In a recent live chat former Nightwish members Tarja Turunen and Marko Hietala shared their thoughts on a possible reunion with the band for its upcoming 30th anniversary. The conversation has sparked speculation among fans about the likelihood of seeing the original lineup together again.
Tarja Turunen, the band's original lead vocalist who departed in 2005, expressed that a simple invitation might not be enough for such a significant event. "I don't think it's just possible for the guys to drop me a mail and ask me to come back for a show. Or something. You know, just like that," Turunen stated. She emphasized the need for "some chain of events" to occur before any reunion could take place.
Marko Hietala, who left the band in 2021, agreed with Turunen's sentiment, adding that there "might be some need of some deeper connection" for a reunion to happen. Hietala also touched on the personal impact of his departure, saying, "I do know that me walking away was something that some people in the organization took personally. Even though I didn't walk away from just Nightwish. I basically walked away from everything that was my life so far."
These comments suggest that a reunion for Nightwish's 30th anniversary would require significant reconciliation and rebuilding of relationships within the band. The interview has left fans wondering about the possibilities and what steps, if any, might be taken to bring former members back for this milestone event.
Notably, Nightwish has previously demonstrated openness to reunions. During their Live at Himos Park concert in Finland on August 20, 2016, the band reunited with former bassist Sami Vänskä. This reunion came years after a tumultuous period in the early 2000s when internal conflicts nearly led to the band's dissolution. At that time, issues with Vänskä and tensions with guitarist Emppu Vuorinen had pushed founder Tuomas Holopainen to consider breaking up the band. Despite these past challenges, Nightwish persevered and continued to evolve.
Nightwish, formed in 1996, has become one of the most successful Finnish bands internationally, known for pioneering the symphonic metal genre. The band's 30th anniversary in 2026 would undoubtedly be a momentous occasion for both the group and its devoted fanbase.
As of now, there has been no official statement from current Nightwish members or management regarding plans for the 30th anniversary or potential reunions with former members.
