Wishmaster (album)
Wishmaster is the third album of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 19 May 2000 by Spinefarm Records. Wishmaster's sound continues the bombastic symphonic power metal approach originally featured on
Oceanborn, albeit with more emphasis on atmosphere and melody versus powerful speed and heaviness. Perhaps even more so 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 "Two for Tragedy" and "Dead Boy's Poem", and more epic pieces like "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, Gilthanas, the Sla-Mori, Silvara 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!.