Battleangel

Nightwish is back. Finally. It feels like a lifetime ago, though it has only been two years. And listening to the music you get the same sense of time. “Once” marks not only the sentiment of the songs but also the sound which is not only cleaner, grander and bolder but also more mature.

Is it anything like the previous albums? A bit, sure, but I somehow feel the evolution of the band has perhaps taken an even larger leap than usual. The album is tidy and consistent. From the abysmal bellowing of Planet Hell, the synthesizer rhythms of Wish I Had an Angel to the sweet sorrows of Creek Mary´s Blood and Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan.

The “Once” theme makes perfect sense. At least around here. The bittersweet yearning for days long past, the nameless one (”Nemo”), the wishes for that which would be, could have been and will never be. As well as the concept that “death makes an artist”. It is the sentiments of someone that is wretched and bereft.

Still, I can’t help but think that Nightwish has used up many of its original tunes and concepts. Not to such a degree that they have become bland, but still, having lost some of their edge. More precisely many of the good songs fail to carry it through, they are somewhat somber in that respect. Very few album fillers but the songs have a great deal of … slack.
Having said that, they still manage to rack up a number of hits. And that is what matters. I guess you always expect more from your favorite band. And I’m being unfair here. Anyway I twist and turn this, it is still a good album, a 4+ chainsaw rating.

Recommended listening: Nemo, Planet Hell, Ghost Love Score, Dark Chest of Wonders.