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In a candid new interview clip, former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen has opened up about the internal decay that plagued the symphonic metal giants during her final years with the group. Reflecting on her time alongside bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala, Turunen admitted that by the time Hietala joined the lineup, the group was already functioning as a “broken family.”

Despite the global success and the “beautiful music” created during her tenure, the legendary soprano revealed that she was profoundly unhappy within the band’s infrastructure, stating that the union had not been a happy one for “many, many years.” While her 2005 exit remains one of the most controversial moments in metal history, Turunen now expresses gratitude for the era, confirming she has found her personal happiness while maintaining limited communication with band leader Tuomas Holopainen via email. You can catch the full interview on the next edition of The Loaded Radio Podcast.

“It Was A Struggle”: The Broken Family Dynamic

The symphonic metal world was forever changed when Nightwish famously fired Tarja via an open letter in 2005, but according to Turunen, the cracks in the foundation were visible long before the public fallout.

“The band was kind of broken already at that time,” Tarja explained when discussing the atmosphere during her final years. “It was not a very happy union already for many, many years. [Marko] came into a broken family, let’s say.” While she praised Hietala as an “absolutely talented” musician who brought new energy to the fold, she admitted that the interpersonal environment was a constant struggle.

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Happiness vs. History: Choosing to Leave

Despite the friction, Tarja remains clear that the music was never the issue. She took immense pride in being the voice of Nightwish and representing the band on the world stage. However, the emotional toll of the “broken” dynamic eventually became unsustainable.

“I was not fine there. I was not happy there,” Tarja admitted. “In order to find my happiness, I needed to leave.”

Looking back from 2026, Turunen views the era with a sense of peace rather than bitterness. She acknowledges that her current solo success—and her recent acclaimed collaborations with Marko Hietala—would not have been possible without those “very important beginnings.”

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Communication with Tuomas Holopainen

When asked about her current relationship with the rest of the band, Tarja revealed that while she isn’t in constant contact, the ice has thawed slightly. Aside from her close working relationship with Hietala, she confirmed she has exchanged emails with Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen, though she noted the communication has “not been much.”

WATCH: TARJA TURUNEN ON THE FINAL DAYS OF NIGHTWISH

 

FAQ

Why did Tarja Turunen leave Nightwish? While she was famously fired via an open letter in 2005, Tarja explains that she was deeply unhappy and felt the band’s internal dynamic was “broken” for years prior.

Does Tarja still talk to Tuomas Holopainen? Tarja confirmed in a 2026 interview that she and Tuomas have communicated via email, though she described the interaction as limited.

Is Tarja touring with Marko Hietala? Yes, Tarja and Marko Hietala have reunited for several successful “Living the Dream” tour dates and collaborations throughout 2024 and 2025.

Who replaced Tarja in Nightwish? Tarja was initially replaced by Anette Olzon, followed by current vocalist Floor Jansen.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast, or crank the hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.

TL;DR:

Tarja Turunen reveals that Nightwish was a “broken family” years before her 2005 departure. She admits she was unhappy in the band and needed to leave to find herself, though she remains grateful for the music they created.

The post EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Tarja Turunen Breaks Silence on Final Nightwish Days — “The Band Was Already Broken” appeared first on Loaded Radio.

The Phantom of the Opera arrived in Murcia with a performance that reaffirmed why it remains one of the most iconic works in modern musical theatre. On stage at the Auditorio Víctor Villegas, the production drew an engaged audience from the very first notes of the overture, fully immersed in its dark and atmospheric world.

From the outset, the show establishes its universe with precision: the decaying Paris Opera House, the constant play of shadows, and a sense of mystery that runs throughout the story. The audience in Murcia followed each scene with focused attention, aware they were witnessing a large-scale touring production.

The set design, faithful to the musical’s classic imagery, stood out for its grandeur and its carefully crafted lighting, which enhances both intimate moments and the most visually striking scenes.

As the Phantom, Daniel Diges delivered a strong and physically committed performance, with a confident vocal presence in the most demanding dramatic moments. His stage presence carries much of the emotional weight of the show, shifting effectively between intensity and vulnerability.

Alba Roben, as Christine Daaé, anchored the emotional core of the evening. Her vocal progression throughout the performance strengthened the character’s arc, especially in the more introspective numbers where delicacy and control were key.

Rubén López, as Raoul, provided balance to the central triangle with a more restrained interpretation that works as a contrast to the Phantom’s emotional intensity.

In supporting roles, Marta Pineda stood out as Carlotta, embracing the character’s theatrical excess without disrupting the overall rhythm. Fran León (Piangi), along with Eduardo Santamaría (André) and Enrique R. del Portal (Firmin), delivered solid performances that support the structure of the production.

Irene Barrios (Madame Giry) and Sofía Esteve (Meg) completed the cast with precise and effective contributions that enrich the emotional fabric of the story.

One of the highlights of the evening was its technical execution. The moving set pieces, transitions, and the iconic chandelier retain their full visual impact. Lighting design plays a crucial role in reinforcing the contrast between romance and darkness that defines the musical.

The orchestra provides a steady and well-balanced interpretation of the score, supporting key moments such as “The Music of the Night” and “Masquerade”, both of which were met with focused attention from the audience.

The audience reaction in Murcia built gradually, moving from attentive silence during the most intimate scenes to a unanimous standing ovation at the final curtain call. The strongest applause was reserved for the leading cast, who received a warm and sustained response.

Tour dates: 

📍 Murcia — 7 – 10 may 2026

📍 Córdoba — 15 – 24 may 2026

📍 Málaga — 3 jul – 9 ago 2026

📍 Zaragoza — 7 – 18 oct 2026

📍 Alicante — 19 nov – 6 dic 2026

📍 Tenerife — 29 dic 2026 – 3 ene 2027

📍 Gran Canaria — 7 – 24 ene 2027

Tickets:http://musicalelfantasmadelaopera.com

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The post The Phantom of the Opera dazzles in Murcia with a high-level staging first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

legendary musician, bon vivant,

The post Andy Clark : a eulogy to legendary musician, bon vivant and step father by Jerome Alexandre appeared first on Louder Than War.

Cursum Perficio, the follow-up to 2016’s For All Kings, will be released later this year

Finnish extreme metal force Torchia have unleashed their most commanding work to date with the release of their fourth full-length album, They Are Born Under Rules Of The Darkness. Over the course of their career, the Tampere-based outfit has evolved from a thrash-infused melodic death metal act into a far darker, more refined presence, now … Continue reading Torchia descend into gothic horror with ‘They Are Born Under Rules Of The Darkness’

Friday, the Club 2 Club Festival returned to New York for a second consecutive year. Founded in Turin in 2002, the music fest ventured into North America with a one-day event at Knockdown Center in Queens last spring, reprised this year at the same venue ahead of the 25th anniversary edition of C2C’s flagship Italian event this fall.

The post Italy’s C2C Festival Returned To New York To Remind Us Music Has No Borders appeared first on Stereogum.

French modern metal band Sangham has released a powerful new single and music video titled “Our Vain Pleasure.” This is the second track from their upcoming album, The Radiant Crown.

“Our Vain Pleasure” takes a direct stand against the animal exploitation industry. Musically, the track leans into heavier territory, using massive riffs and a contrast between clear and harsh vocals to build tension.

The accompanying music video, directed and edited by Elise Meunier, puts the viewer directly in the perspective of an exploited being, tracing a dystopian journey from birth to death. To drive the message home, the video includes real footage from animal rights organizations like L214, FUTUR Association, SOKO Tierschutz, and Espèces sans issue.

Watch the video for “Our Vain Pleasure” below.

The post French Metal Band Sangham Release New Single and Video “Our Vain Pleasure” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara sat down with Jai That Aussie Metal Guy to talk through the band’s 11th studio album, Strike And Kill, which arrives July 10 via Napalm Records. The record features the return of original bassist Jon Miller after a 12-to-15-year absence, alongside guitarist and producer Gabe Mangold, guitarist Alex Lee, and drummer Davier Ortega Perez.

On what direction the album took, Fafara told Jai (transcribed by Blabbermouth): “When I first got the music, I was just intrigued by what we were writing. And I think that everybody knew it was time to kind of go back to start a little bit… Once we started writing, we all kind of said, ‘What’s the direction?’ And I said, ‘Look at the logo, man. The logo will tell you what we fucking need to write.’ Like, period.”

On the fan reaction to the first single “Dig Your Own Grave,” and what’s coming next, Fafara said: “People are loving this. And I go, ‘Great. Let’s give them more of the same.’ So the next single that’s coming is very old school, almost first-, second-record old school… We didn’t decide to, like, ‘Let’s go back to start.’ We just said, ‘Let’s write something heavy and groovy like what we are,’ and that’s what came out. So I think people are really gonna enjoy the second and the third single. But the best thing is this: when you get the record, you’re gonna listen to it in its entirety, and at the end, you’re gonna be, like, ‘I wish we had more.’ But there’s already 13 tracks… I mean, even the label said, ‘Look, we’re good with 11,’ and I said, ‘Okay, these other two songs. You wanna leave them off?’ And they were, like, ‘Oh, fuck no.’ I said, ‘Well, then there you go.’ If people are gonna spend money, let’s give ’em their money’s worth.”

Fafara described the experience of hearing the finished album for the first time in the car, driving through the mountains of California with no phone signal: “The first time that I listened to the record in its entirety was about two weeks ago. I had no signal on my phone, which, for me, is a miracle, and I was, like, ‘Great.’ I got no phone calls for 45 minutes, and we put the record on. And when it was done, I actually said to my wife, who was driving, I go, ‘That’s it?’ And she’s, like, ‘Yeah, that’s it, man. You guys got 13 tracks.’ And I was, like, ‘I want more.’ So that’s a really good thing, I think, for sure to have. And this thing is back on track. And wait till you see it live, man. It is a no-nonsense throwdown.”

When Strike And Kill was first announced in April, Fafara said in a statement: “My headspace hasn’t changed. I have not become complacent or soft in my view of the world or in my music. Metal is our outlet as listeners and writers, so on this record, we focused on ‘getting it all out’ lyrically and backing those lyrics with savage, relentless music that fuels the heavy California groove like no other. DevilDriver has never sounded like any other band; we do our own thing in our own way, and I’m the most proud of that.”

Lead single “Dig Your Own Grave” was described as being about “how one wrong decision, one wrong move can see your whole world turned upside down,” with Fafara adding: “It can also refer to how your decisions can fuck someone else. This is why there’s the line ‘Six feet ain’t deep enough for you,’ because only a deep, deep hole is fitting for what you’ve done or tried to do to others.”

DevilDriver hits the road for a western U.S. run with Upon A Burning Body and Ov Sulfur beginning Aug. 14 in San Diego, Calif., wrapping Sept. 5 in Anaheim, Calif., with stops in Dallas, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Reno along the way.

The post DEZ FAFARA On DEVILDRIVER’s “Strike And Kill” Album: “It’s A Nonsense Throwdown, People Are Going To Love It” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Kenosha, Wisconsin’s punitive death metal veterans Jungle Rot have digitally released their twelfth full-length album, Cruel Face Of War, via Unique Leader Records. While the physical street date for CD and vinyl is set for 15th May, fans can stream the record in its entirety now. Produced by Chris Djuricic and mixed by the legendary … Continue reading Old-school death metal legends Jungle Rot drop new album ‘Cruel Face Of War’

The Music Venue Trust (MVT) and The National Lottery have unveiled the first wave of artists for Everywhere At Once, a nationwide event set to be the UK’s largest-ever festival. Taking place across the weekend of 26th–28th June 2026 (traditionally the Glastonbury weekend) the project is a staggering show of force for the UK’s grassroots … Continue reading MVT and National Lottery announce monumental “Everywhere At Once” festival