Nightwish band photo

Tarja Turunen Unleashes the Truth: Reflections on NIGHTWISH and Redemption

By Jason •
In a raw and revealing interview, Tarja Turunen opens up about her tumultuous exit from NIGHTWISH, the scars of betrayal, and her powerful new album.

In a searing interview with Metal Hammer, Tarja Turunen has pulled back the curtain on her bitter departure from NIGHTWISH back in 2005. Reflecting on the heartbreak, she stated, "It's very sad how everything ended up [with NIGHTWISH], but the thing that I would have done differently is, I probably should have put them through hell." A warrior in her own right, Turunen acknowledges that while she had every legal right to fight back, she chose to walk away instead, leaving her former bandmates to stew in their own greed.

Fired in a spectacle of public humiliation, Turunen was handed an open letter that was simultaneously published on the band’s website. The letter accused her of placing business over emotion, a claim that cut deep. "What followed was their really great planning, how they wanted to destroy me publicly. That was something I never expected," she recounted, painting a vivid picture of the fallout. In a country as small as Finland, her face dominated the tabloids for weeks, leading her to seek solace in Buenos Aires, far from the chaos.

"It was tough, because it affected so many more people than just me," Turunen continued, revealing the emotional toll the split took on her family and friends. The scars of betrayal led her to rebuild her trust, but she found solace in her enduring marriage and the support of her loved ones.

While Tuomas Holopainen, NIGHTWISH's keyboardist, described the decision to part ways with Turunen as his most difficult moment, she remains resolute in her feelings of betrayal. "Maybe one day I'll forgive, but I will never forget," she stated, a testament to the deep wounds that linger.

Despite fan speculation about a reunion, Turunen has consistently dashed hopes, citing a long-standing distance from her former bandmates. "I know a lot of fans would love to see something happen, but it's a very long distance away," she asserted, emphasizing the chasm that remains between her and NIGHTWISH. In the end, she’s focused on the present and future, stating, "The past is what it is; we can't change that. We can only change the future."

In the midst of this tumultuous narrative, Turunen has risen from the ashes with her latest album, "Frisson Noir", released on June 12 via earMUSIC. Described as the heaviest record of her career, it serves as a powerful declaration of her identity, strength, and newfound belonging in a world that once sought to bring her down.