.:: Oceanborn - The UK Nightwish Fanclub ::.

Article by Kirsten

Featuring a lengthy "rockumentary" (interviews, clips from concerts, and "hilarious and embarrassing" backstage footage), along with music videos, live footage, photos, and an MTV Brazil interview that's so short it barely deserves a mention, this in Nightwish's second DVD. Released in 2003, it looks back on the history of the band up to that point. The story is told mostly through a revealing interview with Jukka Nevalainen and Tuomas Holopainen, which is interspersed with footage recorded during several of the band's tours. Around 200 minutes in length, this DVD would certainly prove tedious for anyone with little interest in Nightwish. But for fans, it provides a fascinating look at the band's history (and also to see them do various silly and dangerous things, to great comic effect).

The interview that forms the basis of the documentary provides an interesting look at the Nightwish phenomenon, through the eyes of (some of) the band. Often funny, but often surprisingly moving, it deals with everything from the lyrics of "Nymphomaniac Fantasia" ("it's not possible I wrote that", laments Holopainen), to the effects of fame, to the band's near break-up in 2001. While several hours of reminiscences and revelations could get boring, it's broken up by the on-tour footage, thus keeping things interesting.

I'm of the opinion that, given a video camera and sufficient quantities of alcohol, any group of people, of any age or nationality, will start making faces and trying to imitate something they "saw in a movie". "End of Innocence" goes some way towards proving my theory. To list the many gags, jokes and pranks contained on this disc would spoil the surprise, but it does contain such delights as cross-dressing support bands, a "large angel", and a couple of bungee jumps (one of which is naked). While it can hardly be claimed that this is all vital, relevant information on the history of the band, that's not the point. The point is that it's extremely funny, and the fact that it's a favourite band who are trying to upstage Johnny Knoxville and co. just makes it even more hilarious.

Some of the live material on this disc is part of the documentary, sandwiched between the reasons for Nightwish going more "metal" after "Angels Fall First", and people drawing on one another with felt-tip pens. But a more comprehensive selection of songs is also included. Unfortunately, the recording quality is poor, as if they were included as an afterthought. While this doesn't totally ruin the songs, it's a significant enough problem to greatly lessen one's enjoyment of them. While the focus of this DVD is clearly the documentary, it would have been nice if they could have found some better-quality recordings. If it's live songs you're after, you're better off with the earlier "From Wishes to Eternity".

There's also a couple of music videos, a TV interview that lasts all of 60 seconds, and some fairly interesting photos for you to enjoy, although none of these, except perhaps the photo gallery, are really worth a second look. But, all the same, it's nice that they're included, and they contribute to making this DVD all the more desirable.

"End of Innocence" is certainly a good DVD, and you get plenty of Nightwish for your money. Unfortunately, it probably holds little interest for casual fans, those who don't start drooling at the possibility of a three-hour documentary about the band. But for those who do, this is exactly what "End of Innocence" provides, along with a few mildly diverting extras. All in all, an excellent DVD, but probably not for everyone.