“Nightwish is an entity” – Interview with Tuomas Holopainen about life, roots, 30 years of symphonic metal and plans for new albums

When you look back at the last three decades and realize how Nightwish, a band from the town of Kitee, in Finland, not only made history in its own territory, but also shaped an entire genre in heavy metal, making symphonic metal known worldwide through the melodies, lyrics, and ideas of an artist named Tuomas Holopainen, it is an achievement beyond words.

“Whenever I go to the piano, it fills me with calm and excitement at the same time.”

The story that began in the summer of 1996 reached an important milestone in the band’s and Holopainen’s career. Thirty years of music, stories, and a journey that has positively impacted countless lives. Although the group has been on hiatus since its last show in 2023, it remains active, releasing its most precious source of content: music. Nightwish’s tenth album, Yesterwynde, was released a few years ago and, even without a single live performance to promote it, the album was a gift for the fans.

“It’s been wonderful 30 years.”

This year, the record label Nuclear Blast wanted to celebrate the band’s three decades and, in partnership with Tuomas, put together a special box set titled The Greatest 30 Years on Earth, an incredible package featuring some of the best live performances from the current lineup, such as their shows in Amsterdam at Ziggo Dome and a homecoming concert in Kitee, plus documentaries produced by Ville Lipiäinen, the band’s longtime video partner.

And if a celebration with releases from his archives isn’t enough, Tuomas is more inspired than ever, in his own words, so Nightwish will soon have new music from its creator.

“The songs are coming like never before.”

Promoting the new box and in celebration of the band’s anniversary, Chaoszine sat down with Tuomas Holopainen in Helsinki, Finland, for an in-depth talk about how he sees his albums nowadays, his connection with Kitee, finding a place of safety in a piano, the future plans for new albums and more. Check it out!

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You can listen to Nightwish‘s latest album “Yesterwynde” here: