Former Nightwish bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala recently opened up about the complex emotions surrounding his decision to leave the band four years ago. In an interview given to Metal Globalthe Finnish artist spoke about his struggles with depression, anxiety and the diagnosis of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) which profoundly changed his perception of himself.
A departure filled with regrets but dictated by mental health
Marko Hietala admitted that his decision to leave Nightwish in January 2021 was fraught with regret, even at the time he made it: “I already regretted it by the time I left… It wasn’t just Nightwish. I left everything else too. My struggle with depression and anxiety was constant. It got worse every year, and I held on until I realized that going on tour would be an insurmountable ordeal. I had to figure out what was wrong with me.”
Hietala shared that he isolated himself in Spain with his wife and dog to refocus and work with psychiatrists. It was during these consultations that he received a diagnosis of ADHD, finally explaining some of the problems he had been experiencing for years: “It’s a relief to know that there are things in your story that you just couldn’t control. It allowed me to forgive myself for my mistakes and also forgive others who didn’t understand.”
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A look at his years with Nightwish
Marko emphasized that he is still proud of the music he created with Nightwish, despite the difficulties he encountered: “Musically, I have no regrets. I loved being part of such a versatile and ambitious band, capable of going from soft and sensitive moments to powerful Metal pieces.”
-However, he criticized the group’s internal organization, saying that certain structural and relational aspects would need to be fundamentally overhauled before he considered any meeting: “Certain attitudinal and communication issues should be completely dismantled and made transparent if a return were ever to be considered.”
A new future with less weight
Today, Hietala seems to have found a certain balance. He described discovering his ADHD diagnosis as a turning point in his life: “Understanding that I could not act otherwise with the knowledge I had at the time allowed me to let go of a lot of guilt.”
His new solo album, Roses From The Deepwill be released on February 7, 2025 via Nuclear Blast, marking a new milestone in his career. Hietala continues her musical journey, this time as a solo artist, with a renewed perspective on her life and mental health.
