After many years of waiting Nightwish has now returned with a new album. Since "Century Child" followed Nightwish a new style. Although I am not a fan of this first hour, but with heart and soul, when the group led by Tuomas Holopainen it can crash. Just like in this album. When I saw the video clip "Storytime" for the first time here on Amazon, I was very surprised - in a good way. That's Nightwish, as I like them. For one or two hardboiled fan can not start all too much with the new style and the "new" singer Olzon, however, I like Nightwish's new style very well, in particular the linking of the Metals with the orchestral. Imaginaerum again contains many great songs that can cheer a Nightwish fan excited. Yet I can only four stars awarded as me two songs are an eyesore. On the one hand there is "Slow, Love, Slow" because Nightwish simply not part of the Jazz, on the other hand it's "Song of Myself". Initially very nice to hear, at a time of great singing, however, by a radio play (?!?) Replaced, in which I wonder what that is supposed to? While we are talking about feelings, but Holopainen has "The Poet and the Pendulum" shown even at with in "Dark Passion Play" that you can accomplish this another way, without the listener off out of boredom.
My favorites on this CD are: - Storytime - I want my Tears back - Scaretale and - Last Ride of the Day
The only song that completely punched my opinion of the series, is "Slow, Love, Slow".
Conclusion: Despite the above-mentioned shortcomings, I am passionate about Imaginaerum and can only recommend any fan of Nightwish to buy it themselves. However, I think the simple CD and not enough "exclusive edition", since only about a DIN A5 large calendar and a slipcase for CDs is delivered, so in my opinion, no extra 5 euros worth :)
