Last Ride of the Day

This is it. The moment so many have been waiting for. Nightwish and the New Singer. From the looks of it, almost every able body on the grounds is somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Main Stage, waiting to get a glimpse of Floor Jansen‘s first appearance at Laulurinne.

The waiting is well rewarded. From the first moments of Dark Chest of Wonders, it is clear that Ms. Jansen fits Nighwish as well-worn shoe fits the foot, pardon the homely simile. Floor’s theatrical voice works wonders with the newer material, and the older songs (such as She is my sin and Bless the child) sounded amazing as well. In fact they sounded so good that yours truly was left yearning for more older pieces, just to hear Jansen’s interpretations.

Nevertheless, the show was gold from start to finish.The audience seemed to welcome the singer whole-heartedly, such were their reactions when she demonstrated her Finnish language skills, and the crowd responded with gusto when she called for a show of hands or some noise. The singer also clocked in a respectful amount of personal headbanging time among other things.

Whole band seemed to enjoy playing, the drive throughout the performance was immense, and the general impression of the show was of a more matured, perhaps more polished and tight band.

The pyros were plentiful and suitably impressive and the giant screen behind the band displayed images ranging from Imaginaerum to landscapes. The whole gig culminated in a display of pyrotechnics and fireworks at the end of Last Ride of the Day. Fitting.

Text: Jari Rytkönen
Photos: Tuukka Pakarinen