[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtGxusvUT3k&w=560&h=315]
The legendary Monday Night Football color commentator “Dandy” Don Meredith was a wise man in his simple, inimitable manner, and his belting out of a few bars of the Willie Nelson classic during a lopsided game’s garbage time was a welcome light-hearted distraction from a laborious situation that really just needed to end. And while we can’t be spectators into the inner workings and decision making of a band like Nightwish the way we can during a football game, I suspect that the band’s fans who have kept abreast of the recent 72 hours worth of drama unfolding within the ranks of the symphonic metal giants are in need of some stupid, silly levity right now.
Everyone knows the story of Nightwish’s firing of original vocalist Tarja Turunen, and whether one agreed with the decision or not, it was undoubtedly one of the more brutal, ice-cold dismissals of a band member in rock and metal history (for those that forget, she got handed a pink slip type letter mere minutes after finishing a homecoming tour finale in Helsinki — a letter which was pointedly made public online for all to read). Now I felt that the band was justified in their aggressive action towards Turunen, as their reasons were sound and encompassed everything from attempted power grabs, threats of blackmail, interfering business manager/husband, canceling North American tours because the venues were small, and most egregiously, getting the band thrown off a tour with Iron Maiden. I’m thinking that kind of behavior would get you fired from most jobs, or in keeping with the spirit of the NFL football season, you don’t put yourself above or ahead of the team. That’s what Turunen did, and its what newly ex-vocalist Anette Olzon eventually did as well.
There’s a lot of misinformation and ignorant buffonery going on in the comments sections of places like Blabbermouth (surprised?), so here’s a factual breakdown of what happened:
– On September 28th in Denver, Nightwish was due to play at the Ogden Theater with supporting band Kamelot. The night before the show, Olzon became violently ill, and she went to the hospital the following morning. Doctors suspected it was a kidney stone and after five hours released Olzon with painkillers. At 7pm she began vomiting heavily along with a fever, and upon notifying the hospital she was told to go to the ER immediately. She did, and the band was now faced with the unenviable position of having to possibly cancel the show until it was agreed upon that Kamelot’s backing vocalists Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd (of The Agonist and Amaranthe respectively) would attempt to fill in cooperatively, clutching lyric sheets in hand. The band went out on stage and explained the situation to the crowd, and asked the audience if they would be up to seeing this last-minute, unique performance attempted, as well as giving them the option of getting a full refund at the door. The word is that only seven people got a refund and judging from personal testimonies and the fan filmed YouTube videos of the show, a large audience stayed to watch and participate in the show.
– On the night of September 29th, Olzon played what is presumably her last show with the band at The Complex in Salt Lake City. The next day, September 30th, Olzon expressed on her official blog that she was unhappy with the band’s decision to go on with the show and that she was not asked for her opinion on the matter. She continued on to say, “And you know, this is just music. Like life, sometimes we get ill and shows do get cancelled. Rihanna wouldn’t ask Britney Spears to sing for her if she was ill“. This morning on October 1st, Nightwish and Olzon released what appears to be a joint statement explaining the decision to part ways and continue the tour with ex-After Forever vocalist Floor Jansen as their touring fill-in singer, promising that no shows would be cancelled.
Okay, so with the facts laid out, here’s two immediate things to take away from this: One — That getting a European based vocalist such as Floor Jansen to come in to rather suddenly be the Nightwish touring vocalist for the October 1st show in Seattle, WA is no mere twenty-four hour task. This must have been in the works for at the very least many days to possibly weeks now — because think on it, you’re counting on time for work visas, travel arrangements, travel time, and obviously, enough time for Jansen to be familiar with at sixteen to seventeen songs in the setlist. Things like that do not happen overnight. Olzon’s last show was on September 29th — so the fact that they’re apparently going to pull this off is either incredibly impressive or downright miraculous. Two — That after what they’ve been through with Turunen, Nightwish don’t play around — if you’re not a team player, you’re out. And you know what? I completely understand and support their mentality.
I have been, since her induction into the band, a strong Olzon supporter. I think that the pair of albums created with her on board have been the band’s finest, in particular Imaginaerum, and I felt that her lack of an operatic voice such as Turunen’s was what allowed the band to blossom musically and take on an equally prominent role alongside the vocals. The music got better, more interesting, the songwriting more diverse, and Olzon’s pop informed vocal approach was a less overwhelming presence, at least to my ears. That being said, it was easy to see that there were some cracks developing in her relationship with Nightwish. For starters there was her durability on long tours, she was prone to illness, exhaustion, and the band had to deal with the consequences of those things. Then in 2009, she decided upon getting her own manager — an inexplicable move that was widely speculated upon, and one could guess made the rest of the band have a touch of deja vu. The band seemed to soldier on through all these things but lets fast forward to the present day, and the aftermath of Olzon airing dirty laundry on her blog and publicly questioning a decision that was in large part voted upon by fans of the band in attendance that night in Denver. Now Olzon not only comes across as placing herself before the band, but putting herself above the desires of the fans as well.
Nightwish’s parting with Turunen seemed to be a traumatic period for both parties involved, judging from interviews taken around that time, and in particular band leader Tuomas Holopainen took the brunt of abuse from disgruntled fans. The band’s greater success from that point onwards was an admirable triumph, and something not won easily. Its hard to discern how far in advance the decision to part ways with Olzon was made, but clearly her comments were regarded by the band as being out of turn and the final contrary straw to the unity they originally wanted with her. As a fan with a financial interest in their current tour (I’m seeing them live in Austin, Texas on October 10th), I feel solidarity with the fans in Denver who had to make the best of a bad situation, as well as the band who alongside the rather brave efforts of both Kamelot backing vocalists all stepped up and did the best they could for the fans. Olzon’s comparison to Rihanna being replaced by Britney Spears is a pretty huge red flag for, well everyone really — this is a metal show we’re talking about, not a pop concert, and when it comes to live metal shows its all about the fans.
I’m looking forward to seeing the guys live in Austin in nine days and really amped up about the excellent Floor Jansen being on board for the rest of the tour. Here’s hoping they keep her on as the permanent vocalist. And kudos to the band for their commitment to their fans by not canceling a single show in the midst of a tour where they part ways with their singer, its beyond admirable. I know I’m only one guy, but they’ve got my support in full. The party is over for Olzon, perhaps to her quiet relief, but for Nightwish, its game on starting in Seattle — don’t cue Don Meredith yet!
October 1, 2012
Only mistake i read here is Floor Jansen was at ProgPower in September 12-15th which means, Visas in order and who knows maybe she was even still in USA not sure on that last part though, but since she was here a few weeks ago… this could have went down quickly
October 1, 2012
Ahh good catch, definitely my mistake… if you find out confirmation that she was already in the States let me know because that would be a pretty good indicator of how quickly Nightwish made this decision. If she was already in the country, this whole thing could have been decided on the fly. But I still have doubts because the US grants work visas for a specific amount of time, no more no less. Interesting factoid though, thanks!
October 2, 2012
Found this on Floor’s Instagram, dated 9/29 (note the caption!): http://statigr.am/p/291152719022418688_18863609
That’s clearly a KLM (Dutch airline) plane in the foreground and what seems to be a Transavia (also Dutch) plane in the background. While I don’t know what airport that is, it seems Transavia does not fly into the USA (info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transavia.com_destinations).
Conclusion: Floor was not in the States as of 9/29
October 4, 2012
You might be right, she did an interview with Dutch radio where she mentioned that Nightwish messaged her sometime last week saying that they needed her to fly to the States immediately.
October 3, 2012
she definately was, she sang with the band Maya at progpower, i found a video clip yesterday of that performance on youtube, it’s definately not a band with much promotion, but there she was— but I do think Nightwish was there also, so interesting….
October 4, 2012
It looks like she flew in again just on Nightwish’s request — all the same — I can’t imagine the intense jet lag she had to shrug off to do a show on October 1st. That’s pretty metal.
February 7, 2013
Thing is, I have been a backstage manager at PPUSA for 10 years and we were told to be on watch for FLOOR and to keep a heads up so that NO INTERACTION between her and Anette could take place. The interview I fully believe was a deliberate misdirection as Im almost certain Anette was onto them. Had I known what was going down I would have told her myself, but who could have expected it to be this sinister.
For instance: ROCK MAGAZINE openly reported the basics I had heard from insiders but couldnt hardly believe. What they divulged in their account was endorsed by Roadrunner records. It was bad.
A shortened version of thier account was as follows:
1) the Imaginarium “project” was only financially endorsed upon a signed arrangement that Ms Anette Olzon would be the front female participant. The first album (Dark Passion Play) with her, ALONE had outsold all Nightwish material COMBINED and since the project was so unclear and large, some assurance was needed that it be released with a proven record seller out front.
2) Anette Olzons personal fanclub was rivaling Nightwishs’ and the cooresponding attention she was individually getting was causing some jealousy issues. They had taken her solely on the basis of her bright, warm, and outgoing personality just so they could survive the Tarja debacle. It was at the time, ingenious. In the long run, idiocy.
3) It was revealed that Tuomas Halopainen had fronted Floor Jansen an ADVANCED/personalized version of “Imaginarium” supposedly on the grounds it was as a favor to a supporter. The actuality was: Once the investors were on the hook with an entire tour & project at stake, they couldnt possibly back out. Therefore, an entire scheme was developed to basically fraud the record label & project investors.
4) This led to the cancellation of a MAJOR N American tour that was to last into late spring 2013. HOWEVER, the scheme was so elaborate, that Toumas had scheduled on his own an entire alternate schedule accross Europe and S America among Nightwish die hard fan base.
5) The official breakup had several cites involved and the one chosen was an on the moment thing, but it was clearly to be a 2nd or 3rd tier American media market so that info would be slow getting out. Since the whole symphonic metal genre is basically blacked out in the US, only that country would do which explained the mega US tour everyone in the industry was scratching their heads over..
6) Something you may ONLY READ HERE: When Anette surprised everyone by SHOWING UP AT A VENUE UNANNOUNCED TO THE BAND, and openly challenging Holopainen. Among the items of earnest discussion were the possibilities that SOMETHING HAD BEEN SLIPPED TO HER TO CAUSE HER ILLNESS. Law enforcement authorities were contacted but thats all litigation now and with serious consequences civilly.
7) The last item of note: Anette had recorded for 4 other bands in 3 years and her demand was growing to the point Nuclear Blast had open offers to her to record on her own. She had firmly commited to NW before the Imaginarium project was began. However, within a week after the separation announcement was made of an Anette Olzon rock album project that would be overseen by Roadrunner Records.
Among the smoldering aftermath: Emmpu & Marco legally file intent to separate papers and make plans to jointly go forward with Tarot & Brother Firetribe projects. Thats dynamite BECAUSE, Anette was invited to front for Brother Firetribe which was an open smack in the face to Tuomas.
At some point in the days immediatly following the occurance, a long conversation/s took place between Anette Olzon & Tarja Tarunen and following Tarja made several careful but deliberate comments concerning the events. Anette was openly a great admirer of Tarunen and this was to such a point that few know on the night of Nightwishes’ first major show with Olzon; Tarja had sent roses and a cordial note of support to Anette.
So, now Floor had a year to practice this stuff and SHES STILL THIS BAD? How does anyone NOT KNOW THE LYRICS TO NW STANDARDS LIKE: Nemo, Amaranthe, Siren. As a footnote: since the guys she hired to back her at ReVamp basically told her to go to hell, she had a bad after experience and sought psychciatric help of some sort at the completion of which she contacted Mark Jansen of EPICA just to have “a single friend in this business”.
That was an interesting choice as she got Jansen BOOTED from After Forever on grounds he COULD NEITHER WRITE OR PERFORM MUSIC. So now shes giving him a sad story and they “adopt” her. Only she had a plan: get Simone fired and take that place. It nearly killed Simone when she realized and little is divulged at all concerning it except this that I got from Mark himself: “Floor is no longer welcome here among this band. Shes problematic in many ways and that almost was death to this EPICA family”.
It was only a month FOLLOWING THAT EPICA incident that Marco Hietala told me that Tuomas had been emailing Floor Jansen and was acting totally strange about that. No one in the band knew what it was about, but some of them were aware by rumors concerning the attempted Simone “assasination” by this woman. That was Sept 2011 at ProgPowerUSA and Marco was here with Tarot & Delain. That certainly lead to a plot between the 2 concerned.
Its a serious thing now that Nightwish has had several legal actions filed against them concerning: contract fraud, collusion, and contract failure. So that led to a super tour of sorts and they are cramming in every venue anywhere to repay the fronted album production cost. Sometime in December, 2 things happened: 1) Floor made a mention of an agreement to become an “official” band member. That, once verified led to her being added to the legal actions and hence the “collusion” clause.
2) Once she was named legally, she panicked and had some sort of conversation with Halopainen after which it was announced in an arranged press conference that she was “ONLY A TEMPORARY SINGER FOR THIS BAND”, and “WE HAVE NO PLANS OR EVEN IDEAS AT THIS TIME CONCERNING FLOOR REMAINING WITH US, ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES IS OUT OF THE QUESTION”.
So thats what I know. I was reporting some of this at Youtube and legal representatives representing ms jansen contacted me and we had several email exchanges upon which it was concluded, and I had preserved my rights and the truthful matters.
They wanted me to keep quiet as she had: “been through enough in her career”. Upon which my official response was: “As far as I have witnessed of ms jansen and her rumored career; the issues and disasters occurring there are almost entirely because of her own self and her total application of disregard for others; ESPECIALLY THOSE OTHERS IN HER FIELD OF PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS TO WHICH SHE CONSIDERS CONTEMPORARIES. I therefore am in no likewise position to withdraw from telling facts and reporting truthful accounts whenever those situations do present themselves. I should honestly think that it would take more than the occasional bloggings of one person to do more damage to ms jansen than shes already vested upon herself. I do however wish her the best insofar as a possible future is concerned…..one where she may actually gain some character and OBTAIN A SOUL. Those things she can, if she will, do for herself; The vocal help she will have to get from God”.
Finally she had a blow up at me at a youtube video commentary and I responded in like manner as above. She went away. At the time, I didnt know the full grasp of the plot situation. I would gladly trade. her not going away with the Anette situation disolving itself.Meantime, I have once again been officially cited as THE origin source of renaming the band & album. Its now DEATHWISH, and the album/tour/project are SANITARIUM.
I also started the rumor that since both Floor Jansen and Tuomas Halopainen are both floating tragedy, disasters……that they will indeed do an album together called; TITANIC. In symphonic metal even. You know, and I’ll admit it…..everything given, I think that could be a terrific undertaking by them. I might even promote it & buy it.
FYI whats left of the Jansen/kevingthompson incident is still viewable for those interested. Just ask and I’ll post the location. Its mostly mute, but it is history. As a footnote, I gotta say: Ive known this Nightwish band as actual persons. Ive always felt that the Johnny Depp “pirate” character was too much like Halopainens inner workings: dark, insincere, and self serving. Also very much haunted. These are great ingredients for composition as they are earnest elements of our existence, but they are very deadly poison if not taken in small doses. Twice already he issued a FATAL dose to his own family members through a public spectacle. And we thought human sacrifice for power was over……
Thats what lore was about, and the ancient Nordic warrior creed. Its where Halopainen lives; in lore. Its become his actual life. Thats more tragic than any Shakespere. Its great for album material. Its hell to the real people involved.
February 7, 2013
Honestly don’t even know what to say, or what to think about all that. I’ll just say thanks for posting and I’ll gladly leave your comment up for everyone else to peruse.
February 7, 2013
I dont believe a word that lunatic says. Floor herself responded to him and he is still trying to blemish her name. Who the fuck are you to speak about her?? Seriously, get some psychiatric help….
March 28, 2013
Well we’ve all seen how twisted & convoluted this was in the aftermath now havent we? I have could hell for awhile for making some of the comments I make around youtube but always end up being vindicated.
When you are on the inside basically, you get a scoop that the world has to wait for so in the meantime all this PR goes out to cover up stuff until the public hostilities abate.
I have indeed dealt with ms jansen at yt and she went away because I legally challenged her story behind the scenes of what commentary was publicly viewed.
I do not and have not had any ill will towards jansen and have freely supported her in the past as a solid B grade metal fem for a grass roots band (After Forever). However, at some point she woke up and decided she was “the diva” and thats THE BS.
Ok moving on. ISSUES abounded over Imaginarium project before tour started BECAUSE, Halopainen had signed an afore unannounced deal with Universal Studios for a motion picture and the band was cut out of the ROYALTIES.
SO, Anette took a legal loophole out of her nightwish contract and AGAIN GOT PREGNANT. She tols Tuomas she was doing this so he went ahead way back then and arranged for jansen to cover which led to the whole FAKE/staged breakup of ReVamp so she would officially be available.
What soap opera person was writing this script? But Floor was indeed at PPUSA and the arrangement was to sing for Mayan on a few songs (it was not many). But also around there was Anette Olzon and they all confirmed their plans at that event.
To cover her tracks, Floor made a personal appearance (as we know) abroad while the plan moved forward. But she already had all her papers for a US visit but it TURNED OUT THEY WERE 90 DAY…..
so the plan had to change. The tour was cut off completely because once again the dishonest way caught up to them. Since she left the US, her visa became a 30 day so ALL OF A SUDDEN, they had to go. Is all this making sense to you guys now?
It was all a gigantic stage play that the imagination master cooked up. Its just unbelievable, and in my lifetime I havent seen anything like it. For so many established entities to put so much into this wizard of oz type mystery caper is beyond comprehension and totally beneath human dignity.
Im saying all that as a person that lived through G Bush Srs’; “No new taxes” bs + Bill Clintons’ “I didnt have sexual relations with ms lewinski” bs + W Bushs’ “WMD in Iraq” bs….so Im well aqcauinted with PR BS; yet this takes the how over all of that combined.
Who the hell are these people to give ME & all of us a middle finger and just say: “Screw all of you & your feelings, and your support”, because thats exactly what that was.
July 9, 2013
“Kevin was not a backstage manager nor was he associated with the festival. He worked in catering. He was banned from the event several years ago. I will not discuss him further.”
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/progpower-usa/859939-troll-kevingthompson14-claims-ppusa-association.html
Anyone who doesn’t believe me, Google this guy’s username for yourselves. If after what you see you’ll still believe what he claims to be “inside information”, I’m sorry for you.
Busted, mister “manager”.
October 1, 2012
This is a great article, I had no idea about any of this. As a diehard fan of Nightwish for many years, this is heartbreaking, and not that they’ve lost another vocalist, but the fact she developed such a massive ego and placed herself before her fans. Tuomos is a smart man. He’s had to make some tough calls, and dismissing Tarja was one of them, but whether anyone agrees with the parting of either vocalist is a moot point. Nightwish has never truly let their fans down, and the show much go on. They made the right choice, and that is absolutely admirable.
October 1, 2012
Agree with your sentiments and I also think that in all the flurry of discussion and argument about their vocalist, what gets lost is that these are Tuomas’ songs, its his musical vision (along with input from the other guys), and he is in essence Nightwish. In fact, I can’t think of a more blatantly biographical lyricist in all of metal than Holopainen. Nightwish will go on, and its fans will get used to this change. And if Olzon in the lineup wasn’t good for the band, in the long run it wouldn’t be good for the fans.
October 1, 2012
Also, Floor Jansen is a wonderful pick for a fill-in. I wasn’t familiar with her before, but after listening to some of her stuff with ReVamp, she can easily cover Tarja’s range and Anette’s more pop-like sound. That should give Nightwish fans something to be pleased with. I don’t think she’ll disappoint in the interim.
November 10, 2012
Hell yeah….!!!! Floor Jansen is the perfect match for Nightwish….!!! I really wish they make her their permanent Vocalist….!
October 1, 2012
“Now I felt that the band was justified in their aggressive action towards Turunen, as their reasons were sound and encompassed everything from attempted power grabs, threats of blackmail, interfering business manager/husband, canceling North American tours because the venues were small, and most egregiously, getting the band thrown off a tour with Iron Maiden.”
That’s one side of the story. Stating only the one side as “facts” is biased. Tarja has played and still plays much smaller venues now that the ones she supposedly dismissed.
October 1, 2012
I’ve no doubt that it is true that she plays smaller venues now, but the specific complaint that surfaced in the wake of the Tarja firing fallout was that she felt she was above playing smaller venues on their North American tour and was in general not wanting to be there. I’m sure if asked she’ll deny it, it would look bad. Being one of the fans that was affected in that leg of the tour, I took it personally, as a lot of fans did. The only other explanation we have is one from Tarja’s husband/manager who essentially explains that she didn’t want to tour in the United States because the venues weren’t suitable to her.
Touring the United States, a large country where metal doesn’t enjoy the sizable audiences of Europe means getting in a nightliner, driving across the country and playing in whatever bar/club you can get booked at and making the best of it. You’re not going to have pretty situations in some towns, and in others you might. The band was willing to put in the time, be team players and do the work and play for smaller crowds in intimate shows, meet the fans, etc (just like they did in 2007 with Anette’s debut and on their current tour), Tarja however was not. Hopefully her attitude has changed over time. For her fans sake.
October 2, 2012
Again, people only believe the one side because it was the one told first. Of course after such an accusation, Tarja could not answer anything, because people would say “well of course she denies it”, even though we don’t know the truth.
That being said, her side of the story is that she was not paid enough(and we really don’t know how littlethe money was) and problems communicating with Ewo.
Tarja had started from very little venues, she had been playing in small places for many years, and she continued playing in small places in her solo career, so I find it kinda weird that she only had this demand between 2004-2005.
If anything this story with Anette teaches us, is that there are INDEED communications problems in the band, with the band and the management taking decisions on their own, not considering the singer’s opinion.
When the same thing happens twice, with two different persons, with supposedly different mentality, something must be going wrong with the other side.
October 2, 2012
Not to mention, she constantly expresses a desire to return to and tour the United States in interviews and on her blog. She hasn’t done so since 2009, and says she loves the country and the American people and will do all in her power to tour here again.
October 2, 2012
Hey Mirr I replied far down below… when these replies nest too much they start looking like a straight line – haha, I need to fix that one day.
October 1, 2012
We will be at the Austin show as well. I too am so grateful they have not called off the tour. But I know a singer in Austin who wants to audition for Anette’s job.
October 1, 2012
Haha nice! They have nine days to get a demo cd ready to press in Holopainen’s hand!
October 1, 2012
Thanks for this article: it was the first real analysis I’ve seen and I think it’s spot-on. When you’re someone like Nightwish, you can’t allow petty BS to ruin your flow no matter *how* good your singer is. Like you said, you’re either a team player, or you’re out. It’s not like there aren’t a lot of talented musicians out there just waiting for the chance.
October 1, 2012
Especially when there’s huge financial risk involved… hate to bring up the money thing but touring/merchandising income is pretty much what these guys will be relying on, especially with all the money they’ve invested in their upcoming film, soundtrack, etc. I think canceling wasn’t an option nor does it look good to promoters — and they have had to cancel shows for Anette in the past, including one cut short in Brazil in 2008 when she walked off stage midway through. Nightwish needs a team player at vocalist – here’s hoping Jensen fits the bill (she seems tough enough anyway).
October 1, 2012
You nailed my thoughts exactly on this. As I’m seeing them in Portland on Tuesday I was alarmed when I heard Anette was sick and was watching her blog for info. When she posted the first statement in which she expressed her displeasure at the Denver situation I thought “What is she doing? This is going to create a media shit storm.” Then she posted the second statement with the Britney comment and I knew we were in trouble. I thought she would finish out the tour though and I couldn’t have been more surprised that the separation happened today.
I liked Anette and the melody she brought to DPP and Imaginareum. But I have to admit that I cringed a little when I heard her attempt the old catalog. She simply did not have the range or strength to hit the power notes that to me, defined Nightwish. And based on her difficulties on the last tour, which admittedly was maybe too much for them to take on, I didn’t see her lasting indefinitely with the band. I met Annette in Portland during the last tour and found her delightful. But I think she never really caught on to a very important thing: for the fans Nightwish isn’t about a vocal or a drum solo or a guitar riff. Nightwish is about the beauty that occurs when the confluence of all those things and more meet. Nightwish is a symphony.
October 1, 2012
It wasn’t the smartest decision to air dirty laundry in public — I say that knowing that Nightwish did the exact same thing with their open letter to Tarja. But I can understand why they did that, as a preemptive explanation to their fans who they knew would be raging upset (not that it prevented the raging or the upsetting). Anette’s comments on her blog seemed spiteful and unnecessarily provocative, especially in the subtle insult to Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz who were only trying to be friendly, generous, and accommodating in helping their tour mates in need.
It seems like Floor Jansen can handle the operatics and the more mainstream type vocals of both Tarja and Anette – so if this tour goes well and they all work well together and gel, the band might not have to conduct a tiring yearlong vocalist search this time.
October 1, 2012
The open letter when Tarja was let go was certainly a dramatic approach, probably necessary at the time as I’m guessing it was a very emotional decision for the band and particularly Tuomas. But when it comes to fanatical followers and the media, nothing is ever enough. I think they’ve probably learned a great deal from that experience and have matured somewhat since then. The press release this time is likely all that will be said about this matter, I’m guessing. At least for a while.
I thought her decision to post those things seemed petty. With the first post I initially dismissed as her maybe feeling ill and emotional. Her family was coming and she sick and in a bad space. Not well done for a professional whose experienced the media blitz before and should know better, but people make mistakes. But with the second post it seemed to me that all was not well in Never Neverland, and certainly not in keeping with someone who previously seemed to truly value the fans and would have wanted the show to go on. It was clear there was disharmony and I was worried about how it would affect the band and the tour – but that took care of itself, albeit in a surprising way. I have to say that I found myself disappointed in her. I guess she turned out to be too much of a delicate flower for the metal scene.
I will miss seeing Anette on Tuesday because I think she did make Nightwish more relatable to a broader fan base. But am thrilled that the guys have found a way to keep going on. (Afterall, I bought tickets to see Nightwish, not their singer). I am very excited to see Floor perform with the band and am hoping that they may add back a couple of the songs they’d cut from the set list. I think Floor will manage both styles amazingly. I’m with you, I wouldn’t mind seeing this take on a more permanent line up, but right now I’m just hoping they can get through this tour without any more drama. They are too phenomenal to have this kind of stuff detract from their incredible talent. On the other hand, perhaps more people in North America will tune in to see what all the fuss is about and in doing so discover a band that is truly worthy of accolade and attention in the U.S.
Thank you for writing this blog and for your clear, calm perspective on events. It’s so refreshing to see after all the other crud that’s been floating around the internet today.
October 2, 2012
Thanks for reading and commenting – great to have feedback!
October 1, 2012
Wow you noticed over the last few years the landscape of metal changing with members leaving and being replaced. I mean over the last 2 years we have new vocalists for Iced Earth,Into Eternity and Kamelot and looks like Nightwish is following suit.
On the topic at hand I did like Anette’s style with Nightwish and thought she was doing a good job. On that note though I do believe Nightwish needs to go back to their operatic roots and do albums in the realm of Wishmaster and Century Child and if they hire FJ full time I do believe they can pull that magic off again.
October 2, 2012
I can imagine a more stripped back album after the intensity of DPP and Imaginaerum (although the latter surely was stripped down in places throughout). What I imagine will happen is them retaining the ability to write in a variety of styles and moods as on the last record but perhaps infuse a bit more traditional NW-isms (this is all supposing they retain Jansen as their singer permanently).
October 1, 2012
I was anti-Anette from the get-go. Not merely due to Tarja’s abrupt and, since I was a fairly recent fan at the time and followed only the music (not the drama), shocking exit, but because I utterly loathed her voice. I tried to like her, I really did, but her shrieking-banshee style and not bothering to follow the melodies/runs in concerts really drove me batty. I felt she sounded bored with the music, and if you’re in a band you should not only love it, you should FEEL it. Don’t give me that “Sing it 100 times in 100 venues and see how you feel about it” crap, I still sing their stuff in my car every day. 😉 That being said, SO FREAKIN EXCITED she’s gone – I thought Imaginaerum was musically wonderful, vocally terrible, so it’ll be nice to look forward to more than Marco’s voice and Tuomas’ melodies again. 😉
P.S. Someone, please, get them to come to Anchorage. We get NO ONE here. 🙁
October 2, 2012
Haha, its all about preferences I suppose. Back when Tarja was in the band, I liked them and of course appreciated her talent but I could only handle her voice in small, couple song doses. It was like trying to eat too much frosting on a birthday cake. I found that Anette melded far more harmoniously with the music and even found her vocals to be highlights of songs on the Imaginaerum album. Particularly on “The Crow, the Owl….”, “Turn Loose the Mermaids”, and “Rest Calm”.
Alaska? Wow I’ll try to remember you when I complain about tours missing Texas!
October 1, 2012
OH, and seriously with the Britney comment? You’re likening yourself to Britney freakin Spears, a pop princess that can’t hold a note in a bucket and lip synchs all her concerts? I’m glad they got rid of her before she tried to turn them into a Paramore clone. ><
October 2, 2012
Yeah I didn’t understand her reference either, and it practically screamed to people either that she felt that she was on a pop-star level like Rihanna and Elize Ryd was Spears, or that her head is so detached from rock and metal that her go to references are mainstream pop stars. Either way she wasn’t gonna win anyone over.
October 2, 2012
I like the analysis, Pigeon, but I’m gonna go all out here and (even I’m surprised by this) put my weight behind Annette. Does she have a powerful voice? Not really. Did she suit the old material? Hell no. Did she still go on tour and sing all those songs every night, knowing full well how hard her own band’s fan club would cruel her performances on the official forums? Damn right she did. The short of it is they did a Jason Newsted on her.
As far as I’m concerned, Tuomas booted Tarja because he couldn’t have her – please refer lyrics to most of Century Child. She married another man; he would probably have parted ways with her earlier, but they’d just started raking in the cash. So as not to appear stale, but probably more so because the band now had serious commercial appeal in the US, he hires a pop singer – one the radio will play, and one that won’t damage his precious ego.
Band successfully cashed in on the American market, said singer also gets famous – band (ie Tuomas) feels she probably owes them something for it. I would wager he was looking for an excuse to get rid of her for some time now; the rest of the guys are unlikely to protest as they don’t hold rights to the name. Now, back down the operatic route they go so as to appease the old fan base…
(fun fact: Emppu also best part of left the band after Wishmaster because he was sick of being told how to play. At least he must be getting a decent paycheque these days, as the last 2 albums have featured a grand total of 3 guitar solos from him…).
October 2, 2012
Tuomas is the final word when it comes to the songwriting, you’re right about that…. honestly their music is so opulent with arrangements and orchestrations that I don’t really miss guitar solos. I think that on Imaginaerum, the symphony’s have more solos than Emppu does, and maybe he’s fine with that now — he certainly could start a side project if he felt like he needed an outlet. Not a lot of sympathy there from me. Nightwish’s artistic success is due to the great songwriting.
I’m not sure I share the cynicism you have of Holopainen either, where I’ll grant that you do speak truths about the Tarja situation in part (I don’t believe that was the only reason they eventually parted but it certainly seems to have contributed to hostilities). I don’t understand the Jason Newsted reference either — Newsted was hazed by the band on tour and became the brunt of their frustrations about losing Cliff Burton — fueled by the alcohol abuse no doubt. Nightwish on the other hand seemed to try as hard as ever to protect Anette from not only the press, but the negativity from certain sectors of the fanbase (to no avail ultimately in some regard, I’m thinking of South America). The major source of negativity towards Anette was from, lets face it, Tarja worshippers.
October 2, 2012
I attended the show in St. Louis on the 25th– had the VIP tickets to meet the band and got to meet everyone except Anette, which made me sad. I also noticed just how..well, this is gonna sound weird, but how -old- Tuomas looked. The concert itself was amazing, but when I heard this morning, I was heartbroken. I really liked Tarja, and I really liked Anette…and I like Floor…but it’s still upsetting.
I’m just glad I got to see one of the final shows.
October 2, 2012
Hah, didn’t ever notice myself about Tuomas — I guess the stresses of the past year or two have taken their toll eh? Maybe he was on no sleep…. then again, alcohol and cigarettes do a number on people too. *shrug*
October 2, 2012
Great article, Pigeon. I think you totally nailed it. I’ve been a Nightwish fan since Oceanborn (jeez, I’m old, lol) and when Tarja got fired I was dissapointed but willing to give Annette a chance. I haven’t really loved the last two releases as much as their older stuff and it doesn’t have to do with Annette’s voice either. I just think they’ve gotten a little too self-indulgent and experimental for my taste. Sorry but “Slow Love Slow” bores me to tears. I just saw them last month here in NYC and while they were good, something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it but soemthing seemed not quite right as far as band chemistry. Not to mention watching Annette dance on stage was just ridiculous, the woman had no rhythm whatsoever. I actually enjoyed Kamelot more that night just because you could feel how thrilled the bad, not to mention Tommy Karevik, was to be on the stage. Anyway, after what I read on Annette’s blog, my opinion of her totally changedand I had a feeling there was going to be a parting of the ways, although I didn’t expect it to be so fast. It’s sad but the last thing Nightwish needs is another self-centered diva who doesn’t appreciate the fans or her fellow tourmates who tried to make the best out of a bad situation. I think it was great that Tuomas gave people the option of getting a refund or seeing the band with 2 very talented vocalists. Floor should be a good replacement for the tour and may even wind up being permanent, which to me is a good thing.
October 2, 2012
I quite like “Slow Love Slow” but it definitely is a mood based song, can’t listen to it all the time. I don’t know why I’m the opposite in regards to prefer their last two albums over their older catalog — tastes are hard to peg with a meaning sometimes.
I remember seeing Nightwish in 2007 during their debut leg of their first tour with Anette here in the States, they wanted to introduce her in a more low-key way so we got the first look at their shows with her (it was a nice gesture after the canceled dates with Tarja). The band looked thrilled to be up there, particularly Tuomas who spent time sitting around outside after the show talking to anyone and everyone. It was a shitty little club in Houston’s shady warehouse district — a really sketchy part of town — but there they were, everyone in the band including Anette hanging outside just happy to meet everyone. It was a cool moment and really earned them a lot of respect in my eyes (in particular Tuomas, who I had somewhat pegged as perhaps an egomaniac).
There have been problems with Anette throughout her duration in the band… really it seems just on the road are where they have reared their heads. I honestly think the band gave it their best shot and ultimately there’s a point of no return. I don’t buy some of the arguments I’m seeing around the internet that perhaps the band is difficult to get along with. As I wrote in the article, I think the Tarja situation really made them on guard about future situations that could turn into something like that again, and thats why Anette is gone. The next vocalist into Nightwish should probably understand that she’s just going to be a singer/frontperson and should be expected to fall in line under what is basically a Ewo-Tuomas-Marco triumvirate rule. They’re gonna want someone who can deliver the goods, be easy to get along with, handle the touring lifestyle, and most importantly — be a team player.
October 2, 2012
Mirr: Well, first of all, none of us know any extra details between what transpired between Anette and Nightwish apart from the well documented events of the past couple days, and something as tangible as Anette’s record of on the road problems with the band throughout the past 5 years. Until we get more information, we have to take it at face value from the press statement that this was a mutual parting of ways. There are things that make us suspect otherwise, such as Anette’s angry blog postings…. but with the fact that Floor Jansen was really inserted into the touring vocalist role super-fast with the band not having to cancel Monday nights show in Seattle can also point to this decision NOT only being the Direct result of her upset blog postings.
Therefore its hard for me to see how you can automatically suspect that the band is at fault — simply because there have now been two vocalists who have left? Maybe they really felt in 2007 that they had the right person, and five years passed (a long time), and they discovered that ultimately it wouldn’t work out for mutual reasons. If say Tuomas is the one who’s hard to get along with, why haven’t Marco or Jukka decided to up and quit? The fact is that touring was hard for Anette, it showed over the years and I think it was a big factor in what ultimately transpired — not the only factor, but a big one.
“When the same thing happens twice, with two different persons, with supposedly different mentality, something must be going wrong with the other side.”
That’s a heck of an assumption to make. I’m not saying you’re wrong, just questioning your certitude. When the dust settles and some interviews come out of both sides, I think we’ll all find out what really happened.
October 3, 2012
Hey, I don’t think it’s the band’s fault entirely, or Anette’s or Tarja’s back then. Floor just said that the plan was that she would sing for the band in December. So, Anette’s leaving (or maybe something less permanent, like a time out) was in the plans. Maybe she didn’t know it, she found out and she was insulted, and decided to leave.
Maybe she knew it but she got insulted by the fact that they care about shows and not her. Selfish, but this is how humans are.
Of course I won’t jump to conclusions. But I think what you said should apply also to Tarja; we don’t know the facts, so we must not say that NW were justified in what they did to her. One more clue is that not all of them wanted to do this…
I also believe that things with Anette were not ok for some time now, considering her missteps. She has insulted a country, she had breakdowns that caused a huge fuss, she became careless during the previous tour by getting infected and sick multiple times(not entirely her fault, but still). I believe this was planned for some time, but as Tuomas has said, they had a contract signed with her for 2 albums, so they had to go this to the end.
ps. I Finnish magazine released an article implying that the guys don’t give Anette as much money she deserves from the band’s income. I know if this is true, false, or made up specifically, but it raises some questions. It was Marcelo who said that Tarja was not paid fairly and in accordance with the band’s (huge, with all the success) income.
October 3, 2012
Yeah the Floor Jansen revelations were interesting – and seems like fairly good evidence that this so called mutual split was going to happen around that time anyway (perhaps Hartwall being the final show for Anette?). I read someone’s translation of the Finnish article on their finances in the band forum and don’t really know what to make of it yet… hard to know how much to take away as truth or speculation. Obviously she wasn’t getting royalties, because well, those go to the songwriters but I suppose they must have been talking about revenue from other sources. Will be interesting to see if the band responds to that.
October 2, 2012
I might be in the minority but I actually like both eras of the band. I can just as easily listen to DPP as much as say Once or Wishmaster.
October 3, 2012
I do enjoy the band’s older era work (mostly the Century Child album with a few other songs from the other records as well), but found Tarja particularly grating on the “Once” album. When I heard DPP, I felt like I finally really loved something that they had released. That was only made stronger by my feeling that Imaginaerum blows DPP out of the water.
October 3, 2012
Metal Pigeon, I just got home from the Portland show and I wanted you to know that Floor nailed it! Every lyric, every note, every melody was spot on. Amazing for 24 hours notice I think. The band was in rare form. Tuomas appeared tense at first but visibly relaxed when the crowd responded in a powerful and positive way. He also went through a bottle of wine so I’m sure that helped. Jukka grinned through the whole show. Marco and Emppu put on one helluva show for the fans and were very interactive with the crowd. They all seemed genuinely surprised by the enthusiasm they received. Floor seemed visibly touched when she took a moment to give a heartfelt thank you to the crowd for being so welcoming. Marco was much more central to the show this time which I really enjoyed. And the pipes! Oh my God they were amazing! Honestly it almost felt like nothing had just happened. Floor meshes with the band extremely well, like she’d always been there. I cant wait to hear your experience in Houston when they’ve got more shows under there belt together.
October 3, 2012
Awesome! Sounds like they’re expecting the worst but what they perhaps forget from their 2007 North American tour is that this country is the perfect place for a metal band to road test personnel changes. They introduced Anette to fans not in Europe or South American shows, but with that pivotal North American tour in small venues with grateful audiences. And thats what really defines most of us American metal fans — grateful just to see a band that really doesn’t need to bother touring the United States. They play arenas in Europe and stadium sized venues in South America, why play at po-dunk venues in the States right?
Right now, I think a lot of fans who keep up with the news and recent happenings are just relieved the tour isn’t cancelled, and just excited to hear the band play live however they can, no matter who’s singing. Those Denver fans really proved that point. I think the band should realize that they’re not going to get boo-birds or negative, hostile crowds at these American dates — just happy fans looking for a good show from a band they really like. I think the Australians are probably the same way.
October 4, 2012
We have Meet & Greet passes for the Austin show next week and this is EXACTLY what I will be expressing to the band when I meet them. I am so thankful they did not call off the tour and no matter who is carrying their vocals, I am nothing less than ecstatic to see them live for the first time ever.
October 4, 2012
Awesome! Always a good feeling when you get to see a band you like for the first time!
October 3, 2012
Speaking as someone who was once a massive Nightwish fan (during the Tarja days), and who completely lost interest in the band with the appointment of Annette and after seeing her absolutely butcher older songs on their first tour with her, I’ve been following recent events with some curiosity.
Tarja’s solo efforts have been incredibly dull and I don’t think she possesses the songwriting talent necessary to be anything more than the has-been ex-Nightwish singer on her own. Nightwish lost their USP (granted, femme metal bands with classically-inspired vocals are not exactly rare these days – but they were the first to really pull it off) when they replaced Tarja with someone who has a decent but easily replaceable studio voice. This really is a situation screaming out for a reunion, and it’s a shame that one isn’t on the cards, and almost certainly will never be, for as long as Marcelo is still a core figure in Tarja’s life.
I hope whoever they replace her with has a vocal range capable of doing the older material justice. As mentioned above, Simone from Epica is a great shout, but I can’t really see her upping sticks and leaving a successful band in its own right that she has been part of almost from the beginning, and where she has such a prominent role.
October 3, 2012
I would lose interest in Nightwish faster than ever if Simone became the vocalist. I enjoy her contributions to Kamelot albums, but thats about it. I’m not saying Epica is bad, but their songs never grabbed me and I don’t find her to be all that engaging as a vocalist, or front person for that matter. If I had to pick right now, I’d say I hope the band sticks with Floor Jansen. But is Vibeke Stene still “retired” from singing? She’d be another good choice.
October 8, 2012
“someone who has a decent but easily replaceable studio voice”
Yes, I think everyone realized that it didn’t take much for the two singers of the supporting bands to fill Anette shoes even if they were basically a last minute choice.
Transiotion from Tarja-to-Anette was a struggle for many fans, for Anette-to-Floor it seems like the reception is immediately positive though.
October 5, 2012
Hey again, Pigeon.
Seems Mirr and I were close to the money… seems Floor had already been lined up for tour dates at the end of they year, and merely started sooner than anticipated (meaning the decision to replace singers had already been made in advance). Definitely puts a different light on the guys, and the whole Tarja fiasco…
… I wonder how long their next singer will last (if its not Floor)?
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=180347
October 5, 2012
I went back several posts on Anette’s blog to see if I could pick up any hint of disharmony there. What I found is that Anette makes references to studying to get in to nursing school. She even posted a photo of the science book she was studying. This tells me that it was Anette who had a change of heart. It appears that her aspirations had changed and that she was planning to leave music all together. My deduction from this was that she was planning to leave, probably after the premiere, and the plan was for Floor to step in to finish the tour. These plans probably left everyone feeling a little insecure. When Anette got sick in Denver and the band went on, these insecurities likely lead to overreactions. The mutual decision to part early may have been an attempt to simply put an end to that stress and prevent any more hurt feelings. Exit Anette and enter Floor. It changes my thinking somewhat in that it seems it was Anette who wanted to leave and the band making the best of it.
October 5, 2012
Wow Rhonda – pretty excellent investigating on your part… its a solid theory and if it becomes verified I’ll have to do another write up with you quoted above as having called it first! It really does seem like the best explanation that I’ve seen so far.
October 5, 2012
Wow thanks! That would be very cool if the theory pans out. it just wasn’t making any sense to me that all this drama would be the result of the band not getting along. And Anette has always had a tendency to share her total world on her blog. Here is a link to Anette’s blog post of September 20th after the Montreal show (i hope the link works here):
http://anette-olzon.blogspot.com/2012/09/thanks-montreal.html.
In it she specifically says: “Being on tour is a lot of waiting and hanging around so what I do is studying my science that I need to get in to nursing school. ”
I’m a little surprised that someone hasn’t caught this before. As I happen to be a nurse, I know for a fact that nursing school is an all consuming, 100% of your life commitment and certainly not conducive to touring with a metal band. If it turns out that this is the source of the split, it makes me sad to see the band taking so much crap over something that they really didn’t have much to do with.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts here with you. We’ll just have to stay tuned…
Rhonda
October 6, 2012
How strange is it then that the band haven’t come out defending themselves? Maybe they think that they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t…. but still, as dramatic as Nightwish fans can be (seriously — they’re perhaps the most overwrought/over-emotional fans of any rock/metal band I’ve ever seen to date) if I was one of the Nightwish guys I would say to the rest of the band “Hey, even our fans could surely see this as a decent explanation of why Anette is choosing to leave and that its nothing to do with us.”
Perhaps the Tarja firing backlash mentally scarred them more than we realize?
October 6, 2012
One of the reasons I don’t spend much time on the NW forums is because of the drama. Its true NW fans put the Emo in emotional lol . I’m seeing some pretty nasty things being said. I wonder if the band feels the explanation needs to come from Anette’s camp? I could imagine they don’t want to speak for her, especially if Anette got her feelings hurt in Denver. If any of this turns out to be correct, I think Anette
should be the one to speak up sooner rather than later considering the blasting her bandmates are taking. If she doesn’t, I hope they do. I think you’re right, the Tarja firing and the open letter continues to dog them which may be contributing to their silence.
October 6, 2012
Yeah I read that she was studying to be a nurse on the NW forum so more likely that’s the reason but there could also be other factors(family,pressure of touring,etc)so until there is an actual press release on the real reason(s)I’m going to treat anything said as speculation.
October 6, 2012
They really need to say something — I’ve been keeping an eye on their official forums and while a lot of people may just be blowing off steam, it does appear that there is a contingent of fans that are upset at what they perceive as Nightwish firing Anette. And while yes, these same fans are choosing to ignore what appears to be the mutuality of the press statement (both NW and Anette signed it), in these situations people tend to believe what they want to believe or are inclined to believe. If Nightwish is really blameless in this situation, they need to come out and clear the air for their own reputations sake.
October 12, 2012
I think that the fans that are blowing off steam about the fact that Anette is now out of Nightwish, should start reading her blog for the last 2 to 3 years.It is still available. You can sense that she didn’t seem happy about leaving her family and touring. In her blog, shen mentioned lately how she was totally bored traveling in the bus and couldn’t wait for her family to join her etc. I mean, I can understand that you miss your family but it seemed like she didn’t spend much time with the band anymore and kept to herself. IMO, she was happy to go and so was the rest of the band. Hope Floor is permanent. She has really done well in the last few shows after she got over her flu.
December 1, 2012
But hey, Anette left Allyson Avenue to be able to tour ;), so i think it may be something else, some kind of relationship problems with the band that broke her enthusiasm to tour apart.
October 6, 2012
Well at least they didn’t put out an open letter lol.
They’re probably doing a smart thing by keeping silent for a little bit. They learned their lesson from the Tarja firing fiasco so that’s probably the reason why they haven’t made an official public release on why they fired Anette.
But they better do it soon. Fans are going to get more impatient as days go by if nothing is said soon.
October 10, 2012
Loved the article. You do an excellent job of addressing both sides of the story, from what might’ve been going through the band’s collective heads to Anette’s blog post, which I found fishy because it was counter to what I expected. Had to read it a few times to really get the point.
But as a fan of Nightwish who likes their Tarja and post-Tarja work, I think you really nailed it down when you say that Nightwish is a team experience, something that requires the mentality of being one of the group and never putting yourself ahead of it. And you recognize that it wasn’t a flippant choice or an on-the-fly decision – Tuomas has had to make some hard choices. But, in my eyes, making those choices says a lot about his character, even after all the ‘BRING TARJA BACK!!’ crap they’ve been putting up with since they let her go. You also make an excellent point about the other band mates – If Tuomas was really so hard to deal with, why’re Emppu and Jukka, a founding member and very-soon-after addition, still there? Or Marco? So thank you, honestly, for making those points. It’s encouraging to see that some Nightwish fans actually see the band’s accomplishments as a team effort and make an effort to understand what they’re going through. So I, for one, am not really concerned or worried about the band as a whole. Like you said, they’ve been down this road before. I just genuinely hope that they’ll find someone that works well with them and leaves the drama at home, because I’ve tried looking for replacement bands for Nightwish (can’t stand the fans sometimes) and I just can’t do it.
So I hope you enjoy the show, and keep up the great work.
October 12, 2012
Thanks! And yeah sometimes I feel that Nightwish fans tend to view the band’s inner workings through a prism of emotion that mirrors the emotions found in the band’s music… but this is still the music business. And yeah people’s emotions and feelings are at stake within the band, but there’s also money to worry about as well.
I remember when the band and their management took a beating from fans and some of the media back in late 2005 and 2006 for the Tarja firing, and the interviews where Tuomas talked about how it was pretty much the band and crew who stuck together on the Once tour and were a cohesive unit that traveled together, ate together, hung out together — all without Tarja as she wanted to be apart from everything else. How in a strange way Tarja shunning them all made them all closer as a band and organization and that helped guide the band through the vocalist selection process and recording of the next album.
I remember following the tour diaries of the recording of that album and thinking that it sounded like they were genuinely having a blast — it didn’t seem like a bad bunch of people. It only reaffirmed my belief that the split from Tarja seemed to be about one persons values not matching the values of the band as a unified organization. I don’t buy into the theories of blind Tarja-worshippers who claim that she was the one being pushed out by the band… why on earth would they have wanted to do that? Their success wasn’t guaranteed with a new vocalist… financially speaking at least.
When I was at the Austin show, Ewo the band’s manager slipped into the audience, sipped a drink and watched the band try “Ghost Love Score” for the first time in years — he’s a really big, long haired Finnish guy in camo shorts and a black t shirt. Doesn’t really strike me as the mustache twirling, fat cat, business suit type. It stuck me as someone who was genuinely a fan of his band (he was nodding his head along) and a guy who was very aware and in tune with what was going on with the band… here they were trying a difficult song they hadn’t done in years with a new singer, and he was there to see how it went down. I don’t know, call me naive, I just think those kinds of things show a little bit of character.
October 12, 2012
I’ve been waiting eagerly for your assessment of the Austin show, and I’m excited to hear that they were in such fine form. I’m extremely envious that you got to hear them do Ghost Love Score as it is my favorite Nightwish song!
I really felt that when I saw them here in Portland, Floor just felt like someone who’d been a part of them all along. I loved that she could do the operatic arias of the Tarja years as well as the more modern vocals of Anette’s tenure. She was a fireball on stage and it just felt “right” for lack of a better term. I too hope that they continue to work with Floor; vocalists with her talent and flexibility will be very difficult to come by and I think she could help the band reach a whole new level, both musically and financially.
Although the Tuomas bashing seems to continue and Anette hasn’t felt the need to clear the air yet (I still believe that my earlier theory will bear itself out in some degree), I’ve gotten to the point where I dismiss these naysayers as merely the squeaky wheels with no more maturity or intellectual ability than the average 14 year old Bieber Believer. No offense to 14 year olds meant of course. The true Nightwish fan is the one who responds to the music, connects with it, relates to it and appreciates it for what it is: the coming together of some insanely talented musicians and songwriters who create poetry as a band. We don’t go to see “Anette” or “Marco” or “Tuomas” (well ok, I do enjoy the visual aspect of Tuomas but that’s neither here nor there). We go to hear those incredible songs performed live and feel very lucky to do so an intimate venue. The true Nightwish fan supports the band in all its facets, appreciates that they share their talents with the world, and look longingly forward to its continuation no matter what that looks like.
I’ve never seen the band without Ewo in tow – he seems as much a part of the band as any of the musicians. This is a guy who appears to have dedicated his life and career to these guys. He is present at the “fun” gatherings like a member of family and I suspect he is treated as such. I can’t see someone as private as Tuomas sharing that aspect of his life with someone who was simply a moneygrubber frankly.
Now just waiting for the movie to come out – I will be curious to see what goes on at the premiere but I’m more interested in the movie itself as it is a new extension of the creativity this band and I hope will be one of their most successful ventures yet! In the meantime there’s always the music we have now and the hope of another go-round on the circuit in a few years! (Either that or I’m going to have to haul my cookies to Wacken one of these summers).
October 13, 2012
I’m hoping they’ll shoot for a few lowkey theater screenings around the United States kind of like how the “Until the Light Takes Us” people did with their film.
October 11, 2012
So… the question was raised to Tuomas, in Austin last night, if he would be interested in accepting a demo CD. He very kindly declined saying he “didn’t want to focus on that for another two years or so.”
October 12, 2012
Haha interesting! Yeah I’m not surprised to hear that considering it’ll take that long for a new Nightwish album to come out. The key thing here that I know Tuomas has to realize is that he’s better when he’s writing for specific voice in mind. Won’t he want to know whose voice that is before the writing process starts? Imaginaerum was loads better than DPP, which was pretty good all together. Floor Jansen has a head start on any other candidates if she wants the job — what better trial run that being on tour with them singing the range of their catalog? I hope they go with Jansen.
October 13, 2012
Hello Pigeon!
I just stumbled onto your blog and found your Roy Khan Legacy article and I just want to say that you were spot on about everything and I agree wholeheartedly!
But this isn’t about that.
Looking through your other posts, I found this post as well and I just want to thank you for writing an unbiased (as unbiased as any of us can be) article surrounding the circumstances of Tarja’s and Anette’s dismissals from Nightwish. Unlike with Kamelot, I’m fairly new to Nightwish, only having listened to Imaginaerium and bits and pieces from their older stuff. I caught them last week in Anaheim (honestly, I was mostly there to see Kamelot) and I loved them! But, I was surprised to see Floor and not Anette take the stage. I had no idea she had left Nightwish. So, I decided to do some good ol’ fashioned googleling to find out what the heck happened (don’t get me wrong, I loved Floor. She was wonderful!). Mostly what I found were some very vague details about her departure. I also looked into Tarja’s dismissal from Nightwish, and again the results were less than satisfactory. Mostly what I found were some mean-spirited comments regarding Anette, as well as many long, drawn-out arguments about which of the two was a better singer. It was all very off-putting to say the least. I had no idea Nightwish fans were so…passionate? Crazy? Just-plain-mean? Anyway, I couldn’t make heads or tails out of any of it. Too many contradictory details and raving lunatics (fans) to make any sort of sense. Luckily, I found this blog! So, now I have a much better understanding about everything. So thanks again! Your blog is very informative and well written (which is more than I can say for most “professionally written” yahoo articles I’ve seen) and that is very refreshing. Here’s hoping they stick with Jansen! She just fits in so perfectly with them!
October 13, 2012
Thanks for the kind words! Its comments like yours that keep me going and trying to get better and better! Glad you enjoyed the show – it really was one of the best tour packages of the year in the States.
October 21, 2012
When Tarja was fired, i didnt know who’s fault was that (not sure if blaming was a wise choice but…) now with Olzon’s departure i think i know who’s acting like a diva in nightwish, and no, its not a vocalist… like the old proverb goes: Fool me once,shame on you. Fool me twice…
October 22, 2012
Can’t agree with your logic there. We’re talking about people and relationships and lives and differing situations. The Tarja matter has been discussed to death, but there seemed to be a communication rift on both sides. She doesn’t come off smelling of roses and I think even an impartial judge of the knowledge available on that subject would agree to that. With Anette its as of yet rather unknown as to the exact reasons behind her leaving.
Does Tuomas Holopainen have an ego? Yeah he probably does, these are his songs and Nightwish is his vehicle for them… but at the same time he does seem to only want whats in the best interests of the band. The rest of Nightwish seem to be understanding of their roles as part of a team with a clear creative leader. The new singer needs to understand that she’d have to fit in that same team first mentality. If that sounds like rampant egotism then I guess you’re right but you name me more than a few creatively successful bands that are true democracies and I’ll eat my words right now. Bands need leaders and centers in order to succeed. If Tarja and even perhaps Anette couldn’t cope with them not being the center — well, we already know what happened.
At the end of the day for yourself as a fan, all this really boils down to the first thing you should ask yourself, do I enjoy the bands music and want to hear new music. If no then it all seems a bit pointless right?
October 21, 2012
Interesting to read about the Houston show back in 2008. It was a very different experience at the first show of this tour. Since they came to the Key Club under a different name, only the most hardcore fans were there. After the concert, about a dozen of us waited outside hoping that the band would come out. No such luck. Security even blocked our access to the stage door and then when the car finally passed by and stopped at a red light, we waved and cheered from the sidewalk. Tuomas barely acknowledged us and turned his head away. Marko, probably realizing the awkwardness of the situation opened his window and waved at us. I felt… I dunno…. brushed off? It was the first show, the majority of the audience had already left, it is not like the band was overwhelmed by our presence. But guess what, we could see them for a $100 VIP ticket on later tour dates. That whole argument about Tarja/Anette not caring about the fans, and Tuomas caring? I didn’t exactly get this kind of vibe out of him, Yet again, maybe he was just having a deep poetic moment.
October 22, 2012
Hard to explain that…. sometimes I know that these guys have no choice in how long they can hang out after a show but in that particular case I imagine they were staying in town for a few days. Maybe catching a late dinner? I’ve seen bands turtle up in their tour bus after a show or just get in a car and drive off. It is off putting I agree but I try to not take it personally — most of the time it could be a legitimate excuse.
From what I understand, the promoter for the tour put these VIP packages together, and if you notice, its becoming an increasingly popular trend amongst a wide variety of bands, even European ones, that are criss-crossing the States. Heck, even the upcoming Epica/Alestorm/Insomnium package tour thats coming to my town soon to play at a tiny venue has a VIP package available. Its something that I understand is becoming a very lucrative avenue for bands to get more bang for their tour stop at each particular city. At the Nightwish show in Austin, venue reps were outside going down the line offering to upgrade anyone’s ticket to a VIP ticket for 66 bucks (basically that plus the cost of the ticket you already paid for was about 100 bucks).
— So yeah its a money making thing, definitely something that was contractually bound, and does take away from the romance of getting to the new early to catch a band hanging outside after soundcheck. I met many of my favorite metal stars that way (one day I’ll tell the story of scaring Hansi from Blind Guardian by pulling up diagonally in my car next to their tour bus after spotting him by himself banging his boots together outside to get the mud off)
February 7, 2013
Back in 08, they had to register with Dept of Homeland Security because of the several thousand death threats Halopainen was receiving. I can tell you, here I was managing all the crazy dressing room assignments, the dinner service in the band dinning hall, and artist relations as a backstage manager at ProgPowerUSA when I get pulled into a closet basically and told that an emergency was going down and an unannounced for security reasons guest was coming as a headliner basically. Also that I had 45 minutes to make all bands and their gear into an entirely new dressing room arrangement. On top of that, dinner service was starting….oh boy.
So I did an hour job in like 30 minutes. Nearly freakin killed me. So this guy Ive never seen asked me which assignment for the new band and would I show him. I said I’ll point you on the way, but I’m dying and got to get to dinner.
Well that was the manager guy for the band and I guess he was pleased. I also gather he was either REALLY pleased at what I had managed to do, or had mistook my get to dinner remark, because, I was engrossed into food service setup and he grabs me and says you eat over here……
I grabbed my water not knowing what was going on and he leads me by the arm to an awaiting seat……right between Marco on my right & Anette on my left. Emmpu & Jukka were across….
AND TUOMAS AT THE END WITH A PALE FACE AND HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL. He was a total nervous wreck. Because all this genre is blacklisted in the US, I had been rediscovering music every year I worked prog. I had only a couple years before heard of Nightwish, and had not had a chance to fully check them out. All I knew was something about a major ordeal with them and a legendary singer.
Obviously I was sitting on pins not wanting to insult or embarass anybody. So I offered the comment to them (to break the perverbial ice), that based on what I knew….certain people had fascinations with; adventure, childhood fantasies, lore, and WALT DISNEY. Then I asked Tuomas to pronounce his name so I could say it correctly. When he did that, I say: “No, no thats not right”. Hes says: “Of course its right its my name”, but I say to him, “Thats just not the way with my understanding of you, that you would say or even bother to call yourself”……Hes getting stirred up, hes thinking whos this stupid american, they know nothing about international affairs. He says, “I dont know who you are, but if you think you KNOW MY NAME, just say it for me and we can see”…..so I say, ” YOUR NAME IS PETER PAN”.
The whole band laughed. He blushed. Emmpu says that was the FIRST TIME THEY LAUGHED SINCE THE WHOLE TARJA THING STARTED. They told me about the terrors, the stresses, and the threats. Tuomas revealed that he had lost control in the Tarja matter and it got out of control and the letter thing was a disaster.
I spent an entire evening with them. They were weary, nervous to the point of shaking. Wouldnt eat anything UNTIL AFTER THEY PERFORMED (which was still in question to some degree), in case they couldnt hold the meal down. Anette asked me did I think she could be a good enough singer for them….I hadnt even heard her sing before, but it was important at that moment that I answered, so I looked into that bright and kind face and said: If you want it, you can do anything. I was special guest at front stage there, and again 4 months later when they concluded the tour at another Atlanta venue (I live here).
The point is, 2008 was a very strange & somewhat terrible time for them. Tuomas has become a complete paranoid ever since. What ever the events involving Tarja, he paid a huge personal price in his own way. Hes not the same. Now Marco hangs out through here alot and hes always easy going and finds ways/places to hang out with REAL PEOPLE. Anette is that way and is why she caught on and exceeded in that role. NO 2ND TIER SINGER IN HISTORY did as much in that role as she did.
If you want to be around these events you have to choose. In the US its kinda easy because THERE ARENT ANY MAJOR SYMPHONIC METAL EVENTS. PPUSA is billed as one, and Ive supported and promoted it for 12 years. However, a MAJOR event its not. Not with a MAXIMUM CAPPED TICKET LIMIT OF 1200. But it is A FAN and ARTIST EVENT. Some people dont really listen to the performances, but instead they hang out with the actual band people. Some events are basically “concert only”. It also pays to show up EXTRA EARLY and volunteer labor! I get into shows constantly doing this.
Hell, my nephew has hung out with SABATON for hours in the main lobby area where the metal memorbilia was being sold because he had volunteered. He also had a personal dinner with none other than LIV KRISTEN! I set that up and she was totally flattered for a teenage boy to have a thing for her. It was priceless. However, he worked his ass off for free……well eating dinner with Liv Kristen beats the hell outta money anyway! AND THE MEMORY & STORY ARE WITHOUT PRICE.
Now its all gone into a circle and that bands getting threats again. Not as virilent as before, but its still pretty serious. But, just because one band, or band member is a little reclusive, or just plain funky….most are more than glad FAN supporters. Especially in the US.
Two years ago, Hammerfall headlined here and I wanted to meet them. Those guys give off some serious reclusive vibes. They get used alot. It happened at PPUSA. SOME MAJOR EVENT, 1200 people, and they came 3000 miles for it. Went nearly bazerk over Delain being in a STORAGE CLOSET dressing room. Joacims screaming was heard over the performing band. I was the one that had to mediate that and get them to perform since NONE OF US IN THE STATES REALLY HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR THEM. SOme of them came 3000 miles too.
All that upset, all that reclusive vibe thing…..And yet when dude heard my 14 year old nephew wanted to meet them…..he sent for him and my nephew just got taken in to the dressing room……FOR LIKE A HALF AN HOUR. Was handed a guitar pick and a drumstick outta the case. When I saw Joacim next, he got my attention and winked at me. Thats all I needed. It was great to have met that guys approval. Months later they officially friended my TOTALLY MUSIC ARTIST CHANNEL at Youtube (google it). Got a nice email from them as well concerning my being what they called: AN AMBASSADOR TO MUSIC.
So there are ways. God makes them for you even. Im a pentecostal Christian with a 2 critically acclaimed youtube channels (2nd is TOTALLY FEM METAL CHANNEL), some 350 bands & artists as OFFICIAL friends/endorsers of it, as well as 25 record labels and entities like PLAYBOY & MAXXIM MAGAZINE, several rock radio stations, and the BOSTON GLOBE.
Im working to do a Playboy concert series in real venues, like the Fox theater here, and at colleges/universities working with those music departments. Five years from now we in the US may actually HAVE symph metal here! All because of me…..a nobody that worked his legs, his ass, and some other parts off just as a lowly volunteer. HELL I have a standing aggreement from Within Temptation to do a full recreation of BLACK SYMPHONY on a US tour if I can put it together……..stick around and VOLUNTEER FOR THAT!
MEANTIME, dont go in expecting. These people are busy and abused alot. Shitty venues are the norm. Assinine people to work around are too. The road is hell. I go in not expecting anything…..and yet have ended up with so many great experiences/stories I’ll treasure for life. If you always got your way, it would be a normal thing and not so special. When its those MOMENTS in time, it becomes a treasure.
November 10, 2012
Hell yeah….!!!! Floor Jansen is the perfect match for Nightwish….!!! I really wish they make her their permanent Vocalist….!
March 28, 2013
Any grown man who ends what is essentially a business letter with: “PS. this is an open letter to everyone one” is at best a bit melodramatic. If you read between the lines both Tarja and Anette wanted to spend more time with their families. As a woman you need time off to actually have babies if you want them. You probably also need really understanding band mates if you are going to be pregnant on tour.
March 28, 2013
Fair. But being a singer in a band that is constantly touring or having a busy schedule then at some point something will have to be sacrificed, whether its the family life and time at home or the position in the band. The new songs will arrive without you due to where the songwriting power is (Holopainen). Seems unfair but thats just the way it goes right? Playing devils advocate here…
April 14, 2013
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April 14, 2013
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April 14, 2013
I’ll 2nd what panic attack said. I know this music and these performers of it all have a way of bringing out extreme passion in most people which is wonderful in a way, but at times just goes too far and becomes a bitter battle of words instead of meaningful exchanges.
In the music business there are performers and there are artists. Performers put on a show merely for money and acclaim. An artist does it because of: 1) internal motivation, 2) expression, &/or 3) love. For the artists, the money thing almost always comes last.
What we saw with Nightwish from 1998 until now is an evolution from being ARTISTS into becoming PERFORMERS. Thats why Floor was their fist replacement pick as she became merely a performer years ago and understood this.
So for all those who still follow that band, by all means go & see their SHOW. For me however, I have decided to spend my time & resources
supporting the artists who only have invested far too much of them selves into this life of expression to merely settle for being a performer.
April 15, 2013
Interesting point, although I don’t think a mere performer can write an album like Imaginaerum… performer in the traditional music industry sense of the term was someone who was perhaps an interpreter of song, like a Frank Sinatra or Johnny Cash. Songwriting is a craft, but its elevated into artistry I feel, if the person who wrote the music is the person also performing the music. Songs are art, but performances can also be an extension of art.
April 16, 2013
BETCHA DIDNT KNOW…….Imaginarium was basically put together YEARS AGO. Its all bits and pieces of stuff that never quite fit into one of their previous albums. Now I like that album but truth is about 4 of the songs have the same tune……NO GENIUS IN THAT. And even there, the album was not written to be a piece of music but instead it is a movie soundtrack.
Jon Williams made a small fortune over the years doing movie soundtracks but he always denied being any form of a composer once he gave over to that. Based on his assertion, and certainly Mr Williams is well more established in his mastery of music understanding and composition than any metal musician anywhere; but if he in his own estimation is not an actual composer doing that then neither is Halopainen.
You have to let those who are the professors and maestros make the determinations and establish what the standards are. It doesnt take away from a good work like Imaginarium, it only classifies it. Only a fool would try and tell say a YANNI what the music standard and definitions are.
People need to realize that Halopainen in his own mind IS PETER PAN. He has bonded with that character and written some one dozen songs based on that character alone. Its his thing. I can give him that, everyone else needs to. I think he would be great as a Disney movie soundtrack writer and it would allow the others to move on. I have been around them and in these last few years it has taken its toll on them all. If its time, then its time. They deserve a life. We have how many great albums from them to listen to? Isnt that enough?
As a 70s/80s person I had to painfully watch dozens of great bands retire, break apart, or just quit. Sometimes you have to allow them to be people and be thankful for the good times they gave us.
Meantime many new bands like SUNCROWN have been forming and are doing quality work. Some very good veteran bands like EDENBRIDGE who are actually more established than Nightwish are releasing new material CURRENTLY. So believe it or not, there is life after Nightwish.
April 17, 2013
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April 17, 2013
No plans yet, but I’ll keep that offer in mind. In the meantime keep on checking back!
April 17, 2013
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
April 17, 2013
That last sentence was fantastic! And we can communicate right here, or through my facebook, twitter, or email address listed in the about me section.
December 18, 2013
The fact that two, completely non-related to each other singers, chose to get managers for themselves is rather telling about Nightwish’ treatment of their singers instead of singers’ inflated egos.
December 19, 2013
IT WAS THE NIGHTWISH BEFORE CHRISTMAS……
AND ALL THROUGH THE PLACE, BAND WARS WERE CHURNING, AND LOTS OF DISGRACE.
———————————————————————————————————————-
THE FACT THAT 2 MONTHS AGO ALL ACROSS EUROPE ERUPTED A LARGEST “BAND WARS” OF MODERN TIMES WAS VERY REVEALING.
AND NIGHTWISH WAS SOMEHOW ONCE AGAIN AT GROUND ZERO. THEY FIRED FLOOR WHICH THEY NEVER ACTUALLY LEGALLY HAD CONTRACATED WITH HER TO BEGIN WITH AND SHE CLEARLY BROKE RANKS WITH ALL THE FEMALE METAL SINGERS ON EARTH TO GO THERE TO BEGIN WITH……
AND SUDDENLY IT WASNT JUST WRITERS AND SUPPORTERS LIKE ME SAYING IT. IT WAS SHARON DEN ADEL. IT WAS SIMONE SIMONS. IT WAS LIV KRISTINE (WHO GETS ALONG WITH EVERYONE ON THE PLANET UNTIL NOW).
AND LINES WERE DRAWN AND FOR A MONTH ON TWITTER….ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.
IT WAS DIPLOMATIC FROM THE ONE SIDE AND WHINING AND PITY CRYING ON THE OTHER AS WELL AS MORE SCHEMING.
FOR THE UNINITIATED INTO THOSE EVENTS IT WENT LIKE THIS:
1) SIMONE SIMONS, SURVIVOR OF A MAJOR LIFE THREATENING AND NEAR CAREER ENDING INFECTION JUST A FEW YEARS BACK; WAS WITH CHILD AND THIS WAS A HIGHLY DUBIOUS AND CAREFUL UNDERTAKING CONSIDERING THE RISKS.
AND IN THE MIDST OF THAT ORDEAL WITH ALL THE STRESSES AND PRESSURES IT MUST HAVE BROUGHT TO SIMONE…….DEAR OLD SCHEMER FLOOR JANSEN JUST HAD TO CLIMB ON SIMONES PERVERBIAL BACK AND JUMP UP AND DOWN.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE SHE BEGINS A BIZARRE TWEETING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIMONE TO REPLACE HER AT EPICA AND IT WENT SO FAR AS TO “OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE” SIMONE WAS “RETIRING”. WHAT? OR MORE ACCURATELY STATED: WTH?
AND SO SHARON ADEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISTRACT FLOORS DANGEROUS MIND, ARRANGED FOR TARJA TURUNEN TO ACCEPT FLOOR AS A GUEST OF HERS AT A FEW PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND DUE TO TARJAS RESPECT & AFFECTION FOR SIMONE; SHE WAS A REAL GAMER AND DID THIS.
MEANTIME: TUOMAS WAS MAKING ALL SORTS OF CRAZY AND UNATTACHED (THE USUAL) STATEMENTS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND AMONG THOSE HE WAS STATING THAT FLOOR CLEARLY WASNT A PERMANENT PART OF NIGHTWISH AND COULD NOT BE.
AND THAT STARTED OVERNIGHT THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT:
2) FLOOR JANSENS CAMPAIGN TO SOME HOW COMPEL SIMONE TO TALK TO TUOMAS AND “FIX THINGS” AND IF YOU GO BACK IN THE TWITTER TIMELINE 2-3 MONTHS: ITS ALL THERE.
AS WELL AS SIMONES CLEAR AND PLANNED RESPONSE:
3) SIMONE SIMONS TO RESOND TOWARD FLOOR JANSENS HELP REQUEST WITH NIGHTWISH: I CAN NOT OR WILL NOT BOTHER MYSELF IN ANY REGARDS TOWARD ANY ISSUE WITH THAT BAND AS IT WOULD BE A SEVERE WRONGDOING TO MY 2 CLOSEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD WHO WERE FORMER SINGERS THERE.
SO THAT DRAWS A CLEAR LINE OF DISTINCTION RAPIDLY AND ON SEVERAL LEVELS. FIRST IT DEMONSTRATES THAT THE BEHAVIOR TOWARDS WOMEN BY THAT BAND AND ITS “MALE” MEMBERS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND BELOW THE
STANDARD OF THEIR PEERS.
SECONDLY IT CLEARLY WAS A STATEMENT THAT TARJA AND ANNETTE OLZON WERE TWO VERY CLOSE PEOPLE TO SIMONE IN HER BOOK: AND FLOOR JANSEN JUST WASNT….AT ALL.
NEXT DAY:
4) WITHIN TEMPTATION OPENLY SPONSORED THE LATEST EPICA BAND ALBUM AT THEIR SITE AND PUBLICLY.
NEXT DAY:
5) TARJA ISSUED STATEMENT THAT ALTHOUGH SHE DID RESPECT FLOOR JANSEN AS FELLOW FEMALE SINGER; SHE DID NOT THINK THAT FLOOR WAS OF A LEVEL OF COMMITMENT, SACRIFICE, OR RESPONSIBILITY AS MOST OTHER FEMALE SINGERS OF HER EXPERIENCE AND FOR THOSE REASONS SHE WAS NOT CLOSE TO FLOOR AND DIDNT PLAN TO BE.
NEXT DAY:
6) FLOOR JANSEN BEGINS TWITTER AND FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN AGAINST TARJA AND AT ONE POINT MAY HAVE CALLED TARJA A “BITTER WITCH”. I WAS EMAILED TO GO SEE SUCH A COMMENT, BUT WHEN I GOT THERE SOME OF FLOORS COMMENTS HAD BEEN REMOVED. WHETHER THAT WAS ONE CAN ONLY BE SPECULATED AS WELL AS IF THE REMOVAL WAS DONE BY FLOOR HERSELF OR BY SOME LEGAL ACTIONS FORCING HER.
NEXT DAY:
7) SHARON ADEL CONTACTS TARJA AND A MINI ALBUM OF TARJA & SHARON IS CREATED AND RELEASED WITH THE PROCEEDS TO GO TO FEM SINGER SUPPORT.
OH MY. SO NIGHTWISH DECIDES TO ATTEMPT TO WEIGH IN WITH TUOMAS MAKING SOME OBSCURE STATEMENT ABOUT ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS BEING EVERYDAY “FEMALE” DRAMAS.
IN RESPONSE TO THIS……
8) WITHIN TEMPTATION AS A BAND BEGINS MAKING TWEETED STATEMENTS IN REGARDS TO SUPPORTING “ALL” MEMBERS OF ANY BAND AND NOT JUST A FEW “MALE EGO” ONES.
THEN WITHIN TEMPTATION ANNOUNCES THEY ARE NOT ONLY PRODUCING ANNETTE OLZON (WHICH I AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER FOR MONTHS); BUT THEY WERE ADDING “OFFICIALLY” TAJRA TURUNEN TO THEIR SPONSORSHIPS TO PRODUCE THIS UPCOMING YEAR.
9) SIMONE HAS BABY! ITS A HEALTHY BOY, BOTH WERE FINE.
10) FLOOR PICKS UP THE “SIMONE IS RETIRING” ISSUE AND BEGINS TO CAMPAIGN WITH THE RECORD LABEL AND PUBLIC TO TAKE HER PLACE.
NEXT DAY:
10) SIMONE SIMONS ISSUES SEVERAL TWEETS TO THE EFFECT: I AM NOT RETIRED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED FROM MY OWN BAND TO WHICH I AM A FULL AND ACTIVELY WORKING PARTNER.
FOLLOWED BY: EPICA IS CURRENTLY PUTTING TOGETHER A REWORKING OF SOME CLASSICS ACCOMPANIED BY A FEW NEW SONGS ON A MINI ALBUM TO BE RELEASED BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.
FOLLOWED BY: THE FIRST OF THE YEAR EPICA (WITH SIMONE) TOUR DATES.
FOLLOWED BY (IN CASE ANYONE AT ALL HAD DOUBTS AT THIS POINT): I AM NOT RETIRED AND WILL CONTINUE IN A FULL CAPACITY TO NOT ONLY SING AND PERFORM WITH EPICA; BUT LOOK FORWARD TO AND AM PLANNING CORROBERATIONS WITH MY GREAT FRIENDS SHARON ADEL AND TARJA AND ANNETTE OLZON.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED WITHIN DAYS BY:
11) THE WITHIN TEMPTATION ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SEVERAL THINGS WERE IN THE PLANNING AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE SEEING AT LEAST SOME OF THESE THIS UPCOMING YEAR:
A) AN EPICA/ANNETTE OLZON TOUR
B) A TARJA/EPICA TOUR
C) A WT/TARJA TOUR
D) A WT/ANNETTE OLZON TOUR
E) A TARJA/ANNETTE OLZON TOUR…….OMG
F) A DUTCH MUSIC FESTIVAL ARRANGED AROUND ALL OF THOSE SPECIFICALLY TOGETHER….OMG
AND THE WORD IS ALREADY AND I PERSONALLY VERIFIED THIS THROUGH WT AND SHARON ADEL WHICH SHE DID BY FAVORING THE TWEET WHERE I ANNOUNCED IT AND RETWEETED THAT:
WITHIN TEMPTATION WILL TOUR WITH ANNETTE OLZON 2014. I CALLED THAT IN A PUBLIC TWEET: DUTCHWISH. SHARON ADEL AGREED.
BUT THERE IS TALK INSIDE, AND MUCH OF IT THAT WT WILL PRODUCE A MASSIVE PRODUCTION FAR GREATER THAN BLACK SYMPHONY THAT WILL FEATURE …..ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER.
AND THAT NEWS WAS DRIFTING OUT AND FLOOR JANSEN WAS GOING ALL CRAZY ON TWITTER ABOUT NOT BEING ACCEPTED BY OTHER FEMALE SINGERS AND THEN NIGHTWISH WITH LITTLE OPTIONS LEFT AFTER THE BAND WAR LINES WERE SO CLEARLY AND PUBLICLY DRAWN: ANNOUNCED THAT FLOOR WOULD REMAIN AS THEIR SINGER.
THAT WAS ALL BEFORE THANKSGIVING. AND IT SHOULD HAVE QUIETED THINGS DOWN ALOT……HOWEVER; WHILE EPICA, ANNETTE, WT, AND TARJA WERE ALL IN STUDIO: FLOOR WAS ELSEWHERE ON HER “I HATE THE FEMS” PUBLIC TOUR.
AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH OR SO. IT INVOLVES HER MAKING IT A POINT TO CRASH EVERY KNOWN MUSIC EVENT OR CONCERT OF CONSEQUENCE IN EUROPE IN ORDER TO PUSH HERSELF ONSTAGE.
JUST A DAY AGO SHE PUSHED HERSELF INTO A HAMMERFALL CONCERT AND SHE ATTEMPTED “PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” WITH JOAKIM. WHETHER SHE WAS WANTED THERE OR WHETHER SHE WAS ANY GOOD AT THAT UNREHEARSED SONG IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE SHE POSTED ALL ABOUT THAT ON HER TWITTER ACCOUNT…..
BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW AND AUDIO OF THAT TO BE LINKED. IT WAS QUESTIONED. NOT BY ME. I QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT SHE WOULD PICK A TIRED AND WORN OUT COVER SONG FROM THE 1970’S AND THEN BRAG ABOUT THAT INSTEAD OF PRODUCING ANYTHING OF CONSEQUENCE HERSELF.
OUCH, BUT 100% TRUE. SHE MAY AS WELL HAVE SUNG “CATS”. AND AS FAR AS NOT PRODUCING ANYTHING OF CONSEQUENCE: SINCE AFTER FOREVER BROKE UP OVER HER ANTICS; WE HAVE SINCE SEEN A TRUE & HONEST “GOLDEN AGE OF SYMPHONIC METAL” EMERGE.
IN THIS, BANDS LIKE EDENBRIDGE ARE SUDDENLY REGARDED AS THE ABSOLUTE STANDARD AND WITH GOOD REASONS: 1) THEY ARE CREDIBLE, 2) THEY ARE A TEAM AND WITHOUT TABLOID DRAMAS, 3) THEY ARE EXCELLENT VOCALLY, 4) THEY ARE MASTERFUL MUSICALLY.
AND THIS BAND PRODUCED A MASTERPIECE ALBUM THIS YEAR CALLED: THE BONDING AND IT IS HAILED AS ONE OF THE 3 ALL TIME GREATEST METAL ALBUMS EVER MADE. THIS PLACES IT INTO A TIE WITH: PINK FLOYD; DARK SIDE OF THE MOON & DREAM THEATER; IMAGES & WORDS.
PEOPLE LIKE ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE ARE RECOGNIZING EDENBRIDGE AND SABINE EDELSBACHER AS BEING A TOP LEVEL FEM MMETAL VOCALIST…..
THAT ALBUM MADE THE TOP 100 IN THE US IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND WHO HERE KNOWS EDENBRIDGE ASIDE FROM ME?
THAT ALBUM WILL BE THE EUROPEAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR AND BEAT OUT A REALLY CLOSE SECOND IN SIRENIA’S EXCELLENT: PERILS OF THE DEEP BLUE.
THOSE TWO ARE OF A STANDARD NIGHTWISH CAN ONLY REACH FOR.
THEN IN THIS SUDDEN OUTPOURING OF GOLDEN AGE METAL COMES: LEAVES EYES; SYMPHONIES OF THE NIGHT & TARA TURUNENS: COLOURS IN THE DARK AND WITHIN TEMPTATIONS HURRIEDLY MADE; PARADISE.
AND THE BAR IS SET AND ITS A REALLY HIGH STANDARD AND PEOPLE LIKE FLOOR JANSEN ARE JUST NOT ON IT. NEITHER ARE THE 2ND & 3RD TIER BANDS LIKE REVAMP.
NOW IN THE MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, SHARON DEN ADEL HAS ANNOUNCED THE RECORDING OF THEIR NEWEST ALBUM COMING WITHIN MONTHS: HYDRA; AND WILL FEATURE TARJA FULLY.
AT THE WITHIN TEMPTATION TWITTER HOME PAGE, A JOINT PHOTO IS THE CURRENT BACKGROUND AND THAT WILL BE THE PREDICTED ALBUM COVER OR PART OF IT.
AND SO THATS ALL A YEARS WORTH OF NEWS AND WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON IN THE ONGOING NIGHTWISH DEBACLE. WHATS SAD IS, THE FIRM THAT WAS CONTRACTED TO PRODUCE THE FILM FOR NIGHTWISH WAS NOT PAID AND SO THEY HAVE RELEASED SEVERAL OFFICIAL NIGHTWISH “IMAGINARIUM” VIDEOS ALL WHICH FEATURE ANNETTE OLZON.
I HAVE LINKS TO THOSE AS WELL AS TO ANY POSTS AND WEBSITES ONLINE THAT VERIFIES THIS NEWS REPORT.
NIGHTWISH BECAME DEATHWISH. THEY ARE CLEARLY A METAL POP BAND NOW AND I HAVE WORD THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH …….(I AM NOT JOKING) TAYLOR SWIFT ABOUT DOING SOME THINGS WITH THEM.
WHETHER OR NOT A GAL ON THAT LEVEL OF POP FAME WILL LESSEN HERSELF TO BE INVOLVED OR NOT IS TO BE SEEN. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE EVEN THINKING LIKE THIS (OR WITH FLOOR FOR THAT MATTER)……SAYS ALL TO MUCH. AND NONE OF THAT IS GOOD.
-KEVIN G THOMPSON
TOTALLY MUSIC ARTIST CHANNEL & FOUNDATION
December 19, 2013
Like to hear yourself talk much? Seriously, you’re more full of shit than a colostomy bag. I’ve read your long winded rants on here before. You talk all this crap like you have inside info and I bet you’re nothing more than an unstable and disgruntled fan with an axe to grind against Floor and Nightwish. Get a life…
December 19, 2013
He’s nothing but an internet troll He trolls on these blogs and youtube with his unproven,useless banter.
And LOL @ Nightwish talking to Taylor Swift. Man don’t know what you’re smoking but pass it here 😀
December 20, 2013
Yeah, the promoter of ProgPower USA, Glenn Harveston said this jackass worked in catering not backstage and has been banned from the event, lol. Nightwish talking to Taylor Swift? LOL, hold on a sec…puff, puff, pass…