According to Loudwire, Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish has finally revealed who will be replacing their longtime bass player, Marco Hietala, who formally resigned from the band in January. Hietala cited chronic depression and disillusionment with the state of the music industry as reasons for his resignation.
Jukka Koskinen of the Helsinki metal band Wintersun will join the group as their bassist, joining them on their upcoming “Human. :II: Nature.” tour. Koskinen is 39-years-old and has also done time with the acts Cain’s Offering, Norther, Dark Sarah and Amberian Dawn.
Jukka Koskinen will be our session bass player and join us for our Human. :||: Nature. world tour! Finally we can share the awaited news with you all!
Let’s welcome @jukkiskoskinen on board! pic.twitter.com/vkGUiOzIIo
— Nightwish (@NightwishBand) May 28, 2021
The band’s official Twitter account shared yesterday (May 28), “Jukka Koskinen will be our session bass player and join us for our Human. :||: Nature. world tour! Finally we can share the awaited news with you all!” The account went on to share a statement from Koskinen, who said “I couldn’t be more honoured to be part of the vehicle of spirit of Nightwish on its onward journey sharing special live moments to come on the Human. :II: Nature. – tour with all of you out there!”
Nightwish revealed their new bassist right before their pair of interactive live stream shows called “An Evening With Nightwish in a Virtual World,” which took place yesterday (May 28) and today (May 29). The live stream shows were Koskinen’s first onstage live performances with Nightwish.
The band’s drummer, Kai Hahto, is also a member of Wintersun alongside Koskinen.