Nightwish have confirmed the departure of vocalist Floor Jansen, bringing to an end one of the defining partnerships in modern symphonic metal.
The Finnish band announced the split on 15 October, describing it as a mutual decision. Jansen first joined them on tour in 2012 and became a permanent member in 2013.
It is a major change, but Nightwish are not calling it a day. The band say they intend to enter the studio in 2027 to record another album, as they mark their 30th anniversary.
End of an era for Nightwish
Jansen’s voice became central to the band’s identity across three studio albums: Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015), Human. :II: Nature. (2020) and Yesterwynde (2024). Her ability to move between operatic power and more restrained passages helped give those records their scale and character.
In their announcement, the band described the separation as necessary for their respective ambitions and wished Jansen well. They also made one thing clear: “Nightwish will continue.”
For another major metal line-up change, we recently covered Ian Hill’s retirement from Judas Priest. There is no announced replacement. And given how closely a singer’s voice is tied to a band’s sound, whoever eventually steps into that role will face an enormous challenge.
Floor Jansen looks ahead to Hytress
Jansen has her own next chapter lined up. Her second solo album, Hytress, is due on 15 January 2027, following her 2023 debut Paragon. Her recent single “Bring Me Silence” points towards a heavier direction for her solo work.
She has also confirmed a London performance at Electric Brixton on 16 January 2027, part of her wider Hytress tour.
Addressing the split, Jansen acknowledged that it had been a difficult decision but expressed optimism about the music ahead. Her solo career will now have her full attention.
What happens next?
As we noted in our coverage of Bullet For My Valentine’s new album and 2027 tour, established metal acts are facing a busy year ahead. Nightwish have already navigated significant changes at the microphone, from original singer Tarja Turunen to Anette Olzon and then Jansen. Yet this departure feels particularly significant after more than a decade of music together.
There is plenty we still don’t know, including who will sing on the next Nightwish record. Speculation is inevitable, but until the band announces a successor, that’s all it is.
For now, both sides have a future mapped out. Jansen has a new album and tour on the horizon, while Nightwish are preparing another studio chapter. Whether that separation ultimately reinvigorates both remains to be heard.
One thing is certain: Nightwish’s next album will arrive with expectations that go well beyond the music itself.
Sources: Floor Jansen’s official statement; Hytress album and tour announcement.
