My Story As Metal Frontman #24: Marko Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot)

Former Nightwish bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala sat down with Chaoszine to discuss about his journey as a metal vocalist.
Interviews, news, articles, reviews and more: chaoszine.net
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► Interview: Arto Mäenpää
► Editing: Tero Tuohenmaa
► Thumbnail: John Wins

[@chaoszine]

Remember if you like the content please subscribe to our channel or drop a like or comment! It helps us a lot with our channel. Which vocalist should we feature next in the series? Upcoming episodes will feature Noora Louhimo of Battle Beast and Tomas Lindberg from At The Gates!

[@bn5202]

Tomi Joutsen please 🙏

[@chaoszine]

@@bn5202 Yes that has been noted and will happen at some point yes. 😊👍

[@bn5202]

@@chaoszine haha thank you. He my favorite vocalist! I love this series! Thank you for this !

[@TomTomson81]

One of the best and unique male metal voices in the world. We love you Marko.

[@mikaelpagdades1751]

Indeed he is.Definitely one of the best male vocalists of all time,yeah we do love you Marco the great.

[@stewiew1151]

I'm so glad Marko is doing well. Thank you for doing this interview with him!

[@rabenhexe964]

Marko is irreplaceable for me. It's a shame he left Nightwish as without him it is no longer the same. However, I respect his decision to step away to focus on his health. A healthy and happy Marko is what matters most. ❤

[@martinekok4314]

I meant to say the same. Most important Marko is happy and healthy.

[@hengedy]

One of the best voices in metal imho. 🤘

[@ericlenouy8756]

Thanks a lot ! It's so heartwarming to hear Marko again, to see him smile and being relaxed ! He's such a sweetheart and amazing Artist 🥰

[@danieljanostik3564]

YES!

[@frostihasenknopf6076]

Yes, yes, yes

[@frostihasenknopf6076]

I've sean nightwish in Munic. It was great, but not the same without mirco😢

[@silvia4810]

So ein liebenswerter, wunderbarer Mensch. Marko ist ein ganz besonderer Künstler . Er strahlt Liebe aus durch und durch. Ich mag ihn so sehr und ich wünsche ihm alles Glück der Erde. Marko und seine Musik bereichert mein Leben. Danke 🙏🏼

[@Jim-be8sj]

Absolute legend. Almost a perfect definition of a real rock star.

[@summer.of.69]

My favorite musician. I love his voice and the way he sings, it gets under my skin. I also like his style. Pure, masculine, no frills. You recognize him immediately

[@torstenbuchwald8468]

Schön Marko so frisch und entspannt zu sehen. Das Leben geht halt manchmal differenzierte Wege. Und Markos Weg ist Musik. Und der Weg ist sicherlich noch lange nicht zu Ende. Aber man lebt auch für seine Familie. Und das erdet jeden. Diese Kraft benötigt man um weitergehen zu können. Gerade mit der Krankheit Depression. Wünsche Marko diese Kraft und die Liebe die es brauchst um das weitergeben zu können, was ihm gegeben ist.

[@inconceivabledark]

Legend 🙌

[@LADYROCK]

He is truly missed in Nightwish, it's good to know that he is doing well. Fantastic interview, so many things that I didn't know. One of the best voices of the genre. Long live to the Viking 🤘🤘

[@godmachine12]

Love his shirt and glasses. Cheers for these interviews in English for us non-Finnish speakers. \m/

[@thunderasmr]

I love Marko and his voice ❤️ I went to a Nightwish concert recently and it's just not the same band and not the same songs without him. I'm so happy to see he's doing well and oh, how I wish to see him on stage - as a solo artist, part of a band, anything 🥹

[@thesentinel5523]

Agreed. First Jukka, now Marco? The core of the band is just Tuomas and Emmpu now. I wasn't impressed by their new album either and it's a shame cause I loved "Endless Forms Most Beautiful"

[@weedidi7144]

@@thesentinel5523 To be fair, first Tarja, THEN Jukkan and Marko :P

[@hat8918]

​@@weedidi7144To be VERY fair, first Sami, then Tarja, then Anette, then Marko.

[@alexvuorovesi]

I fucking love this man. There are and were a lot of incredible heavy metal singers... but Marko has the most unique voice I've ever heard. Beautiful and powerful. My metal master.

[@michaeltovey02607]

You have made a huge contribution to Symphonic Rock Marko. So pleased to see you looking relaxed and in a good place.

[@aluminumfalcon552]

Marko is awesome! His voice goes so well with Tarja, Annette, and Floor’s vocals, but stands out so much on his own. I would have expected nobody else but him to win the Masked Singer Finland, congrats on that too!

[@littleraven28]

Very nice interview. I'm happy to see Marko is doing better. He's a great performer and an awesome singer. Has a great range and a very recognizable unique voice. I wish him the best and will definitely follow up on what he'll be doing. I just miss that epic beard 😉🤘🏽

[@Ilionej]

But why? The beard is still there. It's just.... in a resting state. :P

[@littleraven28]

@@Ilionej hahaha yeah, that's a good way to describe it. It's time however, that it gets out of hibernation. 😎

[@lunar_light]

I saw him at Helsinki Airport a few months ago! I did my best not to stare cause the securiy queue is probably the last place on earth a celebrity wants to get clocked, but it still made my day 😅🤘

[@TheWaldoking]

Nice to see Marko,he looks great

[@taja6950]

He has such a unique voice and am glad he's doing better.. Hope to see him some day, still didn't have this chance

[@Debbie338]

Thank you, Marko. It’s great to see this interview. We love you!

[@xXxArcher13xXx]

Can't help but love this guy so humble and friendly! ❤

[@RyanFullerton]

Marco is one of my favourite people in metal. This is such a great interview

[@vmaxbabe]

Thanks Chaoszine and Mr Hietala for sharing some good advice and voice insights on vocal pitfalls.

[@Mizri1]

I am just so happy to see Marko happy, relaxed, and rocking an awesome sweater. Thank you for this interview!

[@annaariza1575]

It is so good to see Marko back!!!

[@paulacosta7254]

Glad to see you are ok Marko🤗🎶🤘👏

[@nikkili8944]

Hey, it's nice to see Marko again. It's been a while... His voice is one of the most distinctive and iconic voices in Metal there's no doubt about that. His voice sounds effing epic and it's predestined for Metal.

[@VikingReacts]

I've missed this man :). Happy he is doing well!

[@jeffwolinski2659]

One of my favorite humans on this planet, even though I've never met him personally! Great interview, excellent questions.

[@broadcast2k9]

Such a sympathic guy - thank you for everything, Marko!

[@ValtteL]

Great job Arto and Tero, as always. Great to see Marko in a good mood.

[@nightmary]

Enjoyed the interview very much. Wish it had been much longer!

[@chaoszine]

It was supposed to be around vocals so that is why it follows the series. Thanks for the good feedback! 🤟

[@nightmary]

@@chaoszine This is wonderful because that means there could be more interviews with him on other topics! Love your interviews.

[@NickBR57]

I could listen to Marco for a couple of hours, no problem at all.

[@Ilionej]

Don't we all wish for that... ;)

[@nastualex2033]

Looking forward to hear some new material from Marko.

[@lordkiller977]

This channel is incredible. Thanks so much for this interviews. Subscribed, obviously

[@stasa-X]

I am glad that Marko doing well and has good mood. I can understand you Marko,we have the same age and every years who passed i feel more tired 😴 and i want to work less and to sleep more. Nightwish is a great band but has high demands and hours of concerts, travels and tours. I was angry for days after you left from the band but it's okay,you continue to be musician and singer so i will follow in your next solo albums or your other projects, bands, whatever. Great interview as always in English, thank you very much.

[@dutchman7623]

Why? Nothing is forever... And if you are not happy with your job, situation, relation, of the moment, you'd better change it, or you'll be desperately unhappy. Wise choice. Seems to do him well, and that's the only thing that matters.

[@stasa-X]

Yes i do agree with you,he looks fine and maybe 🤔 he will create great music by himself now, he is happy and i must be okay with that.

[@beatricepeter995]

To the point .Good questions , good answers .As for the advice of Marko holds true for us Rocker fans too ...

[@marita2g]

Amazing interview! Thanks :D Its lovely to hear about Mark's influences and his journey with rock/metal :D

[@nassj6593]

Good interview! It’s nice to hear Marko doing well and with the spirit to make jokes and talk scout his career again. Hope to see his work again on the big or small stages around the world

[@marttivuorinen8475]

"You dont win hundred meter races without running some f.cking kilometers first" 😍😍 That goes with pretty much everything in life.

[@jkpkomunalacleskovac5632]

I see optimism in you and the desire to create many future hits. You are an inspiration to many young people who honestly and innocently look at the music world, such as my son who loves rock, and that's why I understand that it is not easy to carry such a burden on your back. But you are chosen and you are handling it well. Greetings from Serbia!

[@danieljanostik3564]

Guys. thank you very much for this awesome interview! Me being a musician and a vocalist myself it helped me very much! And I also enjoy Marko just talking! Next interview could be about Marko's bass and guitar skills! Thanks again so much!

[@FilPol-yu1es]

One of my all-time Favorite musicians.🔥

[@ireneraw]

Nice interview Marko. In the 90s I didn't "know" you at all. I'm a late bloomer 😜. But from the moment I came into contact with your music, I was sold. Both the music, but also your voice. Something in it touches you. The pure, raw and also the sensitivity in it. Top. So yes, I am also one of those people who like to hear you sing. Anyway, glad you're back!

[@dainguyen1732]

cool to see Marko doing well; Nightwish is evolving again...curious to see how 2023 new album will sound without Marko. Another evolution!

[@chaoszine]

I think 2024 album? 🤔

[@houseofouseyOfficial]

I think the orchestra is being recorded this year for it(Tuomas saiddd in an interview)so likely we will hear it next year....

[@mennawaris144]

Thanks, this was interesting. Having said that, I could listen Marko talk all day even if it was about the weather :D

[@kratosboy3942]

Is good to see Marko once again. He seems in a really good mood. 😁

[@Latexi_LMX]

Thanks for this interview, good job!

[@chaoszine]

Thank you for the nice words. =)

[@ruebeb9418]

Thanks, great questions!

[@Ilionej]

Thanks a lot for doing this! Refreshing topic with good flow of questions and a well needed punch against this vast pool of usual paparazzi-style interviews out there. Keep yours coming upon them!

[@p15541]

God I miss Tarot and their gigs❤️

[@frostihasenknopf6076]

The best male metal voice ever.

[@CryogenicFire]

I absolutely adore this man 😍 He is a phenomenal musician and vocalist with a ridiculous amount of stage presence. An absolute metal god 🤘

[@terric703]

Hi, Marko! Looking good! Excited to see what's next for you.

[@eaglepass5170]

Wonderful!!!!

[@pdutchie4924]

Thanks, nice talk 👍🏻

[@jws6181]

Great he is so much better now, looks like a down to earth and nice man...such a great singer and musician.. still mis him in Nightwish...also I like Jukka too, but Marko is such a Great performer on stage

[@markwilken2492]

He’s as good as it gets. Whoever he ends up with is insanely lucky

[@petarpernar8249]

Puno pozdrava marku hitelu ujedno i savršeno flor cijeloj ekipi dragi bog vas čuvao da nam još dugo pjevate kad čujem vaše pjesme sze na oči mi krenu i nemogu prestati puno sreće želim vam i radosti u životu najbolji ste na svijetu Petar hrvatska

[@rolandconnor575]

He is one of the greatest. And hopefully after Nightwish takes their 2 year (?) hiatus after this June tour, and Floor's new child is a little grown and the Pandemic is far far behind all of us, Marko will be back! Take care sir. Nightwish Army SW B.C. Canadian division reporting.

[@sarahm989]

"If you hear me screaming, dig it!" I want this on a mug or a T shirt! 🤘💪

[@coojoe63]

Love this man.

[@houseofouseyOfficial]

Love his vocals,while your lips are still red is one of my favourites from nightwish,dont know why it isnt on Dark Passion Play

[@Kvasaari]

Kiinnostava haastis. Toivottavasti kuullaan tulevaisuudessa lisää laulua Markolta.

[@Cryst4lSn0w]

good to hear about Marko, fucking love him

[@PersephoneSkye_]

Excellent interview and great insight for me as a vocalist :-) ...Phil Anselmo 🔥⚡

[@chaoszine]

He would be dream guest. Lets see if it ever happens. 🤟

[@jp16k92]

I thought I was an atheist, but no, I have god and his name is Marko!

[@florealore8404]

Love him ❤️

[@PowermadNavigator]

This man and his musical work are unique and all-encompassing. I wish he had the time to work more with Tarot and with Tommi Salmela, their synergy (pun intended) was one of a kind and quite infamous.

[@KleberFainer]

So almost like as an "accident" Marco became a vocalist, it was on a very similar fashion that another great Metal vocalist became a vocalist, Andre Matos with his first band Viper in the 80's... (=

[@freeuser616]

marco marco marco...so sad you quit NW one year before i learned to know about this great band.. now i have no chance to see you perform live with NW which makes me very sad😢

[@merileopardisaksassa7030]

I literally moved to Finland to study and culdn't wait to see them and Marko left before I could. At least we had his Northern Kings performance this year! That was awesome. Good luck catching him! He's awesome in all his other projects and absolutely worth seeing without Nightwish.

[@kharisth]

My idol

[@GorcStew]

Kinda annoyed he sort of shat on his performance in Century Child lol. His "Dead to the World" voice still gives me goosebumps till this day. The first time I heard it I thought it was another singer...this guy has so much range.

[@silviahannak3213]

So young. Oh my Lords and Ladies. Ok i want to know when the others started. Oh didn't know that. So sorry for him..because of his Voice.

[@keeradeliarett1199]

❤

[@th.hermann6429]

Marko and Floor, the Best vocal Harmonie in metal

[@KleberFainer]

Nice Jäger mic!

[@stevanoutdoor]

Still miss Marko

[@KleberFainer]

Fun and irrelevant fact about Marco: years ago he married a brazilian woman and she is from my town, a close friend of mine was the translator of the marriage ceremony.

[@furdturgeson_89]

Would actually be nice to hear someone comment or ask a question regarding his bass playing, gear, technique, etc… Always about his vox (which are awesome - btw…don’t get me wrong…)

[@jws6181]

Yes a agree🎸

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Agreed, his voice overshadows his bass playing at times, but he is a great bass player.

[@Closminding]

So Maco was originally influenced by Ritchie Blackmore who's still going strong of course with wife Candice who sing in Metal. Fascinating

[@fixedatzerolol]

Wow, what a charismatic guy. Seems so humble and down to earth. Didn´t expect that, tbh, but I´m very positively surprised!

[@giseledelfontes]

He's a little bit crazy... But that's what I like about him 💛

[@phlr]

Saw Nightwish earlier this year and I missed Marko dearly. His parts are not the same without him. Not even close.

[@luiscarlosgb1150]

I always wonder if being part of Nightwish is a big nightmare? When they leave they all feel like so relieved and they talk like if they woke from a bad dream

[@lekalla]

I have heard Tarja and Anette say they have mostly nice memories from their days in NW and i'm sure Marko has too.

[@TenyoGeorgiev]

I honestly believe it is related mostly to the work ethic and how the members perceive the band. Tarja was not happy that she didn't have creative control, hence she started working on a solo career on the side way before she got fired. Marko is also really artistic and wants to have a certain level of creative input. He also hates the "capitalism" in the music industry that is mostly affecting big bands like Nightwish. So naturally, he left. Anette was another story - they truly never got along it seems. There were constant fights (Anette's own words). On the other hand, we have Floor, who for a long time (almost 10 years), didn't want to write music. She needed quite some time to recover from the burnout. NW was a perfect choice for her, she sang the way she was told to and only had to learn the lyrics. And now she has her solo career on the side, but also loves being part of Nightwish. Long story short - if you are talented, but you don't want to write songs, and if you can bear Toumas' perfectionism and vision, you're probably a good pick for NW. Otherwise, your time with the band is limited. :D

[@nassj6593]

I see being on Nightwish and any popular band for that matter, as being high performance atheletes on a high profile team, Broadway actors or Ballet corporation. The work is hard and consuming because they have to give their best performance ever on each show (competition, presentation in these metaphors). And they have to work as a well oil machine as they are a team and if one of the team underperforms it reflects on the overall performance of all of them. I’m not saying anyone underperformed, but it means it probably is a high pressure environment which works if you love what you are doing and are in good health. If you are not that convinced, wish to be doing something else less time consuming or have health issues, then you need to evaluate your options . And that’s just the bassic elements. You still have to add if you like and trust your teammates, if your boss, coach, director, lead is someone with good leadership qualities (and even then you might get into rocky arguments), schedules , personal schedules , family , managers, sponsors, etc So I think if they sound more relaxed is not like they woke from a nightmare, but that they don’t have the same pressure being now solo or with less high profile bands

[@luiscarlosgb1150]

@@nassj6593 such a great analysis, kudos!

[@eoyguy]

SORELY missed in Nightwish, they just aren't the same without him.

[@jormalonnberg1578]

Enhän mä edes muista kuulleeni Tarot bandiä koskaan, mut Marcoa kyllä, Nightwishissä, ja soolona. Eniten mieleen on jääneet, nightwish ajalta liveversiot Islanderistä, ja sitten se englanninkielinen Isäni ääni kappaleesta The Voice of my father. Of course fantom of opera is allways good.

[@lekalla]

Suomen (maailman) parasta metallimediaa pitää tukea välillä. Ja Marko on 5/5🤘

[@NPK476]

Nightwish sucks now without him.

[@Sabouma28]

nah, they're still going strong.... they are different yes, but fine

[@matforsbon]

My GOD! Deep Purple is and has always been a Hard Rock Band. Fireball is a Rock song not Metal. Soon Mozart is Metal as well.

[@chaoszine]

Well Purple has been influence to tons of metal bands so that is why I guess people list some of their songs as "metal". 😊

[@artisancans3954]

What a sweet man..........