ANETTE OLZON: Former Nightwish Frontwoman To Release First Solo Album Next Year Via Armoury Records

It is with great pleasure that Armoury Records, in conjunction with earMUSIC, welcomes ANETTE OLZON to their expanding roster of powerful frontwomen.

Best known for her time fronting symphonic metal brigade Nightwish for five years before fleeing the band in 2012, the Swedish born songstress has established herself as a true apex among female rock singers globally and will continue the trend with her forthcoming solo release entitled Shine. Produced by Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner, co-produced by OLZON alongside Johan Kronlund and mixed by Kronlund, Nicklas Flykt and Ronny Lahti (known for his work with Loreen and Roxette), Shine is a logical next step in OLZON's flourishing musical journey.

"I am so thrilled to finally release my first solo album," comments OLZON. "I've been working on it for a long time. The album is very personal with songs I've been writing since 2009 but there are also very recent songs. The overall message of the album is that life can be really dark and filled with hardship and sadness, but you can always choose to see some light coming through, to make you stronger and full of life, making you shine... no matter what." 

Indeed, Shine crosses the borders between melancholy and hope; fragility and power. It showcases an artist who refuses to rest on her proverbial laurels but heads boldly into the future.

Shine will be released in North America via Armoury Records this February. Further info, including track listing and teasers, to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

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NIGHTWISH: Anette Olzon leaves the band; replaced by Floor Jansen to complete the 'Imaginaerum' world tour

Accordind Blabbermoutth, Symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH have issued the following statement:

Anette Olzon

"Another chapter of the NIGHTWISH story has ended today. NIGHTWISH and [singer] Anette Olzon have decided to part company, in mutual understanding, for the good of all parties involved.

"In recent times it has become increasingly obvious that the direction and the needs of the band were in conflict, and this has led to a division from which we cannot recover.

"NIGHTWISH has no intention of canceling any upcoming shows, and as a result we have decided to bring in a substitute vocalist starting in Seattle on October 1. Her name is Floor Jansen (ex-AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP) from the Netherlands, and she has graciously stepped in to help us complete the 'Imaginaerum' world tour.

"We are all strongly committed to this journey, this vehicle of spirit, and we are sure that this will lead to a brighter future for everyone.

"We forever remain excited about the adventures to come, and we are extremely proud of the two beautiful albums and the wonderful shows we shared together."

Floor Jansen

KAMELOT backing singers Elize Ryd (also of AMARANTHE) and Alissa White-Gluz (also of THE AGONIST) stepped in for Anette this past Friday night (September 28) at the Ogden Theatre because Olzon was suffering from fever and vomiting and was forced to spend the night at a local hospital...

Writing on her official blog, Olzon voiced her displeasure over the fact that NIGHTWISH played a concert without her, stating, "I was never asked if it was OK they used Elize and Alissa in the show [Friday] night. I don't think it's a good decision they made and I'm sorry for those of you who came to see the whole band but got something else. But I was very ill and this decision wasn't mine.'

She continued in a separate posting, "This is just music. Like life, sometimes we get ill and shows do get canceled. Rihanna wouldn't ask Britney Spears to sing for her if she was ill."

She concluded, "To think a show is more important than the humans in the band is, for me, so totally not in this world."

Photos of Friday night's concert can be seen at this location (courtesy of Brandon Marshall).

Olzon rejoined NIGHTWISH on stage this past Saturday night (September 29) at The Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah. She wrote on her blog after the concert, "Sorry for not being in top form, but I did my best at least."

Olzon joined NIGHTWISH in 2007 as the replacement for Tarja Turunen after the latter was fired in 2005.

Source and more: Blabbermouth