IMAGINAERUM

By way of introduction I have to say that Nightwish with "Imaginaerum" took a step to the new level and this release is something more than just symphonic metal.Probably the best nightwish album .I said:"an album" but it is actually a soundtrack to the film or something like theater play. That "theatricalness" and soundtrack-feeling is present in all the songs.The band uses twelve different masks, twelve scenes and different interpretations. There is a big variety.If term "progressive" means not only typical art-rock album but music which blends different elements from many genres - this album for sure fulfils this definition.

1.Taikatalvi - Superb atmospheric introduction with the waltz rhythm from music box , the perfect prelude to a wonderful musical adventure.

2.Storytime - This single is much better than previous singles such as "Bye Bye Beautiful", very catchy symphonic metal.There is some kind of postmodernism beacuse you can hear a few old nightwish songs in it. Pay attention: fantastic orchestration with almost a quotation from "Crimson Tide" by Hans Zimmer and bridge with children's choir and taiko powerful ethnic drums.

3.Ghost River - Starts with Van Halen-like guitar riff but overall composition has nothing to do with this style, then we have great mix of metal and symphony. Duel between the Devil and the Mother Gaia.Very Theatrical. Pay attention: bridge with gigantic orchestrations, arrangement's instinct, especially when the following elements appear separately: guitars, symphony then the children's choir and at the end we have Anette singing during calm moment. Masterpiece.

4.Slow, Love, Slow - Great bands can be recognized by the fact that they can experiment with any genre.The first jazz piece by Nightwish, seductive and sensual. Jukka plays "shuffle" drum beat. Pay attention: Anette sexy vocals and atmospheric trumpet like the one from Miles Davis records.

5.I Want My Tears Back - Modern downtuned riffs, the whole song can be described as celtic folk-metal, great ulliean pipes. Some echoes of "Last of the wilds" can be heard. Pay attention: thrilling vocal lines, bridge with bodhran and celtic instruments.

6.Scaretale - Musically, the best song on the album, amazing middle section where as someone said: "Danny Elfman ate one too many hallucinogenic mushrooms, and began to dance finnish humppa" . Very theatrical.Fantastic orchestration with horror climate and unusual song structure. Pay attention: the whole atmosphere, absolutely sensational and frightening (in a good sense) children's choir, Anette witch-like voice

7.Arabesque - Finish response to Hans Zimmer, let's face it Tuomas Holopainen is even better than a german composer because of more thrilling melodic lines, amazing oriental piece, sounds straight from the Middle East. Pay attention: zurna solo parts - turkish oriental intstrument,.taiko drums -ethnic and tribal.

8.Turn Loose The Mermaids - The only one real ballad.Celtic folk music with folklore instruments, beautiful melody and great singing of Anette. Pay attention: The Spaghetti western bridge, almost quotation from Ennio Morricone "Ecstasy of Gold".

9.Rest Calm - Doom metal influenced track but still epic.Contrasting structure.Emotions become more and more intensive. Pay attention: the best entrance of children's choir .Surprising contrast in a song structure, usually songs have strong choruses and delicate verses.Here - brilliant inversion.

10.The Crow, The Owl And The Dove - Theoretically the simplest thing on the album though it is still a nice track. Bass guitar is very well exposed. Pay attention: Bridge with Troy Donockley playing bouzouki along with singing in cumbrian language(!)

11.Last Ride Of The Day - Lots of energy, verses are rather slow but the chorus is riding like hell,very catchy chorus and good guitar solo at the end. Pay attention: choirs, energy, the lyric - praise of the moment

12.Song Of Myself - Number one of the album, emotional bomb.Tuomas Holopainen walks in the footsteps of the greatest american poet Walt Whitman and matched him.Amazing praise of life with all it's beautiful and dark sides simultaneously (G-Em parallel scales, two coexisting sides of the same coin). The depth of the lyric matched Whitman.Recited poem gives you goose pimples.Opus Magnum, there is no unnecessary note. Pay attention: poetry, Anette vocals, choirs.

13.Imaginaerum - Medley only with symphonic orchestra.There is a lot of Zimmer influences ("Pirates of the Caribbean") in arrangement, Morricone and Shore as well.

It is certainly very eclectic album for people with open mind.It is not for those who seek only riffs and guitar solos because it is really a soundtrack with some guitar addition.Songs are strongly influenced by Hans Zimmer / Elfman / Morricone. Breathtaking orchestrations and very complex arrangements. Big diversity: metal, symphonic music, film music, folk, jazz....In one sentence"very emotional and wonderful musical-literary journey". In conclusion it is worth to mention that Anette Olzon sings with more confidence and interprets a lot.I think that this album shows "urbi et orbi" that Tuomas Holopainen is more than just metal musician. Is Holopainen some kind of finnish version of Hans Zimmer?.I would put the thesis that he is much more versatile than any of film music composer. Final rating: 5/5