Been reminded of this band and this awesome record recently, and had to share my favorite song from them ever, a ten-minute epic.
From Finaland, this symphonic power metal group released this album in 2004, during my formative teenage years, so it's been imprinted of this smooth brain of mine lmao.
I feel like this could be the soundtrack to a fantasy film or some such, with the epic drama and bombastic parts during the climax.
Big same. I wasn't following closely (or at all, really) and missed the Tarja drama. So I was very confused when I first heard Amaranth. I never really gave the songs a chance since Tarja's sound was a big part of what appealed to me about Nightwish. Anette's style really wasn't my thing.
I didn't realize they had gotten a new vocalist until after Endless Forms came out. Finally gave it a try, and... yeah. Floor is basically perfect for the band. I don't think she's in the same class as Tarja when it comes to operatic/classical vocals - she just doesn't have the fullness or tone. But she can still pull it off decently. Where she really shines with the back catalog is where she makes the songs her own. You've already been turned on to GLS. Check out Dark Chest of Wonders from the same set (or any live performance really). Romanticide. Slaying the Dreamer. Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean. All great renditions.
For Floor-original studio tracks, Weak Fantasy, My Walden, Noise, Shoemaker, Pan are some of my favorites. I haven't really been able to spend much time with Yesterwynde (2024 album), been slacking I guess since 2025 is almost over lol.
Going back to live stuff... if you want to cry, check out Poet and the Pendulum from Vehicle of Spirit (Wembley 2015). Just... wow.