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Nightwish: The new album dissected! Exclusive interviews at London.

(beautiful pic of Anette) New songs, new era.

Page 1: After the “forced departure” of the old Nightwish singer, the soprano Tarja Turunen one evening in October 2005, the fans of the combo waited to see what way the Finns would go with their group, more in sight [famous] than ever thanks to [how well] Once [did] on the charts - [whether they were] on the right path by looking for, according to them, the right voice to be chosen. Chosen in January, the lucky chosen one did not reveal their identity until the summer - at the end of last May, and is called Anette Olzon, and with this, Dark Passion Play symbolizes the start of a new era. Dark Passion Play is the sixth studio album of the band and is out [in France] on the 1st of October. We have gone in the direction of London to discover the new opus everyone has been waiting for, and to meet with the new singer and Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards), the uncontested leader of the band to take these two exclusive interviews…

The meeting is given at the legendary Abbey Road studios where the Beatles had their area. It is here, in the grand studio of the complex where the recording will be interpreted [played] by the legendary London Session Orchestra and many choirs, for Dark Passion Play. For the occasion, many members of choirs and musicians taking part in the recording have joined, and, in an adjoining room, almost all of Nightwish (only Marco Hietala is missing) watch the reactions of the spectators who have the chance of hearing and forming their opinions of Nightwish’s new big baby (haha) which is no less than 75 minutes (see first impressions, what Iodine did.)
Some hours after we finally return to meet face-to-face with the new voice of the group, the very nice (sympathique, in French it’s a little more endearing than “nice” but I can’t think of a better word.) Anette Olzon. Meeting:

Rock Hard: Describe to us your musical background before Nightwish.
Anette Olzon: I took part in lots of different groups and projects, so many it is difficult to remember! I’ve sung with a symphony orchestra, I’ve taken part in gospel choirs and for a long time I’ve collected places in groups and bands very different and varied. In the past few years I’ve been in a band called Alyson Avenue (2 studio albums etc.) whose members really started to motivate me (actually here she says the members started losing their motivation in this band) . In reality, just after meeting [joining?] Nightwish, I [caused] things to happen within our marriages, and that continued rather well. (Have no idea what that means lol but marriages is plural there. It literally reads “…I happened within the marriages…” but I’m not quite sure what marriages she’s talking about, or whether it’s a French thing! Morgane... help please!) Elsewhere, crowds of offers keep coming in, more today! (laughs)
(Here, she says she produced herself at weddings, I mean she sang in weddings, and it worked well, so well that nowadays she still gets offers)

You were one of the first people to send a demo to the members of Nightwish, a short time after the firing of Tarja Turunen at the end of October 2005. However, you waited year and a half before the group decided to have you as their new singer. The wait must have been a long and especially frustrating time, since you weren’t allowed to tell the colleagues who made you audition for the combo…
Yes, that’s right. To start with I told some close family and friends, and the members of my old group who had accompanied me in my version of “Ever Dream”, that I had managed to get into Nightwish. I also talked to three or four very good friends when I went to audition for the group again in September of last year, but they couldn’t stop me (they couldn't prevent themselves from spreading the news). From this moment on, I haven't told any more people, or outside the family, otherwise it would be obvious [she got in] because I can’t really tell lies! I was bad at that and by the end most of my friends guessed that I had got the job, but they respected my will and didn’t spread the news. I learnt a lot of lessons during that experience, in particular it is good to know how to hold your tongue!

At the time when the group officially asked people to send in demos, in March 2006, you must have been disappointed since you had already been in contact with them for several months…
Yes… in one sense I was satisfied that I had already done that [sent in her demo]. At first I did not think that they would answer me! I thought that because my voice, which was very different (to Tarjas’) would not be suitable for Nightwish, but my family and friends convinced me that the group would look for someone who had trained with a different register (different kind of voice I guess.) - which turned out to be true - and so I had a good chance. The fact that they were pleased with the pieces that I had sent them was a very nice encouragement to hear and made me want more to become their singer. I did not want to see my luck fly away, but I doubted [whether I would get it] since they got about ten demos a day and there were such good singers! (actually here she says "je me doutais que" but that means "I guessed that", something like "I knew they received many demos) … So yes, the wait was frustrating, because I never really wanted to hope (it's "I couldn't make plans") . Right until the last minute I was never sure.

What would you have done if you had not finally got into Nightwish after all the months of auditions and meetings?
I don’t know… after the events of this period, I have been in connection with different record houses [labels] who offered me many projects, and all this has made me realise that I really want to be involved in a style of music similar to that of Nightwish. So I am not sure what I would do… I’d collapse, that’s for sure though!

What did you do to successfully get around the paparazzi who, for months, had tried to reveal your identity?
The rule was that we would never appear together in public. If we took the airplane we didn’t exchange looks and we sat fourteen rows apart. At Helsinki, I always stayed at different hotels, each time reserved in a different name. I had a room in a hotel of a very, very low category, where we were sure that nobody would want to find me… (laughs) It worked!

How are you feeling now that the album is 99% finished ?

I would say 98.5% ! Up to yesterday I was convinced that he was 100% finished, but our sound engineer Mikko Karmila (Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius...) told me he wanted to put the finishing touches to the mix. It’s only little details that only a few people have noticed, but we have 2 weeks left in our planning, so why deprive ourselves of doing this ? We spent nearly 11 months in studio and the last thing we want is an album of which we wouldn’t be 100% satisfied with.

It is said that Dark Passion Play cost nearly 500 000 euros. Is that true ?

Yes, pretty much.. It’s without a doubt the most expensive album of the history of Finnish music, but most of this sum was for the studios Abbey Road, which are incredibly expensive. But I don’t regret it. We didn’t pay so much just to have a popular producer, for example...each euro was spent advisedly. At this stage of our career, and with our new singer’s arrival, it was more important than ever not to do any compromise and to put all the luck on our side. (it’s a bit awkward but I don’t find the exact expression in english)

How would you sum up the phase of research of this new voice that lasted nearly a year and a half ? Was it stressful or did you always always keep cool head ?

We patiently went through the candidates which applied for us without ever losing confidence. We always knew that the right person was here somewhere and that we would finally find her. Anette was one of the first 20 demos we got, and she immediately set the bar very high. Sum-total, we received near to 2000 Cds, and 10 singers auditionned for us ; we ruled them out one by one, until there was only Anette. This decision required much considering, but when I rethink of that, that wasn’t very difficult. It went without saying.

So you didn’t hesitate between 2 candidates, for example ?

No. The full band chose Anette promptly and personally, it’s after making this decision and telling her on the phone that I started to be a bit scared. After all, we only met her twice and we didn’t know her very well as a person...We still don’t know each other perfectly nowadays but we constantly discover new things about her. We didn’t know how she would cope in studio and with the video shooting, nut all went very well. As a matter of fact, the last thing we don’t know very well is her live performances...but we’ll see that soon. Anyway, whatever our choice would have been, there would always be a risk...But for the moment, all is going well. No fight on the horizon !

What did you think of the rumors talking about famous singers ? Were they well-founded ?

No, none of them was ! We didn’t have any contact with Vibeke or Liv Kristine ! All of this made us laugh because the media lost their credibility quickly. No one believed these rumors after some time...(laughs)

Yet, did well-know singers apply ?
Yes, there were some ones, but we promised them not to reveal any names. Of course they can talk about it if they want, but we wouldn’t do that if we were at their place...

Was it clear for you that, from the beginning, you weren't searching for a singer that would simply copy Tarja ?

Absolutely. We are aware that Tarja fulfilled her role better than anyone could ever do. It was completely useless to recreate what we already lived and we explored a whole new dimension. Anette’s voice is perfect for us because she has the power, the sweetness and the warmth we were looking for. Regardless, that was a risky decision, and there is still some risk today...But this decision makes us all very happy and that’s all that should matter now.

The fans reactions were rather mitigated when they heard the samples of Dark Passion Play available on the net, but in some time, they will be rather relieved to discover an album of symphonic metal in the sheer Nightwish tradition... (it’s a bit awkward here too, it just means DPP is symphonic metal, that NW sticks to this kind of music)

I think so too, because the music didn’t really change. There are new elements, such as the gospel choir or celtic influences, but besides that, Dark Passion Play is the logical succession to Once. Moreover, some songs of the new album were written in the same breath as Once, since 2005, as the first track, “The Poet And The Pendulum”. The composition process of the album has been the fastest of all, since all these new songs have been written in 3 or 4 months. He, the quota of dramas has been done in a short moment this time...(laughs)

Have you written other songs that aren’t finally on the album ?

There is a fourteenth song that will be relased as a bonus track in some time. But our cover of “The Hearts Asks Pleasure First”, the theme of the movie The Piano, won’t be released because we don’t have the rights...

What can you tell us about this mysterious title, Dark Passion Play ?

There is a double meaning and that’s what I like about it. There is “Passion Play” in it, which refers to Jesus Christ’ Passion, and “Dark Passion”, which recalls the dark side of love and passion...Dark Passion Play, Dark, Passion Play...(grins) (Note of the journalist : we’re not sure to understand all of this !)

The first track of the album, “The Poet And The Pendulum”, is a a very eventful song. Does this musical piece of nearly 14 minutes, very epic, mean something particular for you ?

It’s my favorite song from the album and it’s really important to read the lyrics to understand all that’s happening in the song. See all these people discover the whole song without having the lyrics is kind of pesky ! It’s the opening track, and it’s a big piece that actually resembles more to a theater play than to a song, but in my mind it sums up what is Nightwish nowadays and therefore should absolutely be the first track. It’s kind of the soundtrack of my life...

Is it a declaration ?

In a way...it’s a summary of what we are, and a track very personal for me...(silence). But I’ve already said too much. I let everyone discover the lyrics and the music by oneself.

In order not to have the same problems you had, what qualities and values were you looking for firstly in the future new singer ?

The first thing that interested us was her character and behaviour, second her voice, and third some little things like speaking english well. We immediately hit it of. Anette has self-esteem and a great sense of humor, two qualities very important in my mind. But sadly, she’s gonna live hell...there is many people that don’t want her in the band and she’s gonna have to harden herself against all the criticism she will undergo. But I know she has those qualities, in addition to being a very nice woman. She’s a “normal girl”, who has, like us, her feet on hte ground. (he shows a promo pic) No one of the people you see on the picture thinks he’s a rock star. We still are real hillbillies !

When you’re speaking of “these people that don’t want her”, are you speaking of some fans already writing comments on the forums ?

Yes. Some people can’t stand her and find it intolerable that we have chosen her. Maybe they don’t like her voice, but I think that above all they’re in denial concerning the end of the “Tarja era”. It’s true that she was a charismatic woman, singing so emotionally and passionally that in a way I can understand them, but I want to tell them that Anette did not do anything wrong. She did her best, she applied to be in the band, and it’s us who have chosen her. I’d want these people to leave her alone...

You’re gonna tour again from August on. What songs from Dark Passion Play do you think you’re gonna play ?

We’re not sure yet, but there should be “Amaranth”, “Bye Bye Beautiful” and “The Islander”. It will be very interesting to play this one (The Islander) live, because we never used acoustic guitars on-stage before. I would like us to play “The Poet And The Pendulum”, even we have to have many tape recording. Such a song would lose much feeling if it was played only with guitars and keyboards, whereas the studio version has nearly 300 tracks !

Let’s end on a “weird” news...A few days after the release of Eva, a finnish artist (not very known) made a lawsuit for plagiarism of his “song” named “Whirlpool”. A song that does not resembles Eva very much..what do you think about that ?
I almost find it funny ! (laughs) I think there’s on ly 2 or 3 music notes in common between our songs, and I had never listened to this song before I heard about the lawsuit. I think it’s someone who wants to make money off our backs...(who wants to take advantage of their popularity). The inquest is not finished, but I’m sure he won’t win. Something as “big” (he means it’s whatever) can’t work ! Anyway, it’s been 11 years that I’ve written songs without being accused of anything. It had to happen one day...and maybe I will be proud of it eventually ! (laughs)

Dark Passion Play: First Impressions (on page 4)

1-The Poet And The Pendulum:
You are plunged right into the album with the first song of this title, 14 ultra epic minutes of a level comparable to the atmosphere of a film B.O. [no idea what B.O. stands for]. In addition to a very heavy chorus that immediately becomes catchy ("Get Away! Run Away! Fly Away!"), a cavalcade of rough guitars [riffing?] and mix of piano and cello, angelic voices swirling everywhere, the pounding tempo present since the beginning of the piece slowly winds down to an end that is very aerial [?] full of violins. It's truly a monument of symphonic metal!

2-Bye Bye Beautiful:
Listeners are introduced to a pretty piano melody before a very heavy guitar riff and heavy aggressive sounds. Marco Hietala and Anette Olzon share the vocals, but the bassist takes the lion's share (his bass playing is also present), and we are given an aggressive yet melodic chorus.

3-Amaranth:
It's really a surprise that the new single of Nightwish turns out to be a something very mid tempo [I'm guessing pop-like here] with a very catchy chorus. It's a new and powerful hit, given by good, clipped riffs, powerful chorus sung by Anette Olzon, and held together by lots of elements.

4-Cadence of Her Last Breath:
The title of this enthralling piece comes from the the gasping breathing that happens in the first few seconds. Built around technical riffs, this song comprises of a very good refrain sung well by Anette Olzon and gets into your head little by little.

5-Master Passion Greed:
Marco Hietala is the only singer here and brings a new level of agressiveness. It's a really fast and heavy song amplified by a huge production , riddled with an ever present chorus, riffs punching [?] through a thrash and metal world, and also has a great drum and bass break [solo?]. Powerful!

6-Eva:
It's a really calm and soothing piece that the voice of Anette presents to the listeners, delivered without many of the musical elements the preceding songs have. It's not specially remarkable; this song is well placed in the order of the songs on this album and gives a welcome break.

7-Sahara:
The orchestra is really noticeable in this piece that is started off with a huge but kinda slow guitar riff. It's a song adorned with delicate oriental touches (the lyrics evoke 1001 Arabian Nights), and Anette shows us her mastery of musical half-steps. It's a really smooth song that you're going listen to with great pleasure.

8-Whoever Brings The Night:
A menacing ambiance permeates this song composed by guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, who shines here brightly with a lot of guitar parts and a beautiful solo. This fast song makes great use of "filtered" vocals, but puts a notch in the mix of the better songs in the first half of the album.

9-For the Heart I Once Had:
This song gives the melodic guitars and keyboards a lot of power. There's a rock feeling, which sometimes gives way to sweet lyrics revealed by guitars and the efficient chorus of Anette, whose vocals have a beautiful power. Another potential single?

10-The Islander
The setting of the seashore, with delicate drizzle and cries of seagulls in the background planted all in succession makes the atmosphere, and the folk sounds of acoustic guitars, violins, and flutes that adorn this piece, which is composed and sung by Maco Hietala (Anette Olzon is in charge of the harmonies), achieves a really beautiful celtic sound. The rain appears again at the end and leads us to a very smooth transition to the next song.

11-The Last of the Wilds
We were enchanted by this merry instrumental piece with half-Celtic, half-Finnish sounds evoked by a lot of traditional instruments not very easily identified. It's a nice enough song, although a little long at the end.

12-Seven Days to the Wolves:
Anette Olzon is the only one in charge of the verses of this powerful piece and is joined in the chorus by Marco Hietala in a very grand manner, declaring "Howl! Seven Days to the Wolves!" absolutely Dante-esque. It's definitely one of the better moments of the album.

13-Meadows of Heaven:
The most peaceful point with "Eva," "Meadows of Heaven" is the best ...(eveutant?). Here the song, in which is flawlessly sung by Anette Olzon, supported by the piano, strings, and the guitar of Emmpu Vuorienen who delivers a great solo, literally gives us the shivers, all with the gospel choir who makes their appearance at the end. It's a superb end for the CD that so richly merits another listen in order to be well understood.