Mape Ollila, "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996–2006"

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Mape Ollila, "Once Upon a Nightwish: The Official Biography 1996–2006"

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The Nightwish story offers up a spectacular dramatic arc, and Mape Ollila grabs it with both hands. He has clearly been close and personal with the people he interviewed for the book, and this shows up in the candid statements that find their way onto the page. No stone is left unturned, whether it is about personal chemistry, contractual wrangling, or simple old-fashioned rock stars getting trashed. –Jarkko Jokelainen, Helsingin Sanomat

Worth the wait! –Dave Ling, Classic Rock UK

Even though it is sanctioned by the band, Once Upon A Nightwish isn't a puff piece. Ollila draws his own conclusions, and both positives and negatives are portrayed throughout. The band s founder and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen is a fascinating figure. He s a musical wizard, but his and the band s lack of communication skills causes problem after problem. Tarja Turunen is also a compelling person. Ollila chronicles her transformation from shy schoolgirl to superstar diva.
All of the band members are interviewed throughout the book, along with industry and record label insiders, friends and family. A lot of different perspectives are given, which gives a pretty well-rounded picture of the band s story. Once Upon A Nightwish is a compelling read, and one that s equally interesting for hardcore or casual fans of the group.

The thing that came to my mind after finishing it was that there really needs to be a Behind The Music episode on Nightwish. Their emergence from a small Finnish town to international superstardom culminating in the public firing of their lead singer and trying to maintain their success is the exact dramatic arc that makes those shows so interesting. –Chad Bower, About.com

About the Author
Mape Ollila is a well-known Finnish music editor and journalist who has followed Nightwish from their earliest days, travelling with the band through thick and thin, all over the world. More than four years in the making, his blockbuster biography Once Upon a Nightwish intimately and honestly chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of the first decade of this unique and groundbreaking band.