Marko Hietala, the former bassist and vocalist of the globally renowned symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH, has opened up about his journey as leaving the group in 2021. In a candid discussion, he revealed his determination to move forward and explore new creative avenues. ”I’ve had some really bad years behind me,and it’s time to go forward,” Hietala shared. He emphasized that his decision wasn’t a reflection on the band but a personal need to address unresolved matters.
One of the most exciting chapters of Hietala’s post-NIGHTWISH career is his collaboration with Tarja Turunen, the band’s former led singer. Together, they released the single “Left On Mars” and embarked on a series of live performances in South america in early 2024. Reflecting on their partnership, Hietala said, “This collaboration started in 2017 when we cleared our old differences. It’s been fun, but it’s not something we can live on.It doesn’t fully align with our ambitions.” He added that the timing felt right, especially after NIGHTWISH announced an indefinite break from touring.
Hietala’s departure from NIGHTWISH in January 2021 marked a turning point in his life. In his statement at the time, he admitted, “I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life for quite a few years now.” Since then, he has been replaced by Jukka Koskinen of WINTERSUN, who joined the band for their interactive experiences in May 2021.
When asked about the possibility of reuniting with NIGHTWISH’s classic lineup, Hietala didn’t dismiss the idea outright. “I would consider it, but the organization would need a complete overhaul,” he remarked. ”The way things where handled was one of the main reasons I left.” He stressed the importance of fairness and clarity, qualities he believes were lacking in his final years with the band.
Despite the challenges,Hietala remains proud of his time with NIGHTWISH. “Musically, I have no regrets,” he stated. ”I love creating versatile music that spans different atmospheres—from soft and sensitive to powerful metal. It was a big part of my life, and I’ll always cherish it.” However,he made it clear that any future involvement would require notable changes to the band’s internal dynamics.
Marko Hietala Opens Up About His Departure From Nightwish and Mental Health Struggles
marko Hietala, the former bassist and vocalist of the symphonic metal band Nightwish, has recently shared candid insights into his decision to leave the band and the personal challenges that led to his departure. In an August 2022 interview, Hietala revealed the emotional toll of his struggles with depression, anxiety, and an ADHD diagnosis, which ultimately influenced his choice to step away from the group he had been part of for over two decades.
“It was a long process,” hietala explained. “The COVID year gave me the last incentive to realize that I needed something else. If I continued down this path,I knew I would only get sicker.” He described how the pandemic provided him with the prospect for deep introspection, leading him to conclude that leaving Nightwish was the right move for his mental health.
Hietala has been open about his battle with chronic depression, which began around 2010 or 2011. “I’ve been on permanent medication ever as,” he shared. Despite adjustments to his treatment, he found little relief. Over the past four years, he has undergone psychotherapy and consulted psychiatrists, eventually receiving an ADHD diagnosis after a series of neuropsychological tests in Spain.
The musician also reflected on the emotional weight he carried during his final years with nightwish. “I had a lot of weight on my shoulders,” he said. “With the attention disorder, when there’s a lot of trouble, it creates real chaos. For a year or two, I was waking up every night at three o’clock from bad dreams and anxiety.” Hietala traced the origins of his struggles back to his 2016 divorce, describing it as a deeply sad period marked by thoughts of his children and the dissolution of his family life.
Despite the difficulties he faced,Hietala emphasized that his mental state did not diminish his contributions to nightwish’s 2020 album,”Human. :II: Nature.” “The original idea was to have a couple of solo vocal appearances for me and Troy [Donockley], with the rest handled by Floor [Jansen] and harmonies,” he clarified. ”I don’t know if my struggles affected the outcome. It was sort of as planned. But at that time, I was already dealing with serious concentration issues and a constant black cloud over my head.”
As leaving Nightwish in December 2020, Hietala has maintained distance from the band. In July 2022,he confirmed to Finland’s Iltalehti that he had not kept in touch with his former bandmates or followed their activities. His departure came as a surprise to the group, as keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen revealed in May 2021.”Marko informed us in December [2020], and even though he had been open about his struggles, it still came as a bit of a shock,” Holopainen said. “It was a tough pill to swallow. For a few days, I was convinced there was no coming back.”
Hietala’s journey highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health, even in the face of professional success. His story serves as a reminder that seeking help and making arduous decisions can lead to personal growth and healing.
Nightwish’s Journey: Resilience, Renewal, and New Horizons
For over two decades, Nightwish has carved a legacy in the world of music, blending symphonic metal with storytelling that resonates with fans globally. Their journey, marked by both triumphs and trials, continues to inspire. Recently, the band faced pivotal moments that tested their resolve, but their passion for music remains undeterred.
“You think this is it?” “Yeah, I think this is it.” Thes words, reflecting a moment of introspection, capture the essence of a band that has weathered storms and emerged stronger. nightwish’s members, after reflecting on their 25-year journey, realized that their story was far from over.
Tuomas, a key figure in the band, shared his outlook: “I think we still have something to give, and that’s the main point. The music is still there. We felt that there’s still so much music that needs to come out from this band that, ‘okay, let’s give it one more shot.’ And then finding the new bass player was really easy.”
He further elaborated, ”It’s not like we do this just as we need to do it and there’s nothing else to do. On a personal level, I feel that there’s still so many stories and melodies that I want to share with the world with one lineup or another, so that’s why you want to continue and keep on going.”
Yet, the path hasn’t been without challenges. Tuomas candidly expressed, “I’ve said this a million times, that a lineup change is the ultimate energy vampire, and that’s how it really felt and still feels.” This honest admission highlights the emotional toll of evolving dynamics within the band.
In June 2021, Jansen addressed Hietala’s departure in her “Storytime” YouTube series. ”That was a very sudden surprise that, of course, was not fun at all. But we understand — I understand — it was a necessary thing for him to do. And from there, we had to think of how to continue without him, and that also, in preparations towards the virtual show, that was a huge challenge.” Her words reflect the band’s adaptability and commitment to their craft.
interestingly, Hietala’s creative pursuits continued outside the band. In December 2020, he won the fall season of “Masked Singer suomi,” Finland’s version of the popular masked singing contest. Disguised as tohtori — the Doctor — he showcased his versatility as an artist.
Meanwhile,Marko,another integral member of Nightwish,is set to release his solo album,”Roses From the deep,” on February 7,2025,via Nuclear Blast. This upcoming project signals a new chapter in his artistic journey, further enriching the band’s diverse narrative.
Nightwish’s story is a testament to resilience. Their ability to navigate lineup changes, personal pursuits, and creative challenges while staying true to their musical vision is a source of inspiration for fans and fellow artists alike.
as Nightwish embarks on the next phase of their journey,their music remains a beacon of creativity and passion. Fans eagerly await what the future holds for this iconic band.
