KAMELOT Unleash North American Tour Trailer!

This fall, KAMELOT will be touring North America in support of their latest disc 'Silverthorn'. The bands Delain and Eklipse will be opening all shows. Tickets for all shows are now available at www.enterthevault.com, and all other online ticketing outlets.
Here is the trailer for the bands upcoming tour (full agenda below):



For fans hoping to get a little more involved, the band will be offering up VIP packages at several of the tour stops. The VIP experience includes early entry to the show, a meet and greet with the band and an autographed commemorative poster.

KAMELOT North American Headline Tour With Delain and Eklipse:

- 9/2: Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa Villa
- 9/3: Baltimore, MD 2 Soundstage
- 9/5: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
- 9/6: New York, NY @ Stage 48
- 9/7: Worcester, MA @ Palladium
- 9/8: Montreal, QUE @ Club Soda
- 9/10: Toronto, ON @ Opera House
- 9/12: Chicago, IL @ Mojoe's
- 9/13: Kansas City, KS @ Granada Theater
- 9/14: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
- 9/15: Salt Lake City, UT @ In the Venue
- 9/17: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
- 9/18: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
- 9/20: San Francisco, CA @ Slims
- 9/21: Anaheim, CA @ The Grove
- 9/22: Phoenix, AZ @ Joe's Grotto
- 9/24: Dallas, TX @ Trees
- 9/25: San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
- 9/27: Louisville, KY @ Diamonds
- 9/28: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
- 9/29: Orlando, FL @ House of Blues

Related links:

Kamelot's Official Site

Kamelot's Facebook Page

Floor Jansen To Rejoin NIGHTWISH As Their Full Time Vocalist?

After closing the Anetter Olzon chapter (Full details HERE), NIGHTWISH has made it clear that the show must go on! Following the departure of Olzon, the band re-recruited the very talented Floor Jansen on October 1 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington, and the band as a whole couldn't be any happier. While Jansen has stated that she does not plan in rejoining the band full time, we are pretty sure that with the right contract and money offer, Jansen might reconsider and become NIGHTWISH's front woman again!

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on  following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of the past five years, Anette Olzon.

The bands mainman Tuomas Holopainen has spoken to Blabbermouth about the the addition of singer Floor Jansen to the group and feels that she is only getting better gig by gig.

"We have done 13 shows with her and every concert has been better than the previous one," he tells Finland's MTV.fi. "We are taking it day by day as much as we can. The vibe in the band is marvellous. We are enjoying every moment."

"We are very much on the same wavelength and we have a similar sense of humor," Holopainen says of his new bandmate.

Stepping into NIGHTWISH was made easier for Jansen by the fact that she has extensive experience in both classical and rock music. Following AFTER FOREVER's split, Jansen launched a brand new project called REVAMP, which has thus far released one album and is prearing to record a follow-up effort.

"She has been in these circles since the late '90s," says Tuomas. "She has toured a lot and has been part of this genre of music. This way, it was easier for her to enter the band."

"[Floor is] a vocal coach herself, so she's very professional," says Tuomas. "The fact that she had about 40 hours to learn 15 songs is quite revealing. She practically learned our tour set on the flight from Amsterdam to Seattle. We're talking about a high-level professional and her attitude is fabulous as well. It can be seen in her stage presence. She clearly enjoys what she does."

This are the featured songs on the video below, featuring Floor Jansen with NIGHTWISH:

00:03 "Storytime"
03:17 "Wish I Had An Angel"
05:13 Floor Jansen introduction
05:47 "Dark Chest of Wonders"
08:28 "Amaranth"
09:14 "Scaretale"



Related links:
Nightwish

NIGHTWISH Move On With "Fill In" Singer Floor Jansen - Video Available!

After closing the Anetter Olzon chapter, NIGHTWISH has made it clear that the show must go on! Last night (Tuesday, October 2), the band performed at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon with "fill in" singer Floor Jansen (ex-AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP). A 22-minute compilation of fan-filmed clips can be seen below.

So what happened with Olzon? Well, it seems like Olzon quit the band after the band failed to keep her on the loop regarding their decision to replace her for one show after she had a medical emergency: "I was never asked if it was OK they used Elize (Ryd) and Alissa (White-Gluz) 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, "I got very ill and thought it was a kidney stone. I got worse in the evening and started vomiting heavily. The hospital said I should cancel the show and come straight to the ER. I was there all night and they did blood tests, ultrasounds on my kidneys and finally a CT scan. The tests didn't show why I was so ill, but probably the stomach pain has a connection with me having the flu, or just stress.

"They did find something else, though, and for that I'm grateful – if I didn't do the scan, I wouldn't know there's a big cyst in my liver and I need to go check it out at home."

This are the featured songs on the video below:

00:03 "Storytime"
03:17 "Wish I Had An Angel"
05:13 Floor Jansen introduction
05:47 "Dark Chest of Wonders"
08:28 "Amaranth"
09:14 "Scaretale"



Related links:
Nightwish

NIGHTWISH Drama: Anette Olzon Closes Official Blog After Leaving The Band - Last Post Available!

So the NIGHTWISH drama continues. While the band is playing it off as an amicable break up, it seems like former singer Anette Olzon quit the band after the band failed to keep her on the loop regarding their decision to replace her for one show after she had a medical emergency: "I was never asked if it was OK they used Elize (Ryd) and Alissa (White-Gluz) 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, "I got very ill and thought it was a kidney stone. I got worse in the evening and started vomiting heavily. The hospital said I should cancel the show and come straight to the ER. I was there all night and they did blood tests, ultrasounds on my kidneys and finally a CT scan. The tests didn't show why I was so ill, but probably the stomach pain has a connection with me having the flu, or just stress.

"They did find something else, though, and for that I'm grateful – if I didn't do the scan, I wouldn't know there's a big cyst in my liver and I need to go check it out at home."

Following this breaking news, Olzon has "closed" her official blog, just hours after it was announced that she was parting ways with the group. In her final message to the fans, she wrote:

"Dear blog readers: With this I say farewell to you and this blog. This blog was a way for me, as the singer in NIGHTWISH, to keep more in touch with you, NIGHTWISH fans. Now when this chapter has ended, there is no more need for me to do this blog and from today I close it.

"I want to thank you all for being my readers for so many years, for your loving support and I wish you all a happy and healthy life! Stay kind to others and live life easy!

"Lots of love, Anette Olzon (from now on just Anette Olsson;=)"

A note from the band: "NIGHTWISH has no intention of cancelling any upcoming shows, and as a result we have decided to bring in a substitute vocalist starting in Seattle 1.10.2012. Her name is Floor Jansen from the Netherlands (ex-AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP), and she has graciously stepped in to help us complete the ”Imaginaerum” world tour."

Related links:
Nightwish

NIGHTWISH Part Ways With Vocalist Anette Olzon Following The Singers Hospitalization - Official Statement Available!

According to Classic Rock, NIGHTWISH's Anette Olzon was forced to sit out the band's show in Denver, Colorado, this past weekend.

Her place was taken by support band Kamelot's backing singers Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist). Olzon explains: "I got very ill and thought it was a kidney stone. I got worse in the evening and started vomiting heavily. The hospital said I should cancel the show and come straight to the ER. I was there all night and they did blood tests, ultrasounds on my kidneys and finally a CT scan. The tests didn't show why I was so ill, but probably the stomach pain has a connection with me having the flu, or just stress.

"They did find something else, though, and for that I'm grateful – if I didn't do the scan, I wouldn't know there's a big cyst in my liver and I need to go check it out at home."

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."

Today, the band has released the following statement regarding the future of the band:

"Another chapter of the NIGHTWISH story has ended today. NIGHTWISH and 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 cancelling any upcoming shows, and as a result we have decided to bring in a substitute vocalist starting in Seattle 1.10.2012. Her name is Floor Jansen from the Netherlands (ex-AFTER FOREVER, REVAMP), 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."

- NIGHTWISH & Anette Olzon

We wish Anette a speedy recovery and NIGHTWISH the best of luck on their NEW venture!

Related links:
Nightwish

KAMELOT Announce The Name Of Their NEW Vocalist!

The American/German symphonic Metal band KAMELOT is proud to announce another key piece leading to the release of their NEW studio album.

A question foremost in every KAMELOT fan's mind has been: Who is the group's new lead singer?*   

Band mastermind and guitarist Thomas Youngblood has now revealed: "The NEW man is Scandinavian Tommy Karevik!"

The general public may not be overly familiar with the 30 year old Swede, Karevik, but people in the industry know him as the immensely talented frontman of the Swedish band, Seventh Wonder. Youngblood states: "We had around 800 candidates for the vacant position, among them a number of really renowned musicians, and having to reject them really wasn't easy. We want to thank all the applicants, thank you for your understanding and we wish you all lots of success in the future!"

The search for Tommy Karevik.....

In their search for a NEW singer, Thomas Youngblood found YouTube to be an amazing tool: "I listened to a clip of a studio production featuring Tommy and have to confess that his performance really amazed me. His approach to melodies and themes suits KAMELOT perfectly, and during our European shows we had plenty of opportunity to find out what a great guy he is."  

Tommy first appeared as one of the guest singers on KAMELOT's very successful 2011 "Pandemonium World Tour". Live footage below. Tommy states: "The tour was a lot of fun and I met a lot of nice people and got some good experience. The guys were super nice and we had a great time together! By then I was really into the band's music and had fallen in love with the amazingly loyal and dedicated fans at every show."

Karevik is thrilled about his NEW position: "I am so honored to now be a part of this family and I can`t wait to move into the NEW era of the band together with the guys. I fully understand that this comes with great responsibility and that it will be a big challenge for me as a singer as well as a person, but you can rest assured I will give it my all. From this day, a new journey has begun and I am really eager to meet you all along the way to share my passion for this music!"

KAMELOT's NEW album is planned for a September 2012 release, which coincides with the beginning a massive World Tour that will bring the band to nearly every continent on the planet. See Kamelot.com for already scheduled concert dates!

Related links:

Kamelot's Official Site

Kamelot's Facebook Page

NIGHTWISH & KAMELOT To Destroy North America's Ears - Tour Dates Available!

After one packed-to-the-rafters gig on North American soil held at the Gibson in Los Angeles this past January, Europe's most notorious and revered symphonic Metallers Nightwish will return to the U.S. for a full tour. The band will support the recently released and majestic 'Imaginaerum'.

Tickets for the much-anticipated trek, which launches Sept. 12 in Atlanta before snaking through the rest of the country and wrapping in Florida on Oct. 14, go on sale on May 5. Kamelot will provide direct support.

This is the band's only planned tour of North America, so it's sure to be a hot ticket for the Nightwish faithful.

VIP packages will be offered in the following cities:  Philadelphia, Worcester, Montreal, Columbus , Chicago, Sauget, San Francisco, Anaheim, Austin, New Orleans and Ft. Lauderdale. The packages include one hour early entry, a meet and greet and signed commemorative poster, so it's certainly an enticing offering for diehards.

Nightwish Fall 2012 Tour Dates with Kamelot:

- September 12th – Center Stage- Atlanta, GA
- September 13th – Center Stage – Atlanta, GA
- September 15th – Beacon Theatre- New York, NY
- September 16th – Electric Factory- Philadelphia, PA
- September 17th – The Palladium (MA)- Worcester, MA
- September 19th – CEPSUM University of Montreal – Montreal, QUE, Canada
- September 20th – Sound Academy – Toronto, ONT, Canada
- September 21st – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
- September 23rd- Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, MI
- September 24th – Congress Theater – Chicago, IL
- September 25th – Pop’s – Sauget, IL
- September 27th - The Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
- September 28th – Ogden Theater – Denver, CO
- September 29th – The Complex – Salt Lack City, UT
- October 1st – Showbox SODO – Seattle, WA
- October 2nd – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
- October 3rd – The Warfield – San Francisco, CA
- October 5th – The Grove – Anaheim, CA
- October 6th – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
- October 7th – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
- October 9th – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
- October 10th – Emos – Austin, TX
- October 11th – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
- October 13th – Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- October 14th – House of Blues – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Related links:
NIGHTWISH's Official Site
KAMELOT's Official Site