Much of my day today was spent taking care of various odds and ends that inevitably creep up after a server gets moved. And then there was the coding on the unannounced work project. There is still more to do. Much more. But it's gonna totally kick ass when we put it into production. Yep yep yep.

Last night, when I couldn't sleep (I swear it had nothing to do with all that caffeine at the restaurant), I found myself sitting up in bed, headphones on my ears, a flashlight in one hand, and a lyric book in the other.

Maybe it was just the 3am effect, but I dare suggest that the artwork in the Nightwish Wishmaster insert is every bit as evocative as the words it frames.

Though I haven't explored much of the work of Nightwish yet, and am taking my time absorbing it a little at a time, I'll say a few words about it right now.

Comparisons of Nightwish to Evanescence are inevitable. (In fact, Zan Lynx told me one of his friends recommended Nightwish to him after he mentioned liking Evanescence.) Both could more or less be classified as metal bands, with an electronic orchestral twist. Both feature a powerful female lead vocalist. Both have lyrics that hint at grander times and themes; epic in ambition, scope, and execution. But personally, I find their styles to be quite distinct from one another.

Lyrically, Evanascence is forlorn, while Nightwish is fanciful. Evanescence is like a modern day funeral dirge for the soul; Nightwish raises the dead, and then dances in celebration. Amy Lee's voice is soft and mournful. Tarja belts it out on flights of fancy. Both are beautiful.

Instrumentally, the differences are even greater. Nightwish, at least as far as the guitar work is concerned, takes on a much more traditional hair metal approach, but the composition has a progressive feel. At times, it starts to sound similar to Dream Theater, but then takes things off in a different, more starry-eyed direction. Key changes galore. (Come Cover Me. The intro starts in one key, and switches just in time for the first verse to begin. Then the chorus changes it again. And it ain't the only song where that happens. Come to think of it, I should figure out what the keys are on my Christmas keyboard. That would be great fun.)

Many say that the programmed synth patterns and staccato punches of Evanescence sound a lot like Linkin Park. Well, yes. It's a vaild comparison, up to a point. But then where do you put the choral arrangements, or subdued ballads like My Immortal?

What's the moral of this story? (Other than Bitscape trying to sound like he knows what he's talking about at something akin to a snobby wine tasting contest?) Every band -- well, at least every good band -- has their own unique style, sound, and poetic charm. And though common musical influences can make things sound a lot alike, every sound can be its own unique snowflake.

Except for that band called Cake. They suck. (Flamebait alert. Flamebait alert.)

(And yes, the only reason I said that is because of the Captain Logan quote in Jaeger's quotes database.)