Former Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon posted the following message on social media on September 26th celebrating her first album with the band, Dark Passion Play, which was released in 2007.

Olzon: "So, I’ve seen some of you sharing that it’s 13 years ago today since the release of Dark Passion Play. Can’t believe it’s been so many years now but this album is of course very dear to me. It was what made me able to live on my music finally at the age of 36. It’s been my dream since childhood to be a singer full time and the dream came true when I was chosen to sing in Nightwish. 

The recording was three weeks for me, where me and Tuomas (Holopainen) lived in the forest during Finnish winter time. We recorded songs, we had fun and it was a great time we had. I didn’t know the boys that well in that time but the tour that came with the album was massive and I got to see the world. It was both an exciting time but also a stresful time since I had no idea how big the band really was when I joined, and I had never been on a long tour so it was heavy job both mentally but also physically. I have so many nice memories, and the thing with this album was that it was so much loved by the non-metal fans, too. It was played in the radio here in Sweden and was #1 in the children’s top list, and we won the amazing Echo award with it. So I will always feel so blessed to have been on this album and I am proud of my performance on it. 

The songs were not written for me and it was challenging many times to record them. But thanks to all of you who have bought it and for all the support we got with it. Happy birthday to me, the other Nightwish boys, and of course to Dark Passion Play."

Olzon recently checked in with the following update:

"I am working hard on my second solo album. This album will be very different from Shine both in terms of the music style but also in my lyrics. This album will me harder and faster. It won’t be as in Shine, mostly lyrics about my life and my feelings - this time I write lyrics about other things. I have a co-producer who helps me with the music and songwriting.

Since we have done quite some songs already I’m entering the studio to do vocals for the first ones next weekend. I still have some months to finalize the whole album, but since I also work full time as a nurse I want to be far ahead to avoid stressing the process.

That was a little update and I send all my love and thanks for being such amazing fans as you all are."

The Dark Element, the musical project fronted Olzon, together with Finnish guitarist and songwriter Jani Liimatainen, released their sophomore album, Songs The Night Sings on November 8th, 2019.

Songs The Night Sings takes off where the previous record left, with immaculate vocals from Anette Olzon and fabulous anthems written by Jani.

Jani says: "I think the album is very heavy, but still hyper melodic, and this time we are even exploring new musical territories we didn't on the previous album. Now that me and Anette have one album together under our belts, we have found the style we want to pursue and also the ideal way of working together. Given all this, I think it's safe to say that with the next album you'll get even more of what made the first album so good, only it's gonna be bigger, better and bolder!"

The Dark Element made its live debut in June 2018 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. The band also completed a short Japanese tour and performed at the Frontiers Rock Sweden festival in October at Fryshuset Klubben in Stockholm. Get ready to enjoy even more shows soon.

Since word of this project got out, fans have been frothing at the mouth with anticipation for it’s arrival. And no wonder considering the talent involved! Anette is widely known for being the immaculate voice on the hit albums from Nightwish, Dark Passion Play and Imaginareum. Jani has recently been busy in Cain's Offering alongside Stratovarius singer Timo Kotipelto, but left a deep mark on the minds of all power metal fans thanks to his time in Sonata Arctica. The resulting debut album released in November 2017 took no time to take by storm all streaming platforms and conquer the sales charts everywhere.

Tracklisting:

"Not Your Monster"
"Songs The Night Sings"
"When It All Comes Down"
"Silence Between The Words"
"Pills On My Pillow"
"To Whatever End"
"The Pallbearer Walks Alone"
"Get Out Of My Head"
"If I Had A Heart"
"You Will Learn"
"I Have To Go"

Check out the BraveWords review for Songs The Night Sings here.

"Not Your Monster" video:

"The Pallbearer Walks Alone" lyric video:

"Songs The Night Sings" video:

Lineup:

Anette Olzon - Vocals
Jani Liimatainen - Guitars, keyboards, programming
Jonas Kuhlberg - Bass
Rolf Pilve - Drums