In a recent interview with United Rock Nations, NIGHTWISH mastermind Tuomas Holopainen spoke about the status of the band’s longtime drummer Jukka Nevalainen, who stepped away from NIGHTWISH‘s touring and recording activities six years ago due to severe insomnia.
“He’s doing brilliant,” Tuomas said. “I just saw him about three weeks ago. Because we live pretty close to each other so we see each other pretty often. So he came in and we had a real ‘man cave’ evening, playing poker and watching Rambo[: Last Blood]. [Laughs]
“He’s in such good spirits these days — he’s in a very good place — but touring with the band is out of the question, ’cause that’s when the insomnia would most likely hit him again,” he continued. “It’s a terrible, terrible illness. I have suffered from insomnia for a few months at best, and the feeling is indescribable. And he went through that for years and years. So I understand his decision completely.”
Tuomas added: “He’s a brilliant drummer. I think he’s almost an underrated drummer as well, because he puts such passion and punch into his playing. It’s very different from Kai [Hahto, Current NIGHTWISH drummer], actually. They’re both brilliant musicians, but at the very other end of the spectrum. I’m just glad that Kai was there to save the band.”
Recently, NIGHTWISH announced their ninth record Human. :II: Nature., that will be released on 10th April 2020 and will be a double album containing 9 tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters on CD 2.
Human. :II: Nature was recorded from August to October 2019 at Röskö campsite, Petrax Studios and Troykington castle, as well as Finnvox Studios, by Tero Kinnunen, Mikko Karmila and Troy Donockley. The mixing was done by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox, with Tuomas Holopainen and Tero Kinnunen. Mastering was done by Mika Jussila at Finnvox.
NIGHTWISH previously announced several selected North American dates. Tickets can be purchased here.
