Greek Metal Hammer X 2007

czarnycharakter

Nightwish - The Queen is dead, long live the Queen.
Dark Passion, Luminus Mind.

It was believed, not so long ago that NW wouldn't be able to give us an equally worthy album to Once, mostly coz of Tarja Turunen's departure. But the Fins love a good challenge and three years after their last release, they present a majestic album full of inspiration, emotions and melodies called Dark Passion Play. The new singer, Anette Olzon introduces herself and reveals a lively and cheerful personality full of talent, excitement and totally aware of the responsibilities that come along with her position behind the mic.

Tell us Anette why did you want to become the new singer of NW?
To be honest with you, I can't really say that a was a huge NW fan. I was unaware of what had happened and my musical direction had nothing in common with "the world" of NW. When they announced that they were looking for a new singer, a friend of mine suggested that I should apply and he also brought me some of their previous albums to listen to. Honestly I had my doubts coz I'm not a classically trained singer, nor do I sing opera. But then again NW might wanted something totally different, so I made up my mind. The moment I started to listen to their music, I fell in love with their songs and the more I listen, the more I felt a connection with them.

I can only guess how hard must have been for you to wait for such a long time...
You cannot imagine! It was so hard for me that I cannot describe it. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't organize my life or make plans for the near future. It was such a long time and all this frustration, anxiety, excitement and anticipation made it even harder. But it was a great lesson as well. I'm very impatient as a person, so I've learned to wait for the best things to come. Which it did.

Was there a plan B, in case NW didn't choose you?
Yes, there was a plan B...(laughs). It had to do with music but to tell you the truth I've always wanted to be part of a band.

But as I understand what have you done so far, has nothing to do with metal...
Well, I wouldn't say that my musical background can be described by one specific genre. I see music as a whole, I don't divide music according to styles. I just love to sing songs that have many things to offer me, to make feel like I haven't felt before.

But now so many things have changed for you, including your life.
What I live with NW is something unbelievable. It's magic. The band is my job now, a total new experience for me, extremely important and real. And it's not only about singing you know, is what fallows: meetings, photo shootings, interviews, my cooperation with the other members. But that's all that has changed. I have my family, my son, my friends, things that are really important for me as well.

Why do you believe NW chose you?
I'm afraid only Tuomas has the right answer, so you should ask him. At first it was unlikely that they would choose me. I live in Sweden and the fact that I am a mother, would make things difficult for me, to spend so mush time away from my family. But every time that I ask Tuomas, he says "coz you were the right one"...

Since everything went fine and you are the new singer, how does it feel now that the album has finally been released?
It's an unbelievable feeling coz I really worked hard. It's so nice to see that your work and your willingness to make this happen, is so well accepted by the listeners, especially when it comes to this album.

It's very touching that you sound so proud and certain about this album.
How could I not be? This is the best album NW have written. Each one of them succeeded himself. The music is so inspired, has such power and is so well written that it feels like the boys gave it a life of its own. And there are so many new elements and a variety that you can find not only from song to song but within the songs as well. The feelings those songs evoke are so different but always intense. I don't believe there was a time when the boys expressed their talent in such a way. Which song to mention first? "The Poet and the Pendulum" one of my favourite, or "The Islander" with its Celtic influences. Or "Meadows of Heaven" a song that can inspire hope to anyone? Or "Amaranth" that simply pierces your mind the first time you listen to it and stays there?

I guess it's not necessary to ask you if you would like to have sung in one of the previous albums.
Why not? I really, really like Once, so I choose that. We'll continue to play the older songs in our concerts. I've been rehearsing them for some time now and I think I do know them well enough. I can only sing them with my own voice and I know that some people will like that, others will hate it. No one can predict how this will turn up in the end. I can only tell you that we didn't change a single note, we want them to remain as true to the original versions as possible.

Since you mentioned that, I'd like to talk about the fans' reactions. Are you afraid of how the old NW fans are going to react?
I'm not afraid coz we've worked so hard for the best possible result. It is certain than the older fans will find hard to accept this change whereas others won't.The only thing I hope is that they'll keep an open mind and give this album and to the band a chance and then decide if they like it or not.

Are you nervous about your first concert with NW?
Of course I am, but I'm very excited as well. I have some experience as a "front woman" but I've never been on tour and I've never been in huge concerts hall with all those strange lighting effects and all of that. Added to this, NW are more rock than I'm used to but the lyrics inspire me so much that I can let myself be carried away and express through them. But to tell you the truth intense movements or jumping around the stage is not something that I'm used to. We'll see...

Tarja as a singer and as the front woman of the band was very recognizable. It is inevitable that people will compare you with her.
I know that and it's something entirely normal. But we are so different and as I said, just because people admire and love Tarja so much, it will be difficult to accept this change. There is nothing you can do or say to make them change their minds and in the end there is no need to do that. If they keep an open mind long enough to listen to the album, they'll be rewarded from they choice to do that.

Did you ever feel as an outsider? That everyone within the band is a team and you can't be part of it coz you've not been in the band long enough?
No, I've never felt this way. We want so much to make this work and everyone have been really helpful and supportive. I have to admit that it wasn't easy for me to make the boys to open up. We spent so much time together, talking so as to get to know each other and as a band to find our own personality and balance. And the more time we spend together, the more we learn and it becomes more easy to understand each other. Of course I've spent more time with Tuomas coz we are in charge of the first interviews for the album. He always encourages me and he's been very helpful of how to prepare myself for all these interviews.