Nightwish's sixth studio album
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This article contains information about a scheduled or expected future album. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content could change dramatically as the album release approaches and more information becomes available. |
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| Sixth studio album | ||
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| Studio album by Nightwish | ||
| Released | September 26, 2007 | |
| Recorded | September 15, 2006 - spring 2007 | |
| Genre | Symphonic power metal | |
| Label | Spinefarm Records Nuclear Blast Roadrunner Records |
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| Nightwish chronology | ||
|---|---|---|
| Once (2004) |
Sixth studio album (2007) |
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Nightwish's sixth studio album is currently recorded and planned to be released on September 26, 2007. It is the first studio-album to feature the new and yet unknown vocalist and without former vocalist Tarja Turunen, due to her departure in October of 2005. The first single, "Eva", is slated for a May 30, 2007 release[1].
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[edit] Background information
[edit] New vocalist
To find a replacement for Turunen as the female vocalist of the band, on March 17, 2006 the band allowed vocalists interested for the position to send in demo tapes as an audition for the spot. The band stated that it was looking for a vocalist with the ability to sing with good dynamics and versatility. However, to the surprise of some fans, the band did not specifically ask for a classically trained singer, but were open to a variety of styles and backgrounds. By the time auditions were over on January 15, 2007, the band had received over 2000 demo tapes[2].
During this time, speculation began to emerge as to who would eventually succeed Turunen as the female vocalist for the band. On December 6, "Lady Angellyca" of the Spanish band Forever Slave issued a statement in which she said that she was one of the strong candidates to fill the vacant role[3]. Simone Simons from the band Epica was also reported to have been chosen by Nightwish to be their new vocalist by Finnish gossip magazine Katso!, which Simons has denied.
In response to these and other rumors, the band stated on their website that fans should not believe any source other than the band itself for information regarding the new vocalist.
[edit] Recent events
The band entered the studio on September 15, 2006 to record their sixth full-length studio album. The process began with drum recordings, with guitar, bass and demo keyboards, followed by orchestral/choir recordings. After those, the final synthesizers and vocals are being recorded. Tuomas Holopainen said in an interview that it was as good having to do the orchestral recordings before the vocals (because of the replacement, they had to wait). He learned this on the Once recordings as there can be conflicts in the vocal lines[4].
A single from the new album, "Eva", which features the band's new female vocalist, is slated to be released on May 30, 2007.
The planned release date for the new album is September 26, 2007[5].
Rumors are persistent in hardcore fan groups that Tarja Turunen may in fact be returning as vocalist. Whilst these are only rumors, it is feasible as all four band members have stated they miss Tarja and would love to have her back under different circumstances[6].
[edit] Music style
Lead band member Tuomas Holopainen has in an interview said that the album will have a lot in common with the last album (Once). For example, the band will keep the new kind of harder songs (such as "Nemo", "Wish I Had an Angel" and "Planet Hell"), but there will as well be softer ballads. The new album includes lots of guest musicians and orchestral parts - in the same interview, Tuomas said that as they recorded Once they had 18 people in the choir, and still this wasn't enough. There are also going to be "shockers" that Tuomas didn't want to reveal. The longest song is a song that due to him is a very personal epic piece that is a lot like film music, and it lasts for about 14 minutes. Music engineer Mikko Karmila has as well stated that the style is much more progressive than earlier.
Tuomas has also stated that there are darker pieces that reminds of Century Child, such as the 14-minute song, and some other. Both musically and lyrically, there will be darkness.[7]
[edit] Faster Harder Nightwish
On April 1, 2007, the band announced on their official website that the new title of the album was Faster Harder Nightwish, and that they were changing style totally, becoming "faster and harder than ever". They also showed the new cover, the band members standing in front of a burning fire. A "promo sampler" of the album even surfaced on several peer-to-peer networks. It was later stated on their official website that this was an April Fools joke due to the date and the abrupt changes of the band style.[8][9]
[edit] Track listing
14 songs are going to be featured on the album.[10]. Notice that this is not the original order of the tracks.
[edit] Tour
Due to the upcoming album, a tour has been planned. As of April 2007, all that is clear is a North American tour (in October/November); pre-sales of these tickets do exist. Countries so far booked are the United States and Canada.
The band Paradise Lost will be supporting Nightwish on the North American tour due to the release of their new album, In Requiem[11][12][13].
[edit] Notes
I. ^ The first single of the album, to be released on May 30, 2007, as a preview of the album. This was the first known track of the album, revealed in February 2007.[14]
II. ^ An epic piece that is dear to Tuomas, including orchestral parts. It is much like for example Beauty of the Beast, and other tracks on Century Child.[15]
III. ^ The second single of the album, to be released in August 2007.
[edit] References
- ^ "Nightwish.com - The auditions for the new vocalist have ended"
- ^ "The auditions for the new vocalist have ended"
- ^ Blabbermouth. Frontwoman confirms she is a candidate for Nightwish singer position. Retrieved on December 31, 2005.
- ^ "TuomasHolopainen.net: Interview"
- ^ "The auditions for the new vocalist have ended"
- ^ "Tarot: Marco Hietala"
- ^ "TuomasHolopainen.net: Interview"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - April fools!"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - New album's title and cover revealed"
- ^ "TuomasHolopainen.net: Interview"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - Tour dates"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - North-American tour dates revealed"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - PARADISE LOST to support NW on the 2007 US tour"
- ^ "Nightwish.com - The auditions for the new vocalist have ended"
- ^ "TuomasHolopainen.net: Interview"
| Nightwish |
|---|
| Tuomas Holopainen | Marco Hietala | Emppu Vuorinen | Jukka Nevalainen |
| Former members: Sami Vänskä | Tarja Turunen |
| Discography |
| Albums and EPs: Demo | Angels Fall First | Oceanborn | Wishmaster | Over the Hills and Far Away | Century Child | Once | Sixth studio album |
| Singles: "The Carpenter" | "Sacrament of Wilderness" | "Passion and the Opera" | "Walking in the Air" | "Sleeping Sun (Four Ballads of the Eclipse)" | "The Kinslayer" | "Deep Silent Complete" | "Ever Dream" | "Bless the Child" | "Nemo" | "Wish I Had an Angel" | "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan" | "The Siren" | "Sleeping Sun" | "Eva" |
| Live albums: From Wishes to Eternity | End of an Era |
| Compilations: Wishmastour 2000 | Tales from the Elvenpath | Bestwishes | Highest Hopes |
| Videos and DVDs: From Wishes to Eternity | End of Innocence | End of an Era |
