Image: Nightwish [Official Press Photo]
It’s been a while since Nightwish last stood on stage. Tuomas Holopainen now comments on the reasons for this and the message of the upcoming album.
Nightwish have announced their 10th studio album titled Yesterwynde for September 20, 2024 - but with no tour dates for the release. Tuomas Holopainen (Songwriting Mastermind & Keyboard) discussed in an interview why Nightwish won’t be playing live shows in the near future. Additionally, there are some insights into the new album, which won’t be too long of a wait.
Why Is There No Nightwish Tour?
It is noticeable when such a highly anticipated album, especially the tenth in their discography, is not celebrated live. After all, Tuomas Holopainen says about the new Nightwish work that it’s probably the greatest album they have ever created. Accordingly, there must be reasons for this decision, and Holopainen elaborates:
"The reasons are personal, we're not going to go into it, but it was something that had to be done for this band to continue. There's no bad blood between the members, nothing like that. We just have to take a long breather."
When asked if Nightwish will no longer act as a live band in the future, Holopainen responded:
"Personally, I haven't really given it much thought. I don't know how long the break is going to be. We just signed a multi-album deal with Nuclear Blast, so that is evidence there are going to be more albums in future. Nightwish are definitely not going to stop, so everybody stop worrying. We just need a breather from touring."
Stories And History
Yesterwynde revolves entirely around time; the theme runs through the entire album. As always, Holopainen and his band want to tell stories that fill them with awe. A newly invented word even became the album title.
“In late 2020, I discovered the world of black and white photos that had been coloured [...]. When I see them, it gives me a sensation I cannot describe – a connection to the past. I couldn’t find a word in any language to describe it, so I said to Troy [Donockley], ‘Can we make up a word to describe this?’ I came up with ‘yester’ and he immediately said ‘wynde’. ‘Yesterwynde’ - it was perfect. I don’t know what the meaning is. It just feels right.”
The already released single “Perfume Of The Timeless” is dedicated to looking back on centuries of evolution and the fascination that comes with it. Many more tracks like this await us in September.
