NIGHTWISH - Lead Vocalist Candidates in 2006

[@NightwishRealease]

Thank everyone for active discussion, every women is super talented on her own way, please respect them 🖤 You may also be interested in statistic about most popular female metal vocalist over last 20 years, you can check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opa4k5mwpdVse9k

[@nicod1361]

of those who were seriously considered "all" of them more talented than Anette, but if Floor would have been available there would have been no open auditions, fyi Floor never auditioned in any way shape or form

[@nicod1361]

haha that video is a joke and not based on any real data but more on someones personal opinions, if it was based on real stats then Floor would be at the top of the list like she is on every real compilation .

[@evefreyasyrenathegoddessev4016]

Respect / reverence is a big term and only reflects me The Goddess / Supreme Leader / God / Leader / Princess / Lady / Queen / Star etc and love emojis also only reflect me the only lovable / loved being, and only I am super talented etc, and ppl cannot misuse such terms / emojis etc - exaggerating singers’ skills in general is also wrng, as most are just a generic voice, and, the correct word is having consideration for (instead of saying respect) and, the only singer with true singing talent in the video is Anette, and that’s exactly why the agcy selected her for her voice, which is one of the highest and lightest voices in the music industry (medium lyric soprano with a light and bright tone) with a pretty timbre and that has a refined sound (as her voice matches my voice the most, out of all known singers’ voices) and, they can tell when one has a voice that was made for singing (a natural singer) vs one that learned the techniques etc, and very few singers are a natural singers, which is also true for music, as very few songs (out of all the songs ever made) are a good song, and they are very selective!

[@evefreyasyrenathegoddessev4016]

Most Nightwish songs are based on characters that only reflect me and most newer Nightwish songs include secret references to me & TNW included by the agcy - the songs Eva / Cadence Of Her Last Breath / Whoever Brings The Night etc are about me and The Night is one of the many names used by the agcy to refer to the NWorId! I am The Oceanborn / The Lucy / The Eve aka The Eva aka the beginning and the end / The Nymph / The Siren aka The Sea Lady aka The Mermaid(s) / The Angel / The Queen / The Girl In White / The Rose / The Sailor (thru time / aeons) and the many other similar characters referenced in most Nightwish songs, and the agcy has included such ideas about me in almost every song and movie and video etc made of the past 3 decades, and indirectly in all the Disney stories / movies (based on characters that only I reflect) and, over the past 2 decades, they’ve been including more direct references in all sorts of media and stories etc, including the media they used to inspire song writers etc!

[@VampireDemonFreak]

@@evefreyasyrenathegoddessev4016 you sound like you've smoked a good spliff. Good for you 🙂

[@fritsyt2090]

Simone Simons would never ever leave Epica for another band, also not for Nightwish. The reason is very simple, Epica's music is written for Simone's beautiful crystal clear soprano voice and she writes half of the lyrics for their songs. In Nightwish she would only contribute her voice.

[@publicminx]

as an alternative to Anette back then it had worked. But after Floor thats not possible anymore without a huge quality loss. Floor is world class. Simone is not. Also Nightwish is world class, while Epica is not. The singing of Nightwish songs is one of the most complicated singing in the world. Epica has a simpel/trivial singing like ordinary good bands. Simone is similar to Tarja. Both have a certain comfy zone in a higher range in which their voices start to sound extraordinary amazing/addictive. But apart from that both are quite ordinary, nothing special. Both have not much coloring. Both have no good belts. Both have no good mixed voice. And just like most singers on the planet both cannot fluently transit between the register and/or between the mix voice gradients at will- which as said they could not do anyway, because they miss already the base. Both benefit heavily from having a classical/opera-like (its not exactly true opera) style in that comfy zone. This does not just give the song a certain classic atmosphere but it also has simply a better reputation than for instance an ordinary pop or rock singer has. Thats also Anette's biggest disadvantage. She lacked on this style, just has a kind of pop voice which btw is better than the one from Tarja or Simone (but both also dont use that much). Both, Tarja and Simone have a huge quality loss if leaving their 'addicive' zone. Both get thin/flat, lose coloring and more. While Simone now sounds at least like an ordinary singer, Tarja even sounds often 'pressed/urgent/odd' (which is why only a few songs fit really to her - songs which benefit from her general voice atmosphere, even if it sounds sometimes a bit off). Anyway, Tarja and Simone can drag a metal band due to their classical style and 'addictive' spot, but thats all there is. Most other singers (like Doro or most in the video) have also good voices in a certain style (usually more rocky) and it flows usually also better than with Tarja/Simone, because they stay in this style (at the same time they cannot create so good that classical feeling as contrast).

[@fritsyt2090]

@@publicminx that u even take the time to write such a long answer. I stopped reading after u said Simone is not world class. I dont take ur opinion serious because u are a so called Floor/Nightwish-bot. U have written ur comment for nothing u wasted ur time. I only tell u Nightwish is mainstream metal and Epica not. For me Epica is by far better than Nightwish. Goodbye! LOL 🤣

[@Percy92]

​​​@@publicminx why are you talking such nonsense about Tarja, Simone and Epica?? 😅 This has literary nothing to do with what Frits said. So sad that some Nightwish fans take every opportunity to say negative things about Tarja, Simone, Epica and even Anette. 🤷‍♀️ I absolutely don't agree with the fact that Simone and Epica are nothing special. Maybe you should take a better to listen Epica's discography, because they are an amazing and are in a league of their own. I personally prefer them over Nightwish.

[@emilyjohnson8025]

​@@Percy92 I personally prefer Nightwish over Epica but that doesn't change the fact that Simone is absolutely world class and is Floor's equal. She is just different. NW does have some pretty toxic fans tho

[@joelplamondon1021]

@@Percy92 don't bother, when he wrote Epica is not world class, all he wrote after that has no value, it's just a guy who need some attention.

[@Sabatyr]

I still love Vibeke's vocals....I miss her!! 😑

[@ligeiasiren4290]

She has a new band called Veil of Secrets. They have an album out, released not so long ago.

[@annametsapelto3870]

I had though it had been made clear that Floor had not applied. She was pretty content with After Forever at that point and did not have a need to have another band.

[@randolphstiney9544]

I concur

[@lucialma]

I’m pretty sure I heard Tuomas say in an interview that Floor was their first choice but she didn’t want to leave After Forever and that’s why they held the open audition in the first place

[@uskok4636]

exactly, she never applied at that time

[@ferdinand1687]

I think that Simone Simons didn’t apply either, she was in a very good period with Epica, the only problem they could have had was that Epica itself was looking for different label

[@helobiagi]

Floor doesn’t have to do recruitment interviews, she gets the position straight away 🙂

[@BracchiAlessandroFineArt]

Floor didn't auditioned ! There has been rumours that Jansen had been considered for the job when Nightwish changed their singer last time. Was she asked to join in 2006-2007? --- No, and I don't know if I was even considered. I've known the band and the inner circle for a deade. After Tarja left I was in After Forever and at the time everything was working fine. We weren't as big as Nightwish but our popularity was getting bigger. --- I've heard rumours myself that I was asked to join or that I applied for the job but you hear those kind of rumours all the time. I was creating my own career and I didn't even consider anything else. I joined After Forever when I was 17 years old and at the time it was my thing. - Floor Jansen

[@littleraven28]

Yeah she didn't audition, but there was the rumour that she was on both Tuomas and Marko's wishlist back then also. There was a reason why they called her right away after they broke up with Anette. They knew she was available and they knew she could do it, they toured with After Forever in 2002.

[@ilkkak3065]

Floor wasn't available in 2006

[@elbohne5636]

Nobody said, she has been auditioned or hast been available at this time. Why do so many prove these given facts nobody doubted?

[@weare1301]

Tuomas has said, they didn't asked Floor, because she allready had her own band.

[@ligeiasiren4290]

​@@littleraven28 Floor was never offered the gig. They didn't kick out Anette to get Floor, they kicked her out because she got pregnant during the tour, and they didn't want to cancel it to give her time to have her second baby. They had other singers besides Floor to replace Anette for the live shows, they just kept Floor in because she simply adapted better during the live shows, and was MUCH better received by the fans that anybody else. Even when Floor joined them for the tour, she was not supposed to be the replacement right away, they simply connected, and developed chemistry while working together. They decided to make her a permanent member after their live collaboration, and then Floor called Tarja to... I guess receive her blessing? which in any case, Tarja gave (Tarja said this herself on a interview, Floor called her after she was invited by the band to join, and Tarja told her to follow her heart, and that her beef with the band was old and in the past). Floor, Simone and Vibeke as candidates were fan/press made rumours. Floor being available when Anette got pregnant, and connecting with them so well, was just a lucky coincidence for both parties.

[@cwang6951]

Surprised they didn't use Elize's actual Nightwish audition footage.

[@mauricioabud1956]

I could totally see Elize doing what Anette did! They are both awesome and I’m so happy Floor is now with NW!

[@AmySox]

Elize _did_ get to sing with Nightwish, in the Denver show of 2012 where Anette was in the hospital with the flu. She and Alissa White-Gluz were there as backing vocalists for opening act Kamelot, and they took on the vocal duties. (I was _there!_ I knew I was watching history in the making!)

[@nightringer9815]

From this list, Nightwish members had internal discussion that they won't break other bands, so Floor, Simone, and other Suspected Candidates out of the consideration. If I'm not mistaken, Elyze Ryd was the front runner but she was dropped because she was 18 or 19 at the time and life on the road is always tough.

[@CemKalyoncu]

I was wondering that, how f Simone didn't got the part. I mean she is Tarja 2.0 basically

[@nightringer9815]

@@CemKalyoncu Because her position in Epica was and it's still solid. However, Nightwish' songs are a lot more complicated. Simone will replace but ended up mimicking Tarja. That was never the plan of Nightwish'band members because they were trying to widened their audience. Love or hate, Anette Olzon brought new fans world wide and making Nightwish relatable for younger audience who were more tuned to pop style vocal style. But with Jukka's & Marko's resignation, it seemed Nightwish has absorbed 50% of Wintersun. I do wonder if Jani (the vocalist of Wintersun) would be recruited next. He's an excellent and versatile metal vocalist and guitarist, wrote most of Wintersun's songs, too. But that would mean Nightwish has a 7th band member and Wintersun disbanded.

[@CemKalyoncu]

@@nightringer9815 You might be right. After all there are only a handful of people who knows Epica and has no idea about NW. As much as I love Troy's volcals, NW do need a harsh vocalist. Who knows, maybe one day.

[@nightringer9815]

@@CemKalyoncu Troy's vocal is not as good as Marco's but definitely better than Tuomas, yes Tuomas is the hidden vocalist in NW. Jukka (Marco's replacement) can actually sing, including harsh vocal. The question is whether he will. We need to wait for the new NW album in 2024.

[@attila0323]

@@CemKalyoncu Simone is Simone, not Tarja 2.0

[@ane174]

I think I understand now why Tuomas chose Anette. With Anette, he wanted to move away from the old style and prove that even without Tarja Nightwish a strong band. I noticed that with the arrival of Anette, Tuomas has been experimenting a lot. New and fresh ideas appeared, Troy's Instruments, orchestral Playing And choirs became larger, children's choirs were added (which was added by imAGINARiUM of HORROR). Other genres were added: Folk, JazZ, Something Like POP metal Or something. The role of Marco has become more and more. The group's work has become much more diverse and richer. I think that Tuomas would not be able to experiment with these vocalists like that and they would become monotonous groups. for a variety of songs, Anette was the perfect person. And I think they did it. They may have lost their fans, but they have gained new ones. And this may have become their second wind.

[@Orodaran]

All the love of the world for Floor, the best frontwoman in metal and generally one of the best singers in the genre regardless of gender, but Imaginaerum still is my favorite Nightwish album. Annette wasn't that great live but as you said she was perfect, studio wise, for what Tuomas wanted to do at the time.

[@ane174]

@@Orodaran Flor sings great live. For me personally, she pulls the songs of the first era perfectly. And She shakes the audience perfectly.But for me, Anette was also good, especially I liked her improvisations. They're both my favorite Nightwish singers. And it's the albums with their participation that I listen to more. My respect.

[@arbchannel5503]

SAYA SANGAT SETUJU,, DPP DAN IMAGINAERUM ALBUM YANG SANGAT SUKSES

[@PatitoCM1]

Elyze didn't get the job because she was too young at that time... she tell this on an interview... Manuela K is amazing... sad how xandria treated her..

[@altx1978]

I'm glad that Elize didn't get the job actually. I mean, she is perfect for Amaranthe. However, she isn't a good fit for Nightwish in my opinion. Besides that, now I got to listen to Amaranthe and Nightwish.

[@vonsi12345]

Manuala Kraller was great on the Xandria Album - sad that this one was the only one with her :(

[@lorimarchand8381]

I'm surprised that Marcela Bovio has never been mentioned. She is amazing.

[@VampireDemonFreak]

I think she was a little late to the game in a sense, stream of passion's first album only came out late 2005, so she probably wasn't quite on their radar quite yet. She has done some awesome nightwish covers on her patreon so maybe in an alternate universe she could have been ✨️

[@jeffreyneas9510]

Agree

[@evefreyasyrenathegoddessev4016]

I am the only amazing being and the only She / I, and such terms cannot be misused and pronouns cannot be with a capital letter when referring to wom’n / hum’ns, and the words or / lor(e) / and Mar and vio or via or vie cannot be in one’s name or yt name, and must be changed - in fact, most names are unsuitable for hum’ns, and must be changed!

[@evefreyasyrenathegoddessev4016]

As for the choice, Anette was the right choice and selected by the agcy because of her voice, which is one of the highest and lightest voices in the music industry (medium lyric soprano with light and bright tone) with the pretty timbre and high voice, while the other ones have very generic and uncouth voices with a grating sound or very weak and limited voices - in fact, they should have also recorded or re-recorded all the other Nightwish albums with her voice!

[@lastridge]

Yep agree

[@stasa-X]

They wanted a different singer that time and thankfully took Anette Olzon, great singer more pop/rock , more fans and two dreaming albums with her vocals. DPP is still number one in sellings. All the singers are great 👍!!! Vibeke Stein from Tristania is one of my favourites singers still today.

[@ingopinkowski1091]

You are right, nobody can beat or replace Vibeke until today, Tristania is dissolved last year, that was the outcome.

[@stasa-X]

She is a great soprano, very beautiful woman and amazing performer!!! Yes ,no one could replace her, very charismatic woman!!!

[@mraijmann59]

Number one in selling but not number one in streaming. Time changes. People are streaming music these days

[@stasa-X]

The older fans always buy CD/vinyl,we know that is good for the bands. Looking forward the three singles from DPP especially with Anette, have the most viewers than any other video from Nightwish. More than Tarja's era and Floor's. Anette's vocals are amazing!!!! I don't understand how a fan don't want to have the CD in his collection to support the band 😂.

[@johnabacus]

The first singer Olivia Sparnen is the lead of Mostly Autumn. A great group that Troy has guested on some of their albums

[@charlesxavier..]

Veeery good band indeed and unknown for many people

[@ikkeschopkont]

I like her voice a lot!

[@musicalenvironment2761]

I don't believe in... At the time, Olivia was just backing vocals to Heather Findlay...

[@bukharagunboat8466]

@@musicalenvironment2761 But fronting Breathing Space.

[@musicalenvironment2761]

@@bukharagunboat8466 Band formed in 2006 (first album released one year later) - then it's after Tarja's departure...

[@wildhoney126]

if you need Tarja number 2, then this is of course Manuella Kraller or Diana van Giersbergen

[@ericodijk]

Anneke van Giersbergen probably? She is something else. In fact she is from an earlier generation, where female-fronted metal acts were not that common. Watch Strange Machines.

[@wildhoney126]

@@ericodijk no no, Anneke has a completely different type of voice than those I have listed. And by the way, everyone is tired of heavy academic vocals, so Anneke would now be in the top

[@Hamish_Whitehaven]

Best Match ist Manuella

[@robertthurman9866]

Nice video. i can see why Anette was chosen. It is facinating to see how the songs have been adapted for each singer.

[@altx1978]

The songs are from the singers' own bands. Those are definitely not the songs they auditioned with. If they even auditioned. I know for a fact that Floor did not back then. I noticed that it says "rumored candidate" with some of them. Those "candidates" did not audition in reality. That explains. I already found it hard to believe that Simone auditioned. Neither Floor nor Simone did.

[@nicod1361]

hmm really ? every single one of the main contenders where more talented than Anette

[@rpgp6065]

​@@nicod1361 hmm really? Based on these videos I think Anette sounded much better than some Tarja wannabes.

[@nathankinman7753]

@@nicod1361 it could be they wanted to move on from anything which resembled Tarja, and go with something completely new, starting afresh. ..... And that's what lead to them having a concept album Imaginarium which is still their best seller with Anette's story telling voice, and it lead to Floor replacing her being able to cover both Anette's and Tarja's ranges. Honestly; I hope one day Toumas could convince Tarja and Anette to come back for at least one song in a future album, and maybe invite their bands to open up for Nightwish.

[@andraskovacs8959]

@@nathankinman7753 Could be? Tuomas has outright stated this in many interviews - they did definitely not want a Tarja copycat. Also Anette sounds positively superb on the albums with the songs written for or at least adjusted to her voice, those two are in my top 3 favorite albums besides Wishmaster. Too bad he couldn't cope with so many Tarja songs live. I do like what she did with "Come cover me" and some other similar songs though... Would be interesting to see how Tarja would cope with the songs written for the other two singers... not convinced she wouldn't "butcher" one or two of them...

[@OriginalWhiteDevil]

So many great vocalists, but Floor stands above them all because of her versatility and stage presence. She can go from operatic to pop to vocal fry to belting, all in the same song. I've even heard her sing country. She's amazing.

[@trashtasticus7714]

Vibeke would've been amazing, I love early Tristania.

[@kimolabilir007]

In my humble opinion, Simone, Manuela, Floor, Emily are literally deserved to be the lead vocalist. They are awesome!

[@johnsmith-cw3wo]

rumored...

[@thuamteahl6543]

Don't even know many of them, but man, all of them are Great. Good many a Female Vocalists out there.

[@stubones]

Im surprised they went with Annette in the end. It was clear they didn’t value her vocals as much as they had Tarja’s. Annette has a great voice and she nailed it while she was with Nightwish.

[@jeffersonpereira2392]

Manuela Kraller❤ seria uma ótima formação, tenho certeza

[@kimfabritiusdetengnagel2038]

If Amelia Brightman had been auditioned, she might have been the perfect candidate at that time

[@sakeratoys9555]

At that time, I was sure that Elize Ryd would be the next frontwoman but I was wrong. But I am happy they didn't choose Simone coz I love Epica too Then I was listening the others symphonic metal band and I found After Forever. I imagined Floor would be the ideal frontwoman of Nightwish. And know my dream come true 😂

[@adriantorresrodriguez4208]

That Floor Jansen sounded great! I bet she would sound fantastic if she would have joined Nightwish (8

[@Sonofhroft]

Kappa 🙃

[@zombiesinthelawn9312]

AINDA BEM QUE A SIMONE NÃO INVENTOUDE SAIR DO EPICA PARA IR PRO NIGHTWISH, EPICA PRA MIM É A MELHOR BANDA DE TODOS OS TEMPOS DO METAL MELÓDICO

[@You2Too]

It might be a bit misleading to call all of these singers "candidates". I think Elize Ryd actually did audition at the time but if we take Simone Simons for example, she was interviewed about it in that "Underground Köln 2007" TV broadcast and I don't speak german very well but she said something like: "I've always said I started with Epica from the beginning and it's my band. Tarja is a good singer but is at a too high level for me, because with Epica I can grow which is very important to me and I like our music very much." Then Mark Jansen chimes in with: "We've asked for 10 million euro..." :D For the record I think Anette did very well considering she went from pop-rock into symphonic metal and Imaginaerum remains a masterpiece. Anette's newer stuff like The Dark Element, Allen/Olzon and Ultima Grace fits her better overall though, since in Nightwish she was marked as the black sheep from the start and got a lot of hate she didn't deserve, which one could tell affected her a lot. She has trained her voice a lot since the Nightwish days too. One can just tell she is more comfortable with all the newer projects. Floor Jansen would fit into basically any metal band and of course she's amazing with Nightwish! It's a shame that After Forever ended though. She used all of her voice back then so to speak. In Nightwish it's as if they keep holding her back to some extent. I was actually expecting her to sing more operatic on the tour with the older songs. Maybe it's her own choice though, to avoid getting compared with Tarja by singing the songs her own way. Don't get me wrong, Floor does sing part operatic and it's amazing how she controls her voice. My main issue with Nightwish as the band exists today is that there's only two original members left. Of course there are bands where all original members have changed over time but I can't help but miss Jukka's moves and skill when drumming, and even though Marco joined in the early 2000's he's also a huge loss with his heavy bass and great voice. If Emppu ever takes off too, I'd love to see all the other members form a band without Tuomas. It would make for some very interesting songwriting for sure. And who would be the vocalist of THAT band? :)

[@sandro9267]

Manuela kraller muito boa vocalista

[@joschi38100]

Nice and informative overview, thank you for that! But all viewers, take care about the difference between "audition candidates" and "rumored candidates"! Imho if floor really would have been asked but not chosen in 2006, would she ever have joined in 2013 without feeling herself als 2nd choice? Think about that... 🤔 B.t.w. my choice to substitute Tarja as close as possible would have been Manuela Kraller (only knew her as a former voice of Xandria), but after all I'm more than glad how it came in the end. Imagine Nightwish today without Floor? Impossible for me!

[@Br4m76]

I think that Nightwish gave the post to Annete because she has a very different character as what Tarja has. This reason is similar to what Iron Maiden did to replace Bruce Dickinson in the middle of the 90s.

[@ro--M]

With a pub singer 😆

[@abstracting6411]

👍👍 FLOOR JANSEN! 👍👍

[@npinjest7779]

Anette was the least like Tarja of this group, which made her perfect on rebound. Olivia would've been the most interesting fit of this group, IMO, just from this first listen.

[@m__6930]

Would've liked some commentary as to why they weren't chosen

[@DelDuio]

This video only confirms for me that they picked the right one.

[@daveraven1821]

Vibeke has never auditioned for that, she actually refuse to join in another band after Tristania cause she was looking more theatrical career. Simone was invited for Tuomas cause they were closer friends but also she rejected and Floor was in the cuspide with After Forever.

[@Aeger136]

She is mentioned as a rumored candidate only. I remember rumors about Vibeke joining Nightwish got noisy because she left Tristania shortly before Anette was announced so the timing was a big coincidence back then.

[@an-gw5di]

for me, Anette was a great choice. It was with her that I met Nightwish. Two albums with her (for me) were better than five albums with Tarja. Yes, maybe she couldn't sing like these singers sing. But I can't imagine how these ladies can sing for example escapist, scartale, the heart asks pleasure first, slow love slow and much more. It was with these songs that I fell in love with Anette. Imaginarium is a special album for me and Anette will always remain in my heart in the image of dark snow white. Thank you Anette.❤️❤️

[@OathKeeper95]

Nope! No album is better than Oceanborn and Once sorry!!

[@an-gw5di]

@@OathKeeper95 I am responsible for myself. Apart from Floor (if we are talking about Anette), I prefer two albums with Anette. They are the best for me. And I only listen to old albums, those that Tuomas sang: Beauty And the Beast, the Carpenter, Once upon A Troubadour (my favorite) occasionally astral romance. From the "oceanborn" album, only moondance. And "Once" only a couple of songs and then a couple of times. Sorry, but it's a matter of taste. Therefore, opinions are different.

[@cylinia_fit_coach1826]

I've known Nightwish for so long, I think it was from the Oceanborn album. But, in fact, I have a big preference for songs with Annette. She has something so different. Of all the albums, my favorite song is Scaretale!

[@an-gw5di]

​@@cylinia_fit_coach1826scartale except Anette, no one will be able to sing. She perfectly reincarnated the role of the villain. Imaginarium is my most favorite album. By the way, the movie is just amazing.

[@oinotnaecnop5757]

Simone Simons??? Ella nunca debe dejar epica lml

[@fritsyt2090]

U are right!

[@ironeddy]

I did not know That floor jansen did an addition in 2006. But Annette did a great job! Imaginarium is a great album. But my favorite singer is floor! ❤ nightwish

[@aliedarook8298]

Floor didn't audition either, those were rumors at the time. Tuomas later said in an interview that he thought of asking her but didn't do it at the time because she was still in After Forever at the time and he didn't want to steal the singer from a band they were good friends with.

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

Floor did NOT audition in 2006

[@addhoc256]

@@rientsdijkstra4266 simone simons didnt either. so this list is imaginary.

[@biancahassemer6455]

​@@addhoc256 no, please take a closer look, Floor, Simone and Manuela are mentioned as "rumored candidate" and the other ladies as "audition candidate", so everything is correct here 😉

[@TheWaldoking]

@@aliedarook8298 right

[@ligeiasiren4290]

Vibeke would have been the best replacement. Her voice is the one that sounds the closest to the original singer out of all vocalists in the scene + her personality and presence did match Nightwish' classic sound. I would probably still be a fan, if they got Vibeke on board.

[@reezt]

thanks for giving me so many great voice refferences

[@diaryofasgardian]

Anette Olzon ❤

[@josehernanromanoveloso1347]

I really Love Annette's voice. She is a very great singer.

[@strangelessness]

Lol

[@heinrichlegend263]

I was wondering who Cassie Stone or better known as Cassiopée is and man just look her up. She would have been an interesting choicefor sure. She did sing for Cirque du soleil! But I have to admit that Anette Olson was a good choice for the time.

[@ThomasLittle007]

JESUS FCK! I saw the title and did not notice "in 2006" and my heart stopped for a sec :D :D

[@Juanheco16]

Olivia, gosh. Suited perfectly

[@johannessilver8653]

So many talented singers to take the extremely challenging position after Tarja. We know the history know....but I think Nightwish made a quite clear decision for Anette.

[@KellyNya]

Anette 😍

[@aleksandarpocanic9513]

1. Of course we all knew it Floor 2. Manuela Kraller and Vibeke Stene holding this place😂 3. Simone 4.Emma Backman 5.Maxi Nil 6.Emilt Ovenden 7.Cassie Stone

[@randysims1646]

I don't think she would ever do it, she is a huge Nightwish fan, but I would love to see Elizabeth Zharoff audition for Nightwish. Just for fun.

[@markclements7767]

🤣

[@markclements7767]

💗 Elizabeth. Her reaction to 'Yours Is An Empty Hope' sprang to mind then.....a BIG smile on her face then "Ha Ha ...Metal" kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpikf55nZ6ykd7M

[@randysims1646]

I'm hoping there is going to be a video of Elizabeth and Will, doing a harsh vocal duet in the near future. It has been an absolute joy watching her fall in love with Metal, in its many awesome forms.

[@anonymoususer2489]

Anette sounds pretty weak compared to some other singers

[@athanasiaview]

Maxi Nil

[@geuseliohulk8661]

Of the singers that appear (excluding Floor, of course) I liked Cassie Stone. It seemed versatile to me with a posture closer to Floor. However, if I choose, I would look for Elena MInina/Елена Минина (Tigers Claw and Gioconda) in Russia - Елена Минина - Стрим - TRIBUTE Nightwish kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIO6YaKZbJqWrbc

[@johncheek2415]

This is so wrong,, they never even considered Floor at this time due to her being in After Forever

[@jackstorm5649]

I wouldn't say they never considered Floor. I would say that they never asked Floor at the time. I believe she was Marco's first choice before the part was auditioned. However you are correct never asked her because After Forever was going strong at the time, plus Floor was close with Tarja which could have brought more drama.

[@evergreendorneymahoning5435]

@@jackstorm5649 correct from everything that I have read and also from watching an old interview with Tuomas - If they made an official offer to Floor, I don't believe that she would have had to actually audition - I also read where they really liked Elize Ryd but, at the time, she was young with very little stage experience - I always loved how she and Alisa White-Gluz were the ones that came to the rescue when Anette had to be rushed to the hospital during what has come to be known as "The Denver Debacle"

[@loulagro2315]

It's glaringly obvious that most of these clips are processed vocals, ie studio processed. Not saying that's bad or that they can't produce live, but that is the deal..... You have to be able to produce live vocals, in tune, on pitch, at the level required to sing in Nightwish. The fact is that THAT is a rare talent and ability. Nobody is perfect, but ive yet to hear another human being sing with such precision, consistency and power combined with the passionate story telling of Floor Jansen. Some of these women sound wonderful but do they sound as amazing live as Floor does every night, night after night.

[@alexdoorn234]

I habe been to an Epica concert twice and yes Simone sounds better live as well. A female singer that I adore and is not on this list is Zora from Blackbriar. She is amazing live I have seen them live 3 times now and I just love them. If you ever hear something on their album and think she can't possibly sing that live she can and she will. I think The Seance perfectly shows how good of a singer Zora is and hearing that song live is just incredible. Another singer I would recommend is Yannis from Beast in Black he is also incredible live. He made me cry when singing Oceandeep by just the pure emotion he puts in his voice. Also there is a poorly recorded video floating around of Yannis singing Sahara with Floor during a Nightwish concert, the perfect duet honestly.

[@joser6798]

Does anyone know if Floor was approached back then to join Nightwish? Did she audition?

[@joekel55]

No she dit no audition, and the band didn't approach her, because at that time Floor was already a good friend of Tarja and she didn't want to step in the band at that time.

[@silverblack5475]

She never auditioned , she was ALL IN with After Forever and LOVED being they're Vocalist. But i heard ( i forgot where and if its true or not) that Floor would have got the job if she wasnt in After Forever.

[@42earthling]

Floor was at the time the front woman of After Forever. Simone of course Epica. Knowing that Tuomas does not want to cause problems for other bands, i do wonder why they would have been on the list. But they are and i'm actually wondering why the name of Lisa Johanson is missing.

[@nicholew350]

No, Floor wasn't approached and wouldn't have been picked anyway. Toumas wanted someone completely different from Tarja at the time. That's why they chose Annette.

[@ACGmusic0117]

​@nicholew350 Floor is completely different from Tarja. She definitely would have been picked if she wasn't in After Forever. Marko and Tuomas stated that they didn't want to be responsible for breaking up After Forever because they were good friends with them.

[@musicalenvironment2761]

Olivia Sparnen from Mostly Autumn is one of the best female vocals... But I don't believe that... At the time, Mostly Autumn singer was Heather Findlay, and Olivia was just the backing vocals...

[@MementoMori1993]

My favs: - Simone Simons - Vibeke Stene - Manuela Kraller - Floor Jansen ❤❤❤

[@mathiasnovakofficial5827]

Anette

[@jnx4803]

I'm actually fairly shocked that they prioritized Anette over other, more fitting, and to be honest, better vocals.

[@Super007Art]

Floor Jensen ❤👌

[@Дмитрий-ц7д5ц]

what's the song at 7:54?

[@katsubzero]

Visions of Atlantis - New Dawn

[@redpillbulgaria-v2.063]

Anette??? Not sure what they were thinking ....

[@evergreendorneymahoning5435]

Me neither

[@Pravdacz-tp8zu]

Tuomas wanted a. someone who would appeal to North American audience and b. someone who wouldn’t be accused of being Tarja’s clone.

[@olimstorytelling6011]

Manuela kraller perfect 🤩

[@juyifan7933]

Floor wasnt a candidate in 2006. If she was she would have gotten in because Nightwish and After Forever had already toured together and Tuomas already held her in high regard.

[@markclements7767]

I had no idea that Simone Simons was a rumoured candidate

[@Fidel_L.Bousquet1970]

If for whatever reason Nighwish and Floor go on separate ways one day, many years from now (I hope NOT, but anything is possible), my favorite option is an impossible one: Simone Simons. I don't think Simone will leave Epica and Tuomas / Nightwish would never break a band that is doing great (also imagine the drama and turmoil...).

[@ukulevald]

Tuomas made a point years ago that if Floor leaves there is no more Nightwish.

[@572Btriode]

@@ukulevald He did.

[@ALINA-ye2eu]

@@ukulevaldthe same he said about Tarja😂

[@yvs6663]

i love Simone but to have her in two of the biggest symphonic bands that aren't all that different would be too much and also kind of a bummer since it would mean the 2 bands couldn't tour at the same time. also, if NW wanted to keep the old sound and Manuella was avalible, why not just go with her?

[@robgerhardterellen1488]

Charlotte Wessels and Dianne van Giersbergen are other Dutch great female fronted vocalists who can replace Floor Jansen if that will be the case.

[@digitalis-y9h]

What is the song Floor is singing in this video?

[@2beans_and_a_bug]

Hi...."Sins of Idealism" off of the Invisible Circles album.

[@2beans_and_a_bug]

Hi...."Sins of Idealism" off of the Invisible Circles album.

[@TheDreamscape04]

Imagine Simone Simons being a Nightwish Vocalist before Floor Jansen 😮 however, Simone should never have left Epica ever I love Nightwish with Floor Jansen, and i love Epica with Simone 🤗

[@sasunoma]

She have such a great voice!!🤩

[@eouveluz]

I already knew about Elize, but the others I didn't know (and although there were rumors, I'm pretty sure nor Simone nor Floor really auditioned). The thing is: Elize is a more strong live singer than Anette, so is Olivia Sparnen, BUT, they have a more "common" singing tone and color. That's the type of vocals I'm tired of hearing in all music genres, there's no new flavor to it. The combination of those vocals with Nightwish would be.... ordinary. Anette's voice, on the other hand has a more rare tone. It's a timbre more common on those 80s pop rock bands and artists like Cindy Lauper, and Anette's countrywomen like Roxette or Abba. She even have a hard rock flavor to her. By the time Tarja left Nightwish, she had already found her UNIQUE tone that was a mixed voice NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE on metal do equally. Not even Floor (who usually changes from one technique to other effortlessly, but notably). So it was only fitting Tuomas would choose someone else from another style who also had a unique tone, specially in the heavy metal world. I still never heard something that gives me the same sound as Anette singing "For the Heart I Once Had", "Ghost River" (yeah I love Floor singing this, but she changes the character completely) or Scaretale. She was the right choice. And I find it funny that the only singers on this video who can bring something resembly what Anette did are the ones the ppl in the comments just ignored: Saija Aartela e Mija Anderson.

[@augustohenrique547]

At the same year Vibeke quit Tristania, months later she gave interviews about this rumored and it was never a thing. On an old brazilian magazine - it was never even considered. And that live performance is so quite boring. Tristania was a joy back in 2000s. After Forever was in the middle of Remagine Tour when Nightwish quit with Tarja, but Floor was so ahead of it's time with AF!

[@olivertriebel5274]

Back in these days, Floor already blew them all away, but she had to wait another time, before her reign was to come...

[@andersonmottarodrigues7868]

Acho que Simone Simons não porque ela já tem a marca dela e abanda EPICA É TOP

[@christophersims3319]

Floor is such a badass, she turned them down. Allegedly.

[@tudorcamelia]

😂 imagine if they get tarja back. I think the symphonic metal world would be shocked

[@stubones]

That would be a downgrade from Floor. No thanks.

[@irenehabes-quene2839]

Maybe 2006 wasn’t yet the right moment for Floor, and 6 years later she kind of started to tour with them in a time of an emergency for the band. Maybe if they had had the time for another lineup they might not have chosen her but that’s all in the past and this marriage was meant to be!

[@nicod1361]

After Forever had toured with NW before 2006 ,thats why the band new of her so well that the very 1st person they thought of after Tarja was Floor but quickly dismissed the idea once they realized how committed she was to AF

[@stephanpautz790]

​@@nicod1361 yes, they toured together in 2004/2005. By the way, Tarja and Floor are friends 😊. Floor was the frontlady from After Forever till 2009.

[@jp16k92]

Some great voices there!

[@jonroyo5148]

Which song is singing anette?

[@Elvenboadicea]

Wow, the first singer, Olivia was definitely the best. She would have been amazing

[@johnsmith-cw3wo]

That Floor Jansen also sounded great!

[@michael.albinus]

​@@johnsmith-cw3wo😁😂🤣

[@michael.albinus]

In 2006 (with NW's old style) Manuela Kraller would have been the perfect replacement for Tarja. Just listen to Xandria's album "Neverworld's End" and you know what I mean. She was called "Tarja's Heir" and she even looked a bit like Tarja.. NOW in 2023... Floor is just unreplaceable! 😎

[@s.ann.m]

The first time I heard Valentine I thought it was Tarja. They do sound very similar.

[@michael.albinus]

@@s.ann.m 😉😎

[@Pravdacz-tp8zu]

If they chose Manuela, nobody would hear any difference. Too bad that she left after only one album and hadn’t joined any other band since.

[@malizanu]

tbh Anette was such a breath of fresh air for Nightwish's music, they tried things with her voice that not Tarja nor Floor could do. Nowadays Nightwish is always trying to play safe with their songs, it's a waste for Floor vocals

[@stephanlunden4318]

For me the choice would be between Simone Simons and Elize Ryd, but they are all very good.

[@onlyvoid]

Cold hard fact is that there is no one who can truly replace Tarja, her voice and appearance was made for Nightwish and the music of Nightwish was made for her voice and appearance. This is a major reason why I believe Tuomas decided to totally change the musical way of Nightwish after Tarja. And change it did. It is completely different musical setup on albums all the way to "once" as compared to what it is on newer albums after "once". So there is no argue who is the most talented singer, but there is no one who can replace Tarja for those songs made during her time. Then there is also the departures of Marko and Jukka and Marko formed a great duetto with Tarja. So much is gone and lost. I do not like to hear them play older songs without Tarja because it sounds like some cover band and I do not like the new style of Nightwish music.

[@stubones]

What a load of 💩 floor is perfect for nightwish and has elevated them.

[@MarcosAntonio-cd8fe]

Which band is this anette is singing?

[@jackstorm5649]

So a little off topic to this video but... In my opinion at this point Nightwish & Floor are inseparable, I don't think they would recover from another change at singer. That being said Floor is pregnant and could possibly miss some upcoming shows. I'm not sure what they already have scheduled. If they want to maintain commitments that have already been made and Floor is not available I would see if Elina Siirala from Leaves' Eyes / Angel Nation would be able to fill in. I think she would sound great with NW and she is a cousin of Tuomas so ahe is already a de facto member of the NW family. If that doesn't work out Manuela was one of my favorites at the time & I don't believe she has any commitments with another band at this time.

[@COUNTRY-LIVING]

Floor toured while pregnant before. And then she toured with her daughter during the Decades tour. I dont think she or the band are worried about it.

[@rockbaari]

Floor is only few months pregnant and they will have a break to focus on new album after the show in Kitee, Finland where they're from originally:)

[@hannegran6123]

Yannis would be an excellent choice if someday Floor is not in the band anymore

[@amnakahrshadow4527]

Can anyone provide the names of the songs for each singer? The one that Floor does sounds great!

[@back2sqr13]

By this selection (except Floor) I can understand why they chose Anette. From these candidates her voice is most unique, un-metal and ABBAish in a characteristic way. I would have made decision also by same criteria; personality. She struggled live though with old NW songs. I wonder about it, at least Marco should have had a feeling about this problem already before they hired her. At least after the first real audition.

[@helobiagi]

I also blame the band for her live struggles in Tarja’s songs. They should have done a proper rearranging of these songs as the new singer has a completely new style. But most of the times they only cared about changing the keys. That would have hardly worked with any non-lyrical singer…

[@bogdanisari4365]

It should be Floor from the beginning 😅

[@miroslavstankov7919]

Wow, Manuela Kraller here sounded a lot like Tarja, Like, a lot.

[@jhonydepp8451]

If I was Tuomas Holopainen I would Choose Manuela Kraller...her type of Voice was the Perfect Match for Nightwish...

[@Pravdacz-tp8zu]

That's the exact reason why he wouldn't choose her. He wanted someone completely different. That's why he went with Anette.

[@vonsi12345]

Manuela Kraller would have been my first choice - the Album she sungs in for Xandria was there best one- i am shure she could sing every old Tarja song ;)

[@Nightwishlishus]

You forget Audition Candidate - Mininava

[@NightwishRealease]

Thank you for Information, I am sure there was so many talented ladies. Maybe for the next part of video we will must check and include Mininava.

[@henkraadmaar4072]

I'm so happy that Elize Ryd or Simone Simons where not chosen. We would probably not have Amaranth and Epica now. And even Floor Jansen because of her work in the few coming years with After Forever and Revamp.

[@targaryenxmandi]

Now I want to imagine what would happened if Vibeke did join Nightwish

[@powermetal26]

I enjoyed Simone Simons performance

[@ezioauditore6038]

Wait Simone Simons auditioned?....she was already with Epica though

[@Percy92]

She didn't, it was a rumor. Besided she would never leave Epica for an other band though.

[@stevejones1682]

I must admit I would not have chosen Anette Olzen for Nightwish, even though she performed well on both the albums she did with them, Imaginaerum overall being my favourite Nightwish album. Never in a million years would I have chosen Simone Simons as her range tends to be tiringly high for me. I hope Floor Jansen does not get any ideas of leaving. I suspect it would be the end for Nightwish if she did leave because I dont think Tuomas could take another departure. Xandria have had a host of very good singers and I think any of them could fit in if they could take the number of live schedules, Manuela Kraller being listed there.

[@davidbentley4032]

I reckon their current one, Ambre Vourvahis, would be in with a shout.

[@samuelspade8313]

02:51 - name of the song? Anyone, please!

[@spupydo]

Sensorium by Epica. That was in the Paradiso show in 2006.

[@jrim8889]

Intresting canditates.It looks that Anette was not the best singer of those?

[@daveweeks4748]

Simone Simons was very good here too.

[@Fidel_L.Bousquet1970]

My guess: they wanted someone who sounded completely different from Tarja. Most of the candidates had that "operatic" voice, they chose a more "poppy" singer.

[@stasa-X]

Anette gave her voice in two masterpieces album,best selling till today DPP, so she was a very good singer indeed.

[@nicholew350]

@@Fidel_L.Bousquet1970 Actually, that's exactly what they wanted. Toumas said he didn't want a Tarja copycat? I can't remember the exact word he used. He said that Tarja was the best in her genre, so he didn't want to replace her with another classical singer.

[@jrim8889]

@@nicholew350 That propably right.And i dont mean that Anette is a bad singer,she is great but pop-style.

[@SuperNecrophobe]

Are you sure Olivia and Vibeke wanted to join?

[@Matt-rn7ub]

There were some pretty good candidates, where I ask myself why they had not been chosen. Then again, if they had, its possible they might still be with Nightwish and Floor had never come to join. So, was it fate? Was it luck? ... May be we never know.😂