I was hanging out with some of the great folks at The Network, when one of the staff, Matthiu, asked me, “You’re from Finland - have you ever heard of the band ‘Nightwish?’”

Of course I have. I hear this question all the time these days. Nightwish is the most popular band hailing from Finland, followed by HIM and The Rasmus at a distant 3^rd. (I ran into Sarah, another Network staffer at their live show.) But how is it that people at The Network know about Nightwish – and are huge fans?

It is clear that the symphonic metal band has struck a chord that connects with people outside of just heavy metal circles: Nightwish’s newest album, Imaginaerum, debuted on Billboard at #27!

I had the opportunity to meet with Nightwish’s founder, songwriter and keyboard player, Tuomas Holopainen, before their only US concert in front of 4,000 souls at the sold-out Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City, January 21, 2011. Tuomas was surprised when I greeted him in Finnish, and he was happy to share with me a few of the secrets to Nightwish’s success.

Tuomas Holopainen is a true artist. It is obvious that this man lives and breathes music; it exudes from him. He was clearly humbled by their success - charting on Billboard is not why he makes music. He has had the courage to take the kind of creative risks and challenges few would dream of - how else could he have decided to make Imaginaerum not just a concept album, but a full-length feature film as well?



Yes. They made a movie!
The idea for a feature film evolved from Holopainen’s initial idea of creating 13 videos or short films for each song. He feels strongly about the importance of albums in today’s age of singles – where only a few songs sell an album and the rest are filler. Because the album’s concept and storyline were well thought through, it took a while to make sure that the dialog and film’s theme gelled together with the music. Ultimately, this was all sorted out, and they’ve finished their final edit of the feature film.

Where Heavy Metal is Main Stream
Nightwish has been around since 1996. When I asked how they have made it this far from the small town of Kitee (kee-teh) Finland, Holopainen clearly remains a bit shocked himself. But he attributes their success to the music (of course), to working with great people, good record labels and their partners in many countries, to great fans, great promotion, and a bit of luck.

Apparently, Holopainen often gets asked about why Finland and Sweden, Finland’s two neighboring countries, have such drastically different tastes in music. Finland is the mecca of Heavy Metal, whereas Sweden is the jukebox for Pop. Nightwish’s singer, Anette Olzon, is Swedish, and some people find her voice and style to be closer to a pop singer’s than that of a Heavy Metal vocalist.

Holopainen describes the mentality within the band as one that allows everyone the right to do exactly what they feel for their stage shows. There are no predetermined choreographies or routines. He wants each member to feel that they can be who they are. He does recognize Anette’s more cheerful disposition and “Swedish” tendencies, but he (and audiences everywhere) greatly appreciate her lightheartedness and the color she adds to their otherwise more solemn Finnish style.

I personally enjoy songs like Story Time – the first single from Imaginaerum, and Amaranth from their prior album, Dark Passion Play; songs that have a bit of a pop feel in the actual melodies. (Confession: even though I’m a Finn and love metal, Pop music is my guilty pleasure!)



Combining Musical Styles
Nightwish has found a way to combine jazz, pop, rock, metal, classical, and choral music into a mix that is poetic and sounds larger than life. They recorded with the full London Symphonic Orchestra at Abbey Road studios. They also brought Troy Donockley, a virtuoso Uilleann Pipe player, to add a Celtic feel to their sound. He helped open the live show by playing the lead melody of Finlandia by J. Sibelius, mesmerizing the crowd and placing them into an almost-holy moment as all enjoyed the symphonic chorus of rock ‘n roll.

Holopainen believes in contrast as a way to keep things interesting for the listener. This applies to live shows as well. He describes live shows like “running a half-marathon” – due to the intensity of the music and how much they give of themselves during a live performance.

Secret Shows and Cruising with 2000 of their Closest Fans
Recently, Nightwish played under the pseudonym “Rubberband of Wolves” at the Key Club in West Hollywood. They have a habit of playing secret shows before their main concert. Holopainen explains that it allows the band to rehearse their set before the main event. While the two LA shows were their only performances on American soil for now, Nightwish will tour the US in the fall of 2012 (dates and locations TBD).

For now, Nightwish is off to Miami to participate in 70,000 Tons of Metal –a Heavy Metal Caribbean cruise. Holopainen sounds excited about the upcoming event – albeit with a bit of caution, considering that 2,000 metal fans and 40 high profile bands will be there together, alongside tabloid reporters… with nowhere to escape, on a boat for a week! Ah, the trials of a non-stop heavy metal extravaganza… Now what could be more rock n’ roll than that?!



Imaginaerum is available through Roadrunner Records