Imaginaerum cover

Imaginaerum

Nightwish · 2011

74 min · 13 tracks · power metal · symphonic metal

Orchestral grandeur and heavy guitar riffs intertwine, creating a cinematic soundscape full of emotional depth and fantasy themes.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • cinematic soundscapes for daydreaming
  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • wave-like pacing for immersive experience
  • fantasy themes that inspire imagination

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek immediate gratification in music

Where this album fits

Themes
cinematic storytelling· mythical sea creatures· theatrical darkness
Career context
By the time 'Imaginaerum' was released in 2011, Nightwish was already a prominent name in symphonic metal, having achieved significant commercial success with albums like 'Dark Passion Play.' This album marked a creative high point for the band, as it was conceived alongside a feature film of the same name, showcasing their ambition to blend music with visual storytelling.
Stylistic neighbors
Within Temptation· Epica· Therion
Sounds like this from elsewhere
The Silent Force by Within Temptation — Shares grand orchestration and themes of fantasy with powerful vocal performances.
Design Your Universe by Epica — Combines symphonic elements and heavy riffs, creating a cinematic and narrative-driven experience.
Ghost Opera by Kamelot — Explores epic storytelling through lush arrangements and emotional depth, akin to 'Imaginaerum'.
New to Nightwish? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Taikatalvi 2:35
  • 2 Storytime 5:22
  • 3 Ghost River 5:28
  • 4 Slow, Love, Slow 5:50
  • 5 I Want My Tears Back 5:07
  • 6 Scaretale 7:32
  • 7 Arabesque 2:57
  • 8 Turn Loose the Mermaids 4:20
  • 9 Rest Calm 7:02
  • 10 The Crow, the Owl and the Dove 4:10
  • 11 Last Ride of the Day 4:32
  • 12 Song of Myself: 1. From a Dusty Bookshelf / 2. All That Great Heart Lying Still / 3. Piano Black / 4. Love 13:37
  • 13 Imaginaerum 6:18

What to play next

Showtime, Storytime
Listen next

Showtime, Storytime

2013
Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places)
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Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places)

2009
Full Nightwish discography Where to start with Nightwish Artists like Nightwish
power metal symphonic metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata