Fugazi

More details about the Sao Paulo concert, from a promoter's FB feed: https://www.facebook.com/eric.dehaas.90/posts/pfbid02axBaXyQc56pKzwtrKE1KscVawU5oPq3mrqJeHiT9DuwpWpPTMPp9d17ZPWBwssdcl We're very happy to announce that Nightwish's show in São Paulo on October 14th is SOLD OUT! To celebrate this moment, Dynamo Records will present the fans of the Paulista capital with a promotional copy (envelope) of the DVD "Decades Live in Buenos Aires". We ask the fans in retribution, to cooperate with donating 1kg of non-perishable food to the Honorsounds platform #raceagainstform campaign, at the entrance of the event. At this moment we are living in one of the greatest social crises our country has ever faced and we need to support all initiatives that help fight hunger. The best choice is life Collaborate and have fun!

Good stuff. I think the trilogy idea might have been mentioned before, but perhaps not as clearly as here. The idea of trilogy suggests that the following album will be something really different, which has me intrigued, or just that it hasn't been planned yet and it might turn out to be a tetralogy after all! 😁

Not everyday we get a reaction to the whole of 'All The Works Of Nature That Adorn The World'... but I found JW's comment to be informative and honest, as always. 👍 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZBaK2MhkNg

I got this announcement for the upcoming Raskasta Joulua tour, including returning Marko. Sorry for the lousy translation! The locality-specific soloists of the Heavy Christmas tour have been announced! This year, the Raskasta Joulua tour, which has become the most popular Christmas tour in Finland, features twelve skilled interpreters of heavy music. On the tour, which visits a total of 22 towns, Christmas carols arranged with a heavy hand are interpreted by e.g. Marko Hietala, Noora Louhimo, J-P Leppäluoto and Swedish reinforcements Elize Ryd and Tommy Karevik. The Heavy Christmas tour, which has been organized almost twenty times, will visit a total of 22 places this year. The concerts of Finland's most popular Christmas tour are mainly held in ice rinks, arenas and large halls. With the Rasskasta Joulua band, 12 skilled interpreters of metal music tour Finland. Soloists on this year's tour include, for example, Psychework soloist Antony Parviainen, known for his world-class voice, Antti Railio, who enchanted the audience with his powerful soft interpretations and strong presence, Elize Ryd, soloist of the Swedish metal band Amaranthe, musical multi-talent Ilja Jalkanen, charming versatile metal man JP Leppäluoto in the new Elämäni biisi season, ex-Nightwish star Marko Hietala - soloist Tony Kakko and e.g. Ville Tuomi, known from the ranks of Leningrad Cowboys and Suburban Tribe. See all tour venues with soloists below. HEAVY CHRISTMAS TOUR 2022 Pe 18.11. Kokkolan jäähalli Solistit: Antti Railio JP Leppäluoto Pekka Heino Antony Parviainen Noora Louhimo La 19.11. Vaasan Sähkö Areena Solistit: Antti Railio JP Leppäluoto Pekka Heino Antony Parviainen Noora Louhimo Ke 23.11. Joensuu Areena Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Antti Railio Tommy Karevik (SWE) Noora Louhimo To 24.11. Ikaalinen Spa Arena Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Antti Railio Tommy Karevik (SWE) Noora Louhimo Pe 25.11. Seinäjoki Areena Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Tommi Salmela Tommy Karevik (SWE) Noora Louhimo La 26.11. Karhuhalli, Pori Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Tommi Salmela Tommy Karevik (SWE) Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen Noora Louhimo Su 27.11. Helsingin jäähalli Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Tommi Salmela Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen Ville Tuomi Noora Louhimo Tommy Karevik (SWE) Ke 30.11. Kalajokilaakso Areena, Ylivieska Solistit: Marko Hietala Antti Railio Antony Parviainen JP Leppäluoto Noora Louhimo Pe 2.12. Ouluhalli Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Ville Tuomi Antony Parviainen Pekka Heino Tommi Salmela Elize Ryd (SWE) La 3.12. Lahti Halli Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Antony Parviainen Pekka Heino Elize Ryd (SWE) Su 4.12. Verkatehdas, Hämeenlinna (liput raskastajoulua.com) Solistit: Marko Hietala Antti Railio Ilja Jalkanen Elize Ryd (SWE) Ke 7.12. Salohalli Solistit: Marko Hietala JP Leppäluoto Pekka Heino Tommy Karevik(SWE) Noora Louhimo To 8.12. Espoo Metro Areena Solistit: Marko Hietala Ville Tuomi Tommi Salmela Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen JP Leppäluoto Noora Louhimo Tommy Karevik (SWE) Pe 9.12. Kuopio-halli Solistit: Marko Hietala Tommi Salmela Ville Tuomi Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen Tommy Karevik (SWE) La 10.12. Lumon Areena, Kouvola (liput raskastajoulua.com) Solistit: Marko Hietala Tommi Salmela Antony Parviainen Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Tommy Karevik (SWE) Su 11.12. Lappeenranta-sali Solistit: Marko Hietala Tommy Karevik (SWE) Ilja Jalkanen Noora Louhimo Ti 13.12. Mikaeli, Mikkeli Solistit: Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Noora Louhimo Ke 14.12. Steveco-areena, Kotka Solistit: Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Pekka Heino Noora Louhimo To 15.12. Paviljonki Areena, Jyväskylä Solistit: Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Tommi Salmela Antony Parviainen Noora Louhimo Pe 16.12. Gatorade Center, Turku Solistit: Elize Ryd (SWE) Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Tommi Salmela Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen JP Leppäluoto Noora Louhimo La 17.12. Kivikylän Areena (ylätori), Rauma Solistit: Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Elize Ryd (SWE) Antti Railio Su 18.12. Nokia Arena, Tampere Solistit: Marko Hietala Tony Kakko Ville Tuomi Tommi Salmela Pekka Heino Ilja Jalkanen Antony Parviainen JP Leppäluoto Antti Railio Noora Louhimo Elize Ryd (SWE) raskastajoulua.com

They certainly deserve the love there and elsewhere. I'm pretty happy that they sold out in Montreal too. A little while ago I've started marking the sold-out shows on the tour list, but it's not information readily available for past tours.

A new release from Epica: The cat is finally out of the bag: On November 11, we’re releasing seven brand new songs to conclude our 20th Anniversary year! This mini-album named, ‘The Alchemy Project’ is a very diverse release, with each track taking on the flavour of the internationally renowned guest musician(s) with whom each was written and recorded. This resulted in a release that challenges and expands on what Epica is, while maintaining our trademark sound. Beyond the symphonic hymns you’re used to, you’ll also find progressive melodic death moments, saxophone solos, haunting lullabies with a trio of female voices—and even the heaviest death metal track we’ve ever recorded! ‘The Alchemy Project’ is now available for pre-order and will include these new tracks: The Great Tribulation feat. Fleshgod Apocalypse
 Wake the World feat. Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) & Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) The Final Lullaby feat. Shining
 Sirens – Of Blood and Water feat. Charlotte Wessels & Myrkur Death is not the End feat. Frank Schiphorst (MaYaN) & Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork) Human Devastation feat. Henri Sattler (God Dethroned) & Sven de Caluwé (Aborted)
 The Miner feat. Asim Searah (Damnation Plan), Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium) & Roel van Helden (Powerwolf)

To celebrate the single release, Floor did live chats on a number of social platforms today, including this one on YouTube. No groundbreaking news, just the usual chat with fans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9o0_yMjgc

From the Allen-Olzon album, here's a new video for the title song 'Army Of Dreamers'. It's not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

I'm wondering about that too, since there were no bonus tracks on Human Nature. There has been no 'Tour Edition' of Human Nature either but I guess it's something they could still do before the tour is over.

'Me Without You', the third single from Floor's upcoming solo album. Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YjQpC0_CNA Video (available in a few hours):

There's a new release from Xandria featuring Ralf Scheepers (of German metal band Primal Fear).

New vinyl releases of the first 4 albums plus EP are available for pre-order. https://www.backstagerockshop.com/collections/nightwish Presumably these are remastered but are they the same remasters released by Nesi Media earlier this year?

Radical high heels from Floor's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floorjansen.singer Not to mention expensive! 👀 https://www.plein.com/ca/patent-leather-decollete-hi-heels-skull/F20S-WSD0364-PLE077N_02.html

There's a whole year left to polish the songs... Might as well get started on the 11th album while he's at it! 😁

Here are some clips from the first 'public' Delain show with the new singer, at Riverside Festival in Switzerland. The video is not top quality but I'm rather impressed with the Diana Leah. It's obvious that unlike Nightwish, Delain have looked to preserve the sound of old with a singer that would sound similar. Hands Of Gold - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmALcXDAaYQ And she seems to be a capable live performer. The Quest And The Curse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Eik-jjLQc

Also, here's a recent update regarding the full AFAS show release we're still waiting for. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/floor-jansen-digital-live-release/x/16094815#/updates/all

Epica performs Storm The Sorrow with surprise guest Charlotte Wessels in Dordrecht. 👀

I had to listen to a 'regular' version first to compare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNHIwYhwx-Y Then this! 🤘 (there are probably better recordings out there)

Nice, looking forward to the single release! Wow, it's almost bigger than the race itself! 😁

A new interview from Dutch media. Of note, Floor's next single is about to be released on September 9th. 👀 Floor Jansen sings the national anthem: 'Enjoy everything!' https://www.rodi.nl/haarlem/grand-prix-zandvoort/308415/floor-jansen-zingt-volkslied-geniet-van-alles- Tue Aug 30 Just before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort, the internationally acclaimed singer Floor Jansen provides a special interpretation of the Wilhelmus for the many fans. The popular singer is musically accompanied by the Royal Air Force Orchestra. Reason enough to put Floor to the test. Can you tell us what it was like to be asked to sing the National Anthem during the Dutch GP in Zandvoort? I can't really describe it. My management was called by the organization and then you hear that you can sing the Wilhelmus during one of the largest events in the Netherlands. What a great honor to do this. However, it only became apparent to me a few days later, when I started to delve further into Formula 1 and the previous edition, how massive and successful it is, in the Netherlands but also worldwide. Do you have a thing for the National Anthem? I don't think I am more or less fond of the National Anthem than any other Dutch person. You grow up with it and see it as something that brings our people together in many beautiful moments. Now to put my own spin on it is a fantastic opportunity and I hope I can convey the energy and emotion of Formula 1 in my edition. You sing it accompanied by a large orchestra, have you performed this way before? Yes, of course! A few years ago I sang a Final Fantasy Soundtrack, “Sound of the Wind” with the Metropole Orkest. And earlier this year I sang my own single “Storm” with the same orchestra that will play the Wilhelmus in Formula 1, the Royal Air Force Orchestra. This was during the TV show “Ode to our Veterans” for Veterans Day 2022. You've said before that you don't follow F1 closely, do you now? Due to my busy schedule I am unable to keep up with everything. However, I have mainly become interested in the drivers. How they train, work and do everything they can to be the best. That, together with the well-oiled machines of the teams, is extremely fascinating to keep an eye on. You don't live in the Netherlands, are you going to the Netherlands for 1 day for this event or are you staying for a while? I've been in the Netherlands for a few days already working on my first solo album which will be released in March 2023 and it's also nice to spend time with my family. September 9th my 3rd single will be released. The Dutch only really got to know you musically after 2019, the broadcast with Henk Poort. Since then it has gained momentum, do you notice that much? Yes and no. Because I've been a singer for twenty years and tour all over the world with Nightwish, which is one of the biggest metal bands in the world, I'm pretty used to attention. However, I didn't necessarily get this attention in the Netherlands until Best Singers. I like that I can now share my music with even more people and feel the support of the Dutch. Would you like to say something to the F1 fans? Enjoy the show! In the end, it's not about me, it's about the race. I hope it will be very exciting. And for those who also like to listen to me: My first album will be released in 2023 and April 2023 I can be found on many stages in the Netherlands. Who do you think will win the race? Max Verstappen. Would be a lot of fun!

Another Allen-Olzon release, "So Quiet Here":

Here's a recent interview with Tarja: https://etherealmetalzine.com/2022/08/15/interview-with-tarja-august-15th-2022/ "There is an album release happening at the end of this year (!) and a re-release of another album as well AND I am currently working on two other album releases for next year. For more info what these albums and projects are about, you will need to wait unfortunately. I love to keep my fans excited….haha! " Also, a new link for her Wacken 2022 show as the recordings were removed from YouTube. https://www.magentamusik.de/woa-2022-tarja

This was released while I was away... LAND OF SEA AND SUN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar32UU8JeMs “Land Of Sea And Sun” was the last song I wrote for Outlanders. The locals call Antigua as the land of sea and sun and you can see that expression everywhere you go, even in the license plates of the cars. With the title set and all the images, sounds and scents of Antigua in mind, I approached the songwriting differently this time: in a weird twist, I become the island itself as the storyteller for this song. Even though the song is very much inspired and shaped by the island chill, it happened to turn out kind of a rock song. I had this feeling since the first moment, so I knew I wanted a rocker with lots of sensitivity for the guitar parts. I approached my friend Kiko Loureiro to ask his help to get in touch with guitarist Marty Friedman. Kiko very kindly connected us. I absolutely love what Marty did in the song. He embraced the song and added beautiful harmonies and moods to it. Marty really understood what I was looking for. I am super happy with the results of this one and I do hope you all will love it as well. Outlanders rocks! https://www.tarja-outlanders.com/