Tag Archives: Marko Hietala

Marko Hietala – Roses From The Deep (2025) – Review

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Marko Hietala - Roses From the Deep - Album Cover

Marko Hietala, one of the only artists out there holding the RMR crew’s unwavering respect. He – of course – will remain forever famous as one of Nightwish‘s main pillars. Until he chose to retire from the band back in early 2021, that is, done with a statement that made for somewhat grim reading.

Now, in the meantime, Hietala popped up here and there in a variety of venues and roles. Raskasta Joulua’s 2022 x-mas piece was – surprisingly – the first time he reappeared on our radar already. And this told us that he definitely would stay … [...] Click to raid more!

Nightwish – Yesterwynde (2024) – Review

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Nightwish - Yesterwynde - Album Cover

Nightwish came a long way since they started their endeavor in 1996. The band around Tuomas Holopainen truly was with the pioneers of what was to become Symphonic Metal. Their fulminant career didn’t come without their hiccups, though. First, the somewhat messy divorce from Tarja Turunen made headlines across the mainstream metal press. Anette Olzon didn’t fare much better after a couple of thunderous records or so. And that left the band – rightly or wrongly – with a bad rap.

Luckily, with the arrival of the spirited and somewhat carismatic Floor Jansen, some calm finally came to Nightwish… [...] Click to raid more!

Amorphis – Skyforger (2009) – Review

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RockmusicRaider Review - Amorphis - Skyforger - Album Cover

RMR just covered Amorphis‘ 2022 piece Halo. And contrary to a few croaks of imminent defeat out there, the band still shines as strongly as it did some 13 years earlier. They must be doing something right in this outfit. Or – perhaps – it is the Finnish fresh air, the pristine water, and frequent trips to the sauna. This band churns out one great record after the other. Consistently, reliably, and with minute attention to detail and quality.

So, as we are on a roll with this band, the time has finally come to reach way into … [...] Click to raid more!

Nightwish – Dark Passion Play (2007) – Review

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RockmusicRaider Review - Nightwish - Dark Passion Play - Album Cover

Hey, fans and friends. Dark Passion Play is an amazing record! I absolutely love it.

I am not sure if this was the first record I ever listened to from Nightwish. But it definitely beats everything out of the sky that the band produced so far. And yes, that specifically means the Tarja records that came before it. Even if Once really upped the ante.

It is of course not only the frontwoman who makes the difference. But here Anette Olzon really delivers. And this, in spite of the hate that fans directed at her for the simple reason … [...] Click to raid more!