Once

Released in 2004, Once is the fifth studio album by Nightwish and the final record to feature original vocalist Tarja Turunen. It represents a massive leap in production value, utilizing a budget of approximately 250,000 euros to incorporate the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This collaboration moved the band away from the synthesizer-heavy sound of their youth toward a more authentic, cinematic symphonic metal style. The album was a global commercial juggernaut, topping charts across Europe and breaking the band into the US market. Musically, it is anchored by the ten-minute epic 'Ghost Love Score,' which songwriter Tuomas Holopainen considers a career milestone. The record also experimented with more modern elements, such as the electronic-influenced 'Wish I Had an Angel' and the Native American-inspired 'Creek Mary's Blood.' Critics at the time, including AllMusic, praised the album for its seamless integration of orchestral elements and its accessibility without sacrificing the band's signature intensity.