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Can one person change the world for the better

Tuomas Holopainen, the lyricist, composer and keyboard-player, has gained much popularity along with his band Nightwish, founded in the late 1990’s. When writing the first songs I doubt he knew about the success awaiting beyond the Finnish metal music circles. Nevertheless, Nightwish became one of the most remarkable bands of the early 21st century, among different music listeners all over the world. How was that to happen, and how does Mr Holopainen help better the world?

To change the world isn’t up to politicians alone, but to anyone willing to create new. The political changes can be considered minor compared to those occurring inside the common folk’s minds. Such changes are often caused by someone who did not deliberately seek them. Nighwish, with its earlier aggressively massive instrumental sounds and metal melodies sung by a classical soprano vocalist were something new and something deeply missed by many.

The music of Nightwish is known used as therapy in treatment of mental disorders. Even the strong melodies may be somewhat healing themselves, but many have claimed Holopainen’s lyrics to be most effective. There seem to be messages in those words that fully open only to people with certain experiences an so bring hope and cure to the mind. If there is even a sole person who has gained comfort and ease for despair through the music, then the world really is a little better.

Holopainen’s achievements are remarkable, both as a composer and a poet. As both he has affected the very minds of people. Changes might sound minor, but the world is only as good a place as the individual is. Let the individual have even a wish of better.

Sonja Vilmi (07B)