Once I had a dream...
This is it...
These are the opening words to the first song, "Dark Chest of Wonders", before the first chords of this Nordic saga are struck.
Virtually unknown in the United States (Because very few people here care about what happens in the world musically), Finland's Nightwish is quickly becoming a powerhouse, international phenomenom. And they're a metal band. Surprised? Welcome to the real world. After two successively celebrated albums, 2002's "Century Child" and 2000's "Wishmaster", Nightwish have offered their next craftwork, "Once", in 2004.
To those uncultured in the world of metal music and its various subgenres, Nightwish is a very unique band, centered around the angelic voice of Tarja Turunen, a classically-trained opera singer, and the musical genius of Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboardist and pianist as well as the author of most of the songs. Along with Marco Hietala (Bass and additional vocals on some songs), Emppu Vuorinen (Guitars), and Jukka Nevalainen (Drums), Nightwish is a sonic masterpiece of crunching guitars, celestial harmonies, and beautifully orchestrated symphony accompaniment. The curious blending of sounds may be difficult to digest at first, but after a few listenings the band shows its greatest appeals. Anyone who appreciates true music will enjoy the rich and complex layering of sounds and melodies as envisioned by Tuomas, Marco, and Emppu.
This epic, over an hour long session, opens with the incredible "Dark Chest of Wonders". Immediately Emppu leaves no doubt that you are listening to a metal album as Marco and Jukka join in for a furious entry. The string section of the symphony and the choir begin their song adding hundreds of layers to the songs. And then the angel opens her eyes as Tarja's powerful voice starts to tell the tales of dreams and love. This first track is an excellent sampling of what Nightwish is capable of, and leaves the listener salivating for more.
The next song, "Wish I Had an Angel", was a bit of a let down. Some harsher critics might call it 'filler', but the song's unusual bass line for the refrain just doesn't seem to fit a metal song. Otherwise, it is a fair, if somewhat disappointing four minutes. Also, the controversial duets started on "Century Child" between Tarja and Marco make another appearance first on "Once" on this track. Many fans complain about Marco stealing from Tarja's presence, but as we listen further we discover that this is not the case.
"Nemo" brings the album back to the usual pace with this elegant song. A very somber piece, Tarja's voice seems a little tame on this track but the addition of the soft piano and the orchestra give it a very melancholy ere. The song really picks up toward the end with a powerful segment by the symphony that screams "stand up and sing!"
"Planet Hell" puts the discontented fans of Marco's voice to rest, as his additions to the song add to its 'hellish' feel. Mixed with the symphony and choir, the song becomes a fast, head-banging four minutes that appeared more often on previous albums. Fans will rejoice and newcomers will find that Nightwish can keep up with the other progressive and power metal bands. Overall, it is an excellent cut.
And then Nightwish shows you their most creative side. The first of two truly epic tracks, "Creek Mary's Blood" adds yet another layer to the band: traditional native American music. With the help from some true native Americans, this song about the coming of the white man to the Americas is slower than most of the album but is the most moving. The refrain makes the soul light and gives a feeling of soaring over majestic America, and the reflective, tribal flute and ritual chanting evoke pride and pity for a once great peoples. Tuomas even has one of these people recite a poem in their native language to close the song. This is definitely one of the best songs of this album, and one of Nightwish's finest moments.
In all honestly, the next three songs, "The Siren", "Dead Gardens", and "Romanticide", got the worst position possible on the CD. Sandwiched between some of the best metal of 2004, these typical Nightwish cuts just prolong the anxiety created by the previous song. The songs themselves are good, but they live in the shadow and will more than likely never be truly appreciated. I find myself pushing the skip button a couple times, but all-in-all I am not displeased with them.
"Ghost Love Score" is a superb quality piece worthy of comparison to million-dollar Hollywood movie scores. If "Creek Mary's Blood" was a subtle, gentle being, then "Ghost Love Score" would be its equally moving, but more robust sibling. This song exudes pure genius in writing and execution. This one, arguably my favorite hands-down of the album, is a ten minute journey into the most beauteous child of classical and metal music. The song is difficult to describe for words do not match its grace very well, but it is similar to watching a movie and hearing the music behind it and thinking "Wow, this goes so well together..." and then going to buy the soundtrack. Except the opposite is true, the song births these images in your mind after you've bought the album, but the reaction is still the same if not greater. My vote for best song of 2004.
I would stop the review here, but I would not do Nightwish such a disrespect. The final songs of the album, "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan", "Higher Than Hope", and the bonus tracks "White Night Fantasy" and "Live to Tell the Tale", are all good songs in of themselves, but while still gasping for air from "Ghost Love Score" it takes a few listens to settle in and enjoy the final fifteen minutes or so of the album. "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan" is in Finnish, and Tarja sounds just as beautiful as in English. The song is sort of a cool down period with no guitars, drums, or bass. Just an orchestra and Tarja. "White Night Fantasy" has an excellent acoustic guitar solo in it and "Higher Than Hope", the official end of "Once", brings the adventure to a satisfying conclusion. The other bonus track, while a little unnecessary, "Live to Tell the Tale" gives you that final farewell for a few years before we can see if Nightwish can do it again.
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful hours of music I have ever enjoyed. If you've never heard of this band, I would implore you to investigate, or seek me out as I am very liberal with my music sharing.
Again, this is an incredible piece praised the world over by fans and critics as one of the best of 2004. If I cannot convince, and if hundreds of awestruck people cannot, then listen to the music. You'll understand.
Track Listing {Enhanced Edition}:
See below for rating system.
1. Dark Chest of Wonders ****
2. Wish I Had an Angel **
3. Nemo ****
4. Planet Hell ****
5. Creek Mary`s Blood *****
6. The Siren ***
7. Dead Gardens ***
8. Romanticide ***
9. Ghost Love Score ***** !
10. Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan **** (Wish I knew Finnish)
11. Higher Than Hope ***
12. White Night Fantasy & ***
13. Live to Tell the Tale & ***
& Bonus Tracks
* Poor
** Fair
*** Good
**** Excellent
***** Just Divine
Roger Mainor
Virtually unknown in the United States (Because very few people here care about what happens in the world musically), Finland's Nightwish is quickly becoming a powerhouse, international phenomenom. And they're a metal band. Surprised? Welcome to the real world. After two successively celebrated albums, 2002's "Century Child" and 2000's "Wishmaster", Nightwish have offered their next craftwork, "Once", in 2004.
To those uncultured in the world of metal music and its various subgenres, Nightwish is a very unique band, centered around the angelic voice of Tarja Turunen, a classically-trained opera singer, and the musical genius of Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboardist and pianist as well as the author of most of the songs. Along with Marco Hietala (Bass and additional vocals on some songs), Emppu Vuorinen (Guitars), and Jukka Nevalainen (Drums), Nightwish is a sonic masterpiece of crunching guitars, celestial harmonies, and beautifully orchestrated symphony accompaniment. The curious blending of sounds may be difficult to digest at first, but after a few listenings the band shows its greatest appeals. Anyone who appreciates true music will enjoy the rich and complex layering of sounds and melodies as envisioned by Tuomas, Marco, and Emppu.
This epic, over an hour long session, opens with the incredible "Dark Chest of Wonders". Immediately Emppu leaves no doubt that you are listening to a metal album as Marco and Jukka join in for a furious entry. The string section of the symphony and the choir begin their song adding hundreds of layers to the songs. And then the angel opens her eyes as Tarja's powerful voice starts to tell the tales of dreams and love. This first track is an excellent sampling of what Nightwish is capable of, and leaves the listener salivating for more.
The next song, "Wish I Had an Angel", was a bit of a let down. Some harsher critics might call it 'filler', but the song's unusual bass line for the refrain just doesn't seem to fit a metal song. Otherwise, it is a fair, if somewhat disappointing four minutes. Also, the controversial duets started on "Century Child" between Tarja and Marco make another appearance first on "Once" on this track. Many fans complain about Marco stealing from Tarja's presence, but as we listen further we discover that this is not the case.
"Nemo" brings the album back to the usual pace with this elegant song. A very somber piece, Tarja's voice seems a little tame on this track but the addition of the soft piano and the orchestra give it a very melancholy ere. The song really picks up toward the end with a powerful segment by the symphony that screams "stand up and sing!"
"Planet Hell" puts the discontented fans of Marco's voice to rest, as his additions to the song add to its 'hellish' feel. Mixed with the symphony and choir, the song becomes a fast, head-banging four minutes that appeared more often on previous albums. Fans will rejoice and newcomers will find that Nightwish can keep up with the other progressive and power metal bands. Overall, it is an excellent cut.
And then Nightwish shows you their most creative side. The first of two truly epic tracks, "Creek Mary's Blood" adds yet another layer to the band: traditional native American music. With the help from some true native Americans, this song about the coming of the white man to the Americas is slower than most of the album but is the most moving. The refrain makes the soul light and gives a feeling of soaring over majestic America, and the reflective, tribal flute and ritual chanting evoke pride and pity for a once great peoples. Tuomas even has one of these people recite a poem in their native language to close the song. This is definitely one of the best songs of this album, and one of Nightwish's finest moments.
In all honestly, the next three songs, "The Siren", "Dead Gardens", and "Romanticide", got the worst position possible on the CD. Sandwiched between some of the best metal of 2004, these typical Nightwish cuts just prolong the anxiety created by the previous song. The songs themselves are good, but they live in the shadow and will more than likely never be truly appreciated. I find myself pushing the skip button a couple times, but all-in-all I am not displeased with them.
"Ghost Love Score" is a superb quality piece worthy of comparison to million-dollar Hollywood movie scores. If "Creek Mary's Blood" was a subtle, gentle being, then "Ghost Love Score" would be its equally moving, but more robust sibling. This song exudes pure genius in writing and execution. This one, arguably my favorite hands-down of the album, is a ten minute journey into the most beauteous child of classical and metal music. The song is difficult to describe for words do not match its grace very well, but it is similar to watching a movie and hearing the music behind it and thinking "Wow, this goes so well together..." and then going to buy the soundtrack. Except the opposite is true, the song births these images in your mind after you've bought the album, but the reaction is still the same if not greater. My vote for best song of 2004.
I would stop the review here, but I would not do Nightwish such a disrespect. The final songs of the album, "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan", "Higher Than Hope", and the bonus tracks "White Night Fantasy" and "Live to Tell the Tale", are all good songs in of themselves, but while still gasping for air from "Ghost Love Score" it takes a few listens to settle in and enjoy the final fifteen minutes or so of the album. "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan" is in Finnish, and Tarja sounds just as beautiful as in English. The song is sort of a cool down period with no guitars, drums, or bass. Just an orchestra and Tarja. "White Night Fantasy" has an excellent acoustic guitar solo in it and "Higher Than Hope", the official end of "Once", brings the adventure to a satisfying conclusion. The other bonus track, while a little unnecessary, "Live to Tell the Tale" gives you that final farewell for a few years before we can see if Nightwish can do it again.
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful hours of music I have ever enjoyed. If you've never heard of this band, I would implore you to investigate, or seek me out as I am very liberal with my music sharing.
Again, this is an incredible piece praised the world over by fans and critics as one of the best of 2004. If I cannot convince, and if hundreds of awestruck people cannot, then listen to the music. You'll understand.
Track Listing {Enhanced Edition}:
See below for rating system.
1. Dark Chest of Wonders ****
2. Wish I Had an Angel **
3. Nemo ****
4. Planet Hell ****
5. Creek Mary`s Blood *****
6. The Siren ***
7. Dead Gardens ***
8. Romanticide ***
9. Ghost Love Score ***** !
10. Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan **** (Wish I knew Finnish)
11. Higher Than Hope ***
12. White Night Fantasy & ***
13. Live to Tell the Tale & ***
& Bonus Tracks
* Poor
** Fair
*** Good
**** Excellent
***** Just Divine
Roger Mainor