#nightwish members

[the-save-place-art]

Floor Jansen talking about her debut solo album, self - knowing and happiness on FaceCulture interview.

[spacetime-storytime]

no way ive only just realised that hiraeth is the only song on yesterwynde that doesn't use orchestra. i just didn't notice at all. floor's vocals sound so full they sound like a whole choir. and the synths! i'm having to relisten now cause no way does it never have orchestra at any part thats wild.

another reason this album would go so hard live. can you imagine, no backing tracks, just the band live on stage.

[a-silent-symphony]

[pandora-writes-one-piece]

The Meet Cute - Law's Story - 11

Source for pic

The Great Pretender 11

Word Count: 3616

Tags For The Whole Story: Fem!Reader; Law is a soft dom; you have bratty tendencies (not all the time); voice kink; praise kink; cursing; very suggestive behaviour and innuendo from the start; sexual tension; teasing; so much flirting; romance; slow-burn; fluff; slight angst; mature audiences (though explicit NSFW moments will be properly tagged on the chapter); possessive Law; protective Law; soft Law; teasing Law; manipulative Doflamingo; inappropriate Doflamingo; fake relationship trope; only one-bed trope; reader has some anxiety issues; reader is a control freak and perfectionist; modern day AU; Mention of ex mentally abusive relationship;

Special Warning: English is not my first language, I apologise for any possible spelling or grammar mistakes.

Summary: After moving away from the hustle and bustle of Grand Line City to help your father around the property following a horse-riding accident - and in the hopes of healing your broken heart after your asshole ex-fiancé cheated - you settle into the country calmness of the Calm Belt. You and Law (your father's doctor) start to build a flirty friendship because of your father’s procedure. So much so that when he’s invited to Baby 5’s wedding (his cousin), he asks you to be his date. His uncle Doflamingo - who is filthy rich - is very adamant on finding a suitable wife for him. Seeing as he wants to avoid that, he asks you to pretend to be his girlfriend for the weekend.

Notes: For those of you who caught my earlier post, you already know why this chapter is on the smaller side. For those of you who didn't, I intended to add a bit of spicy fun to this chapter, but with 2k (of smut!) already writen and (maybe) another 2k to go, I decided to split the chapter. I still hope you enjoy this one!

Masterlist |Chapter 10🔞| | |Chapter 12🔞|

Despite Law's lie to Baby 5, you still find five minutes to fix your hair and makeup before heading down to the garden in search of the photographer for the photo shoot. You're only ten minutes late, but Baby 5 curses at Law as if she were a member of a pirate crew. Luckily, she's soon diverted by Sai and you and Law head to the greenhouse for your private session. 

Though there's another private session you would much rather be indulging in. 

Still, the photographer introduces himself and after exchanging a few words, he starts directing you both in what you can only assume are romantic poses. Yet, the photographer seems bummed and you can't help but feel as if you're posing for a prom photo. 

“Let's take five guys, okay? Try to relax a bit.” The photographer says before he turns and starts to fidget with his camera. 

Law grumbles and rolls his eyes, clearly wishing to be doing anything else other than this. Perhaps even finishing what you started earlier. You smile at him. “You're too wound up, Law. You need to relax. The faster we give him the photo he wants, the faster we can leave.” He nods and you look at him as you bite your lower lip, deep in thought. “Take off your coat.”

“Why?” 

You smirk smugly and deepen your voice trying to imitate him. “Just do as I say, sweetheart.”

Law's chuckle is full of warmth and mirth but his gaze darkens as he sizes you up. “Careful. You're too close to being a brat.” Yet he removes his coat and sets it aside, on top of a metal bench. 

“Hmm, you knew what you were getting into before you proposed this arrangement.” You whisper as you size him up, assessing his looks. Then you grin and start to roll up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. 

“Did I? No, I didn't. Not entirely.” He lets you do what you want, moving his arm to help you and smirking at you. 

“What do you mean?” You finish one arm and move to the next one, but your eyes are fixed on his warily. “Are you… disappointed?” You try to ignore the slight tremble in your voice and focus your gaze on the shirt sleeves and not on his amber gaze. 

“Not at all.” His hand reaches out, and he tilts your chin up with his thumb and forefinger. “I'm positively surprised.”

“How so?”

“I knew you were special before this, and I knew I wanted to spend time with you to get to know you better. But now I am certain that I want to spend all my time with you.”

You fumble with the sleeves of the shirt as your heart skips a beat and your lips turn into a smile. “I want to spend all my time with you, too.” You whisper. There's a hint of a blush on your cheeks and you can feel them getting hotter. 

You can almost feel yourself melt into his gaze, so you take a deep breath, avert your eyes and unbutton two buttons on his shirt, leaving just a peek of his chest piece showing. “Now you look more at ease. Though…” You start as you give him a final once-over, and then reach with your fingers to tousle his hair a little bit. “Perfect. That out of bed endearing look suits you.” You smile sweetly at him. You're not even kidding a little bit. He looks really endearing. “Now me. Fix me up.” You smirk as you stand very still so he can contemplate you. 

Law's gaze softens as it travels over your body. You don't feel self-conscious but rather wanted, appreciated, valued. “You’re perfect, sweetheart.” You beam at him but then he places his hand on his chin as if in deep thought. “There's just a tiny thing.” He speaks softly and you arch your brow. 

“A tiny thing?”

“Your makeup.”

“What?”

“There's a smudge on your lipstick.” He takes a step forward, closer to you. 

“A smudge? Impossible! I just fixed my makeup!” You say, your hand instinctively reaching towards your lips as Law takes another step. His hand cups your cheek and he smiles gently. 

“Exactly.” Then his lips press softly against yours and this time it's something new. It's a slow, tentative kiss, where he moves his lips in tandem with yours. It's not demanding or hungry. It's soft and full of promises. It sets something aflutter in your stomach and a maddening pounding in your heart. 

Even while your hands travel to his chest and climb his neck, or when his fingers tangle in your locks, clenching your hair, even as you deepen the kiss, you still feel all of it. It’s different. It’s not a kiss fueled by desire, or want, or teasing, it’s a kiss with much deeper meaning. Something far softer, something… real.

You part slowly, both slightly flushed and gazing lovingly at each other. So he felt it, too. The raw intensity of it all, the way it clicked, as if you finally understood that this is not pretence, it’s much, much more. 

“Law, is this real?” Your words are barely a whisper, too afraid to break the moment, too fearful that this is somehow a dream of your desperate little heart. 

���It is for me.” He says, his hand reaching for your cheek again to place a small caress on your soft skin. 

“For me too…” You murmur back with a smile. Suddenly, the world is filled with possibilities, suddenly there is so much more than a broken girl with a hurtful past in need of mending. Suddenly there’s you and him but you’re together, you’ve found each other and you’ll be damned if you let him go. 

“Aaaaand that’s a wrap!” The photographer’s voice rattles you both and you’re forced back into reality. “You guys looked so much more natural now. There was no need for directing, these photographs are filled with emotion! Thank you!” His attitude from the start of the shoot to now has turned completely. He loves you both. Before he leaves, he promises to develop the pictures and deliver them to you as part of your prize, and you're actually quite curious as to how they turned out. 

When you're both alone again, Law takes your hand in his to lead you to the tents that are set up for the rehearsal dinner. He whispers your name as you lock gazes again. “We'll talk about this later, when we're alone?”

You smile giddily and nod. “Yes.” Even if you wanted to stop smiling, you couldn't. Everything feels far too perfect, far too flawless and you bite your lip hard to check again if this is not some dream. 

It's not. 

It's reality. And it is perfect. 

-*-

The rehearsal dinner is going great. There has been no awkward moment with Doflamingo - he's seated very far away, near the bride - and you and Law have been exchanging subtle touches throughout the whole meal. A touch on the leg, on the shoulder, on the arm, or the cheek. A lingering gaze, a whispered word, or a complicit smile. It's bliss. 

Speeches were recited and alcohol flowed freely. The night is still young, and though you wish nothing more than to be excused to your room, so you and Law can have a private moment, it finally appears that Doflamingo has decided to test you both once more. 

“Law, princesa, how's your evening going?” He speaks to both of you but his eyes are fixed on you. 

“We're fine, Uncle. Everything is perfect.” You smile at Law's words in agreement. 

“Wonderful.” There's a long pregnant pause where he keeps staring at both of you, then his grin deepens into something quite menacing. “Law, Vergo wished to speak to you about the business you were discussing yesterday.” Law's brow rises. “Now.” Doflamingo adds. 

“Uncle, we're at a party. Do you think it's appropriate to speak of business matters at a time like this?” Law's voice is still cool and calculated, but you can see the ticking in his jaw, giving way to an underlying unease towards his uncle. 

“Well, dear nephew, if you were more invested in the company's business and more committed to board meetings, we wouldn't have to practically ambush you so we could talk shop.” The jab is there, and it's also true. So Law curses between his teeth and screeches his chair on the floor to get up. But before he leaves, he leans forward and presses a kiss to your cheek. 

“I won't be long. I'm sorry.” He does seem resigned, and though the last thing you want is to be left alone with Doflamingo, you know he has to go. So you assure him you will be fine. 

As soon as Law gets up, Doffy saunters to his seat and sits down, crossing one leg over the other with one foot over his knee. He's wearing a light pink suit - which he actually pulls off - with a white shirt but what never ceases to amaze you - even if for the wrong reasons - is his unhinged expression as he pierces you with his red gaze. 

“Alone at last, cariño.” He deepens his smile, showing off his canines and you feel that cold sensation on your spine. You're about to be tested again. “I've seen you with Law today. You seem much more connected than yesterday, more at ease.”

Doffy takes a sip of his red wine and you clear your throat before speaking. “Yes, sir. I sometimes suffer from anxiety, and meeting new people always leaves me more anxious than I would like. I'm more at ease today because everyone has been so welcoming.” There, if you lace lies with truth, it becomes more believable. 

“Oh, that makes sense.” He agrees easily and you take a deep breath, trying to steady your heart. “Though, there's one slight issue.” He scooches his chair closer to yours in three jerking motions, and leans over your ear with a warm chuckle that makes you cringe. “I know who you are.” He whispers, and then leans back in his chair, his hand covering his lips as if he said something he shouldn't. 

Your heart thrums faster against your ribcage. What does he mean? What does he know? Does he know you and Law are in a fake relationship? 

Lying rule 101, don't babble! You don't know what he knows, so don't go spilling secrets. 

“I'm not sure I follow, sir.” There. Simple, calm, confident. 

“Mi querida… darling, darling. Drop the act.” His grin disappears and a menacing scowl overpowers his lips. “When I first saw you, I knew I recognized you from somewhere - or from someone - influential.” A cold shiver travels down your spine, freezing you in the spot. You feared this. “At first I didn't care. But last night it suddenly hit me. I've seen you with the Vinsmokes.” A dry chuckle leaves his lips but it doesn't reach his eyes. “A little background check got me the info I wanted, and boy was I surprised. Ex-fiancée to the Vinsmoke darling? You belonged to Ichiji himself? Who knew?” He gasps dramatically. “I mean: does Law know?”

Your breath hitches and you clench your fists against your lap, opening your mouth ready to answer him, except he doesn't let you. 

“I know what you want. You were with Ichiji for influence and money, but something went wrong. So now you turn to Law, who's not so directly involved with the company, but has enough money and influence to satisfy your needs. If you play your cards right with my nephew, he might even grant you the last one you seek: power. All the while, his poor little heart gets broken again. Am I right, princesa?” 

He's not right. Thank God, he's not right. Though the fact doesn't stop the tightening of your chest or the dampness on your forehead. You have no control over this situation and it's daunting. 

“You are terribly wrong, Doflamingo, sir.” Calm, cool, collected. You inhale deeply and force a cold smile to your lips.

“I'm wrong?” His chuckle sends another wave of unease through your body. “Don't tell me you were with Ichiji for his charming personality?”

You purse your lips and take another inhale, completely ignoring the off-hand commentary. “Ichiji and I met in college, our relationship grew naturally and it had nothing to do with money. Furthermore, I became interested in Law even before knowing who he was. I knew him merely as my father's doctor. He could've been living under a bridge and I would have had no idea. That did not stop the way I immediately felt about him.”

There can be nothing wrong with the truth. Not even Doflamingo himself can find any flaw there. 

“That is very heartwarming, darling. But is it really the truth? I mean…” He chuckles, leaning forward again and pinning you under his gaze. You have to force yourself not to move away from his stare. “It's so easy to lie about a relationship, isn't it?”

The implication is there. But what does he know, really? 

“Maybe, but I wouldn't know.” You hold his gaze, ignoring the pounding of your heart that seems to be beating in your ears. 

“I'm back. Uncle Doffy, you're in my seat.” Law says firmly, his hand resting at your nape, fingers squeezing slightly and caressing in reassurance. 

Doffy laughs softly, a manic laugh that starts low and then becomes increasingly louder. “Oh, forgive me dearest nephew. I wouldn't want to take anything from you.” Doflamingo rises, his long legs uncrossing slowly as he deliberately stares at you, licking his lower lip. “Think about what we discussed, princesa.”

When he leaves, Law sits down next to you. The familiar crease between his eyebrows brings a sort of comfort, knowing he's worried about your well-being. Even before he asks, you're already telling him. “Your uncle seems to think I'm only with you for money. Which is good, I guess, because he couldn't be farther from the truth.” Your chuckle comes out forced and weary. 

Should you tell him about Ichiji? You must tell him now. Doffy knows, so it's only a matter of time before he uses it against the both of you. And it's not as if it's a big secret, you just don't want to face that kind of judgement. 

But then again, since when has Law ever judged you over anything? And the more you postpone telling him, the more it seems as if you're withholding information. And that's not true. 

“Law, he also-...”

“There you are, Law. We still need to discuss a few more topics. You said you were just going to the bathroom.” It's Vergo and he sounds annoyed. Law sighs at the same time as you but you nod in understandment. 

“I'll wait…” The words leave your lips with a pout and Law waves Vergo off, telling him to go ahead. Then he leans forward on his chair, fingers gripping your chin to lift your eyes to him. 

“Sweetheart, I won't be long.” The kiss he places on your lips is, somehow, both soft and demanding. It's as if he's assuring you of his care and attention towards you while, at the same time, making you realise he also needs you. “See you soon.”

The kiss leaves you so rattled that you can't even say anything else before he leaves. 

-*-

‘See you soon.’ That was over an hour ago. You know it's not Law's fault, it's much more likely Doflamingo’s doing, just another stupid, silly test to see if you're really with Law for who he is or for something else entirely. But you're damn bored. 

You stare at the assortment of paper figures you already made with the napkins - very crooked and ugly-looking things - and sigh for the umpteenth time. Where is Law? 

“You look lonely, care for some company?” You flick one of the figures with your finger and lift your eyes to the stranger, one of Sai’s guests you met sometime during the day but can't quite place the name. 

“Ah, no, thank you. I'm fine. Law is…” You sigh inadvertently. “Coming back soon. Thanks.”

Lowering your gaze again, you flick another figure, trying to chase the boredom away with silly things. But a screech of the chair next to you as the man sits has you raising your brow. 

“Sure, sure. You're so fine that you already used up all the napkins on the table. I'll buy it.” He chuckles softly. “I'll just keep you company, nothing else, how about it?”

“Sure.” You shrug. It's not like he's going to leave anyway. But you keep toying with your paper figures, trying your best to be polite but not engage fully with the man. 

“So you're with the bride?” You nod. “I'm Sai’s friend.”

“Yes, we've met earlier.”

“I know. I wouldn't forget you.” You suck in a breath, maybe it's time to get up and search for Law? Or get some refreshments? You don't want to indulge in this conversation anymore. Yet, before you speak, the man leans, placing his hand over yours with a light squeeze. “What kind of man leaves his beautiful girlfriend alone for so long?”

“One who trusts her, and doesn’t need to keep watch every second, because he knows exactly who she’s going home with.”

The man pulls back his hand with a start when Law’s voice fills the space between you. His presence is commanding and threatening but his expression is cool and collected. Law’s amber gaze locks into yours, and though he stands with a hand in his pocket in the most casual of ways, the tension oozing out of him is enough to make the man sitting in his chair start to sweat. 

“Look, man, I didn’t mean to disrespect, I was just–”

“Wasting your time. I got it. You can go now, she doesn’t need your company.” Law finally breaks eye contact with you, takes one step closer to the man and stares him down. A fierce intensity in his gaze, even though he doesn’t even slightly raise his voice. 

“Alright, I’ll leave.” The man quickly takes the hint and leaves you both alone. When Law’s steely gaze settles back on you, it softens, and so does his expression. 

“Was he being an ass?” Law pushes a different chair and sits by you with a smirk while you shake your head. Law is a bit possessive, you’ve realised that. What you didn’t realise was that him being that way makes you feel wanted and needed. It’s in his little touches, a hand to the small of your back, a glare if someone’s eyes linger too long, his intimidating presence to whoever dares approach. 

“Not really, though he was starting to be inconvenient.” You sigh and take his hand in yours, gently tracing the tattoos on his fingers.

“I’m sorry I was gone for so long, my uncle…”

“I know, Law. Don’t worry. We have time, right?” Your eyes meet his and all you see is tenderness. When you said ‘we have time’ you meant after the wedding, because you want for that after to exist, does he want the same?

His hand cups your cheek and the warmth that fills you comes from far more than his touch. “All the time in the world, sweetheart.” How can one man consume your thoughts so completely? He’s under your skin, inside your heart, in your mind, he’s everywhere. And you want him there. You want him there forever.

You never felt this way with Ichiji, even when you thought you loved him or that he was it for you. You never felt like you’d lose a part of yourself if you weren’t near him, or the need to constantly touch him. And Law makes you feel that. You don’t mean to compare, but when your biggest relationship was also the worst, the comparisons are inevitable. 

Ichiji!

“Law, there’s something that–”

“Law! I’m so sorry to interrupt you both –you look so adorable, I swear, you bring out the best in him, honey– but I need your help with Baby 5’s gift.” Cora interrupts with the best intentions and you can’t help but smile at his cheerfulness. Then he lowers his voice. “Doffy bought her one of those ‘Fabergé Eggs’ and–” Cora exhales with a slight panic. “I dropped the box and I’m too scared to look.”

Your eyes widen at the admission but Law’s amusement is evident. “Really, Cora?” His tall uncle whines with a grimace and Law gets up with a weary smile aimed at you. “The party is dying down, anyway, guests are leaving.”

You look around and notice that the tent has emptied rather quickly. It’s nearing two in the morning and you’re all expected early tomorrow for the wedding, so it’s natural. Cora takes a step back as you and Law get up. Law leans in, his mouth near your ear as he whispers. “Why don’t you go up to our room and I’ll meet you in a few minutes?”

His words send a heat wave down your body as your stomach flutters with the wings of thousands of butterflies. He didn’t say much, but his voice and the gentle caress of his fingers on your hip spoke of hushed promises and yearning. 

You nod at him, a small blush already creeping up your cheeks. 

This is it.

The night you finally tear down those boundaries, no longer blurring the lines but completely erasing them. 

The night you stop pretending and finally make it real.

Tag list: @rosidaze @beachaddict48 @armiliadawn @jintaka-hane @sprinkklz @baby5555 @hopelesslover06 @mars-mizuko @sleepykittycx @nerium-lil @eustasscapitankid @ren-ni @jqperi @lycoriskalmia @rainbow2312 @alexturnersgirl

|Chapter 12🔞|

[indornaga]

The Animality of Humanity

i finally got a chance to sit down and listen to the new Nightwish album, and it hits the animal part of me just as hard as their other albums.

what is it about nightwish that makes me feral?

if you listen closely to their lyrics (especially these last three albums, but it applies to all of their albums) they talk a lot about the Human Experience(tm). but its not the human experience that we usually think of when we think of humans today--it's a lot of primal humanity, historic, from a simpler time and simpler way of life, from when humans struggled daily against the fickle whims of nature, against our fellow animals also trying to survive, and against their own instincts.

it took me a while to really listen to Human :|i: Nature because it sounds *so* human focused. every song is about human nature, as the title suggests, which put me off of it because it didnt feel like i could relate at all. but upon listening deeper, it tells the story of how humans are just as animal as any other. their music emphasizes the animality OF human nature, the capability of reverting to baser instincts in each human, of the human place in nature.

it took a few listens to really recognize it, but as a human with extra animal instincts, i was able to finally catch it: is it not animal nature to enjoy a good meal? for a social species to gather for a good cuddle and grooming? to come to the aid of a group member when in trouble? to scuffle with a threat, even if that threat is one's own species? to want progeny that carry on one's genes? it's certainly human nature to crave being in a natural environment, to see the trees and ground coverings, to see flowing water, the sky overhead. humans have a few extra instincts that dont seem it, but i also attribute to being animal; the love of music and song, and being storytellers. music and song is nearly universally loved. it awakens some sort of primal instinct in humans to move, clap, or sing along. storytelling has been used as a passtime for time immemorial, and again is nearly universally enjoyed. both of these are done with sounds; nonhuman animals use sound to communicate, and have been recorded to do sounds for fun as well. is that not what song and story telling are? communication?

early therian writings talk of doing totally human things to connect with their animality: taking hikes in nature, communing at gatherings, and most importantly, recognizing the animality in their human instincts.

we're lucky enough to be closer to the animal spectrum than most humans. but i think it gets forgotten about that humans are animals, and we tread a very fine line between the "sophistication" of humanity, and the ferality of animality. but that's the beauty of it; we're uniquely animal. we're something that our ancestors revered: how much of folklore is being in awe of or fearing nonhuman animals for their unique abilities?

i feel like that's what Nightwish's music really touches on, and why it's so good at awakening the ferality in me. also just the heavy guitar, drums, and the cadance of the songs hype up my primal predator brain lol i highly suggest giving them a listen. if only because the music is very feral.

[curgoose]

This has been knocking around in my head since Linkin Park released their new single and upcoming album with new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong. I’m as much of a fan of band’s old stuff as much as the next guy, but regardless of whether band members change, I don’t know why fans can’t evolve along with band direction. Is your music taste that narrow? I personally love the new song; I’ve been listening to it on repeat. Emily is fantastic. And she even sounds amazing when singing LP’s older songs. Fans saying she shouldn’t be singing old songs is ridiculous. Why is that off limits? It’s the same as anyone doing a cover. She compliments the band.

As a big Nightwish fan, maybe I’m just tolerant to changing vocalists. Fresh sounds are great. Less of the negativity please. If you don’t like an art form, don’t listen to it. Dont spread your shite opinions.

[birdofmay]

do have metal recommendations? I'm new to it. really completely new

*typing up a storm* You just activated the autism in me! 😄

Alright, here's a brief overview. Followers, feel free to recommend songs in the comments, if you listen to metal.

What bands you should know, at least their names:

Black Sabbath, Sepultura, Kiss, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Pantera, Anthrax, Helloween.

No need to know and like their songs, just know that they exist. There are some more, but you'll encounter them eventually anyway, I'm sure. Note that certain old bands are controversial now, for example Pantera and Metallica.

Some recommendations:

Heavy Metal:

The "How it began" part. Just check out Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath. You should know

Thrash Metal:

The earlier albums of Metallica, Testament, Exodus, and of course Slayer. "Raining Blood"

is well known, and I connect "Bloodline"

with long road trips as a child.

Doom Metal:

Some Black Sabbath is also considered doom metal. Apart from that I recommend Pentagram and Witchfinder General.

Black Metal:

Not mine, personally, except for certain derivatives, but they'll come later. I like very few black metal songs. They are:

Death Metal:

Many subgenres, I personally prefer Melodic Death Metal. Cannibal Corpse is well-known and also Obituary. Check out Debauchery, some In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and Arch Enemy too. Recommendation:

But to be honest, most Children of Bodom songs sound alike 😂

Dark Metal/Gothic Metal:

Hard to sort the whole discography of one band into this subgenre. Some Cradle of Filth, some Sirenia, some Samsas Traum, Type O Negative. I also like

Power Metal:

Sabaton, Powerwolf, Manowar (not everything), HammerFall, Grave Digger (not everything), Sonata Arctica, some Blind Guardian. Power Metal often has characteristics of Symphonic Metal in some songs, so it's hard to put one band in one strict category.

Symphonic Metal:

Nightwish, Xandria, Within Temptation, Epica. Too many favourites to recommend a specific song.

Progressive Metal:

Dream Theater, Opeth, Tool, Symphony X. Specific song:

Folk Metal:

Some Ensiferum, Eluveitie, Týr, Finntroll, Svartsot, Korpiklaani. Also The HU for Mongolian representation 😎 Folk Metal is huge, I just focus on "northern" stuff because I'm "northern" too. Song recommendation:

Viking Metal:

This is actually a "Whatever, as long as it's about Norse stuff and the Viking age" genre. This is why many death metal, folk metal, and power metal bands ALSO are considered viking metal.

Amon Amarth are very well-known, I'd recommend

Pagan Metal:

Also a "Whatever, as long" category. Most folk metal bands are simultaneously pagan metal. Moonsorrow are more black metal but also pagan metal, which is why I'll briefly mention them here.

There also are Varg, but if I'm not mistaken they had some right wing stuff going on, so be careful there. I'm not sure what happened, but I think some of the band members openly supported a neonazi group. Could be that the members were kicked out after that, but even if everything is alright now, they still have a negative connotation.

Somewhere in between all this, there's Alestorm. They're also considered pirate metal, btw. But I'm not actively into that, which is why I put them somewhere in-between.

Industrial Metal:

This is your outsider, and I think every band considered "Industrial Metal" is at the same time considered 5 genres more. Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails, Eisbrecher (some would say it's Gothic), Ministry.

Nu Metal:

Some people would say "Nu Metal isn't metal!!!", but I like it anyway. Check out Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Disturbed. "Duality" by Slipknot is the song of a common meme ("I push my fingers into my eyes") 😄

Also Machine Head, but it's hard to categorise them. I just checked, Wikipedia says they're sometimes considered "neo-thrash". Well I guess they're a bit of everything, but their newer albums definitely have nu metal character.

Metalcore:

If you say you're a metalhead but only listen to metalcore, metalheads will hate you for this. Just so you know. ☝🏼 It's a valid genre, but you're on thin ice if you don't listen to other metal genres. There are many overlapping genres here, which is why, again, it's difficult to label bands.

Parkway Drive (some would scream that they're post hardcore), Silverstein (some would scream that they're hardcore punk, others that they're emo), As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine (some would scream that they're emo, others would say they're heavy metal), Bring Me The Horizon depending on the song, August Burns Red.

Lamb of God are considered metalcore too, but in my opinion they're more metal than metalcore. Anyway I'll mention them here for the sake of classification.

Yeah, that's about it, I guess. This post is already very long, so I guess I better stop at this point. I hope from here on you'll manage to navigate through the big metal genre yourself 😄

P.S.: I forgot Trivium! "Feast Of Fire" is currently stuck in my head

[black-arcana]

TUOMAS HOLOPAINEN Reveals His Favorite Thing About Each NIGHTWISH Bandmate

In a new interview with Bear Wiseman of Off The Record, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen was asked to name his favorite thing about each one of his bandmates, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, singer Floor Jansen, drummer Kai Hahto and bassist Jukka Koskinen. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "They are the only other people in the world that I think about when I'm writing songs, because it's really important that they would be inspired about the stuff as well.

"I've known Emppu for more than 30 years, and he's just an incredible persona in the way that everything's always good with him," Tuomas continued. "He's the easiest-going bandmember there is. He does his job — his guitar playing is as professional as anybody — but other than that, it's always, like, 'Yeah, whatever.' 'Yeah, that sounds good. I'm fine.' He's so carefree, I'm almost envious about that because I worry about stuff constantly. So to get into his mind every now and then would be something else. He's a wonderful character. Same goes with Troy. He's just the most positive guy in the world. An incredible musician. Every time he enters the room, the room is filled with light and happiness and comedy. Yeah, he has definitely realized something thorough about life. Yeah, wonderful."

Tuomas added: "Floor is the best in the world in what she does. Really passionate about music, really understands the core of NIGHTWISH. And for me as a songwriter, that's such a relief because I know that whatever I do, whatever I want her to do, she's able to do. And a good example of this was when we recorded her vocals for this new album [the upcoming 'Yesterwynde']. We hadn't rehearsed once because we didn't have a chance. And we went to her home studio in Sweden. We had reserved two weeks for the recordings, and she was done in six days. Incredible, just incredible in what she does. Then Kai, too, again, the most amiable guy there is. I think he has like 25 guests on every single show we do and he doesn't know half of them. Yeah, everybody's his friend. So easy to be with. Pro musician, of course, obviously. What a drummer. But just fantastic guy. And same goes with Jukka. I mean, I've never, ever seen him angry or even agitated. He's just, like, 'Yeah, things will be okay. Let's talk about this.' And yeah, just a grounding personality. When you feel a bit agitated yourself, Jukka comes to you and you're, like, 'Oh, okay.' And a great bass player, of course. So lucky to be surrounded by these wonderful people. I really am."

NIGHTWISH's new album, "Yesterwynde", will be released on September 20 via Nuclear Blast. It marks the band's tenth studio LP, following on from the release of "Human. :II: Nature." in 2020.

In 2023, NIGHTWISH announced that the band wouldn't stage any tours in support of its then-unannounced tenth album. In a statement, Tuomas and his bandmates explained that "personal" reasons were the reason for the live hiatus and clarified that it had nothing to do with Jansen's then-pregnancy. The singer gave birth to her second daughter in October 2023.

In an interview with Metal Hammer last month, Holopainen said that NIGHTWISH still have no plans to tour after the release of "Yesterwynde".

"The reasons [for the live break] are personal," he said. "We're not going to go into it, but it was something that had to be done for this band to continue. There's no bad blood between the members, nothing like that. We just have to take a long breather."

The follow-up to 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", "Human. :II: Nature." was a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters, on CD 2.

In August 2022, NIGHTWISH announced the addition of Koskinen as an official member of the band. Koskinen, who made his live debut with NIGHTWISH in May 2021 at the band's two interactive experiences, had spent the previous year touring with NIGHTWISH as a session musician.

In November 2022, Jansen revealed that she was "cancer free" after undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Photo credit: Tim Tronckoe (courtesy of Nuclear Blast)

[rhapsodynew]

#Did you know that this is a cover?📌

"But we all often glorify the former, not knowing that we glorify only the latter..." (Part 2)

"Gangsta's Paradise"

But here the cover is clearly better than the original. Although the original is good, because it was composed by none other than Stevie Wonder back in 1976. Yes, the song "Gangsta's Paradise" did not immediately become a harsh rap. At first it was called "Pastime Paradise". To the same string part played on a synthesizer, Wonder sang about social problems (segregation, isolation, exploitation) and that one should not dream of paradise, but do everything to bring it closer.

However, in 1995, rapper Coolio took over the song and, together with his sidekick L.V., composed his own lyrics to the same tune - this time about "Gangster Paradise". The text came out angry, sarcastic, hopeless and fit very well into the film "Dangerous Thoughts", dedicated to disadvantaged teenagers. However, at first Wonder did not give permission to record the cover, demanding to remove obscenities from the text. Coolio fulfilled the requirement. After that, "Gangsta's Paradise" became the best-selling single of 1995, and probably the most famous rap of the 1990s.

«Over The Hills And Far Away»

The Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore once performed not only blues "slowies", but also martial hard rock. Listen, at least, to his 1985 hit "Over The Hills And Far Away", recorded together with fellow countrymen - the folk group The CHIEFTAINS.

This song experienced a rebirth in 2001, when it was covered by the band NIGHTWISH. The author himself was not enthusiastic about the cover of the Finns - they say, nothing new - ordinary karaoke. You can't argue with this, although Tarja Turunen's pseudo-operatic vocals still deliver…

«Das Model»

Without exaggeration, the members of the RAMMSTEIN group can be called brilliant compilers of the German musical heritage: from hard metal and industrial to electronic music and even eurodiscoe. Unsurprisingly, in 1997 they paid tribute to the KRAFTWERK band by recording a cover of their song "Das Model".

The song was first released in 1978 and was a classic KRAFTWERK electronic composition with lifeless vocals and a mechanized rhythm. RAMMSTEIN added brutality and harsh guitar riffs to Das Model, but the authors didn't like this version.

«Stripped»

Another tribute to RAMMSTEIN was paid by recording a song for the tribute album of the British synthpop band DEPECHE MODE "For the Masses" (1998). The choice fell on the song "Stripped" ("Naked"), in which natural beauty was contrasted with the urban landscape. The song became a track on DEPECHE MODE's album "Black Celebration" (1986), and was also released as a single, which reached number 15 in Britain.

RAMMSTEIN made a very decent version, without spoiling the original at all. But it caused a resonance not so much by itself, but thanks to the scandalous clip. After all, archival footage from Leni Riefenstahl's film, shot for the 1936 Olympics, held in Nazi Germany, was used there.

«Tainted Love»

Surely there will be those for whom the song "Vicious Love" is associated with the "scarecrow" Marilyn Manson. But it became a worldwide hit in 1981, performed by another synth-pop duo SOFT CELL.

The song has been waiting for its hour for a very long time - since 1964! At first, composer and producer Ed Cobb wrote it specifically for his ward, the aspiring black singer Gloria Jones. However, "Tainted Love" was pushed onto the second side of the single, and no one noticed the song (however, as well as the song on the first side). But even in the original recording it sounded great - it was such a very energetic soul with a memorable rhythmic hook.

SOFT CELL made the song a new electronic arrangement and slowed down the tempo, which made it sound more menacing. Also, due to the fact that the original was sung from a female face, in the line "I gave you everything a girl can give", it was necessary to replace "girl" with "guy". As a result, according to the apt remark of one critic, "Tainted Love" began to resemble a song by an "offended homosexual." Nevertheless, Gloria Jones herself praised the cover, saying that she liked it more than her own version.

As for the 2001 version of Marilyn Manson, there was nothing special new there. Except for a more sinister performance and a clip with vicious girls.

https://youtu.be/CCTBuOheUpE?si=xONtubrpBj2VSmbJ

Part 1

To be continued. ..

[adastra47]

Posted @withregram • @floor_jansen_official I'm thrilled to share the very first episode of my new series, "Coffee, Questions & Answers", with you! 🎉 "Coffee, Questions & Answers" is a heartfelt and intimate series where we share a cup, life's highs and lows, and the simple joy of connecting over a warm brew.

Join me on YouTube as I open up about this rollercoaster of a year – from the joy of welcoming baby Lucy, to releasing my solo album "Paragon," touring the world with Nightwish and even facing cancer. Link in bio!

And there's something special just for my FloorWorld member family – an exclusive extended edition where we dive even deeper! 🌟

☕️ Grab your coffee and come hang out with me. Got questions or coffee tips? Drop them in the comments!

Thank you for being such an amazing part of this journey. Let's make Coffee, Questions & Answers a place for all of us to connect and share!

[dedalvs]

I was reading your wiki when I noticed that the HV word for amaranth is olzon.

Did you know that there's a song called Amaranth sung by a singer called Annette Olzon? (the song is actually from finnish metal band Nightwish, but she was their lead singer at the time)

That's a nice coincidence - or if it was intentional props for the easter egg, it was fun to spot! :D

It was indeed intentional. I've been a big fan of metal ever since I heard Megadeth's "Train of Consequences" on MTV in 1994 (though of course I'll also never forget the first time I heard "Welcome to the Jungle" in 1987). It was a winding path that eventually took me to Finnish power metal (Megadeth to Metallica to Ozzy Osbourne to Black Sabbath to Iron Maiden to Helloween to Stratovarius to Nightwish to Sonata Arctica to Amberian Dawn…), but it felt like coming home. There was so much that I loved. And in touring through Finnish power metal, it's hard not to be struck by Tarja Turunen, the first singer of Nightwish. It's so different from what you come to expect from metal. Certainly I never would've expected you could take a full on opera singer and have her front a metal band, yet when you hear "Bless the Child" for the first time, you're left wondering why all metal bands don't have an opera singer at the helm. One of my favorite singers of all time was Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche, and Tarja felt like she was evoking his aura, and surpassing it.

Naturally, the first time I heard Annette Olzon as the new singer of Nightwish, I was disappointed. I was disappointed at the way Tarja was dumped from the band (the rest of the band ganged up on her and kicked her out by surprise), and also by the fact that Annette is an entirely different singer. The thing that distinguished Nightwish was the operatic style of singing of Tarja. Without her, they were just an average metal band with, frankly, too much orchestra (especially the later stuff). Even so, I wanted to give her a chance. Two songs jumped out to me off her first album with them: "Amaranth" and "For the Heart I Once Had". For both songs, it's Annette Olzon's performance that makes them memorable; it's not the music. (The music is fine, but honestly, the orchestral bits in "Amaranth" are just pompy fluff.)

Another album or two, and then Annette Olzon was dismissed for the crimes of (a) getting sick while on tour, and (b) getting pregnant. She was replaced by another female singer, Floor Jansen, who could approximate Tarja a bit better, but also had a traditional rock singing style, as well. Floor is Nightwish's current singer.

The thing that struck me about all this is the one who seemed to get trashed the most was Annette Olzon—not the band members who kicked her and Tarja out for ridiculous reasons. Basically, it was their band, and the lead singer was someone who got to perform for them, and that was pretty lame. Also hard to ignore that the lead singer has always been the only female member of the band.

Anyway, Olzon ends in -on, which is a common noun ending in High Valyrian, and one often used for plants, so I thought it'd be cool to make the word for amaranth olzon. Incidentally, if you want to hear Tarja Turunen and Annette Olzon since Nightwish, Tarja has had a long and productive solo career (here's one of her songs I enjoyed), and Annette has a band called Dark Element with amazing guitarist Jani Liimatainen (one of my favorites is "Here's to You").

So yeah, good catch!

[the-save-place-art]

A valkyrie…

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

NIGHTWISH Singer And SABATON Drummer Welcome Their Second Child

NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen and SABATON drummer Hannes Van Dahl have welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lucy.

Jansen and Van Dahl already have a six-year-old daughter named Freja, who was born on March 15, 2017.

The Dutch-born vocalist revealed the news in a social media post earlier today (Friday, October 20). She shared a photo of her, Hannes, Freja and Lucy holding hands, and she wrote: "There she is! With great happiness we can announce the birth of our second daughter Lucy! Big sister Freja is delighted with our dark haired little girl too!

"Health is not a given fact, and so it's humbling to report that both our baby girl as mom are in a great one! We are enjoying these special moments to the fullest and ask for understanding of our privacy in this intimate time! Big thanks for all the love and support we received during the pregnancy! We have now welcomed our dear Lucy into this beautiful world".

Shortly before Freja was born, Hannes was asked by Spain's Metal Journal whether his family situation would have an impact on his ability to tour with SABATON. Hannes said: "Well, you know, as far as I'm concerned, nothing will really change, 'cause this is what I do, an this is… this is what I do to make a living. People have had kids before in this business. So, to stop any worries — 'cause I know a lot of people are worried [about me] quitting the band — I will stay in the band. And as far as I can say, when it's time, I need to go and be there with my family. But when I've done that, I'm going back to touring. So I won't leave. I will be there."

Jansen herself had spoken about the challenges of raising a child while being in a touring band like NIGHTWISH. She told Finland's Radio Rock in 2016: "Of course, it's a very challenging combination, and I was very happy that the way [NIGHTWISH is] today — or, actually, have always been — it's a very open group; we can talk about things. And the guys, actually, were curious. A few months ago, we started talking about it, like, 'So, 2017… How about kids? Yeah?' So it's great to think about things together: how can we combine it? Also 'cause my partner is in a successful band, touring a lot. Yeah, then you need the cooperation of the people that you are family with also. So I am not afraid that won't work. It will be a challenge, for sure, but, yeah, a little SABATON or NIGHTWISH daycare program sounds lovely, doesn't it? [Laughs]"

Jansen also dismissed rumors that she would leave the band after welcoming her first child. She told Mariskal Rock TV: "No, I won't [quit NIGHTWISH]. I love this way too much; don't worry. You don't even have negative speculations one way or another. Things are great, and let's keep on doing this forever."

NIGHTWISH played its last concert before its current break from touring on June 17 at Lemonsoft Stadion in Vaasa.

In November 2022, Floor revealed that she was "cancer free" after undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed following a breast cancer diagnosis.

In April, NIGHTWISH surprised fans by announcing that the band was not going to be playing any live shows for the foreseeable future and would be not be touring in support of the group's next studio album, which is tentatively due in 2024.

Floor's debut solo album "Paragon", arrived in March.

As part of NIGHTWISH, Jansen has landed two number one albums in Finland, and Top Five albums in Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

Born in the Netherlands, Jansen joined her first band, one of the world's first symphonic metal bands, AFTER FOREVER, when she was only 16 years old. The group went on to release five albums from 2000 to 2007, before they broke up in 2009.

Jansen's next band, REVAMP, released two albums in 2010 and 2013, before she joined NIGHTWISH as a full-time member. NIGHTWISH's first album with Jansen as the lead singer was 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", which landed in Top 10s around the world. This was followed by 2020's "Human. :II: Nature." , which was also an international success.

Jansen has toured extensively with the band and appeared on three of NIGHTWISH's live albums "Showtime, Storytime", "Vehicle Of Spirit" and "Decades: Live In Buenos Aires".

In 2019, Jansen participated in the popular Dutch TV show "Beste Zangers" where she scored a big hit with "Phantom Of The Opera" together with Henk Poort. She was recognized with a Dutch Popprijs award — a prestigious accolade for artists that has made important contributions to Dutch music. In the same year, her first solo tour sold out in less than 24 hours.

Jansen performed live with NIGHTWISH for the first time on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon. Jansen officially joined NIGHTWISH in 2013.

[a-silent-symphony]

[sparklecinnamonbunny]

Happy Winter Wonderklok! Today's prompt is Saran Wrap Ball, and it marks part 1 of my 'big fic' for this challenge.

Summary: Saturnalia, at its Roman height, was a festival to celebrate Saturn, the god of the harvest. After the appropriate sacrifices, celebrants partied, exchanged gifts, feasted, and made merry in hopes of a bountiful spring. Lucy may not be a farmer, but she’s in for one hell of a spring with the way this party’s going.

I'm beyond grateful to have so many friends in the community who allowed me to use their OCs in this one. In order of their first OC's appearance, they are: St. Cecilia Jameson || @gointothevvater Cherry O'Reilly, Eden Nightwish, Nita Nirvana, and Caj Stryker || @chordsykat (the fifth member of Baen-Shee will appear!) Jamila 'Jimi' Calabash || @sichore Blanca Tennebris || @plvtosun Halfrid Schäfer and Mosel || @inky-da-dinky XZ Corrosion || @agentkaz Vama Chakrabarti, Tasha Livingston, and Vanessa Leverett || @claudia-nomusaabara Vivi Skarsgård, Jules Seefore, and Kari Naelstrom || @pan-flute-skeleton (who also started Winter Wonderklok u rock bb!!) Nairi Hammersmith || @nightklok Lucy Skye Desmond || @the-loveliest-lotus (thank you for letting me make Lucy throw a party) Bastian Kitzler || @raddouchebag Aurora Attic || @neopolitangumdrops Ozzy || @picklesjar  These OCs (and even more) will return tomorrow for the conclusion of Lucy's Sinful Saturnalia!

[monstersandmaw]

So today, I heard a track from Evanescence’s 2003 Album ‘Fallen’, (which was incidentally the first CD I bought with my own pocket money (aged 13) and which I listened to so intensely that I still know every word on the album) and it viscerally brought back my first real OC comfort character.

If you want to meet him, I'll put what I 'know' of him below the cut. It felt like meeting an old friend for the first time in years while I was driving along and thinking about him again today, all the while singing along to the album that inspired him in the first place.

His name is Kian, and he's a soft, shy goth boy in a band...

(Brief mention of car accident as a child and resulting physical disability)

Kinda tall and rather lanky, with long black hair to his waist and the kind of skin that burns at the first hint of sunshine, he's intensely shy and doesn't talk much, even with the people he's very comfortable around.

I didn't know the nuance of it at the time, but I can say now that he's definitely panromantic and demisexual/grey-ace.

He's the main songwriter and guitarist for a rock??/symphonic metal?? band that plays the same kind of music as on the album 'Fallen' (which is how I first imagined him), as well as stuff like Nightwish... His primary instrument is actually keyboard/piano (he could have been a classical concert pianist but he chose the band over that, much to his parents' eternal disappointment...). Sometimes the band has an instrumental section in their sets, with him playing the piano with his back to the audience, and it's become a bit of a trademark in their concerts :). The band is doing really well and becoming pretty popular, and the other members are a short girl with a plus-size figure and long black hair (singer), a 6'3" tanned, muscled, tattooed, smiley blond guy with viking hair and a teddy-bear personality (bass player and backing vocals, dating the girl), and a punk with piercings, tattoos, and spiky hair that changes colour basically every week (drums, gender???).

When Kian was nine years old, he was involved in a car accident and his right leg was crushed by the impact. It wasn't deemed necessary to amputate, but it's left him with a lot of pain in his right leg and he walks with the use of a cane or crutch (depending on the pain) and wears an orthotic brace. He has a wheelchair he uses sometimes, but with constant physio and attentive care, it's not often necessary. He uses it when he needs to though.

Kian is a sweetie who would do anything for the people he loves, but rarely enjoys going out in crowds and prefers to keep to himself or on the edge of social gatherings. He does really enjoy going out and about on his own to places like the park, and sitting on a bench to read in the shade with a coffee or tea. His bandmates are super protective of him because he's so shy (which he can find a bit chafing, but it comes from a good place), and they shield him socially when they do go out to crowded places, making sure he's not overwhelmed. Bass player is Big Protecc Bear with all his friends.

Kian's more of a dog person than a cat person, but he loves animals in general, and he loves it when the singer (I don't have a name for her) brings her dog to his apartment and lets Kian dog-sit when she needs someone to look after her (she's a Tamaskan who absolutely adores Kian, so that works out well for both parties).

He's pretty into social media, but mostly posts artsy shots of sunlight on his piano or his coffee etc., or snippets of stuff he's working on, and he rarely shows his face. He games a lot in his spare time, and though people know he's into online gaming, and which ones, they don't know his name/handle. I like to think that maybe he meets his future SO online and they fall in love without knowing who he is...

If you've played Stardew Valley at all, you'll know why I instantly fell in love with Sebastian - same vibes as Kian in many ways.

So yeah, that's one of my very oldest OCs (one who's human anyway. I've talked about my winged, skull-headed, half-man-half-reptile/gargoyle, temple guardian lad on here before, I'm sure, and he's even older than Kian).

Anyway, I hope you liked meeting him :). This was oddly personal for me, and I've never shared him with anyone before. Thinking about him and listening to 'Fallen' got me some of the toughest of my teenage years, so be kind, and if you think any of the above is silly or whatever, please just move on with your day and don't say anything :3.

I'd love to write something for the band and get to know them all over again now that I'm an adult. Maybe I will one day :)