Floor Jansen Unleashes 'Hytress' - A Heavy Metal Odyssey Beyond NIGHTWISH
In a recent gut-punch interview with Janne Vuorela from Finland's Imperiumi, Floor Jansen, the unstoppable force behind NIGHTWISH, has divulged exhilarating details about her forthcoming solo endeavor, 'Hytress', slated to drop on January 15, 2027, through REVAMP Music and Warner Music. This new release follows her jaw-dropping debut solo album, 'Paragon', a record that has amassed nearly 150 million streams, solidifying her prowess as a solo artist.
Reflecting on her journey into the spotlight, Jansen emphasized that stepping into the solo sphere was not a foreign concept. "Before joining NIGHTWISH, I was the architect of my own bands," she asserted, showcasing her history as a songwriter. The last three decades have been a rollercoaster, with NIGHTWISH setting an unprecedented standard of excellence. The pressure of releasing new work under her own name means every note is scrutinized, prompting Jansen to forge a sound that strays from the bombastic identity of NIGHTWISH. "How do I sound without this huge bombast, without all of that happening, without even metal?" she pondered, embarking on a transformative journey with 'Paragon'.
As she gears up for 'Hytress', Jansen's ambition to create a heavier sonic landscape is palpable. With NIGHTWISH currently on hiatus from live performances, she’s seizing the opportunity to delve deeper into her roots. "The desire to reconnect with my heavier sound emerged," she explained, igniting her quest for a metallic vibe that remains distinctly her own. The result? A collection of compact, punchy tracks that eschew the sprawling structures typical of NIGHTWISH, leaning instead into catchy choruses draped in a heavy aesthetic.
When discussing the production intricacies of 'Hytress', Jansen highlighted the influence of down-tuned titans like BLEED FROM WITHIN, GOJIRA, and PERIPHERY, shaping the album's formidable sound. She and her team consciously steered clear of orchestral elements, instead opting for a raw, innovative approach that incorporates unexpected guitar sounds manipulated to fit the atmospheric needs of each track. "There are guitar sounds in there that you would probably not recognize as guitar, but it's there," she remarked, showcasing a bold creative spirit that dares to defy conventions.
With tracks like 'Reverse Polarity', 'Cathedral Of One', and 'I Am Drowning', Jansen's 'Hytress' promises to be a metal manifesto that showcases her evolution while staying true to her roots. As she balances her musical ambitions with being a mother of two, including a newborn daughter named Lucy, the metal community eagerly awaits what this dynamic artist will conjure next.