I decided to go through the Nightwish discography recently.
I've heard a number of their albums (mainly, the first I one I ever bought and the one I loved the most in High School - "Once", as well as Dark Passion Play and a few others), but I've never really gone all out and listened to the whole thing.
First up was "Angels Fall First". I've never heard this, and it's quite a bit edgier than I remember them being (like almost pure Power Metal), but not a great album. There are definitely standout moments, but the lyrics are a little rough in places and the male voices need to be properly contextualized to be appreciated. I do think the album starts pretty strong, but lost me toward the end, as it just kind of felt melodically and rhythmically very one dimensional as it went on, there were few moments on the first or second listen where, in the back half of the album, I found myself perking my ears up much at all.
Anyway, that's just the first album, I know it's not considered one of their best. So, onto "Oceanborn"...