ALBUM REVIEW: Once (re-issue) – Nightwish

It is only the under the utmost of surety and after the passing of many years and many arguments in the court of public opinion that a band can claim to have created and album that changed the game. NIGHTWISH can say that, and they can say it with great confidence. Their 2004 magnum opus Once absolutely changed the trajectory of metal forever.

The pioneers of the symphonic metal genre had taken the final leap from 2002’s Century Child and composed with a flesh and blood orchestra. This lent the record a power and depth unseen in any form of power metal to that point, and not just because of the simple fact that an orchestra was used. Band mastermind Tuomas Holopainen‘s lyricism and sheer breadth of skill as a songwriter made a quantum leap between the 2002 record and Once, and out of those songs came the most iconic and legendary tracks the band has ever produced. Now, just past its 18th anniversary, the band has released a remastered re-release of Once to give an album of supreme depth and feeling another shot of adrenaline and a new dose of clarity to re-show the world what a masterpiece looks like.

In terms of the actual main album tracks themselves, there’s not much more praise that can be given than there already has been time and time again. This is simply the most magical batch of songs NIGHTWISH ever recorded. Pound for pound, this is already their best record. But thanks to the immaculate remastering on this new release, these songs crackle and burst with even more joy, thanks to the added dimension and crispness of each instrument. Tracks like the domineering and bombastic Planet Hell and Wish I Had An Angel sound even more powerful and nuanced, with each flourish of the orchestra and keyboard hit from Holopainen standing out in the mix more. On the original mix, former drummer Jukka Nevalainen and guitarist Emppu Vuorinen were the instrumental stars of the show, with guitars and drums being the dominant forces at play. But on these remastered tracks, there’s a new appreciation given to the melodies playing beneath, as well as to the orchestra and all its individual elements that creates the sense of scope the track always had, but now displays in its final form.

The crystalline and always breathtaking single Nemo now shimmers and shines with the subtle piano melodies in the verses being more audible to the ear, and adding extra ache and sadness to an all time classic. Creek Mary’s Blood, the first of the two epics on the record, seems to feel even more organic and the instruments come to life, especially elements like the acoustic guitar and flute, which conjure up vivid images of the sacred land spoken of in the track’s subject matter.

And what can be said of Ghost Love Score other than the track still is just as jaw dropping and revelatory as it has always been, but only more so. This track is former vocalist Tarja Turunen‘s crown jewel, and her voice is highlighted like never before, and the goosebumps are more intense as the orchestra and choir rise and swell with an energy and fierceness that can only come through on a remastered release like this. Lumps in the throat will be had all over again, and the tear inducing potency of this track is only increased, especially on that part. No explanation needed.

So yeah, it’s an immaculate sounding re-release and the songs are still just as incredible. But the real treat, especially for hardcore NIGHTWISH fans, is that every track on this record also comes with a remastered version of the instrumental. These are highly sought after and prized in the NIGHTWISH fan community, and these instrumentals are just as vital a listen and download as the regular tracks. Here is where the listener can really deconstruct and dissect every little element that went into the making of an album so dense and layered, yet so perfectly in balance, that very few, if any records, even those in the band’s own discography, have ever matched it.

Ghost Love Score and Dark Chest Of Wonders are obvious starting points here, with their spectacularly lush arrangements, but sneaking in as tracks to observe in the raw are The Siren, and especially the gorgeous Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan, whose pure orchestral beauty is revealed like a flower’s new magnificence as the leaves are peeled away. It’s heartrending and an incredibly emotional listen that feels like it should belong on a major motion picture soundtrack. Final track Higher Than Hope also is given the breath of new life with the vocals stripped away, and its slow, triumphant march finishes this remaster leaving the listener breathless and inspired by the sheer emotional weight and force of this record all over again.

This record reaches the same dazzling heights of its original release, only with even more to give, if such a feat were even possible. A classic is a classic because it always sounds of the now; timeless in its construction, execution, and emotion. Very few bands will ever deliver one in their lifetime, but NIGHTWISH did on this record, and this remastered release serves not only to refresh and touch up what was already there, but to hopefully reaffirm to the faithful and re-introduce to the sceptical that this record is is a product of passion, hope, love, aspiration, and a vision that blazed a trail to follow from its release on to this moment in time.

Rating: 10/10

Once (re-issue) is set for release on August 6th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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