Go backstage with The Music and receive FREE:

  • Exclusive members-only editorial, charts
  • Our subscriber-only newsletter
  • Members only competitions to win tickets, experiences and more
  • Access to our street press archives
  • First access to our exclusive limited edition vinyl variants

Thank you for being a part of our community! Enter your email address as verification and you'll be taken backstage right away.

Please ensure that you provide a valid email address.

Nightwish Part Ways With Another Lead Singer

Sally Anne Hurley

Anette Olzon bids farewell to the Finnish rockers

More Nightwish Nightwish Profile

Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish and their lead singer Anette Olzon have parted ways, it was announced overnight.

In a statement released by the band, the split was blamed on direction and needs of the band that "were in conflict, and this has led to a division from which we cannot recover." The statement, which can be read in full here, also said the decision was a "mutual understanding, for the good of all parties involved."

Nightwish are currently in the middle of their Imaginaerum World Tour and will bring in substitute vocalist Floor Jansen (of After Forever and ReVamp fame) for the remaining shows - which include Australian dates early next year.

Olzon isn't the first female lead in the band who has headed down the departure route. She joined Nightwish in 2007 after former vocalist Tarja Turunen was fired in controversial circumstances in 2005 (she was told she was unwanted by the other members in an open letter posted on the band's website).