Wishmaster

Wishmaster is the third album of Finnish metal quintet Nightwish, released on July 18, 2000 by Spinefarm Records.

Perhaps even moreso than its predecessor, Wishmaster has a very clear fantasy theme. While commonly considered to be closer to conventional power metal, there is still a great variety with slower songs like “Come Cover Me” and “Two for Tragedy”, and more epic pieces like “Dead Boy’s Poem” and “FantasMic”.

“The Kinslayer” is written about the victims of the Columbine High School massacre. Wishmaster was inspired by the fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings and Dragonlance, mentioning Elbereth, Lórien, and the Grey Havens from the former; and Dalamar, Raistlin Majere (Dalamar’s shalafi, or “master”), and the Inn of the Last Home from the latter. “FantasMic” is a song about the Disney animated movies, particularly their fantasy and fable elements, taking its title from the Disneyland show Fantasmic!.

The song “Wishmaster” has remained one of Nightwish’s greatest hits, appearing on several best of compilations. Since its release, it has been a recurring track on live performances, and it was featured for example on the live DVD End of an Era, recorded in 2005. As of 2008, it’s still often performed live despite the band’s change of vocalists. Other recurring live songs from the album are “She Is My Sin” and “The Kinslayer”.