All Time Favorite Albums: Once- Nightwish

A breathtaking masterpiece.

For this week's post, I wanted to talk about and explore one of the albums that has greatly influenced my taste in metal music. I had always heard many great things about Finland's Nightwish from others but never actually listened to any of their music until my junior year in high school, going to their 2004 album for my first listen. And when I say that I was extremely overwhelmed and blown away on my first listen, I am not kidding. I am talking full on symphonies and orchestras infused with heavy metal that made it seem like I was in a Final Fantasy game. I fell in love with this album almost instantly, and hold it near and dear to my heart, as it was my first venture into symphonic metal. 

There are many songs on this album that are just EPIC, and are absolutely breathtaking to listen to, thanks to Tarja Turunen's operatic vocals and Marco Hietala's complimentary harsher vocals. Wish I Had an Angel is a perfect example of this dynamic, as well the stunning Planet Hell. While the term symphonic metal seems contradictory and sounds like something that wouldn't work, but I am happy to say that it does when it is done right, and my oh my did they, and they continue to, do it FANTASTICALLY.  A definite highlight of the album is the first single Nemo, a beautiful and heartful song accompanied by a craftily made music video. 

And of course, how could I not mention the bombastic 10 minute Ghost Love Score that still continues to give me goosebumps every time I listen to it?  You listen to this and try to tell me you aren't left to process the epic journey you go on through the song for 5 minutes. 

A masterful piece of art that solidified the band's status globally, it also stands as one of the greatest metal albums ever. Another one of my favorite songs is The Siren, which demonstrates the sheer badass talent Tarja posseses as a vocalist. And the music is elevated all thanks to producer and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, who killed it when mixing the album. I never thought I would find myself headbanging to symphonic metal music, but that changed when I heard guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, Hietala on bass, and drummer Jukka Nevalainen bring every song to the hard hitting levels of heavy metal. 

And so my obsession began with symphonic metal. I absolutely adore this album and never tire of it, always going back and listening to it for the euphoric sound. And if you haven't listened to it, all I have to say is WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

Photos: Pinterest

Videos: Nightwish and Roadrunner Records