Nightwish and singer Tarja Turunen part ways.

[Necromagus]

You can read the letter here, although the site is having bandwidth problems at the moment...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHTWISH Part Ways With Singer TARJA TURUNEN, Vow To Carry On - Oct. 22, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards) has issued the following "open letter" to the group's singer, Tarja Turunen:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Dear Tarja,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's time to choose whether the story of NIGHTWISH ends here or whether it will still continue an undetermined period of time. We've been working with this creation for 9 years and we are not ready to give up yet. NIGHTWISH is a way of life, something to live for, and we're certain we can't let it go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Equally certain is the fact that we cannot go on with you and Marcelo any longer. During the last year something sad happened, which I've been going over in my head every single day, morning and night. Your attitude and behavior don't go with NIGHTWISH anymore. There are characteristics I would never have believed to see in my old dear friend. People who don't talk with each other for a year do not belong in the same band.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We are involved in an industry where the business side of things is a necessary evil and something to worry about all the time. We are also a band which has always done music from the heart, because of friendship and the music itself. The mental satisfaction should always be more important than money! Nightwish is a band, it's an emotion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with those emotions have become much more important. You feel that you have sacrificed yourself and your musical career for NIGHTWISH, rather than thinking what it has given to you. This attitude was clearly shown to me in the two things you said to me in an airplane in Toronto: 'I don't need NIGHTWISH anymore,' and 'Remember, Tuomas, that I could leave this band at any time, giving you only one day's warning in advance.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I can't simply write any more songs for you to sing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You have said yourself that you are merely a 'guest musician' in NIGHTWISH. Now that visit ends and we will continue NIGHTWISH with a new female vocalist. We're sure this is an equally big relief to you as it is for us. We have all been feeling bad long enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"You told us that no matter what, the next NIGHTWISH album will be your last one. However, the rest of us want to continue as long as the fire burns. So there's no sense in doing that next album with you, either.

 

 

 

"The four of us have been going over this situation countless times and we have realized that this is the thing we want to do in life. It's all we can do. In December 2004, in Germany, you said that you will never tour again for more than two weeks at a time. You also said that we can forget about U.S. and Australia because the fees and the sizes of venues are too small.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"In interviews I've mentioned that if Tarja leaves, that would be the end of the band. I understand that people will think this way. NIGHTWISH is, however, a scenery of my soul and I'm not ready to let go because of one person. A person who wants to focus her creativity to somewhere else, a person whose values don't match mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We were never bothered by the fact that you didn't participate in writing/arranging songs, you never in 9 years came to rehearse the songs with us before going to the studio. Not the fact that while on tour you always wanted to fly, separately from us with your husband. Not the fact that you are an undisputable front image of the band. We accepted and felt OK about everything except greed, underestimating the fans, and breaking promises. It was agreed by the five of us that NIGHTWISH would be the priority in everything that we do during 2004-2005. Still so many things were more important to you. The ultimate example being the already sold-out show in Oslo, which you wanted to cancel because you needed to rehearse for your solo concerts, meet frieds and go to the movies. Those were the words Marcelo used in an e-mail explaining the cancellation. This being just one example of so many. I couldn't think of a worse way of being selfish and dismissing our fans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"NIGHTWISH is a way of life and a job with many obligations. To each other and to the fans. With you we can't take care of those duties anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Deep within we don't know which one of you drove us to this point. Somehow Marcelo has changed you from the lovely girl you were into a diva, who doesn't think or act the way she used to. You are too sure of your irreplaceableness and status.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's obvious that you blame your stress and misery on us four. And you think we don't respect or listen to you. Believe us; We have always had the uppermost respect towards you as a wonderful vocalist and as a friend. And very often during the past couple of years the plans were made according to your decisions only. You were always the only one who wanted more money from the shows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"This 'compensation and more money from everything' attitude is the fact that we are most disappointed of!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We wish that from now on you will listen to your heart instead of Marcelo. Cultural differences combined with greed, opportunism and love is a dangerous combination. Do not wither yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"This decision is not something we are especially proud of but you gave us no choice. The gap between us is too wide. And the decision is made by us four unanimously. We are beyond the point where things could be settled by talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"All the best for your life and career, Tuomas."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHTWISH recorded the final show of their "Once" world tour ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Ã

[Mercifull]

wth! noooooooooooooooo

 

 

 

I like nightwish and her voice is quite unique even amongst the other gothic metal bands :( This is such a shame

[Purepehmo]

I bet 90% of the listeners of nightwish doesn't even know where the band is from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But yes, it's sad that she is leaving the band. I liked her voice, yes.

[T-Roach]

finally, always hated them..!

[hohto]

IMO it was about time. Their last 2 cd's were junk (In my opinion again, I know that they sold a lot) and I didn't bother even dling them. Hopefully this helps and their next album is better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Finland that was quite a big news. There was even a big news at Text-TV (don't want to watch clock 9's news today :P ). Somehow this reminds me of the "episode Stratovarius" when they (Timo Tolkki) kicked out Timo Kotipelto. Big media hype and few months later Kotipelto is back with them. We'll see who sings in Nightwish at summer 2006...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was at their gig last boxin day and Tuomas Holopainen sung (Tarja was changing clothes) Symphony of Destruction (Megadeth cover). That song was awesome, probably the best one played there that night. I also liked more about Tuomas' speeches than Tarja's. Personally I'm hoping that the next singer is a male. Now after Tarja it will be really hard to find a singer who is something like she is and fans&media could threat her like Tarja II. Would be a lot easier if the singer was a male.

[SAGE]

Times change, I can only look on the good side and wait for a new killer sound from Nightwish. Sad Tarja leaves but it is really for the best to the band.

[Purecheese]

That's a shame :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I liked their music and tarja was quiet good. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what becomes of nightwish.

 

 

 

Who knows who the new singer will be, she just might be as good as or better as tarja :)

[knives669]

What a shame...

[hohto]

Who knows who the new singer will be, she just might be as good as or better as tarja :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It might also be he ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways Tarja is going to sing at opera (I believe she keeps studying it for a while) so that's where you can hear her :P

[MetalGod]

that sucks, she brought nightwish to what it was, their instrumentation holds nothing, her voice above all brought them the fame, not the keyboardist, not the guitarist, not the drummer

[hohto]

Today Iltalehti (one of the biggest Finnish magazines) had a nighwish cover. Same thing was just a couple of days ago, media's a bit overracting if you ask me. Anyways, there (at the cover) was a pic of a blond woman and a text "She's the new singer of Nighwish?". Notice that "?". It's really rare in Finland that big magazines say something like that at their cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways, this blond was Liv Kristine. http://www.livkristine.de/

 

 

 

Not a bad looking girl, looks better than Tarja imo. 4 Hours ago I didn't even know there someone named Liv Kristine, so it's impossible for me to say is she better singer than Tarja or not. Don't even know anything about her style to sing, haven't even read what the magzine says about her yet. She's one probability to their new singer, but nothing's sure yet. Personally I don't believe she is going to be their new singer, don't know why, just don't believe.

[Necromagus]

I seriously doubt it will be Liv Kristine. While it is true that she has recorded a duet with male Nightwish vocalist and bassist Marco Hietala for her upcoming solo album, she has her own solo career (something I doubt Tuomas will want for Tarja's replacement) and she's fulltime active in a band (Leaves' Eyes) that recently released a new album. In other news, Tarja posted an open response on her official website...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since last Sunday morning, I have been asked to express my position by magazines, newspapers, radio and TV stations, fan clubs and fans from Finland and from all over the world. So many in total that it is physically impossible for me to find the time to reply to them all individually. Hence I decided to put down a couple of words in this text to let my fans, family and friends and the public know how I feel after the recent events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a moment of grief and pain and I find it very hard to speak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the moment I am in Argentina. I hope you can understand that after this shocking life change comparable to a divorce, I didnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t want to stay alone at home in Finland. My husband had booked his tickets to Argentina many months ago and I decided to travel with him at the last minute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the fact that I am in Argentina and the long distance should of course not be an excuse not to comment on the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Friday 21st of October was a day the whole band had been waiting for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice started early in the morning. I was very sick and nervous because of the fact that I was not even able to sing during the rehearsals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also nervous because the concert programme was going to be longer than usual for a Nightwish concert. Furthermore we were going to have a special guest to perform with us, more wardrobe changes for myself than usual and for the first time big screens and bigger production on stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not to forget that the concert was going to be recorded and filmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The five of us had finally made it to play Hartwall Arena.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though every one of us knew in advance that the concert was sold out, finally on stage, we saw that screaming, applauding and standing people took every seat. The feeling was unbelievable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will never forget how amazing it was to experience the Finnish audienceÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s gorgeous reception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the concert was over, I cried of happiness on stage. Happy tears because I was able to do my best as always even though I was sick. Happy tears because our long tour got the greatest possible ending and happy tears because of the best recognition an artist can get: applause and smiling faces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At that moment I didnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t know that I was going to cry again soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the concert, the guys of the band invited me backstage to join them and asked me to hug altogether. This felt strange as it was the same kind of hug we traditionally came together for before every concert. That tradition remained between us, even though the tension and increasing pressure already existed since a long period of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The immediate feeling in me was to thank them, which I did loudly but without any reply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this, they gave me a letter and asked me to read it the following day. The same letter that is now public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read it and was shocked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t know what to say and still at the moment that I am writing these lines, I donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sense great anger in that letter and I continue to have very confused feelings about it, but I donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t want to reply to this anger with an even greater anger. Private matters should never be taken to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know this moment we are going through is very sad for everybody, including the guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While there would have been so many different possibilities and ways to express what they wanted to tell me with the letter, I remain unable to understand the way they chose to handle this. I am sorry that the guys got me so wrong. I donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t recognize myself at all from the way they described me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They mentioned mean things about me, but the fact that they involved Marcelo, my husband, crossed the line. He is the man I love, my friend and has been my biggest support over the last years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have been band mates for 9 years, experienced good times and not so good ones. I thought I knew them, but I was wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still everything that has happened is not enough to make them evil in my eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now comes a time to calm down and reflect upon all of this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need to put my feelings together again and I promise to come back to public soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will announce a press conference where I will be talking about my future plans. This doesnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t mean that you should expect this conference to be an instrument to attack anybody. It wonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wonderful music we created together wonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t be touched by recent events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks a lot to all the people who are supporting me during these sad times. My family, friends, colleagues, and the great number of fans. I love you and I really feel I have not failed you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tarja

[Aleksandar]

All I can say is that I'm glad I've shifted over to favor Sonata Arctica over Nightwish, otherwise I'd find this news extremeley downheartening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the Nightwish fans, pick up some Sonata Arctica while we wait for the Nightwish epic to unfold.

[Necromagus]

The step from Nightwish to Sonata Arctica is pretty small anyway, remember the live version of Beauty and the Beast?

[DaN]

Nightwish will suck without her voice.

[Necromagus]

That's pretty easy to say. Just wait until they pick a new singer, I seriously doubt Tuomas will make a mistake on that. The band is just too important to him.

[Mayjest]

Query: Who the heck is nightwish? And why do I care? Aside from the obviously juicy gossip about a band I have never heard of...

[CoRnMaN]

how do u pronounce TARJA TURUNEN. and where is she from? this is a finish group right?