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On 2nd of May the Drakkar records arranged in its office a large interview marathon with Tarja Turunen and Tuomas Holopainen - a vocalist and keyboarder of Nightwish. I was one of the lucky journalists who took part in this. At the prearranged time my telephone rang and there was Tuomas Holopainen at the end of the line ready to answer all my questions about the upcoming album, 'Wishmaster'.

'Wishmaster' seems to be a natural continuation of your previous album, 'Oceanborn' but I get the impression that it's somehow simpler and more compact...

Yes, you're right. 'Wishmaster' is definately a straightforward album. The songs have the same power but are less complicated than those on the 'Oceanborn' and that's why I guess they're more accessible.

What was your approach when you were creating new songs? Was there any difference in this process between 'Oceanborn' and 'Wishmaster'?

This time when I began songwriting process I tried to do it as clamly as possible and I tried not to have any expectations about the songs. We were very laid back and somehow we had 'simpler attitude towards what we were doing. If you know what I mean. However, this time we focused more on Tarja's voice abilities and we made every effort not to crush her vocals with the heavy arrangements. They're less complicated but more effective. Therefore the songs appear to be more compact.

Could you please tell us something about the lyrics on the forthcoming album?

Well first of all, I need to say that the lyrics are very important part of our music. I try to portrait a story, a dream or a fantasy of mine with both music and the lyrics. I draw the inspirations from my own life, I often include some personal thoughts in my lyrics but there also texts which are influenced by various books or movies. The song 'Wishmaster' is, for example, my tribute to J.R.R.Tolkien.

Are you a fan of Tolkien?

Oh yeah, I simply devoured all his books!

Do you have any favourite song on the album?

Actually, yes. It's called 'Dead Boy's Poem'. The history that it tells has actually happened to me in the real life. It's a very personal song, best I've ever written.

How would you describe the style of Nightwish?

I usually let the others descrbe our style. Everyone experience our music differently and so they give various names to our style. I'd simply say that we play melodic metal.

Do you have any musical idol that you try to follow?

No, I guess we try not to sound like other musicians, bands. We all listen to completely different kinds of music so it would be impossible to follow all them in Nightwish. And if we happen to sound like someone else, it's not on purpose and it probably happens only for a moment in a song. We try to be just ourselves.

How does your relationship with Spinefarm shape?

It's just great. We reached gold together. They do a great job for us. for us.

Now you're going to play few gigs in Finalnd and then continue your tour in the South America, right?

Yeah, we will play some Gigs in our homeland soons. In June we are on the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig and afterwards we go to Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Mexico.

What do you know about the metalscene in South America? What do you expect from the local fans?

I only tknow that we have many fans in there and that they're very impatient to see us. We've received tons of letters from South America. I truly don't know what exactly to expect but so far the feedback from there really outstanding! I guess we may get surprised!

When can we expect Nightwish live gigs here in Germany?

As I said we'll play at the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig in June and then we'll also play at the Wacken Open Air festival in August. And the regular tour in Germany starts in October.

Is it clear now who are you going to tour with?

Nothing has been set yet but I know we're not going to be on tour with Sinergy.

Lately you've been touring pretty much. Do you have any spare time? What do you do then? What are your other hobbies?

(laugh) Oh you know, touring is not a problem for us. In our spare we all busy ourselves with music that way or another. So you know, we travel really gladly and enjoy playing live and the life of 'famous' people.

What do you want to do in your future?

Actually I am now doing what I love to do and I wish it remained as long as possible. At the moment I can't imagine doing anything else than writing music and being on the stage.

Is there any big dream of yours that you would like to come true in the future?

I guess I want to see as many places in the world as possible. There's so much to be seen. That's why I, for example, I can't wait to the South America tour.

Would you mind saying something to the German fans?

(laughs) No, of course not. I guess that's the usual question for the end of an interview. I don't even dare to count how many time I was asked this question today! Well, kind regards and much of love to all the German fans; hope to see you all in our gigs!

Okay, I can't wait, too! Thanks for the great interview and have a great success with 'Wishmaster'!

Thanks a lot, bye!