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Imaginaerum

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Untitled

Imaginaerum is the forthcoming seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, scheduled to be released on December 2, 2011.[1] The album is a concept album telling the story of an old composer on his deathbed, reminiscing of his youth. The album is to be produced alongside the movie of the same name, directed by Stobe Harju, who previously directed Nightwish's "The Islander" music video.[2]

Background

Early planning

In the June 2009 edition of the Finnish magazine Soundi, lead composer and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen stated that he had started work on a new Nightwish album. In October 2009, rumours about the new album were circulated, suggesting that the title would be Wind Embraced. Lead vocalist Anette Olzon dismissed the rumours as false and stated that the songs for the new album had not yet been completed, with the exception of three songs written before May 2009.[3] Holopainen said in a 2010 interview that "[...]I can't reveal to you anymore but there is going to be a big twist so to say, on the next album."[4] In an interview with Uilleann pipist Troy Donockley (who recorded with the band on Dark Passion Play), when asked about his involvement in the new album, he stated "Oh yes, I will be playing on the next album and from what Tuomas has told me, it is going to be something extraordinary..."[3]

On February 1, 2010, Olzon stated on her blog that Holopainen had nine songs ready for the new album. She also said that the band would be meeting in the summer to make a demo, and fans should not expect anything any earlier than fall of 2011. On Nightmail in April 2010, Holopainen revealed that he has now finished writing songs for the album,[5] and on June 2, it was announced that he had finished recording the pre-production demo.[3]

Rehearsals

On July 17, 2010, Holopainen posted a note to the band's website stating that the band (except for Olzon, who was pregnant at the time) had gathered to rehearse songs in the Finnish village of Sävi, and that twelve songs were so far completely finished, though some lyrics were still not entirely clear.[6] He also announced that they would begin studio sessions on October 15, 2010. On September 6, 2010 Olzon joined the rehearsals and started preparing vocals for the demos. She stated in a journal post that the final vocals for the new album would be recorded in March 2011.[6]

Jukka Nevalainen started recording drums for the album in October 2010,[7] and announced on October 20 that all drum recordings were finished,[7] whereas Emppu Vuorinen started recording the guitar tracks.

File:Imaginarium teaser.jpg
The teaser for the movie, released on February 10, 2011.

Reveals

The band announced in late 2010 that more information about the album's content would be released in late January,[7] but on February 1, the official website bore a statement written by Holopainen that there would be a delay in the information being released due to schedule changes. He added, however, that "it still is the Burton-Gaiman-Dalí amusement park we are about to enter" In the same statement it was revealed that the album would be a themed album and "mood changes seem to be more present than ever before". The orchestration demos he had received from Pip Williams were described as "beautiful, twisted, tribal and cinematic stuff". In the Finnish version of the statement, it was also revealed that a few songs would not be getting any orchestration at all, differing from their latest album, on which all songs had a major orchestral presence.

On February 10, 2011, Nightwish announced on their website that the new album title would be Imaginarium. They also revealed that the band had been preparing a movie based on the album, which would be released in 2012 and directed by Stobe Harju, who previously directed the music video for "The Islander".[8]

On February 23, three interviews were released on the website - one each with composer Tuomas Holopainen, director Stobe Harju, and producer Markus Selin. Holopainen revealed the origin of the project, and that Nightwish will appear as themselves in the film, with minor roles.[9]

On August 31, Nightwish announced on their website their decision to change Imaginarium title to Imaginaerum, "in order to avoid mix-ups with various things named 'IMAGINARIUM'".

On September 2, Nightwish announced on their website that their first single "Storytime" would be releasing on 11th November.

On September 9, Nightwish revealed the cover, tracklist and commentary written by Tuomas. [10]

Music description

The album has been described as following a natural development from Dark Passion Play, inspired greatly by film scores. Alike Dark Passion Play as well as Once and Century Child it features a live orchestra, again orchestrated by Pip Williams. The orchestrations have been described as "beautiful, twisted, tribal and cinematic", but will not be featured on every track as it was on Dark Passion Play. Bassist Marco Hietala has emphasized that the album is heavier than the predecessor, and composer Tuomas Holopainen has called one song "a funeral march", greatly inspired by the Death/Doom of Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride.

Holopainen has cited three major influences on the album — film director Tim Burton, author Neil Gaiman and painter Salvador Dalí.[7] Musical influences include Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Ennio Morricone, Christy Moore, Van Halen and Pantera, and one song especially (called a "funeral march") is inspired by Death/Doom giants Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Another looks to be the longest Nightwish song yet, being close to 20 minutes and especially influenced by poet Walt Whitman. One acoustic piece is also called "a Moomin Valley Christmas carol". One song, referenced to as "the Nukkumatti song" (nukkumatti being Finnish for sandman) is described as "a pounding, twisted and chorusless ghost train ride is sure to bring a smile to your face. At least it has done so to everyone who has heard it. Danny Elfman goes humppa", and another is described as "something completely different from anything we've ever done. All of us need to find new ways to play our instruments and use vocals for that piece. A terrifically challenging and mind-expanding song."[11]

Imaginaerum World Tour

The release of Imaginaerum is scheduled to be followed by a world tour, starting in Los Angeles on January 21, 2012.[12] They are scheduled to be supported for this show by Finnish metal band Amorphis.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Taikatalvi"Tuomas Holopainen 
2."Storytime"Holopainen 
3."Ghost River"Holopainen 
4."Slow, Love, Slow"Holopainen 
5."I Want My Tears Back"Holopainen 
6."Scaretale"Holopainen 
7."Arabesque"Holopainen 
8."Turn Loose the Mermaids"Holopainen 
9."Rest Calm"Holopainen 
10."The Crow, the Owl & the Dove"Holopainen 
11."Last Ride of the Day"Holopainen 
12."Song of Myself"Walt Whitman; Arr. Holopainen [13] [14] 
13."Imaginaerum"Holopainen 

There will be also a 2-disc digipack edition, which will include orchestral versions of the songs in actual album.

Personnel

The band

Guest musicians

References

  1. ^ http://www.nightwish.com/en/news
  2. ^ Nightwish.com - Imaginaerum
  3. ^ a b c d "Nightwish Completes Work on New Pre-Production Demo". RoadRunnerRecords.com. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2010-08-07. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Tuomas Holopainen Interview". MetalReviews.com. 2009-05-18. Retrieved 2010-08-07. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Nightwish- Nightmail". Nightwish.com. Retrieved 2010-08-07. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "The End fof It". Nightwish.com. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-08-07. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d "Drums Recording- The Beginning". Nightwish.com. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2010-08-07. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Nightwish.com - Imaginarium
  9. ^ - "Tuomas, you're crazy as a loon, but the idea's amazing!" (Interview with Tuomas Holopainen)
  10. ^ Imaginaerum Teaser
  11. ^ Nightwish.com: Summer Camp 2010
  12. ^ "NIGHTWISH KICK OFF THE IMAGINARIUM WORLD TOUR IN LOS ANGELES"
  13. ^ Imaginaerum Teaser
  14. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_Myself
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