting notes come in and pound the listener with a sound that is orchestral and a nice segway from their previous album Once. Get away, run away, fly away are the lyrics to this song. It almost seems as if the band knows they are changing and want to get away from their past. Anette's soft voice is a perfect fit for Tuomas's music and the two blend seamlessly in this first track that will be remembered for the ambitious approach shows in the song.

The band then gets down to what it does best. Powerful orchestral music with impressive lyrics. Bye Bye Beautiful is the first song to touch upon the departure of their former vocalist. Did you ever listen to what we played is asked by Marco Hietala in a scorching chorus. Something the band has added during this song is the addition of harder guitar work. In general Dark Passion Play is their heaviest album to date. They also continue to use their trademark keyboard riffs as interludes for the songs. The third song Amaranth (which is the latest single) is the first to show off what Anette brings to the table. After a lovely keyboard introduction we are treated to the new sound of Nightwish. Olzon shows her range and carries this song putting her mark on Nightwish very quickly into the album. The chorus is catchy and unlike anything Nightwish has ever released before. This change in direction and the new vocal sounds are one of the many reasons this album will be very successful for the band.

Next are the songs Cadence Of Her Last Breath and Master Passion Greed. Both have pulsing guitar and keyboard work. In the first song we are treated to more excellent composition as well as nice little guitar solo by Emppu Vuorinen. He bring a fresh mix into the song. Again this song shows the pain of breaking the bond with their former vocalist. In the second song we get some extremely hard guitar riffs and the first of two songs to feature Marco singing. He has improved his vocals greatly from what he has done on past albums. This song shows a darker heavier side to the band. Again working on themes surrounding the controversial split this song speak of issues with managers.

Now we come to the song that breaks away from the past and shows what a bright future Nightwish has. Eva was released a while ago as an internet only single. This song is highlighted by the beautiful keyboard work of Tuomas. It also shows off the softness of Anette's voice. The first true ballad on the album is a touching and emotional song that will have fans getting goose bumps. It is obvious why Nightwish decided to use this song to introduce the world to Anette Olzon as she has a beautiful voice that echoes of sadness and loneliness. In their new approach Nightwish has gone on to create a song that will stand the test of time here.

On to the new sound and we get Sahara. Starting with more keyboards and guitars this song also is powerful. Harder with a touch of harmonic vocals Anette shows a side that is gripping. She can command a song while the musical touches evoke African themes. Tuomas sure knows how to do moody well and this song transports you to a caravan ride across the Sahara. Whoever Brings The Night starts with guitar hooks and doesn't let up. Another of the upbeat heavy songs that Nightwish showcases on the album this one also pounds right into the heart of the listener. The heavier licks and straying from their sound just a bit was a wise choice and fit Olzon's vocals brilliantly.

For The Heart I Once Had is a softer song. Not quite a ballad this song has a quaint feel and evokes promise and happiness. Something the band has done for years is to write songs that have an upbeat feel. This song fits well with those other songs of the past. This song is another catchy one and brings warm feelings to the listener. After this comes the second song from Marco Hietala. The Islander is a different type of song from Nightwish. It gives the feeling of being stranded on a lush island paradise. This ballad features an acoustic guitar and has a very spiritual vibe to it. With the arrangement on this song the band ventures far from their newer sound and almost harken back to their first two albums. The keep that old style with the instrumental piece Last Of The Wilds. This song has their older celtic roots firmly implanted throughout. It reminds of Riverdance but with the heavy touches that only Nightwish could add to a song. This is one song that is not to miss on the album.

7 Days To The Wolves is the heaviest song on the album. It quite possibly might be the heaviest song that Nightwish has done ever. This is a good thing and they show once again that whether they do ballads or powerful heavy songs that their writing is always great. Emppu does some of his best guitar work on this song. Jukka Nevalainen also pounds some hard hitting drum beats in the song. Sometimes his work gets overlooked with all of the great guitar and keyboard work on the album but Jukka adds great drum technique into all fo the songs on Dark Passion Play. Ending the album is the ballad Meadows Of Heaven. This song is almost a sister song to Eva. It once again shows off the softness of Anette's voice and is a perfect closer for the album. The songs leaves us with hope and a complete feeling of happiness knowing that there will be more songs to come in the future.

Even though their sound has changed with the addition of Olzon on vocals Nightwish proves that they are still one of the best bands in the business. They are wonderful musicians and once again have put out a masterpiece of an album. Doing this despite all of the controversy shows why Nightwish is the band that so many have looked at as an inspiration over the years and how they have the skills to compose excellent songs time and time again. Dark Passion Play is the album to show the world that Nightwish is ready to start their new beginning of an era.

9 / 10