Nigthwish
_ Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, that was released on the 30th of November 2011.The
album is a concept album as said by Tuomas in an interview telling the
story of an old composer on his deathbed, reminiscing of his youth. The
album was produced alongside the movie of the same name, directed by
Stobe Harju, who previously directed Nightwish's "The Islander" music
video, and the album and the film share the same themes and general
story. The first single off the album, "Storytime" was released on November 9, and quickly topped the Finnish single charts.Imaginaerum was certified 2x Platinum in Finland on the day of its release, with more than 50,000 copies sold. It has been described as Nightwish's best album by Sonic Seducer, and named Album of the Year by Metal Hammer.
The album has been described as following a natural development from Dark Passion Play, inspired greatly by film scores. Like Dark Passion Play as well as Once and Century Child it features a live orchestra, again orchestrated by Pip Williams. The orchestrations have been described as "beautiful, twisted, tribal and cinematic", but will not be featured on every track as it was on Dark Passion Play. Bassist Marco Hietala has emphasized that the album is heavier than the predecessor.
Holopainen has cited three major influences on the album film director Tim Burton, author Neil Gaiman and painter Salvador Dalí.Musical influences include Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Ennio Morricone, Christy Moore, Van Halen and Pantera, and one song especially - "Rest Calm" - is inspired by death/doom giants Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Holopainen has called one song the "epic song of the album", "Song of Myself", which is almost as long as Dark Passion Play's "The Poet and the Pendulum" at 13 minutes. It is divided into four parts and especially influenced by poet Walt Whitman. One acoustic piece is also called "a Moominvalley Christmas Carol". One song, referenced to as "the Nukkumatti song" (nukkumatti being Finnish for sandman) is described as "a pounding, twisted and chorusless ghost train ride is sure to bring a smile to your face. At least it has done so to everyone who has heard it. Danny Elfman goes humppa", and another is described as "something completely different from anything we've ever done. All of us need to find new ways to play our instruments and use vocals for that piece. A terrifically challenging and mind-expanding song."
References by Wikipedia
The album has been described as following a natural development from Dark Passion Play, inspired greatly by film scores. Like Dark Passion Play as well as Once and Century Child it features a live orchestra, again orchestrated by Pip Williams. The orchestrations have been described as "beautiful, twisted, tribal and cinematic", but will not be featured on every track as it was on Dark Passion Play. Bassist Marco Hietala has emphasized that the album is heavier than the predecessor.
Holopainen has cited three major influences on the album film director Tim Burton, author Neil Gaiman and painter Salvador Dalí.Musical influences include Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Ennio Morricone, Christy Moore, Van Halen and Pantera, and one song especially - "Rest Calm" - is inspired by death/doom giants Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride. Holopainen has called one song the "epic song of the album", "Song of Myself", which is almost as long as Dark Passion Play's "The Poet and the Pendulum" at 13 minutes. It is divided into four parts and especially influenced by poet Walt Whitman. One acoustic piece is also called "a Moominvalley Christmas Carol". One song, referenced to as "the Nukkumatti song" (nukkumatti being Finnish for sandman) is described as "a pounding, twisted and chorusless ghost train ride is sure to bring a smile to your face. At least it has done so to everyone who has heard it. Danny Elfman goes humppa", and another is described as "something completely different from anything we've ever done. All of us need to find new ways to play our instruments and use vocals for that piece. A terrifically challenging and mind-expanding song."
References by Wikipedia
Epica
Epica's 5th full-length album which will be released on the 9th of
March 2012 (13th of March for US) by Nuclear Blast will be called: REQUIEM FOR THE INDIFFERENT
This title refers to the end of an era. Mankind can no longer
stick their head in the sand for the things that are happening around
us. We are facing many challenges. There is an enormous tension between
different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and a huge
financial crisis, which is getting out of control. More than ever we
will need each other to overcome these problems. As we are all
connected; the universe, earth, nature, animals and human beings, this
period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don't
want to, or simply won't see it. A REQUIEM FOR THE INDIFFERENT but also a
possibility for a new beginning with great new chances!
The work is done! Recordings, mixes and mastering are finished. Although you have to wait some more to know how it sounds, we can already show you how it looks! So here it is: the official coverart and tracklisting of Epica's new album Requiem for the Indifferent.
1 - Karma
2 - Monopoly on Truth
3 - Storm the Sorrow
4 - Delirium
5 - Internal Warfare
6 - Requiem for the Indifferent
7 - Anima
8 - Guilty Demeanor
9 - Deep Water Horizon
10 - Stay the Course
11 - Deter the Tyrant
12 - Avalanche
13 - Serenade of Self-Destruction
References by epica.nl
The work is done! Recordings, mixes and mastering are finished. Although you have to wait some more to know how it sounds, we can already show you how it looks! So here it is: the official coverart and tracklisting of Epica's new album Requiem for the Indifferent.
1 - Karma
2 - Monopoly on Truth
3 - Storm the Sorrow
4 - Delirium
5 - Internal Warfare
6 - Requiem for the Indifferent
7 - Anima
8 - Guilty Demeanor
9 - Deep Water Horizon
10 - Stay the Course
11 - Deter the Tyrant
12 - Avalanche
13 - Serenade of Self-Destruction
References by epica.nl
Within Temptation
_ The Unforgiving is the fifth studio album by Dutch symphonic metal/rock band Within Temptation, released by Roadrunner Records from 25 March 2011. The album is released alongside a comic book series and a series of short films, to encompass a concept story. The first single, Faster, was released on 21 January the first short film, Mother Maiden, was released on January 31, the second short film, Sinéad was released on 21 March and the second single with the same name was released on 15 July.The first issue of the comic books, Penance, Part One, was released on 18 March and will be digitally released by Diamond Digital at the New York Comic Con on 22 October.The second issue, Penance, Part Two was released on 13 May, Penance, Part Three on 31 August and Penance, Part Four on 2 November.
The Unforgiving is a concept album based upon a simultaneously released comic book of the same name, written by Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne and Dark 48) and illustrated by Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, The Darkness and X-Men).The story also unfolds in three short films released prior to the album, the first of which--Mother Maiden—was released on 31 January. The characters and stories are thus portrayed in three ways—by the artists in the comic book, by the band in the music, and by the actors in the films.
The band first announced that they intended to make a new album in October 2008, as they were finishing touring in support of The Heart of Everything. The album was originally planned to be recorded in 2009, but was further delayed by vocalist Sharon den Adel giving birth to her and guitarist Robert Westerholt's second child. In an interview with Metal Ways at Appelpop 2008, Westerholt stated that the new album was "probably going to be kind of a concept, but it’s so early still that nothing is really sure yet. But we’re trying to look in that direction."
The album was eventually recorded in the Summer and Autumn of 2010, with the band announcing via their website in November that the album would be entitled The Unforgiving, expected for release in March 2011. The band also announced that their planned tour dates, beginning in March 2011, had been postponed till Autumn due to den Adel's third pregnancy.
The Unforgiving is a concept album based upon a simultaneously released comic book of the same name, written by Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne and Dark 48) and illustrated by Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, The Darkness and X-Men).The story also unfolds in three short films released prior to the album, the first of which--Mother Maiden—was released on 31 January. The characters and stories are thus portrayed in three ways—by the artists in the comic book, by the band in the music, and by the actors in the films.
The band first announced that they intended to make a new album in October 2008, as they were finishing touring in support of The Heart of Everything. The album was originally planned to be recorded in 2009, but was further delayed by vocalist Sharon den Adel giving birth to her and guitarist Robert Westerholt's second child. In an interview with Metal Ways at Appelpop 2008, Westerholt stated that the new album was "probably going to be kind of a concept, but it’s so early still that nothing is really sure yet. But we’re trying to look in that direction."
The album was eventually recorded in the Summer and Autumn of 2010, with the band announcing via their website in November that the album would be entitled The Unforgiving, expected for release in March 2011. The band also announced that their planned tour dates, beginning in March 2011, had been postponed till Autumn due to den Adel's third pregnancy.
_Ancient Bards
_
The Ancient Bards are proud to announce the release of their second album. The highly anticipated new album, titled SOULLESS CHILD, will be available for the European market from 18 November 2011 for Limb Music and later for the American market.
With this album continues the first part of the Black Crystal Sword Saga; 10 songs of pure Symphonic Epic Metal: a more powerful and symphonic sound, massive choirs, more aggressive guitars, engaging bass, keyboards and guitar solos, and the beautiful voice of Sara are the elements that make this work even more epic and exciting.
Daniele: We are very proud of the result we achieved with this second album, which, in our opinion, has reached a new level compared to The Alliance of the Kings, both in terms of compositions and production! Each one of us put their heart and believed in this second project, that we are sure will throw you straight into the land of the Black Crystal Sword, will make you dream and imagine the intricate story of our epic adventure as if you were in a movie!Now, It’s time to reveal the new artwork cover realized by Felipe Machado Franco (Rhapsody, Blind Guardian and more) and the new tracklist. Enjoy and stay tuned for further news!
SOULLESS CHILD
1- Struggle for life
2- To the master of darkness
3- Gates of Noland
4- Broken illusion
5- All that is true
6- Valiant ride
7- Dinanzi al flagello
8- Soulless child
9- Through my veins
10- Hope dies last
The Ancient Bards are proud to announce the release of their second album. The highly anticipated new album, titled SOULLESS CHILD, will be available for the European market from 18 November 2011 for Limb Music and later for the American market.
With this album continues the first part of the Black Crystal Sword Saga; 10 songs of pure Symphonic Epic Metal: a more powerful and symphonic sound, massive choirs, more aggressive guitars, engaging bass, keyboards and guitar solos, and the beautiful voice of Sara are the elements that make this work even more epic and exciting.
Daniele: We are very proud of the result we achieved with this second album, which, in our opinion, has reached a new level compared to The Alliance of the Kings, both in terms of compositions and production! Each one of us put their heart and believed in this second project, that we are sure will throw you straight into the land of the Black Crystal Sword, will make you dream and imagine the intricate story of our epic adventure as if you were in a movie!Now, It’s time to reveal the new artwork cover realized by Felipe Machado Franco (Rhapsody, Blind Guardian and more) and the new tracklist. Enjoy and stay tuned for further news!
SOULLESS CHILD
1- Struggle for life
2- To the master of darkness
3- Gates of Noland
4- Broken illusion
5- All that is true
6- Valiant ride
7- Dinanzi al flagello
8- Soulless child
9- Through my veins
10- Hope dies last