bombastic and varied

Rumors of rumors clustered round the new album long before it was even released. Tuomas' creativity exhausted, Tarja's vocals so experimental that it is unbearable ... far from it!
I can not and do not want to say that once is the best northwest album - it's just not comparable to the other, as it was almost every time! But one thing is for sure: Great! One or two pieces as Wish I had an Angel or Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan weaken compared with huge goosebumps titles such as Ghost Love Score or Dark Chest of Wonders maybe a little, but are still better than average Rock / -Metal and certainly more impressive than any undemanding 08 / 15 Popliedchen.
Lately, I had wondered if After Forever or Epica not perhaps better than would Nightwish; Once showed me that the no circumstances is so! Choir and orchestra came perhaps late, but they came with this album and while called Bands although really very good and are recommended, especially the new disc has to offer much more variety.
For fans anyway, but also open-minded for interested newcomers applies: BUY ... or at least listen in peace!