Former Nightwish bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala has discussed Floor Jansen’s departure from the band, suggesting that management problems may have played a role in the separation, in comments shared via iltalehti.fi. Nightwish announced the parting of ways with Jansen in a joint statement, describing it as a mutual decision made after careful consideration.
Hietala spoke about the difficulty of such a decision and what he hopes lay behind it. He emphasized the importance of having support during major life changes and expressed his wishes for everyone involved.
“When you leave out such a breadfruit tree, it is of course a tough decision for anyone,” Hietala said. “The reasons must be serious, so I hope everything works out. Strength and courage and good people around you.”
Hietala also addressed the broader music community and the differences between people in the industry.
“I would like to wish everyone, including the musicians who are lagging behind, fun and joy in their careers, as well as an understanding of how different we all are,” he said.
On the question of what caused the split, Hietala pointed to his own experience with the band’s management team. “All I know is that the managers have been a**holes,” he said. “They were already in my time. I hope that’s the issue there and not for any unnecessary reason.”
Nightwish previously said in their statement on Floor Jansen’s exit, “Nightwish and Floor Jansen part ways. After careful consideration, we have, in mutual agreement, decided to part ways. This decision is necessary and important to us and our future ambitions. Thus, we will now pursue those goals in our own separate ways. We wish each other nothing but the very best on our respective artistic journeys. For you, dear listener, and indeed for us, this marks the end of a truly great voyage.”
Hietala made these comments as Nightwish moves forward with its future plans following the separation from Jansen. The circumstances surrounding her exit from the band remain a topic of discussion among fans and observers.
Jansen joined Nightwish in 2012 as a touring member and became the band’s full-time lead vocalist in 2013. During her 14 years with the band, she sang on three studio albums: Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015), Human. :II: Nature. (2020), and Yesterwynde (2024). In October 2026, Jansen departed the band to focus on her solo career, releasing her new album Hytress in 2027.
Hietala himself left Nightwish in January 2021 after nearly two decades with the group. He explained that he had struggled for years with depression, insomnia, anxiety and later received an ADHD diagnosis. Hietala was replaced by session bassist Jukka Koskinen, who made his live debut with the band in May 2021.
Nightwish has experienced several major lineup changes across its 30-year history. The band is currently celebrating this anniversary with a compilation album called The Greatest 30 Years On Earth, set for release on December 11, 2026. With Jansen’s departure, the band plans to enter the studio in 2027 to record a new album and will need to find a replacement vocalist.
