In a new interview with Metal Hammer magazine, NIGHTWISH leader Tuomas Holopainen was asked about his 2019 statement that NIGHTWISH would disband if another member opted to depart.
“That’s how I felt back in 2019, and that’s also how I felt when Marko [Hietala] left,” Tuomas said. “I take my words back when it comes to that. But if it would be Floor [Jansen] leaving, that’s it, it’s the end of NIGHTWISH. Absolutely, 100%.”
When asked how he would feel about the end of NIGHTWISH if the band called it quits tomorrow, he said: “If NIGHTWISH ends, it was a great run, a wonderful adventure of 25 years. Then I’d just have to come up with something else.”
In a recent interview with Finland’s Kaaos TV, Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN) — who stepped into the group as the replacement for longtime NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala — talked about how he joined NIGHTWISH as a session bassist for the upcoming tour for Human. :II: Nature. album.
“It was a few months back. I received a phone call from the NIGHTWISH camp and was being asked if I would be interested [in] the bass player position regarding what has happened, that Marko has left the band,” Jukka said. “And, of course, obviously, when I got that phone call, I thought it was, like, ‘Woah.’ As an outsider, obviously, I couldn’t think that, especially in NIGHTWISH, I couldn’t think of it even that this sort of thing could happen. But, of course, life is life. And, yeah, absolutely, I immediately, of course, said that yes, definitely I would be interested.
“I always listened to NIGHTWISH; I always liked their music a lot. [It’s] very soulful music,” he continued. “That was a few months ago. And then we made a few arrangements. Two months ago, approximately, I was in Finland practicing. I had a meet-and-greet. We had a meet-and-greet before as well, but another one where we practiced together for the first time to see how, playing-wise, the chemistry was going, and get to know each other more. Kind of [like] an audition — obviously, of course.
“Any band who would find new guys to come in or so, you would need to have these things. I would do the same if I would be on the other side of the table, if you know what I mean. So, yeah, everything went good. After the audition thing, everything went very smoothly, and the guys said, ‘You’re in.’ And what did I say more than with the happiest smile, I said back [to them], ‘I’m in.’ But we’re talking, of course, as a session musician spot now for the upcoming ‘Human. :II: Nature.’ tour.”
