Finland-based symphonic metal storytellers NIGHTWISH are currently working on their upcoming new album. The yet-untitled creation will be the first NIGHTWISH studio-record to feature Dutch vocalist Floor Jansen and is set for a release in spring 2015 via Nuclear Blast. Longtime drummer Jukka Nevalainen will sit out on the recording sessions due to health issues; Kai Hahto (WINTERSUN a.o.) will replace him.

Today the NIGHTWISH release the eighth album trailer. In this episode the band is visiting the rainy city of London to record the choir, orchestral parts and percussions for their new album at Angel Studios. Check it out here:

Commented NIGHTWISH keyboard player and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen: “This must be the sixth or seventh time we’re working with these people. We’ve realized what they can do during these years. So it’s really not a surprise anymore but it hasn’t ceased to amaze me. The level of professionalism is just unbelievable. But even more importantly, they clearly like what they’re doing. The guys we’ve worked with for over 10 years are still up for it.”

Added session-drummer Kai Hahto: “The professionalism is amazing. We were recording ethnic percussion yesterday. Some of the guys had played on Star Wars movies – and done Hans Zimmer soundtracks. I felt myself like a humppa drummer. It was pretty amazing. They know their prima vista. You give them the notation, and they’ll nail it in no time.”

NIGHTWISH also revealed the famed evolutionary biologist and atheist writer/leader Richard Dawkins as a guest on their eighth studio album.

Additionally the band announced their North American tour for April and May 2015. Check out all confirmed dates here:

09.04 USA New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
10.04. USA Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
11.04. USA Worcester, MA – Palladium
13.04. CND Quebec City, QC – Capitole Theatre
14.04. CND Toronto – Phoenix Concert Theatre
16.04. USA Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
17.04. USA Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
18.04. USA Chicago, IL – Concorde Music Hall
19.04. USA Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
21.04. USA Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
22.04. USA Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue
24.04. USA Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
25.04. CND Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre
26.04. USA Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
18.04. USA San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
30.04. USA Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
01.05. USA Los Angeles, CA – Greek theatre
02.05. USA Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theatre
03.05. USA El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
05.05. USA Dallas, TX – Bomb Factory
06.05. USA Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
08.05. USA Orlando, FL – House Of Blues
09.05. USA Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
11.05. USA Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Work
12.05. USA Louisville, KY – Expo Five
13.05. USA Charlotte, NC – Filmore
14.05. USA Silver Springs, MD – Filmore

Also check out:

Trailer #1 – The Cabin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB1IrA8FwrY
Trailer #2 – By The Lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIhsFClj0U4
Trailer #3 – Inside His Head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ9PFUZ9uGs
Trailer #4 – The beginning of the Nightwish summer camp: http://youtu.be/tJF4Twus_08
Trailer #5 – More campers: http://youtu.be/On9V0QBoFW4
Trailer #6 – New Hometown: http://youtu.be/XxcuVtdR6po
Trailer #7 – Almost There: http://youtu.be/xPoVHMT2Gcc

You can order the most current NIGHTWISH release, »Showtime, Storytime«, at this destination: http://smarturl.it/NIGHTWISHShowtime
or from the official Nightwish Shop at: http://shop.nightwish.com
or via iTunes (live album incl. digital booklet): http://georiot.co/2SNi