ANETTE OLZON: Rapture

Rapture is Pure Rapture
Fans of power/symphonic metal fronted by female vocalists are likely familiar with Nightwish as well as the infamous departure of the band’s original vocalist Tarja Turunen after the Once album (2004). Likewise, some may also be familiar with her replacement Anette Olzon who sang lead vocals with Nightwish for Dark Passion Play (2007) and Imaginaerum (2011). Those albums, along with the companion Imaginaerum movie, were where I first became acquainted with Olzon’s vocals.
Yksin Olzon
However, many may not be as familiar with her work as a solo artist after her painful separation/departure from Nightwish. Prior to Rapture she released two solo recordings (discussed below) and a pair of collaborative records with Russell Allen (Symphony X) under the moniker of Allen/Olzon. Just the endorsement of a vocalist like Allen went a long way to bringing Olzon back into the metal fold … ah, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Survival
Shine (2014) on Ear Music was her first effort as she began to move on from the metal world of Nightwish and the pressures she had sustained during her tenure there. Not surprisingly, the music wasn’t metal but more pop/melodic rock – music which showcased a different side of Olzon’s persona. Likewise, lyrically and thematically Shine felt like a statement of survival.
Strength
Subsequently, there was a long hiatus until the release of Strong (2021). Not only was Olzon now signed to Frontiers Records, but she had also connected with Magnus Karlsson of Primal Fear/Heart Healer (producer/guitars/keys) through their work together on the first Allen/Olzon Worlds Apart release (2020). The addition of two other musicians, Anders Köllerfors (drums), who now plays for Narnia and All For The King, along with Johan Husgafvel (bass/growls), would round out the line-up for Olzon’s second solo release. Incidentally, Husgafvel (Pain) just happens to be Anette’s husband!
Consequently, Strong represented, musically, a move back toward the heavier rock and metal world. Where Shine was thematically about survival, Strong was exactly what it sounded like – a statement of strength. With the help of Karlsson, Strong was more professionally presented and well-written, more polished in mixing and sound quality, and much more metal (with Husgafvel’s growls mixed into the amalgam).
Faith
Fast forward to present and we are introduced to Rapture, a collection of songs which takes the quality and intensity to a whole higher level. This should be what we expect given that not only is this Olzon’s second release with this group of musicians, but it just felt like she had more work to do, more to say after the previous release. Where Strong was an 8/10, Rapture is a 9.
Furthermore, not only is the music faster and more aggressive – this is symphonic/power metal at its core – the lyrical approach is just as radical, very much influenced by Olzon’s Christian faith. In many ways, Rapture feels like Olzon proving to the metal world that she is capable, she is metal … this is power metal on her terms, under her condition and with her message. Amen.
Unity Over Division
Additionally, no fan of Christian metal should find anything in the lyrics off-putting. Regardless of differing views on “The Rapture” (as Biblically depicted) the emphasis of Olzon’s lyrics is on standing strong in faith. Not insignificantly, there are a ton of lyrics here, and most of them are exhorting and unifying in nature.
The Songs
Honestly, I will confess that I like Nightwish’s Dark Passion Play and Imaginaerum. I realized, at the time of their release, fans of Nightwish who liked the vocals of Anette Olzon were criticized as not being “true” – their loss. I rated both albums equally excellent. Rapture, while minus the notoriety of those Nightwish releases, is every bit as excellent, the only fault here (just putting this out there) is the similarity of song composition and pace.
Incidentally, while most of the exegesis has focused on Olzon to this point, it would be an understatement to say the band members and artists involved in this project play supporting roles. These musicians seriously shred. The guitar riffs, and the solos, are primo. Drums, bass, BGV’s … it all sounds amazing. Not to mention the mixing and mastering of Jacob Hansen. World class!!
“Heed the Call” comes roaring out of the speakers with conviction and power. Olzon, given her more pop rock vocal background, should not be compared to her predecessor at Nightwish (Tarja) or even Simone Simmons (Epica) who both have more operatic soprano styles. Instead, Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), or more accurately Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) are truer reference points, particularly the latter. While Wessels is no longer a member of Delain she shares some things in common with Olzon. They share a similar tone and range, and both have a predilection for the more accessible, pop side of rock.
This is a metal anthem, a call to “arms,” so to speak, with the pleading to, “Heed the call, hear the sound sent from above, world we know is doomed to fall, humans you have been warned, the heavens will sing, so bow to the King.”
The “children’s choir” break-out section with the Lord’s Prayer is sublime, followed by Husgafvel’s brutal declaration clearly sets the pace for a very special collection of songs.
The title track features Olzon soaring over the four-on-the-floor driving beat delivering the decry of judgment and the hope of deliverance from final suffering. Her vocal command here is stunning, perfectly executed.
“Day of Wrath” opens with ethereal melodic soaring to soon been accompanied by a heavy guitar hook. Once again, this song heralds prophesied events, the double bass drum as punishing as the scathing reality of fate.
“The day of wrath has come who’ll stand/All will be cleansed/Cry aloud, make us repent or all end”
Keeping the liquidity of the metal flowing, “Requiem” features lovely melody with that straight driving beat fluctuating from quarter notes to eighths to sixteenths – the song essentially a lament against sin. The Latin vocal sections keep this symphonic/gothic.
“Arise” follows, led in by ethereal vocals over top of keys and then things kick into gear with a heavy groove, Olzon sounding a bit like Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia on this song of environmental responsibility/a call to stewardship.
Subsequently, the tandem of “Take a Stand” and “Call Out Evil” are an absolute appeal to both stand firm in faith and have no fear of confronting evil for what it is. These are my favorite two tracks on Rapture, for sure.
“We’re standing hand in hand/With voices like thunder/We take a stand/We break through the night as one”
The latter track features “duets” in the choruses with Olzon and Husgafvel in perfect synchrony in true “Beauty and the Beast” form. The keyboard outro the perfect touch.
“Greedy World” is going to be the track fans of metal adore, just for its power and rhythmic crunch. Let’s see how prophetic, frighteningly so, this lyric proves to be…
“Pity you/I walk over you/Push you to the ground/How can you follow me/I’m the queen of everything/My demand by your hand”
The guitar solo here is noteworthy, as is the choral chant which accompanies the press of metal crush.
At this point in the Rapture sequence, one might wonder, “Where is the ballad?” “Hear My Song” answers the call with its sweeping symphonic elements, intimate keys, melodic guitar solo, balladic drumming and the cry for victory through song and faith. Beautiful! Proof Olzon is a truly gifted singer.
Interestingly, this listener would have been completely if Rapture ended on the last piano note of this song … but there are still two more tracks.
In tribute and reference to the previous release, Strong, Olzon connects the dots of her music. While I prefer the previous anthemic exhortations, you can’t but help embrace “Head Up High,” with that incredibly catchy Nightwish-like chant-chorus:
“We’ll stay strong/We won’t bend for no one/Keep the fight/We’ll keep our heads up high”
Finally, Rapture closes out with the uplifting “We Pray for Peace.” The highlight here, in addition to the killer guitar solo, would have to be the way Olzon soars over her husband’s growls in the middle section. What better way to end than an appeal to “pray for peace.”
Raptured
Fortunately, we are blessed to have both Rapture and Leah’s The Glory and the Fallen this year. Both are fantastic albums, Leah more folk/symphonic/rock oriented and more diverse in terms of musical styles and themes, while Olzon proves to be the metal maiden this time around. Top 5? Maybe … top 10? For sure. Well deserved, well earned.
1. Heed the Call (4:57)
2. Rapture (4:58)
3. Day of Wrath (4:36)
4. Requiem (4:15)
5. Arise (5:20)
6. Take a Stand (3:57)
7. Cast Evil Out (5:01)
8. Greedy World (4:52)
9. Hear My Song (4:49)
10. Head Up High (5:03)
11. We Search for Peace (4:06)