Nightwish – Imaginaerum (2011)
Artist: Nightwish
Album: Imaginaerum
Released: November 30, 2011
Label: Nuclear Blast / Roadrunner Records
Genre: Symphonic metal, power metal, cinematic metal
Length: 76:35
Producer: Tuomas Holopainen, Mikko Karmila
Overview
Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, and the last to feature Anette Olzon as lead vocalist. The album is highly cinematic and conceptual, inspired by the idea of exploring imagination, dreams, and childhood memories.
The release was accompanied by the feature film Imaginaerum (2012), in which the album’s music served as the soundtrack, blending storytelling, orchestration, and Nightwish’s signature symphonic metal sound. The album features orchestral arrangements, choirs, and a mix of metal, progressive, and folk-inspired passages.
Album Credits
Band Members
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Anette Olzon – lead vocals
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Tuomas Holopainen – keyboards, songwriter, orchestrations
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Emppu Vuorinen – guitars
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Jukka Nevalainen – drums, percussion
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Marko Hietala – bass, male vocals
Additional Credits
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Orchestration & Choir: Pip Williams and the London Session Orchestra
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Producer & Mixing: Tuomas Holopainen, Mikko Karmila
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Mastering: Mika Jussila
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Label: Nuclear Blast / Roadrunner Records
Tracklist
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Taikatalvi – 1:43
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Storytime – 4:55
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Ghost River – 4:57
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Slow, Love, Slow – 4:23
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I Want My Tears Back – 4:55
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Scaretale – 4:28
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Arabesque – 3:31
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Turn Loose the Mermaids – 3:57
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Rest Calm – 1:15
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The Crow, the Owl and the Dove – 4:42
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Imaginaerum – 10:08
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I Have a Right – 4:13
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Last of the Wilds – 4:49 (bonus track in some editions)
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Song of Myself – 8:40 (bonus track in special editions)
Note: Some editions feature orchestral and instrumental bonus tracks.
Musical Style & Themes
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Combines symphonic metal, cinematic orchestration, folk, and progressive metal.
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Vocals alternate between Anette Olzon’s melodic voice and Marko Hietala’s powerful male vocals.
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Themes include imagination, childhood, dreams, introspection, fantasy, and storytelling.
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The album has a conceptual flow, telling a narrative that complements the Imaginaerum film.
Key Tracks
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Storytime: Catchy, orchestral-driven single and fan favorite.
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I Want My Tears Back: Energetic symphonic metal track with memorable chorus.
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The Crow, the Owl and the Dove: Folk-inspired ballad featuring duet vocals.
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Imaginaerum: 10-minute cinematic centerpiece with orchestral crescendos and metal sections.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The album served as the soundtrack for the Imaginaerum feature film, released in 2012.
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“Storytime” was used as the lead single and became one of Nightwish’s most popular songs of the 2010s.
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This was Anette Olzon’s final studio album with the band before being replaced by Floor Jansen.
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The album features extensive orchestral arrangements performed by the London Session Orchestra.
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Tracks like The Crow, the Owl and the Dove showcase the band’s folk and cinematic versatility.
Did You Know?
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Tuomas Holopainen stated that Imaginaerum was his most personal and cinematic album, inspired by childhood memories and storytelling.
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The album’s release was accompanied by a world tour, where elements from the Imaginaerum film were incorporated into stage performances.
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The album continues Nightwish’s tradition of blending symphonic grandeur with metal energy, but with more experimental cinematic structures.
Commercial Performance & Legacy
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Debuted at #1 in Finland, Germany, and several European countries.
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Tracks like Storytime and I Want My Tears Back became live staples.
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The album’s cinematic approach influenced later symphonic and cinematic metal bands.
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Strengthened Nightwish’s reputation for conceptual, story-driven albums.
Critical Reception
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Praised for:
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Cinematic orchestration and ambitious concept
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Successful integration of metal and orchestral arrangements
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Emotional depth and varied musical styles
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Minor criticism:
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Some fans preferred Tarja-era vocals and felt Anette’s style was softer.
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The album’s long runtime was seen as dense for casual listeners.
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Album Rating
⭐ 8.5/10
Imaginaerum is a bold, cinematic, and ambitious Nightwish album, blending symphonic metal, storytelling, and orchestration. It represents the culmination of Anette Olzon’s era, and its narrative concept and orchestral scope make it a landmark in symphonic metal.
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