I never felt like Alice in Wonderland until I listened to Imaginaerum (2011) by the Finnish band Nightwish.
No—like seriously—I feel as if I’m being transported to an alternate universe, full of fairies, monsters, and little creatures. One could say this is because of the whimsical nature of the instruments. The crescendos and decrescendos sure do play a part in it. Thanks to the band members who have dedicated their time and effort, they have produced such a perfectly curated album.
I have to say, Anette Olzon does a fantastic job on the vocals! Her voice is perfect, almost as if she’s mastered her rockstar persona. Then, there’s her other counterpart—Marko Hietala. Hietala’s vocals are majestic and impactful, almost epic or otherworldly. Tuomas Holopainen plays the keyboards; he’s the main composer of the band. I often feel as if he uses fairy tales as inspiration, which creates a lighthearted atmosphere.
Although some may say that Imaginaerum references numerous spooky themes, I feel that the album portrays a winter wonderland.
When the weather gets colder, and the snow falls from the skies, you can feel calm when you listen to this album. The first track, “Taikatalvi”, is reminiscent of childhood fun, especially if you received a jack-in-the-box gift for Christmas. Moreover, “Taikatalvi” translates to ‘magic winter’ in English. And because of the ethereal sounds with the pipes and the keyboard, you feel as if you are revisiting the parks you’ve been to as a child.
The next track, “Storytime,” is a well-known track amongst Nightwish fans. Not because of the heaviness and the beyond-this-world guitar riffs, but because the song feels like an adventure. As soon as your earbuds are plugged in, Olzon’s vocals transport you into a world where you see a painter, Peter Pan, and a bunch of elves preparing Christmas gifts. The experience is similar to witnessing the innocence of childhood, when everything felt like a fantasy. And what makes it better is the energy.
But if you think the energy is over… wait until you listen to the next track, “Ghost River.” The song starts with heavy guitar riffs and drums, followed by Olzon’s clean vocals and Hietala’s harsh vocals. The chorus is almost haunting—almost as if Hietala is warning you to be careful of your surroundings in your fantasy world, especially the river that flows nearby.
To balance it out, ‘Slow, Love, Slow’ is a jazzy ballad type of track, to everyone’s surprise. It’s the type of song people will play near a fireplace, while waiting to deliver Santa Christmas cookies.
But as we all know, the winter weather isn’t perfect. “I Want My Tears Back” and “Scaretale” feel like blizzards: the almost raspy vocals, the heaviness of the instruments, and the incorporation of unconventional melodies. You feel as if you’re stomping on snow, trying to kick off the slush, while the droplets seem to be falling quickly.
But after the blizzard, the songs portray a theme of Narnia. You feel as if you’re seeing snowy creatures and meeting people within the winter fantasy world. The pipes sound like the wind singing. The keyboards are filled with minor scales, creating a winter-like atmosphere. There’s a sense of calmness despite the cold weather, especially with the track, “Rest Calm”. It feels as if you’re at peace.
Then it’s time to leave winter and Narnia. The “Last Ride of the Day” track sums up that melancholic emotion perfectly. You’ve had such a great time, but unfortunately, you now feel ready to leave and explore new places. You’re ready to return home—or rather, for the spring weather. But throughout the journey, you were able to meet new people, learn more about yourself, and experience the great parts of winter.
Although you may miss your adventure, the best part is that you can always revisit it. Every time you add Imaginaerum to your playlist, you can enjoy the trip to Neverland. And remember to bring me along as well.