Nightwish - Yesterwynde (CD + Atmos Blu-ray) Sept. 20 2024

[GOS]

It's a pretty mediocre mix. Surround mix is okay (only listening to 5.1), mostly some backing vocals, choirs, parts of the orchestra and lots of reverb. Nothing special.

Problem is, the overall sound is kind of muddy and undefined plus there are some harsh sounding vocals coming from the center. I read about some complaints online about the vocals on the stereo mix getting drowned by the music and it feels like they tried to fix that by using lots of EQ in the 2 to 3 kHz range to bring them more upfront. It's almost ear-piercing once Floor gets to higher registers.

Even though the songs try to sound epic and big, they are lacking in impact and it's hard to listen to them at higher volumes. The whole mix just lacks clarity and definition. Having listened to the last album from Leprous for the past few days, this is like a night and day experience.

Regarding the sound quality, I'm very disappointed in this release and expected way more.

I fully agree with you. It's a hot mess. I don't plan on listening to it ever again.

 

[SomethingAnything]

I believe the Luca Turilli's Rhapsody - Prometheus album was the first music ever released on Dolby ATMOS, followed very closely by REM's Automatic For The People.

I think the first music on Atmos might have been classical. And this album the first for rock/popular music. That's my recollection, anyway.

 

[mikusguitarius]

+1 for never listening again sadly

Also to add… where are the drums? It’s metal so I want to hear and feel kick and snare!!

 

[Thonolan]

Wildly different opinions about this mix, it seems.

 

[anibal]

I find it very strange that there are no Nightwish polls here. As far as I know, we have at least 4 surround releases: Once, Dark Passion Play, Imaginaerum and this one. I think Dark Passion Play has an incredibly 5.1 mix, Once is a bit underwhelming in that regard but the music is killer. No idea about Imaginaerum.

I listened to Yesterwynde in stereo and decided to order it, despite its high shipping cost. I find that the stereo mix is a bit inconsistent but I really enjoyed the music, which is perfect for an immersive presentation. I guess that if a few songs got a good mix, I will be "happy enough".

 

[madscot]

I find it very strange that there are no Nightwish polls here. As far as I know, we have at least 4 surround releases: Once, Dark Passion Play, Imaginaerum and this one. I think Dark Passion Play has an incredibly 5.1 mix, Once is a bit underwhelming in that regard but the music is killer. No idea about Imaginaerum.

I listened to Yesterwynde in stereo and decided to order it, despite its high shipping cost. I find that the stereo mix is a bit inconsistent but I really enjoyed the music, which is perfect for an immersive presentation. I guess that if a few songs got a good mix, I will be "happy enough".

I don’t think Imaginareum ever got a 5.1 mix

 

[HeavyMetalFIN]

I don’t think Imaginareum ever got a 5.1 mix

Imaginaerum was mixed to 5.1, but it never got released.

Source

 

[anibal]

I don’t think Imaginareum ever got a 5.1 mix

My bad! I got confused by the movie, which has a 5.1 stream.

 

[madscot]

Imaginaerum was mixed to 5.1, but it never got released.

Source

Pity

 

[M-K]

Ordered this yesterday, got a confirmation that it is on the way...
Wasn't the "2nd release day" 2024-10-11 because it was sold out?

Anyway, I hope to receive it soon.

 

[weekendtoy]

I think the first music on Atmos might have been classical. And this album the first for rock/popular music. That's my recollection, anyway.

That would make sense.

I love playing classical on the piano, but never listen to it.

 

[M-K]

I received it. That was quick!
So I started listening to the 5.1 mix. And I like the music.
But: Too much in the front. The rears are missing level. This was disappointing. So I checked the DR using MMH, see below.

I do not understand this mixing decision. Perhaps somebody can give me an idea.

The good point: DR is ok. Could be more, but is ok.

Another good point: MMH can modify the levels.
So I applied as follows
center: +2dB, LFE: +3dB (personal taste), rears: +7dB and now it's much better.

What I understand are the different peak levels from 2.0, 5.1 and Atmos. So you don't get shocked when you change the audio tracks on your remote.

Next I'll listen to the Atmos downfold. Probably this mix is different and better balanced regarding the rear speakers.

Here is the log:

foobar2000 1.6.6 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 compatible (Music Media Helper)
log date: 2024-10-7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Nightwish / Yesterwynde (5.1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR11 -12.99 dB -36.50 dB 2:42 01_Nightwish_-_Yesterwynde
DR9 -5.77 dB -25.95 dB 9:27 02_Nightwish_-_An Ocean Of Strange Islands
DR9 -5.71 dB -24.50 dB 5:56 03_Nightwish_-_The Antikythera Mechanism
DR10 -6.11 dB -26.18 dB 4:34 04_Nightwish_-_The Day Of...
DR10 -4.36 dB -25.59 dB 8:13 05_Nightwish_-_Perfume Of The Timeless
DR11 -8.96 dB -30.09 dB 4:24 06_Nightwish_-_Sway
DR10 -5.80 dB -25.35 dB 5:38 07_Nightwish_-_The Children Of 'Ata
DR10 -5.41 dB -24.77 dB 6:40 08_Nightwish_-_Something Whispered Follow Me
DR9 -5.77 dB -25.87 dB 6:27 09_Nightwish_-_Spider Silk
DR9 -6.43 dB -27.11 dB 6:15 10_Nightwish_-_Hiraeth
DR9 -5.86 dB -24.45 dB 4:54 11_Nightwish_-_The Weave
DR12 -8.20 dB -32.60 dB 6:07 12_Nightwish_-_Lanternlight
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 12
Official DR value: DR10

Samplerate: 48000 Hz
Channels: 6
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 2930 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 01_Nightwish_-_Yesterwynde
Duration: 2:42
Dynamic Range: DR11

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -17.71 dB -16.53 dB -12.99 dB 0.00 dB -22.65 dB -21.61 dB
Avg RMS: -34.60 dB -34.54 dB -33.32 dB 0.00 dB -40.67 dB -40.29 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR11 DR9 DR11 DR11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 02_Nightwish_-_An Ocean Of Strange Islands
Duration: 9:27
Dynamic Range: DR9

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -5.77 dB -5.85 dB -7.78 dB -29.10 dB -14.68 dB -14.89 dB
Avg RMS: -23.02 dB -22.88 dB -24.22 dB -37.45 dB -32.37 dB -32.56 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR11 DR11 DR2 DR11 DR12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 03_Nightwish_-_The Antikythera Mechanism
Duration: 5:56
Dynamic Range: DR9

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -5.77 dB -5.71 dB -8.16 dB -27.97 dB -14.12 dB -13.14 dB
Avg RMS: -21.29 dB -21.35 dB -23.40 dB -34.67 dB -30.98 dB -30.94 dB
DR channel: DR10 DR10 DR10 DR3 DR11 DR12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 04_Nightwish_-_The Day Of...
Duration: 4:34
Dynamic Range: DR10

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -6.12 dB -6.32 dB -8.77 dB -28.85 dB -14.64 dB -14.88 dB
Avg RMS: -23.71 dB -23.29 dB -23.82 dB -38.03 dB -32.54 dB -31.99 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR11 DR10 DR3 DR12 DR11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 05_Nightwish_-_Perfume Of The Timeless
Duration: 8:13
Dynamic Range: DR10

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -4.90 dB -4.36 dB -6.63 dB -27.66 dB -12.71 dB -13.12 dB
Avg RMS: -22.14 dB -22.46 dB -24.86 dB -36.44 dB -32.14 dB -31.90 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR12 DR10 DR2 DR12 DR12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 06_Nightwish_-_Sway
Duration: 4:24
Dynamic Range: DR11

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -9.26 dB -8.96 dB -9.87 dB -24.11 dB -19.63 dB -16.77 dB
Avg RMS: -28.39 dB -27.14 dB -26.88 dB -41.53 dB -37.36 dB -37.17 dB
DR channel: DR12 DR11 DR10 DR8 DR11 DR12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 07_Nightwish_-_The Children Of 'Ata
Duration: 5:38
Dynamic Range: DR10

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -5.93 dB -5.80 dB -7.39 dB -25.78 dB -14.77 dB -13.73 dB
Avg RMS: -22.39 dB -22.56 dB -22.94 dB -39.08 dB -33.02 dB -32.97 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR11 DR10 DR6 DR12 DR13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 08_Nightwish_-_Something Whispered Follow Me
Duration: 6:40
Dynamic Range: DR10

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -5.41 dB -5.69 dB -8.95 dB -30.97 dB -14.41 dB -14.88 dB
Avg RMS: -21.33 dB -21.47 dB -23.63 dB -38.59 dB -33.02 dB -32.78 dB
DR channel: DR11 DR11 DR9 DR13 DR12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 09_Nightwish_-_Spider Silk
Duration: 6:27
Dynamic Range: DR9

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -6.18 dB -5.77 dB -7.50 dB -29.52 dB -15.22 dB -13.80 dB
Avg RMS: -22.98 dB -22.62 dB -23.96 dB -38.71 dB -34.34 dB -32.96 dB
DR channel: DR10 DR10 DR10 DR3 DR11 DR11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 10_Nightwish_-_Hiraeth
Duration: 6:15
Dynamic Range: DR9

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -6.43 dB -7.09 dB -8.41 dB -28.66 dB -16.36 dB -16.04 dB
Avg RMS: -24.57 dB -24.58 dB -23.98 dB -40.17 dB -35.59 dB -35.04 dB
DR channel: DR10 DR10 DR8 DR4 DR11 DR11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 11_Nightwish_-_The Weave
Duration: 4:54
Dynamic Range: DR9

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -5.94 dB -5.86 dB -8.23 dB -24.55 dB -14.36 dB -15.40 dB
Avg RMS: -21.06 dB -20.96 dB -23.74 dB -34.09 dB -32.80 dB -32.53 dB
DR channel: DR10 DR10 DR10 DR4 DR11 DR11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistics for: 12_Nightwish_-_Lanternlight
Duration: 6:07
Dynamic Range: DR12

Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3 Channel 4 Channel 5 Channel 6
Peak Value: -8.20 dB -8.86 dB -8.31 dB -26.69 dB -16.66 dB -17.90 dB
Avg RMS: -30.33 dB -30.59 dB -29.09 dB -46.24 dB -38.97 dB -39.49 dB
DR channel: DR13 DR13 DR12 DR9 DR12 DR13

 

[AdamBialy]

I ordered a week ago on Sunday and received it today. I listened to Dolby Atmos once.

The first impression is: it's more of a 5.1 mix than Atmos. In any case, there's not much going on in the upper speakers. The mix is pleasant, but not very bold. It's a shame, because if the mix was made by someone with Steven Wilson's imagination, it could have been much better. It reminds me a bit of 5.1 mixes of older Nightwish albums ("Once", "Dark Passion Play") - the main elements in the front, and some orchestration in the back, sometimes additional vocals, acoustic guitars, rarely some synthesizers or effects. It seems that something appears above your head very rarely. In general - the Atmos mix makes the whole thing very spacious.
I switched to the 5.1 mix (DTS-HD Master) a few times and even less could be heard from the back.
As someone mentioned earlier - the vocals can be heard more clearly than in the stereo mix - they are separated in the center channel. And the drums could be a bit louder.

I would rate this mix 6. It's not bad (I've heard much worse), but I expected something more.
Musically - the album is good, but it won't be my favorite Nightwish album.

Next time I listen, I'll turn up the volume on the rear and top speakers.

 

[M-K]

The Atmos mix as downfold to 5.1 is good. Different to the 5.1 mix and much better. I've no Atmos setup currently.

 

[madscot]

I ordered a week ago on Sunday and received it today. I listened to Dolby Atmos once.

The first impression is: it's more of a 5.1 mix than Atmos. In any case, there's not much going on in the upper speakers. The mix is pleasant, but not very bold. It's a shame, because if the mix was made by someone with Steven Wilson's imagination, it could have been much better. It reminds me a bit of 5.1 mixes of older Nightwish albums ("Once", "Dark Passion Play") - the main elements in the front, and some orchestration in the back, sometimes additional vocals, acoustic guitars, rarely some synthesizers or effects. It seems that something appears above your head very rarely. In general - the Atmos mix makes the whole thing very spacious.
I switched to the 5.1 mix (DTS-HD Master) a few times and even less could be heard from the back.
As someone mentioned earlier - the vocals can be heard more clearly than in the stereo mix - they are separated in the center channel. And the drums could be a bit louder.

I would rate this mix 6. It's not bad (I've heard much worse), but I expected something more.
Musically - the album is good, but it won't be my favorite Nightwish album.

Next time I listen, I'll turn up the volume on the rear and top speakers.

I turned up the rears 2db’s and the heights 4db’s and it’s brilliant in my opinion

 

[Thonolan]

I ordered a week ago on Sunday and received it today. I listened to Dolby Atmos once.

The first impression is: it's more of a 5.1 mix than Atmos. In any case, there's not much going on in the upper speakers. The mix is pleasant, but not very bold. It's a shame, because if the mix was made by someone with Steven Wilson's imagination, it could have been much better. It reminds me a bit of 5.1 mixes of older Nightwish albums ("Once", "Dark Passion Play") - the main elements in the front, and some orchestration in the back, sometimes additional vocals, acoustic guitars, rarely some synthesizers or effects. It seems that something appears above your head very rarely. In general - the Atmos mix makes the whole thing very spacious.
I switched to the 5.1 mix (DTS-HD Master) a few times and even less could be heard from the back.
As someone mentioned earlier - the vocals can be heard more clearly than in the stereo mix - they are separated in the center channel. And the drums could be a bit louder.

I would rate this mix 6. It's not bad (I've heard much worse), but I expected something more.
Musically - the album is good, but it won't be my favorite Nightwish album.

Next time I listen, I'll turn up the volume on the rear and top speakers.

Always enjoy your descriptive reviews, you should write more often Adam.

 

[AdamBialy]

I turned up the rears 2db’s and the heights 4db’s and it’s brilliant in my opinion

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely try it tomorrow.

 

[AdamBialy]

Always enjoy your descriptive reviews, you should write more often Adam.

Thank you for your comment, I am very pleased! I try to describe my impressions and comments, because I like reading such descriptive comments. Thanks to this, I know whether it is worth buying a record or not. I hope that my comments will also help someone make a purchase decision.

 

[Thonolan]

I've been listening to a couple of songs (in stereo) and, to my surprise, I'm digging them. They're different from the Nightwish I used to initially love and, later, grow tired of. Definitely less bombastic and with less of a power metal influence.

 

[Thonolan]

After three listens to the stereo mix on Tidal, and then one to the Atmos mix on Apple Music, I've decided I've like both the music and the mix enough to purchase de CD/Blu-ray edition.

I was surprised by the huge discrepancy in opinions about the Atmos mix that can be read over here, and now I'm even more surprised after having listened to it myself. Frankly, on my system, it sounds pretty damn good. Extensive use of all channels to great effect, and it finally does Floor's vocals justice. Inexplicably, her voice is so low in the stereo mix that it sounds totally buried by the instruments. In the Atmos mix, her lead vocals are isolated in the center channel, and they sound powerful and commanding, as they should! I listened to the whole album (which is long!) from start to finish at very high volume without aural fatigue. Also, the rhythm section sounds powerful enough to me. There's nothing about the stereo mix that sounds better than in Atmos, to these ears at least. And it can only sound better in lossless when I get the blu-ray.

Maybe it's one of those mixes that don't really work on all systems? I know that can happen - some seem to sound consistently good (or bad) anywhere, whereas others don't, and vary a lot depending on each's system. For what it's worth, my system is 7.2.4, not super high-end but definitely not modest either, in a dedicated room with acoustic treatment, etc. It's very well calibrated and gives me a good degree of confidence that I'm listening to stuff more or less "accurately", but I guess you never really know until you get to compare your system to others.

It's somewhat funny that Floor Jansen is my favourite female singer of all time and I really like (or at least used to like) the old Nightwish albums with Tarja, but I've never been overly enthusiastic about Nightwish with Floor. I feel she's wasting her talent in this band, and only uses about 30% of her vocal range here (and I'm being generous). She can do so much more with her voice. But, despite that and having deleloped myself a certain distaste for this brand of "Disney metal" or "LOTR's elves' music mixed with metal" throughout the years, I can still hear some special quality in Nightwish's music that sets them apart from other bands in the genre. So yeah, I'm purchasing this.