← Back

Imaginaerum

by Nightwish

Released: November 30, 2011

Symphonic metal

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

Though Imaginaerum is considered a concept album, it was designed to work as an individual piece of art without requiring the film to be understood. "Imaginaerum" is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in late November 2011. The album marked the last collaboration with vocalist Anette Olzon and drummer Jukka Nevalainen.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The music was developed before the film's pre-production…

The music was developed before the film's pre-production, with key elements of both the music and the film being shaped through collaboration between Tuomas Holopainen and Stobe Harju.

It is a concept album centered around the…

It is a concept album centered around the story of an elderly composer reflecting on his youth as he lies on his deathbed.

The album was developed alongside a film of…

The album was developed alongside a film of the same name, directed by Stobe Harju, which shares the same themes and story, though with more detail and additional characters.

The album was highly successful, selling over 50,000…

The album was highly successful, selling over 50,000 copies in Finland on its first day and being praised as one of Nightwish's best works.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

Imaginaerum

Though Imaginaerum is considered a concept album, it was designed to work as an individual piece of art without requiring the film to be understood.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Nightwish - Imaginaerum

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

It features the single "Storytime," which topped the Finnish charts shortly after release.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Imaginaerum" is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released in late November 2011. It is a concept album centered around the story of an elderly composer reflecting on his youth as he lies on his deathbed. The album was developed alongside a film of the same name, directed by Stobe Harju, which shares the same themes and story, though with more detail and additional characters.

The album marked the last collaboration with vocalist Anette Olzon and drummer Jukka Nevalainen. It features the single "Storytime," which topped the Finnish charts shortly after release. The album was highly successful, selling over 50,000 copies in Finland on its first day and being praised as one of Nightwish's best works.

Though Imaginaerum is considered a concept album, it was designed to work as an individual piece of art without requiring the film to be understood. The music was developed before the film's pre-production, with key elements of both the music and the film being shaped through collaboration between Tuomas Holopainen and Stobe Harju.