Nightwish Speak Out About Vocalist Problems
Nightwish’s Tuomas Holopainen has admitted that vocalist Anette Olzen “might not be able to handle” the pressures of being in the band.
In an exclusive interview with Classic Rock’s Dave Ling, Tumoas Holopainen has admitted that there have been signs of tension that are beginning to form within the band.
The Dark Passion Play tour began in October 2007. Is the finish line in sight?
Tumoas Holopainen: “It’s on the far horizon, maybe. There’s only another five months to go. It’s been the band’s longest and most exhausting tour; a real rollercoaster ride.”
By that you must mean Anette bursting into tears and walking off stage at a gig in Brazil last November, later claiming in an interview that “the stress and bad vibe within the band had reached a boiling point”?
Holopainen: “Yes, but I disagree about the bad vibe part. It was a combination of many different things. Everyone was getting along, but the schedule was too hard. The whole band, the technicians, everyone, was on the verge of collapse.”
What was meant by the explanation that Anette was “really not up to this kind of heavy shit right now”?
Holopainen: “She was being affected by a smoke machine, which isn’t great for a singer. There were middle fingers in the front row, and some jerks were screaming the name of our former vocalist (Tarja Turunen). It all kind of closed in on her. But everybody’s relaxed again now. We went home and had three months off the road. As simple as that.”
Did alarm bells ring when, echoing her predecessor, Olzon recently hired a personal manager?
Holopainen: “At the beginning I had a feeling of déjà vu. But when we discussed it I understood that she needs somebody who speaks her own language [Swedish]. Her manager is a very, very reasonable guy.”
How is she handling the fame?
Holopainen: “She has told me a couple of times that she might not be able to handle it, on top of her divorce. I’ve seen her close to collapse and it has scared me, so we are protecting her. There will be no more interviews.”
I hope she’s ok. She’s had one of the hardest jobs in music. But Dark Passion Play is a great album.
I was at Nightwish’s Manchester gig at the end of their UK leg last year and got to present Anette with a bunch of roses at the end of the set. Good times!
So. She’s for the chop then. Reunion with Tarja Turunen by next summer?
I attended last nights show at Brixton and although it was not the bands best performance, Annette has improved and the crowd had a great night. To my delight I awoke to find that the band had stayed in our hotel and had breakfast with them, lovely people and very generous with their private time.
Hmmm – interesting. I was at Brixton Academy last night and thought she dropped a bollock when she said “I’m really pleased to be here” rather than “WE’RE pleased to be here…”
No real signs of her not getting on with the others in the band though. She did wander off right at the end of ‘…Angel’ at the final encore then came back on again to take the bows etc. That was a bit weird…
Mind you, great voice and crackin’ pins!
Mind you, the average age of the crowd was about 15 – including the 2 little wankers who spent the entire feckin gig standing in front of me TALKING NON-BLOODY STOP!!! When they weren’t doing that, it was asking ‘Big Sis’ standing next to me “What’s the song called?”. if they weren’t so ‘teen’, I’d have twatted them!!
I was at Brixton and I thought the band were great but not Annette, although she had improved slightly from the previous gig in London last year. It appeared to me that the band kept a bit of a distance from her for most of the evening and her voice was faded out a couple of times. She does not have the range the band require for their songs I feel.
I’m pretty sick about Anette. By the way, she doesn’t fit the shoes of Tarja and she’s aware of that. GET OUT BITCH !
http://karstenf.com
I hope nightwish will split and BROTHER FIRETRIBE will get all the attention
I too was at Brixton last night and although thought the band were good I missed Tarja. I know that Annette is a different type of singer but feel that Tarja is far better suited to Nightwish’s music.
Please come back Tarja!
re comment from damnati.i wish to apologise to Night wish and annette from all of us here in the u.k. that a comment like that should be even published here on the classic rock website.
we all have opinions but that is too….far.
why did you publish it – it is downright offensive to all at Nightwish.
[...] a recent interview with Classic Metal Magazine, Nightwish founder Tuomas Holopainen discussed some interesting issues happening with their [...]
Hey Damnati. It never ceases to amaze me after all these years how polorised rock/metal fans get trying to promote their corner. Fine and dandy. However, personal insults to persons (presumably) unknown always seem a tad immature, unreasonable and hey unacceptable. You don’t like the lassies voice? Fair enough. “Get out Bitch?”. Ahem….. hope you have a nice 10th birthday when it arrives.
Tarja baaack \o/
For Pete’s sake, there are plenty of good female symphonic metal vocalists. Just get rid of Anette, hire one of them, and be done with it. Find someone who can do the job without moaning and groaning.
Then again, this is the second time this has happened – which leads me to believe that some in the Nightwish camp are probably a real pain in the ass.
Where can I find the complete interview?
here in brazil, there is some jerks who can’t live with changes. They had the same reaction with the change in AngrA’s line up. But the band has to be strong, and carry on for the true fãns who really love them
Because of the stress of getting a new signer in the first place- If things go wrong with Anette I doubt Tuomas will go through the turmoil of finding another signer again. If Anette doesnt work out I can really see it being the end of Nightwish, as Tarja returning is most likely not going to happen
I have the utmost respect for Anette in filling an extremely difficult position, she has performed admirably well under the circumstances. But this only confirms my expectation that there is only one lead vocalist for Nightwish & most will agree.Tarja was special,not only her wonderful voice, but her aura ,class & talent.She could always handle the pressure & performed with such presence & style, rather like an elusive jigsaw piece that eventually found it’s position perfectly.She is so severely missed by adoring fans.The ‘End Of An Era’ DVD is a complete testament of Nightwish’s maximum magic & they will never match or repeat that moment again.
Toumas is a talented writer & musician , but his mistakes (although unrelated musically ) are there to see.But i wish them well for the future & to Anette.
‘Dark Passion Play’ is a fine piece of work, but…i wonder how Tarja would have sounded ? hmmm….
I feel disappointed with the reaction of these persons in Brazilian gig. Its very sad to know a great singer like Anette could be treated that way. Shes part of Nightwish and its work has been perfect!
continue that way!
Gabriel from Colombia
I don’t understand all the haters who say that Anette should get out of Nightwish.
Of course, s.o. like Tarja won’t ever be there BUT Anette is a really great singer, she’s a role model to many girls who want to become singers one day e.g…. Anette has a really hard job, it’s definetly NOT easy for her, but she did a great job, I think.
She tries very hard to do her best and if she thinks an own manager is the best for her and the others in the band, it’s okay, I think. Look what Tuomas said about it!!
Go on like this, Anette, you’re great and you have many Fans who love you! <3
salut tout le monde j’aime bien cet article mais l’ immobilier est ma plus grande passion.