“Imaginaerum”, the new album from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, has been certified gold in Switzerland and Slovakia.
As previously reported, “Imaginaerum” was certified gold in Germany earlier this month for sales in excess of 100,000 copies.
The effort entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1 and has already been certifield triple platinum in the country after shifting more than 60,000 units.
NIGHTWISH has now sold more than 1,000,000 albums in Germany.
“Imaginaerum” sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band’s previous CD, 2007’s “Dark Passion Play”, opened with 11,000 units to land at No. 84.
“Dark Passion Play” has sold more than 130,000 copies in the U.S. so far, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
“Imaginaerum” was released in North America on January 10 via Roadrunner Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):
01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose the Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove
11. Last Ride of the Day
12. Song Of Myself
Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf
Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still
Song 3: Piano Black
Song 4: Love
13. Imaginaerum
NIGHTWISH “Imaginaerum” (2011)
Labels: Nuclear Blast / Roadrunner Records
Tracklist :
01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose The Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, The Owl And The Dove
11. Last Ride Of The Day
12. Song Of Myself
13. Imaginaerum
The Phantom Of The Opera’s Death or another End of a (Little)Era
Rise & Fall, the son will be unreliable…
Dark Passion Play was such a phoenix majestic (yes, i believed in that !), a new heaven towards more pop consonances, with the arrival of Anette Olzon, both scorned, leaving loved Diva, on the lower side, ejected from the train in motion as an ancient amorphous.
The wait for this new opus was huge, probably abusive. I don’t mean the insolent talent of Mr Holopainen, it becomes a master of the genre with its “wagnerienne” orchestrations (Tony Kakko he in hisembedded way) but it is clear that this concept album “Imaginearum” is too often indigestible, and that the recipe now known, is used to disgust with its much too bland intro and the first hit single is bombastic to announce dinner, therefore there will no doubt this album will be proved with “Ghost River”.
More anecdotal B.O. (EPICA tried it also), this is a real new work in the career of NIGHTWISH, this demonstration is close to the runway. Too many affectations on the part of Anette (maybe Tuomas should just try Anna Netrebko’s or Tatiana Monogarova’s inspirations…) & irritants duets with too voluble Marco, the field with an additional key claim and egotism, even if with enjoyable jazzy attempts (“Love Slow Love”) fail here too. Mayonnaise does not good, ever.
The movie (directed by Stobe Harju and Markus Selin productor) will be probably more decisive and enthusiastic, but the disappointment is huge when you are expecting the miracle. Probably the only happiness that this album has, would be listening to it as an instrumental cd, which clears the gimmick acids and would remain so a very beautiful piece of satisfaction (only if you used all your Harry Potter soundtracks…)
No time to loose. I will not come back with flowers.
I prefer a dinner with Tarja-
Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH recently spent time not only putting finishing touches to their new album, “Imaginaerum”, but also planning a movie of the same name.
“Imaginaerum” is one of the projects which recently received grants from the Finnish government institution called the Finnish Film Foundation. The movie, directed by Stobe Harju, about an old man on his deathbed who glimpses a childhood dream in which he refuses to grow old, and fights aging with his imagination, reportedly got $575,000 toward its $3.7 million budget.
During a September interview with Petri Silas of Finland’s Soundi magazine, NIGHTWISH mainman/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen revealed that all the filming for the “Imaginaerum” movie was done in Canada with mostly Canadian actors/actresses. Post-production is taking place in Canada and Finland. He aso revealed the names of the actors who have two of the main roles in the film: Marianne Farley and Quinn Lord.
Stobe Harju has now issued the following update on the “Imaginaerum” film:
“As most of you may know, we finished the director’s cut for the film. Everyone involved in the screening sessions were very happy and gave precious feedback that made the director’s cut.
“I can say this now, we are very, very, very happy with the cut.
“There are many people who deserve our appreciation, they are fellow directors, co-writers, actors and producers.
“There is still editing required for the visual effects to make us stay in the budget. This phase eventually makes the film and is crucial to the success of the final movie. Again, we are living exciting times.
“Now, filmmaking is mostly about letting go. Besides the editing, I had to say farewell to my very good friend and the editor of the film, Mathieu Bélanger, and his fantastic family who joined me in Finland for couple months. The heart and soul Mathieu put into this film cannot be described by words and I’m sure, our paths will cross in the future and in another project.
“Now, the film is in the good hands of another friend of mine Joshua Sherrett, his Workshop and the great team of Vision Global in Montreal. Their visual effects and their early concept sketches have blown us away several times already, and finally, they get to show us the meaning of the word ‘magic.’ Believe me when I say we’ve seen some pretty exciting stuff so far.
“As my work continues with them, it also continues with Petri Alanko and the soundtrack he’s producing with Tuomas. It’s miraculous how these guys can pull off something completely different but at the same time similar with the ‘Imaginaerum’ album songs. Well, it must be the 350 tracks per song on the album that give that possibility for the variations. Those crazy bastards.
“It’s just a matter of time when we have got something new and special to show you. We hope it’s quick because we can’t wait either.”
“Imaginaerum” film cast:
* Francis X. McCarthy
* Quinn Lord
* Marianne Farley
* Joanna Noyes
* Ilkka Villi
* Keyanna Fielding
* Ron Lea
* Victoria Jung
* Hélène Robitaille
* Stefan Demers
* Anette Olzon
* Marco Hietala
* Tuomas Holopainen
* Emppu Vuorinen
* Jukka Nevalainen
Several photos from the “Imaginaerum” movie shoot can be found at this location. A couple of the pictures are also available below.
The “Imaginaerum” album will be released in the U.S. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records.
NIGHTWISH will kick off the “Imaginaerum” world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
Nightwish have one last trailer clip for you before “Imaginaerum” will be released next week Friday. In today’s video, all five band members say a few sentences about the upcoming album. It also features some orchestral teasers as well as a first glance at the album’s booklet art, can be viewed below.
In other news, Nuclear Blast have launched an “Imaginaerum” online game to promote the album and help you pass the time until the release day.
Right now you can play the first (of four) level. Each friday 12.00 CET a new level will be added and the highscore winner will receive a special present.
Finnish television channel TV4 conducted an interview with keyboardist/songwriter Tuomas Holopainen of Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH after the first media listening session for the band’s new album, “Imaginaerum”, which was held on Monday, October 10 at Finnvox studios in Helsinki. You can now watch the chat below (in Finnish, with English subtitles). A report from the event can be found at Metal From Finland.
Fans of dramatic, symphonic Euro metal have something to look forward to when the cold, dark, dreary winter sets in. Finnish/Swedish superstars NIGHTWISH will release “Imaginaerum” in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records and it will serve as a welcome beckon of warmth and light in an otherwise dark season! The album is the band’s first since 2007’s “Dark Passion Play”, which was then-new singer Anette Olzon‘s debut.
The band examined its catalog when sitting down to write what would become “Imaginaerum”. The songs for the album were written between 2008 and 2010, after the “Dark Passion Play” tour cycle ended.
At that point, NIGHTWISH knew they wanted to do something different, new and unique, which is exceptional for a band whose career has been defined by words like different, new and unique!
The band consciously wanted to do something so big, crossover, detailed, innovative and, well, “nuts,” that it would leave the band, and hopefully the people experiencing it, completely awestruck. It would be a situation where fans and/or critics would either love it or hate it, but they’d be left awestruck nonetheless. That’s when the band realized another dimension, namely video, was necessary for the project.
Instead of a concept album, the band set the album to a film.
“The original idea I had was to film 13 short stories related to the songs with a connected storyline, shot by Stobe Harju,” keyboardist/songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said. It was Harju‘s idea to turn the 13 stories and visions into more of a connected cinematic piece — essentially, a film. It would have a clear plot, script, dialogue and real actors in an ambitious effort to create something wholly unique.The film was shot in September of this year.
The movie is based on the album and its 13 tracks, honoring the original ideas, but having evolved radically from the initial plan. Holopainen said, “Still, it was important from the very beginning that the album would work as its own individual piece of art, as well. It is a thematic album about life itself, about imagination, love, goodness and beauty, with a touch of darkness and melancholy, which are strongly included in all of those things mentioned.”
The band will have but a small part in the film. A 2012 premiere date is being eyed.
“Imaginaerum” track listing (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):
01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose the Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove
11. Last Ride of the Day
12. Song Of Myself
Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf
Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still
Song 3: Piano Black
Song 4: Love
13. Imaginaerum
“Imaginaerum” release dates:
Finland: November 30
Europe: December 2
Australia: January 6
North America: January 10
Japan: January 11
New Zealand: January 16
A track-by-track breakdown of the album by Tuomas Holopainen can be found at Metalhammer.co.uk.
Regarding the “Imaginaerum” cover artwork, which can be seen below, Holopainen said, “Originally, this was supposed to be the centerfold image of the album, but once I and some mates saw the final image, we immediately knew that the hunt for the actual cover artwork was over. I believe this is Toxic Angel‘s finest piece of work yet, capturing the deepest essence of what ‘Imaginaerum’ is all about. The power of imagination and places of wordless wonders, magic and awe, of longing and the surreal.
“I emphasized from the start that not a single living thing should be seen in the picture, and Toxic was able to create that sublime but desolate, ‘all this waiting for you, and you only’ feeling.
“All you need is the courage to enter.”
NIGHTWISH‘s new single, “Storytime”, will be released in Europe on Friday, November 11 via Nuclear Blast Records.
On the topic of the musical direction of the forthcoming album, NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon wrote on her official blog, “I think it’s a great and varied CD. The feelings in it are great and there are a lot of elements in it, so I am sure it will have many different favorite songs for the listeners since the songs are so different in styles and sound. [2007’s] ‘Dark Passion Play’ is a great album and this one, too, so I don’t know yet which one I like more, but, of course, for me personally, this one feels better to do since the songs are more adjusted to my voice and my style.”
NIGHTWISH will kick off the “Imaginaerum” world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
Fans of dramatic, symphonic Euro metal have something to look forward to when the cold, dark, dreary winter sets in. Finnish/Swedish superstars NIGHTWISH will release their new album, “Imaginaerum”, in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records and it will serve as a welcome beckon of warmth and light in an otherwise dark season! The album is the band’s first since 2007’s “Dark Passion Play”, which was then-new singer Anette Olzon‘s debut.
The band examined its catalog when sitting down to write what would become “Imaginaerum”. The songs for the album were written between 2008 and 2010, after the “Dark Passion Play” tour cycle ended.
At that point, NIGHTWISH knew they wanted to do something different, new and unique, which is exceptional for a band whose career has been defined by words like different, new and unique!
The band consciously wanted to do something so big, crossover, detailed, innovative and, well, “nuts,” that it would leave the band, and hopefully the people experiencing it, completely awestruck. It would be a situation where fans and/or critics would either love it or hate it, but they’d be left awestruck nonetheless. That’s when the band realized another dimension, namely video, was necessary for the project.
Instead of a concept album, the band set the album to a film.
“The original idea I had was to film 13 short stories related to the songs with a connected storyline, shot by Stobe Harju,” keyboardist/songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said. It was Harju‘s idea to turn the 13 stories and visions into more of a connected cinematic piece — essentially, a film. It would have a clear plot, script, dialogue and real actors in an ambitious effort to create something wholly unique.The film was shot in September of this year.
The movie is based on the album and its 13 tracks, honoring the original ideas, but having evolved radically from the initial plan. Holopainen said, “Still, it was important from the very beginning that the album would work as its own individual piece of art, as well. It is a thematic album about life itself, about imagination, love, goodness and beauty, with a touch of darkness and melancholy, which are strongly included in all of those things mentioned.”
The band will have but a small part in the film. A 2012 premiere date is being eyed.
“Imaginaerum” track listing (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):
01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose the Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove
11. Last Ride of the Day
12. Song Of Myself
Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf
Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still
Song 3: Piano Black
Song 4: Love
13. Imaginaerum
“Imaginaerum” will be released in Finland on Wednesday, November 30 and the rest of Europe on Friday, December 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.
A track-by-track breakdown of the album by Tuomas Holopainen can be found at Metalhammer.co.uk.
Regarding the “Imaginaerum” cover artwork, which can be seen below, Holopainen said, “Originally, this was supposed to be the centerfold image of the album, but once I and some mates saw the final image, we immediately knew that the hunt for the actual cover artwork was over. I believe this is Toxic Angel‘s finest piece of work yet, capturing the deepest essence of what ‘Imaginaerum’ is all about. The power of imagination and places of wordless wonders, magic and awe, of longing and the surreal.
“I emphasized from the start that not a single living thing should be seen in the picture, and Toxic was able to create that sublime but desolate, ‘all this waiting for you, and you only’ feeling.
“All you need is the courage to enter.”
NIGHTWISH‘s new single, “Storytime”, will be released in Europe on Friday, November 11 via Nuclear Blast Records.
On the topic of the musical direction of the forthcoming album, NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon wrote on her official blog, “I think it’s a great and varied CD. The feelings in it are great and there are a lot of elements in it, so I am sure it will have many different favorite songs for the listeners since the songs are so different in styles and sound. [2007’s] ‘Dark Passion Play’ is a great album and this one, too, so I don’t know yet which one I like more, but, of course, for me personally, this one feels better to do since the songs are more adjusted to my voice and my style.”
NIGHTWISH will kick off the “Imaginaerum” world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
Source: Blabbermouth.net
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Fans of dramatic, symphonic Euro metal have something to look forward to when the cold, dark, dreary winter sets in. Finnish/Swedish superstars NIGHTWISH will release their new album, “Imaginaerum”, in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records and it will serve as a welcome beckon of warmth and light in an otherwise dark season! The album is the band’s first since 2007’s “Dark Passion Play”, which was then-new singer Anette Olzon‘s debut.
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 