Nightwish might still be nowhere near a stage, but behind the scenes, the machinery is starting to grind again.
Keyboardist and primary songwriter Tuomas Holopainen has revealed that six songs are already written for the Finnish symphonic metal giants’ next studio album, the follow-up to 2024’s ‘Yesterwynde’. Studio time has also reportedly been booked for 2027.
Speaking to ‘Metal Hammer’, Holopainen made it clear that Nightwish’s extended break from touring hasn’t exactly killed his creative momentum.
“I feel more inspired than ever — proof of that is that I’ve already got six new NIGHTWISH songs done,” Tuomas said. “Every time I sit in front of my keyboard, I’m, like, ‘Ah, yeah, this is great! Just wait till everyone hears this.’ It’s exhilarating.”
Nightwish Aren’t Rushing Back To The Stage
Nightwish announced in 2023 that they would step away from touring and later confirmed there would be no live cycle behind ‘Yesterwynde’, that position hasn’t dramatically changed.
Floor Jansen recently reiterated that the band remains on hold, saying there is currently no plan in place for Nightwish’s live return (Per Metal Addicts).
“ No, there’s nothing planned. That is the thing with NIGHTWISH — we’re on a temporary hold. But there’s no communication about when something’s gonna happen,” Floor said.
Holopainen, however, appears to have a clearer picture of what comes before any potential return.
“Next year is too early to be going back on tour. The year after, possibly? I want to do another album before any live shows, and that’s definitely happening. We’ve already reserved things for that next year.”
If that timeline sticks, 2027 looks increasingly likely to be devoted to creating the next Nightwish record rather than hauling the full production back onto stages.
Could Nightwish Return In 2028?
The obvious wrinkle is that Nightwish will mark 30 years as a band in 2026, having originally formed in Finland in 1996.
Troy Donockley previously floated 2027 as a possible window for live activity, describing the hiatus as an “extended time off” rather than anything permanent.
“So, it’s not terminal. It’s an extended time off,” Troy said. “But I can envisage some more live work probably in 2027, which is the 30th anniversary of the band. I should imagine we’ll do something live to mark that. We might do that.”
That anniversary calculation has since passed, but the underlying message remains relevant: Nightwish haven’t called time on themselves.
And six completed songs suggest the next chapter is already being built, even if fans will have to wait considerably longer to hear any of it rattling arena walls.
