Metalheads Unite! \m/ \m/

[Justin101]

Work is over for the week yay!

[Susan Foreman]

Marko Hietala leaves Nightwish after 20 years / Planet Rock

"Nightwish bassist and co-vocalist Marko Hietala has announced that he has resigned from the symphonic metallers after a tenure of two decades.

The 54-year-old Finnish musician posted a heartfelt and candid statement to Nightwish’s official website explaining the reasons for his surprise exit.

Marko Hietala’s full statement reads:

“Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life.

“For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocracies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here.

“This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. ”My Walden” so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love.

“And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good.

“Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please.

“But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose.

“There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though.

“I am so sorry about this.

“Marko Hietala

“P.S. Tony Iommi is an exception to the “no contact whatsoever”. Childhood hero takes a precedence.”

Nightwish themselves have also posted a short statement, which reads:

“Marko’s resignation has left us with some difficult decisions and choices to be made. After much thought and consideration, we have, in mutual understanding, decided to perform the upcoming 'Human. :II: Nature. -world tour' as planned, but with a session bass player.

“The live line-up will be announced at a later date.

"We respect Marko's decision and wish him all the very best. We will not comment any further."

Nightwish are scheduled to play Birmingham Resorts World Arena and London The SSE Arena, Wembley on 1st and 2nd May 2021 as part of their European tour."

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Talk about a statement full of waffle!

Now they have a session bass player to go with their session singer.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Arrived today.

The pic doesn't do the t-shirt justice. It appears faded towards the bottom when it isn't. Must have been a reverb from the camera flash.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Talk about a statement full of waffle!

Now they have a session bass player to go with their session singer.

I was wondering what your response would be I'm not entirely bothered, none of them are party to the songwriting duties anyway and I was never a fan of his vocals.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

I was wondering what your response would be I'm not entirely bothered, none of them are party to the songwriting duties anyway and I was never a fan of his vocals.

I'm of the opinion that the band has one leader - Tuomas, who decided that he'd lost control of the band to their first singer (or in the opinion of the public she was the figurehead rather than him) and since then has pretty much cracked down on anyone in the band who doesn't play 100% by his rules.

The fact Marko even mentions there might be issues with Tuomas clearly means there were.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

I'm of the opinion that the band has one leader - Tuomas, who decided that he'd lost control of the band to their first singer (or in the opinion of the public she was the figurehead rather than him) and since then has pretty much cracked down on anyone in the band who doesn't play 100% by his rules.

The fact Marko even mentions there might be issues with Tuomas clearly means there were.

My instant reaction to that passage was the same, like, just don't say it because if you do it draws attention to it. I'm not sure what's going to happen with Floor who now is literally more famous/popular than the band itself...

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

My instant reaction to that passage was the same, like, just don't say it because if you do it draws attention to it. I'm not sure what's going to happen with Floor who now is literally more famous/popular than the band itself...

I agree. I think she's keeping them up there at the top of their field at the moment.

Within Temptation have practically caught them up in the popularity stakes in recent times. Especially in this country with Hydra getting to #6 in the album charts.

Nightwish haven't had a top ten album.

[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

I agree. I think she's keeping them up there at the top of their field at the moment.

Within Temptation have practically caught them up in the popularity stakes in recent times. Especially in this country with Hydra getting to #6 in the album charts.

Nightwish haven't had a top ten album.

I'm surprised that Resist didn't chart higher, but thinking back, it wasn't even in HMV on the shelves until maybe 3 or 4 weeks after the release date. I think I ordered one from Music Magpie... WT are a more interesting band in my opinion.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Justin101

I'm surprised that Resist didn't chart higher, but thinking back, it wasn't even in HMV on the shelves until maybe 3 or 4 weeks after the release date. I think I ordered one from Music Magpie... WT are a more interesting band in my opinion.

Again i agree.