Nightwish Announce Departure Of Bassist Marko Hietala
Wednesday, 13 January 2021
Written by Laura Johnson
Photo: Sami Grunge
Nightwish have announced the departure of Marko Hietala.
The bassist and supporting vocalist, who has been with the band nearly 20 years, posted a letter to the Nightwish social media pages in which he detailed his disillusionment with the music business and his inability to feel "validated by this life." Head below to read it in full.
Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life.
For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocrasies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here.
This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. ”My Walden” so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love.
And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good.
Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please.
But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose.
There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though.
I am so sorry about this.
Marko Hietala
P.S. Tony Iommi is an exception to the “no contact whatsoever”. Childhood hero takes a precedence.
In the same social media posts, the band have confirmed that they will continue as planned with their World Tour in support of their 2020 album 'Human. :II: Nature.'. They will recruit a session musician to take Hietala's place at the shows. They said:
"Marko`s resignation has left us with some difficult decisions and choices to be made. After much thought and consideration, we have, in mutual understanding, decided to perform the upcoming 'Human. :II: Nature. -world tour' as planned, but with a session bass player.
The live line-up will be announced at a later date.
We respect Marko`s decision and wish him all the very best. We will not comment any further."
Fri March 12 2021 - VIRTUAL EVENT Islanders Arms
Sat March 13 2021 - VIRTUAL EVENT Islanders Arms
Sat May 01 2021 - BIRMINGHAM Resorts World Arena
Sun May 02 2021 - LONDON SSE Arena Wembley
Mon May 03 2021 - PARIS Accor Hotels Arena (France)
Tue May 04 2021 - ANTWERP Lotto Arena (Belgium)
Wed May 05 2021 - DUSSELDORF ISS DOME (Germany)
Fri May 07 2021 - FRANKFURT Festhalle (Germany)
Sat May 08 2021 - STUTTGART Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle (Germany)
Sun May 09 2021 - AMSTERDAM Ziggo Dome (Netherlands)
Mon May 10 2021 - AMSTERDAM Ziggo Dome (Netherlands)
Wed May 12 2021 - ZURICH Hallenstadion (Switzerland)
Fri May 14 2021 - MILAN Lorenzini District (Italy)
Mon May 17 2021 - VIENNA Stadthalle (Austria)
Wed May 19 2021 - LEIPZIG Arena (Germany)
Thu May 20 2021 - PRAGUE O2 Arena (Czech Republic)
Fri May 21 2021 - BAMBERG brose ARENA (Germany)
Sun May 23 2021 - LUXEMBOURG Rockhal (Luxembourg)
Tue May 25 2021 - MUNICH Olympiahalle (Germany)
Wed May 26 2021 - BERLIN Max Schmeling Halle (Germany)
Fri October 01 2021 - LOS ANGELES California - Wiltern (USA)
Sat October 02 2021 - LOS ANGELES California - Wiltern (USA)
Tue October 05 2021 - NEW YORK New York - Terminal 5 (USA)
Thu October 07 2021 - LOWELL Massachusetts - Tsongas Arena (USA)
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