2002 GryphonMetal

czarnycharakter

So we are here together with Tarja and Tuomas from Nightwish, no more presentation needed I think. The first question is, what are your impressions about Summer Breeze, and do you like to play on festivals, open airs like this?

Tuomas: Well, I personally prefer clubs to be honest, because it is not a very intimate feeling to play on a festivals, the people seem to be like a kilometer far away, but Summer Breeze seems to be nice. It's small enough so it's just the kind of festival I like to play at.
Tarja: ...but so far so good, I haven't looked around yet, we came here early in the morning, and we were just messing around, but it's a hot day today, very fine weather for a festival.

Is it true that you, Tarja, will have a break in the near future to make up for your studies in music?

Tarja: Yeah, I alredy lived in Germany for one year and I have to continue my studies for two more years and next year, 2003, will be a break with Nightwish.... That doesn't mean, though, that we'll let people forget about us. If everything goes ok we're going to play some concerts, maybe few festivals or something, but there will be nothing like a tour. I think that we have all deserved that.

And you are studying in Germany ...

Yes.

What is your favorite opera composer?

I think, Puccini.

So, you have just released the album, 'Century Child', which is so brilliant that I think I wouldn't go too far if I said it's a masterpiece. And though it's not a concept album, I think that there is a kind of general thought which runs through the whole...

Tuomas: Right, that was something that was never planned - its definitely not a concept album. There is no story running through the songs of this album, but I would say that the songs deal with the same theme or at least touch the same theme in one way or another.

And which song from the new album you like to play most on the gigs?

Tuomas: Slaying the Dreamer.
Tarja: Yeah, I agree!

Bless the Child is a fantastic opener, but there are many tracks that sounds much heavier. Is Nightwish becoming a heavier band? Could it be a possible beginning of an evolution?

Tuomas: Yes, who knows, with this album we did a small step towards a heavier sound, but who knows what will be in the future. May be harder but also may be lighter.

The journalists must seem to be very really boring, because we are probably asking the same questions all over again. Is there any question that has never been asked that you would like to answer?

Tarja: That's a very hard question... (all are laughing)
Tuomas: Give us a few minutes, we have to think about it... We'll get back to that.

Is it a promise? (laugh)

Tuomas: Yeah, sure....

You have recorded this album together with an orchestra, was it a cool experience?

Tuomas: Well, it was like an experiment, we hadn't worked with an orchestra before, but many metal bands have done it so I just wanted to find out what it's like and if it is realy worth it. It was a very nice experience. Everything went realy smoothly and we got pretty much the sound we desired.

Which of these to is leading you the most, your heart or your brain?

Tuomas: Definitely the heart. I mean, everything is done by emotion and for emotion. We never think too much about what we are doing, just doing everything from the heart, that's the whole idea of doing Nightwish music...

I once read that Nightwish consist of four beasts and one beauty. I guess it's rather normal that the media are more interested in the beauty than in the rest of the band. What's your opinion about it?

Tuomas: Hmm... That's a natural thing, I guess. The truth is, there is one beauty and four beasts in the band. Everybody knows, though that it takes five persons to do our music and every band member has a significant role in the band. So I have never felt something like jelousy or something like that, I know my value just as everybody else in the band knows their value. So... she's the one...(all are laughing)
Tarja: Fuck you...

The last question I will ask you is the typical GryphonMetal last question and it's sort of a game called Game of the Tower. So, there is a very high tower and there are three bands on the top of it waiting for you, and you have to push down two of them, let them fall, saving just one... For you, there are on the tower: Dimmu Borgir, Pro-Pain and Helloween.

Tuomas: Ok, i would push down Pro-Pain and Helloween!

Saving Dimmu Borgir...

Tuomas: Yeah!

I imagine Dimmu Borgir will be very happy! Thank you a lot for the interview!