Marco Hietala

AM : Of course we must begin by talking about the new singer Anette ? how about her integration in the Nightwish clan, she had a lot to learn in a few time… What does she bring to the band ?

Marco : She´s very energetic and motivated, which is something that we really needed. Of course we also needed a great voice, different from Tarja´s. We got everything we asked for.

AM : Why didn't you chose a big name to join Nightwish, was it to keep the spirit of NW and bring some freshness to it ? Are there other singers who could have been in Annette's shoes ?

Marco : I´m sure there could have been others suitable for the band. Anette, however was the best of all candidates who contacted us. Of course we know some people from other bands, but we didn´t really want to ruin anybody´s lives. We also felt that somebody who hasn´t had that much success would be really wanting to make things work. And even though she hasn´t had that much success, she still has a quite a lot of experience from the business.

AM : Was "Dark Passion Play" easy to compose and write, as you've run into difficult times while composing it ? It was also the first time you wrote for an unknown singer… So did you feel this time as a new start for NW, the return of Innocence, and do you get more relax now everything is packed and ready for release ?

Marco : Well, this is me Marco answering this, so I´m not that intimate with the writing process of Tuomas. From what he told me, I know that he was really writing a lot after the breakup with Tarja. So in a way, getting out of the impossible situation probably helped him to open the floodgates, and music and lyrics really started to come out. I myself wrote this one song "Islander" which was just something that came out at the right time for the album, since I always have something up my sleeve. I gave a demo to Tuomas, he liked it and it ended up on the album. We didn´t really consider who would sing the songs and in what way, because we started rehearsing and demoing songs already over a year ago, when we didn´t have a clue who would be the new singer.

AM :There a new influences as celtic music or Old Egypt, where do these come from ?

Marco : They are just some things that felt suitable for some pieces of music this time. I´ve been a fan of celtic folklore and music since I was a kid and my father had some Irish folk albums. I´ve also been a big fan of Jethro Tull, so these things probably influenced the way "Islander" turned out. There´s not a big leap either if you think about the "Siren" from "Once" to "Sahara" on DPP. Using things from different cultures is of course something that helps the music to stay more interesting for the people and ourselves.

AM : Now about the recording session, was DPP easy to record ? How about Annette's first experience in studio ? And how were the recording sessions in London's Abbey Road ?

Marco : It took quite a long time to do. Several months at least, but I think that we as bandmembers did our stuff pretty fast and with confidence. Anette was a bit tense at first but she got over it and did her stuff also quite confidently. There were some times that we discussed about finding the right attitude or touch in some places, and she always delivered. It´s not easy to just jump in and start doing songs that somebody has a definite vision about. I missed the Abbey Road sessions because I was booked to do vocal arranging and producing for Amorphis album "Silent Waters". I would have loved to be there though. All the guys said that the atmosphere of the place and the musicians were just great

AM : How do you live, as a musician and as a person, the fact that DPP is already on the net ? By the way, is the promo version the definite mix or is there a better mix, as the voice seem a bit at the back…

Marco : The promo is not the final mix or a master. This the way how we live in the world right now. I´m gonna collapse the internet tomorrow, sorry. Then we´ll have the perverts in the roadside bushes like in the "Good Old Days".

AM : The new album still very symphonic and bombastic, but also darker, heavier like Century Child after Wishmaster, do you think this is the future direction of your sound ? Are you going to keep on surprising us in the future ?

Marco : The album probably reflects a lot, what we went through in the last couple of years, so it´s no wonder it´s that gloomy in places. But again it´s just a "sign of the times". I think surprises are essential for us as well as the fans. We will be coming up with some experimental things in the future as well. Whether the overall atmosphere will be darker or lighter. That will depend on the lives we lead.

AM : Do you think a new album will follow DPP closely or will we have to wait 3 long years ?

Marco : Touring will take about two years now, if all our plans are made real. It is possible that some music and lyrics will be written already on tour, but two years for us is, to my opinion a minimum.

AM : About the tour that you'll do after the release of DPP, do you already know how many dates there will be in France, and will you come to Belgium , because you have a lot of fans in France and Belgium too ?

Marco : We will be coming over, but we have no definite dates yet, sorry.

AM : Can you tell us about the upcoming shows if you'll play old sons of AFF and Oceanborn ? Can you describe the show a bit ?

Marco : Right now we´re doing rehearsals and making stageplans and such. I can´t really tell you much more since the songlist and the whole live setup is bound to change a few times still. We´re aiming to be impressive again. That much is sure.

AM : Thanks for the interview and for your precious time, it was a real pleasure ! Last words are yours…

Marco : Thanx as well! It´s been a long year doing the album and just waiting for it to come together. The hour is at hand! Hope it´s been worth a wait for us all. See you soon!