12,000 metalheads falling silent and observing perfect order to listen to a Professor of Evolutionary Biology recite Charles Darwin's "The Origin of the Species"... the power of that never ceases to bring a tear to my eye.
Just realised this is the first time you've heard Marko (bassist) sing..... you're in for some big surprises with him later.
The guitar at the beginning... that was Troy Donockley (first time you've seen him). You hit the nail on the head when you said "electric bow".... Troy is using an E-Bow (electronic bow - you can see the laser from it which guides him to the string he wishes to actovate) which sends high frequency vibrations through the strings. Troy also plays the Uilleann pipes later on, and backing vocals (he plays approximately 12 instruments in total).
The growling isn't actually animals... that section is titled "Toolmaker" which alludes to neanderthal/caveman.... you can see the visuals on stage eventually allude to the moment man created fire.
Something you seemed to pick up on at the time but I didn't hear you mention again was the nod to music history (campfire chanting, red Indian chanting, Bach Minuete in G, Tocatta en Fugue, Metallica, techno etc).
I'm also glad you (or your Patreon) chose the Wembley version over Tampere; the sound is so much better, although the visuals at Tampere are superior (far bigger venue).
Can't wait for you to react to The Poet and the Pendulum Live at Wembley... that song is dark!!! Very dark!!! It's also their best performance of all time imo

The other performance of this, live from Tampere, is also worth a watch for the small differences and explosions.

Troy is playing an ebow which uses an oscillating magnetic field to vibrate the guitar strings which allow a smoother onset than with a pick or finger plucking and also a lot of sustain, giving a bowed instrument-like quality.

I do enjoy how Floor calls out "Sing with us!" and then hits a note maybe 1% of the audience could ever hope to reach.

We want more nightwish
I Hope you will rewind a little after pausing so you don't miss the transitions

We Were Here! 🤘

Richard Dawkins get a big cheer for "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" since that is the name of the album which includes this song.

Christina, your expression as Floor begins to sing was priceless! 😉

This piece, and "The Poet and the Pendulum" are two of Tuomas' more classically styled compositions and both are masterful, imo. Tuomas was inspired to compose this piece after Troy Donockly gifted him a copy of Richard Dawkins' book, "The Greatest Show in Earth: The Evidence for Evolution."

I suggest listening to two of the pieces from "Yesterwynde" (Nightwish's 2024 album), "An Ocean of Strange Islands" and "Lanternlight." They are not only very different from one another, but highlight Tuomas'  evolution as a composer and Floor's astounding versatility.

Thank you for another great analysis,  Christina!

I saw them do this live in San Francisco and I literally blew my mind and soul in so many directions I literally cried and cried. I discovered them 6 years ago in the hospital and I've said this before they literally saved my life. They are now and always will be in my life everyday! 🙏🌹

Shoemaker live.....u won't regret it!!!!

Great stuff. When I saw them in NYC a few years ago, the encore was just 2 songs: Ghost Love Score and The Greatest Show. What a half hour that was! 🤣

BIRTH AND DEATH OF EARTH IN 20 MINS? STUNNING

If you want more of her operatic quality try "Shoemaker" (at the end, not the whole song, but it is wonderful  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1FyRZ5u9fQ) or for a classical style "Phantom of the Opera" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM23gaT4zkY) and   "Stargazers" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhEuAPYm_Ug) .  And "O Mio Babbino Caro"  (just Floor  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeTyAZtV5wI) or dueting with Simone Simons of Epica on "Sancta Terra" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx22Yuj2nzg) and "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" (  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqdvFPBGN0c)  . And about the bagpipes Troy is playing - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uilleann_pipes

Speaking of Pink Floyd.  Nightwish does a tribute with the song
"High Hopes"

The other singer you heard was Marko Hietala.  He is a well known musical figure in Finland and is loved for being one of the originators of metal music in that country.  Marko takes the lead in some songs, and two notable examples are their cover of Pink Floyd's "High Hopes" and the song "The Islander." His very rock/metal voice is a great match for Floor's more classical tones.  Their duets are a delight.  Marko isn't with the band any longer, having to leave for medical reasons.  But, he is better now and off on a sccessful solo career.

"The new singer" ... ya... he's been with the band since nearly the beginning.  I think he's been there since 2001.  That's Marko Hietala.  He's the bassist ... really he's Bass/Guitars/vocals.  Marko is actually a lead singer himself as he is also the vocalist and bassist as well as composer and lyricist for the heavy metal band Tarot ... which if I recall correctly, he started with his brother in 1982 and continued even while with Nightwish!  You NEED to react to some songs that Marko is lead vocalist on, like "The Phantom of the Opera" - A famous duet with former lead vocalist Tarja Turunen from the album Century Child (2002) or "The Islander" - Hietala sang lead vocals and played acoustic guitar on this track from the album Dark Passion Play (2007) or "High Hopes" their Pink Floyd cover or "While Your Lips Are Still Red" ... those will give you full Marko on vocals either as the lead vocalyst or as a duet.  There are quite a few other Nightwish songs where he sings but Floor is still the lead, and of course some of those you hear more of him and some less

Other songs where he does some singing as back-up would be;

- 7 days to the wolves
- I want my tears back
- Wish I had an Angel
- Ghost River
- Yours is and Empty Hope
- Ever Dream
- Romanticide

There are more from Nightwish, and if you want a lot more of him of course his band Tarot which I already mentioned.  But if you asked me and you only do 2 more Nightwish... I'd recommend "Ever Dream" and "romanticide" ... and after those 2... "Yours is an Empty Hope", "Wish I had an Angel" and "I want my Tears back".

There really are a LOT of other fantastic songs both with Marko doing some singing and without... it's a DEEP rabid hole!

The "new guy" that was also doing back-up vocals is Troy Donecky.  He joined the band at the same time as Floor.  Well they were both made full time members at the same time.  He's a multi-instrumentalist that does uilleann pipes, tin whistle, low whistle, guitars, bouzouki, bodhrán, male vocals.  He's the one you saw doing the ... I think it's called an ebow ... I've seen other people mention it many times in many reactions I've seen .. it's the instrument you thought was a guitar being playing differently.  Well, OK, I just looked it up.  It IS a guitar but instead of using a pick or fingers he uses an Ebow which makes it sound like that.

UK Army popping in to say WE WERE THERE

Basically the theme is nature and life from the absolute very beginning. The creation of the Universe, then progressing through the rest of the piece. Ulian Pipes, the Irish version. If you appreciate their brand of magic, just you wait until you get to "Shoemaker" (the official video)
There are 3 versions of "How's The Heart". The official, an acoustic duet with Floor and Troy (the pipe/flute/mandolin, guitar player) and a live stage performance from Hellfest 2022. In your own time, listen and compare the different ways one song is performed. Marko is the bassist (new vocalist) you referenced here. He is quite talented and you can enjoy a solo performance, of sorts, when he sings "The Islander" live at Tampere (the 5:57) video. Sadly he is no longer with the band but is still performing.

Soldier in the Nightwish Army, reporting for duty. Watched, liked, currently commenting, and subscribed for quite a while now.
If you're okay with longer pieces, the only place to go from here is The Poet and the Pendulum. It's more personal and emotional, so also more "epic", IMHO. Read up on the backstory. It hits harder that way.

Yes, Christina, this performance would end the concert. As others have mentioned, the performance of this song at the Tampere concert is incredible and distinct from this Wembley performance in many ways. It is extra special because it is the last song in the band’s last concert of their worldwide tour, held in the band’s home country. It’s beautiful and emotional. And Floor’s parents were in the audience to witness their daughter’s magnificence. Even if you cannot officially “react” to it, you should take the time to view it. You won’t regret it.