The Dark Element, symphonic power metal outfit featuring Insomnium/former Sonata Arctica guitarist Jani Liimatainen and former Nightwish singer Anette Olzon, have released their sophomore album, Songs the Night Sings, on November 8th via Frontiers Music SRL (order here). We recently caught up with Olzon to discuss their latest effort, life after Nightwish, and more.
Forgive me for saying this but, I hear a lot of 2011’s Imaginaerum from Nightwish in Songs the Night Sings. There a few songs, especially the title track that sounds like a B-side to that album. What are your thoughts on these comparisons?
I haven’t thought about if it sounds like this song or that song, for me it’s Jani’s songs he has written for our album. I read that some people feel some songs sound like Nightwish, some like Sonata Arctica and so on but I don’t believe Jani has had any intention of sounding like any of them.
What was the process like creating this album compared to your debut?
It followed the same process as last time but since we have one album process before and we now know each other’s skills and how we like to work, it’s been a very smooth and fun process.
Can you talk about some of the themes on the album?
This is more for Jani to answer since he has written the songs.
Jani seems extremely busy these days being a full time member of Insomnium. How has it been working around his new schedule?
It’s not been any problem when we recorded the album because at that time, he wasn’t a member of Insomnium. Now the schedule for him is extreme so the only thing that affects me is that we can’t do any gigs due to his other band. But I hope, when they have some off time, he might have time and energy for TDE too;-)
Are there any touring plans for The Dark Element?
No as I said above, it’s quite impossible with Janis schedule at the moment.
I read that your experience with Nightwish wasn’t the best for you. How have things been since?
It’s been very good. I am happy and content with having a regular job as a nurse where I enjoy to work and sing on the side. Less stress and much more fun these days to sing and have the freedom to choose if and what I want to sing.
Next year marks a new decade. What artists or bands stick out to you the most over the last ten years?
Oh that’s a very hard question cause I’m not so into certain bands or artists, I don’t follow any particular ones.
Can you talk more about how The Dark Element formed?
It was a question from the record label if I wanted to sing on an album with Jani and I didn’t know him at all. I also hadn’t done a whole album for a long time and studied at the moment at the University. So, I wasn’t sure I’d have time for it. But after some thoughts and my husband saying: go for it, I did. And now I’m happy I did, of course, cause it’s been so fun to sing Jani’s songs.
Is there anything else you want to add or say to your fans?
Just a big thanks to all the fans who have supported us and like our albums!
