Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen Reflects on the Turunen Split: A Necessary Evil

In an unfiltered conversation with Metal Hammer, Nightwish's co-founder and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen pulls no punches while reflecting on the band's tumultuous past, particularly regarding the notorious exit of original lead singer Tarja Turunen. The split, which came in 2005, was as dramatic as it was public, with the band accusing Turunen of prioritizing 'business' over the soul of their music, alleging that her behavior had shifted under the influence of her husband and manager, Marcelo Cabuli. While the couple has since denied these claims, the scars from this painful chapter remain fresh in the minds of many fans.

Holopainen candidly shares his perspective, describing the backlash the band faced, saying, "It was like we were these evil neanderthals who’d hurt our wonderful ex-singer." The emotional toll was evident, as he recalls receiving a barrage of letters from disgruntled fans. The band’s decision to sever ties with Turunen felt like a divorce, one that left not just the band but also their legion of followers reeling. He mused about a hypothetical reunion, stating, "Someone did say to me if we got Tarja and Marko (Hietala) back in, we could tour just South America for a year straight. That’s not gonna happen." The reality of their separate paths seems to be set in stone.

For those looking to dive deeper into the intricate saga of Finnish metal, the newly released five-part documentary series, Kaamos, by YLE offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of this iconic genre. The fanpage Tarja Turunen Suomi has expertly stitched together the segments related to Nightwish and Turunen, encapsulating pivotal moments from the band's inception through to Turunen's solo endeavors and her eventual health struggles. This documentary is a must-watch for fans looking to understand the complex dynamics that shaped Nightwish.

The complete Kaamos documentary is available for streaming on YLE Areena, providing an essential backdrop for fans navigating the turbulent waters of Finnish metal's history. Additionally, in the world of new music, the excitement is brewing with the release of “Stoned Babies,” the debut single from Voices of Extreme. Set to drop their full album in 2026, the track is already garnering rave reviews, with Iridium Rock and Metal Reviews declaring it “Fucking brilliant… Beautiful song.” The metal scene is alive and kicking, and these developments remind us why we bleed for this genre.