Nightwish and Floor Jansen have parted ways after 14 years together, with the band set to record again in 2027 and Jansen turning her attention to her solo career.
Nightwish announced the split on October 15, describing it as a mutual decision. In a statement posted to the band’s Facebook page and reported by Chaoszine, they said: “After careful consideration, we have, in mutual agreement, decided to part ways.”
The Finnish band will carry on without her. They plan to enter the studio next year, although there is no word yet on who will take over the microphone.
Jansen addressed the departure in a separate statement reproduced by Metal Addicts. She described it as a difficult decision and thanked listeners for sticking with her. “My solo career will now get all of my attention,” she said.
There is already a record and tour waiting on that side of the split. Jansen’s second solo album, Hytress, is due on January 15, 2027 through REVAMP Music/Warner Music. She announced it in August alongside the single ‘Bring Me Silence’, with shows across Europe and South America also lined up.
Her Nightwish tenure began in much less orderly circumstances. Jansen stepped in after Anette Olzon’s departure during the Imaginaerum tour, making her first appearance with the band in Seattle on October 1, 2012. She had learned the vocal parts on the flight over, according to Nightwish’s own band history.
What began as a touring replacement became a permanent role in 2013. Jansen went on to sing on three studio albums: Endless Forms Most Beautiful in 2015, Human. :II: Nature. in 2020 and Yesterwynde in 2024.
The split follows a lengthy break from the road. Nightwish announced their touring hiatus in 2023 and did not tour behind Yesterwynde. As recently as August, Jansen told Sonic Seducer there was no activity scheduled and no communication about when things would resume, as reported by Blabbermouth.
Work on another Nightwish album was already taking shape. As BLUNT previously reported, Tuomas Holopainen had six songs written and was looking towards studio work in 2027.
MORE IN Music
