Bradford Rio, 13th July 2004

Tarja (Vox) Tuomas (Keys) Marco (Bass) Emppu (Guitar) Jukka (Drums)

How you finding being here in the UK?

Tuomas: Very good, because these shows we are doing now were not actually supposed to happen about two months ago so when found out we could come to England we where like, Yes!

Since the release of your album ONCE, and the single Once, the whole world is chanting your name, from France to even the Brazilian video charts. You seem to have even brought operatic black metal to top of the pops in Europe and charts throughout the world. How does it feel for you guys to achieve such global recognition since your beginnings in 1996, and to achieve this level of stardom?

Marco: Excellent!!!

Tuomas: We have been together some time and this time we managed to get everything to come together and we produced the best album we have ever done, so we are happy for what we have. But we strive for more, of course…

ONCE was recorded here in the UK in some rather famous London studio’s responsible for the soundtrack to a rather world renowned film trilogy. How did that come about?

Tuomas: We already used a symphonic orchestra on the last album, so were familiar with the concept and writing arrangements, but we had the best possible orchestra with our budget, and Vic Williams hired the studio for us. So it was his responsibility and that’s how it happened, but it was an honour and a privilege.

I noticed on the new album, especially on the first four opening tracks, that there is a much heavier vibe. Was that intentional or natural?

Tuomas: It was a very natural thing. I just picked up the piece of shit guitar that I had and started playing and that’s where the riffs came from. It was never intentional.

What are your main musical influences?

Marco: A large variety of stuff. We are all metal heads and freaks in some way but then again everyone has gone different in some way. I remember when I was young my brother brought round this Black Sabbath MASTERS OF REALITY LP that he had borrowed off his friend, and we where listening and thinking what the fuck is this!, this is great!

Tuomas: We all have our own influences as much as I am a true metal head, but we all listen to such a wide variety of things from old to new. I don’t think that there is much influence as far as the style of music we play, and where our ideas for songs come from, we simply play and if it sounds good we use it.

OK, so obviously you guys are out here in support of your massive new album ONCE. Since the release of CENTURY CHILD and the subsequent tours, how did you go about writing the new album? What past aspects did retain, and what sort of evolution in your music has occurred since you first began writing??

Tuomas: This is a long story - I mean where do you start? It’s always first of all about finding new music, you never want to do the same song or the same album twice; it’s the kind of things you don’t want to think to much ahead because you know when I start doing the song I never think the album should be like this or like that; if it’s hard or more balanced. I just start writing songs and see which direction it takes me in.

I’ve wondered about Nightwish’s unique style. It’s an unprecedented style of music and something I don’t think I’ve before heard. How did you originally come up with it?

Tuomas: Well, originally it was just an idea we had when there was only a few of us sat round a campfire with an acoustic guitar. I remember that I wanted a female vocalist and I wanted a classical style. It was just an idea we had to see how it would sound if we added more elements to the music. Tarja’s voice is so epic, so dramatic, we didn’t realise just how much capability she had until we all began practicing.

You guys have done a lot of touring recently, what kind of things do you do to just relax on the road?

Tuomas: We just relax, drink, a little bit of partying, a little bit of drinking some more…

Marco: I have a hand-held Nintendo that helps a lot.

Of all the places you’ve seen and toured, where would you say has been your favourite place and why?

Tuomas: There is something about the exotic places that you get to visit and play. We went to Panama and it was so beautiful, and everyone is so lively. The whole country is like this unexplored place, especially for people like us who come from such a different place. But yes, South America definitely.

Finally, what are your plans for the future?

Tuomas: I think we would like to continue as we are, we have a lot of dates coming up, and I want to keep making albums. I feel our best is yet to come. Yes, just keep on going…