NIGHTWISH: 'Imaginarium' Album/Movie Update

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH are not only putting finishing touches to its new album, "Imaginarium", but also planning a movie of the same name. If all goes well, the CD will be released in early 2012, to be followed by the movie at some point further down the line. The first single off the album as well as the trailer for the film should arrive well before the end of 2011.

NIGHTWISH's official web site has been updated with the following message regarding the status of the upcoming album/movie:

"During the last six weeks, the work on 'Imaginarium' has advanced by leaps and bounds. We've been so busy with the project there has been precious little time for anything else.

"While the band supervises the final mix of the album, location scouting is already underway for the 'Imaginarium' movie. As the name of the movie and the information disclosed so far suggest, these real-world special places are few and far between.

"The production crew has also been strengthened by people who have extensive knowledge of post-production technology. This is crucial, because the shoot and post-production are expected to be extremely complex and technically challenging. One of the characters in the movie also needs special attention from the animation department. Without teasing you any further, we can only disclose that this character will surely be remembered by many a NIGHTWISH fan.

"Because of the technical challenges and need for more planning, the shooting has been postponed. The movie will nevertheless be completed on time, as the post-production was begun already before the shooting.

"There's obviously a lot of expectations for the movie score. Tuomas [Holopainen, keyboardist/main songwriter] is currently working on variations with Petri Alanko, renowned for his prize-winning music for the 'Alan Wake' video game. The score will be based on the songs on the album and their main themes in a way that like many other things with the 'Imaginarium' movie is a first in the history of motion pictures.

"'Imaginarium' was also featured at the Cannes Movie Festival, where Solar Films presented their forthcoming films. At the same time, the script went through its biggest and most anticipated overhaul so far, confirming that 'Imaginarium' will in no way be a children's movie but a dark and foreboding fantasy; a dream world that lacks no surprises.

"In a nutshell, like the director of the movie tends to characterize his productions, 'well-planned is half done.' The famous sign post on the crossroads leading to 'Imaginarium' is already visible. It says 'Imaginarium, X miles', and underneath it reads in small, red, curving hand-writing: 'Soon it's time to start shooting.'

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginarium" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.