Former Nightwish singer Floor Jansen discussed her unexpected split with the Finnish symphonic metal band, comparing the end of her time with them to a broken relationship. She made the comments in an interview with Nu.
Jansen explained how her partnership with Nightwish had changed over time, with periods of closeness followed by distance. She stressed the importance of the band’s unity when performing together.
“I compare it to a relationship,” Jansen said. “You experience ups and downs together, and in one period you grow closer to each other, and then afterwards there is more distance again. But sometimes it just doesn’t work anymore.”
“We had to make sure that, as soon as we stood on stage together, we were once again the band everyone came to see.”
She described the decision to leave as one that did not come easily. “If that is no longer possible and you can no longer get through the more difficult periods together, then it is over. That is not a decision taken lightly, and I certainly didn’t make it lightly.”
Jansen’s comments shed light on the circumstances surrounding her departure from Nightwish after more than a decade with the group.
Jansen joined the Finnish symphonic metal band in 2012 as touring vocalist on the Imaginaerum album world tour, replacing Anette Olzon. She became a full member shortly after and appeared on three studio albums: Endless Forms Most Beautiful in 2015, Human :||: Nature in 2020, and Yesterwynde in 2024.
The band announced a live performance hiatus in April 2023, citing personal reasons and concerns about burnout among all members. Nightwish played their final show at Norway’s Tons of Rock festival in June 2023 before stepping away from the stage. Yesterwynde in 2024 was the last studio album to feature Jansen as lead vocalist.
The split between Jansen and Nightwish became public in October 2026 as a mutual agreement. The band plans to return to the studio in 2027 to work on new material.
Jansen is moving forward with her solo career. She released her debut solo album Paragon in 2023 and will release her second solo album Hytress on January 15, 2027. The new album will be supported by the Hytress Tour 2027, bringing her live band to club stages across Europe and South America.
