''Circus Black'' is the fourth full-length album by Finnish
symphonic power metal
Symphonic metal is a cross-genre style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitars ...
band
Amberian Dawn
Amberian Dawn is a Finnish symphonic power metal band, formed in 2006 by Tuomas Seppälä and Tommi Kuri. As of 2023, Amberian Dawn has released nine studio albums, four singles and twelve music videos.
History Atheme One (2006–2008)
Several ...
.
Stratovarius
Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band. Formed in 1984, they have released sixteen studio albums, six DVDs and six live albums. The band's line-up has changed many times, with no founding member left since the departure of drummer Tuomo ...
vocalist
Timo Kotipelto
Timo Antero Kotipelto (born 15 March 1969) is a Finnish musician best known as the lead singer of the power metal band Stratovarius, whom he joined in 1994, as well as fronting his own band Kotipelto.
Biography
He studied vocals at the pop/ja ...
provides lead vocals on "Cold Kiss" and keyboardist
Jens Johansson
Jens Ola Johansson (born 2 November 1963 in Stockholm) is a Swedish keyboardist and pianist. Jens got famous in the early 80's when he and his brother Anders (drums) joined Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force". Jens is the son of the Swedish Jazz ...
Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie Johan Malmsteen (; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, on 30 June 1963) is a Swedish-American guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical metal, neoclassical playing style in heavy metal music, heavy metal, and has ...
’s
Rising Force
''Rising Force'' is the first studio album by guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, released in late 1984 through Polydor Records.
The band commented on the album: "Circus Black is the most impressive AD album so far. Musically it represents the most sophisticated and most symphonic edge of AD-music. There’s more diversity on this album than never before. This is the first time we used a real
choir
A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...
and we gathered some really excellent professional opera singers together to be able to achieve the best sounding choir possible. This choir was conducted by Mikko P. Mustonen from Pathos Music. He also arranged the choir and orchestral parts. We managed once again to get some world-class guests on this album. So, the production is our biggest so far and the final polish on this album was given by Teropekka Virtanen (mixing engineer) and Mika Jussila (mastering engineer) at legendary Finnvox Studios in Finland." This album also marks the final album of the band to feature lead vocalist
Heidi Parviainen
Heidi Parviainen (born 8 March 1979) is a Finnish singer. A classically trained lyric soprano, she is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Dark Sarah and previously fronted Amberian Dawn.
Career
Agonia and Iconofear (1995–2006)
Parvi ...
as well as lead guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen and drummer Heikki Saari.
Track listing
All music by
Tuomas Seppälä
Tuomas Seppälä is a Finns, Finnish guitarist, keyboardist, and composer, best known as a founding member and main composer of the Finnish symphonic power metal band Amberian Dawn.
Biography
Seppälä started playing piano at the age of five, ...
, all lyrics by
Heidi Parviainen
Heidi Parviainen (born 8 March 1979) is a Finnish singer. A classically trained lyric soprano, she is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Dark Sarah and previously fronted Amberian Dawn.
Career
Agonia and Iconofear (1995–2006)
Parvi ...
Music video
"Cold Kiss" is the only song on the album to have its own music video, which was officially released through
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is an international record label. Founded in Finland in 1990, Spinefarm was acquired by Universal Music Group in 2002.
History
Spinefarm Records began as a mailorder distribution company, founded by Riku Pääkkönen. The c ...
in early March 2012. It features Timo Kotipelto being bitten by vampires.
Personnel
Band members
*
Heidi Parviainen
Heidi Parviainen (born 8 March 1979) is a Finnish singer. A classically trained lyric soprano, she is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Dark Sarah and previously fronted Amberian Dawn.
Career
Agonia and Iconofear (1995–2006)
Parvi ...
– vocals
*
Tuomas Seppälä
Tuomas Seppälä is a Finns, Finnish guitarist, keyboardist, and composer, best known as a founding member and main composer of the Finnish symphonic power metal band Amberian Dawn.
Biography
Seppälä started playing piano at the age of five, ...
– keyboards, guitar, producer, engineer
*Kasperi Heikkinen – guitar
*Kimmo Korhonen – guitar
*Jukka Koskinen – bass
*Heikki Saari – drums and percussion
Guest/session musicians
*
Timo Kotipelto
Timo Antero Kotipelto (born 15 March 1969) is a Finnish musician best known as the lead singer of the power metal band Stratovarius, whom he joined in 1994, as well as fronting his own band Kotipelto.
Biography
He studied vocals at the pop/ja ...
– vocals on "Cold Kiss"
*
Jens Johansson
Jens Ola Johansson (born 2 November 1963 in Stockholm) is a Swedish keyboardist and pianist. Jens got famous in the early 80's when he and his brother Anders (drums) joined Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force". Jens is the son of the Swedish Jazz ...
– keyboard solo on "Crimson Flower"
*Nils Nordling – vocals on "I Share With You This Dream"
*Tuomas Nieminen – vocals on "I Share With You This Dream"
*Armi Pävinen – backing vocals on "Cold Kiss"
*Mikko P. Mustonen – orchestral arrangements, choir arrangements, programming, conductor