Radio Metal conducted an interview with NIGHTWISH singer TARJA TURUNEN recently. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Radio Metal: Musically, even if people can’t help comparing your project to Nightwish’s, it stills remains really different and less accessible. Did you already have that kind of compositions in mind when you sang for Nightwish? Did you suggest them to the band then?

Turunen: "No. I have found my way. Music is a journey, it is like life. We treasure all the experiences we all have, they are part of us. Today my music is everything that I know, everything that I love, everything that I want, so of course Nightwish has been part of me, it is a huge part of me. Nightwish is still there, the music is still alive, it will never die. But my music is different since I compose myself. I hear what it is here, it is wonderful."

Radio Metal: Can you tell us something about your collaboration with the SCORPIONS on a song from their last album? It looks like it happened by accident….

Turunen: "I don’t know if it is an accident (laughs) for me it is a very good accident! (laughs) It was very nice! The request came from Scorpions management and right after Klaus Meine called me directly so we spoke a lot on the phone, I heard him telling me that they have been following my career, that they liked my voice and that they liked me to be part of their album. They even gave me two songs to chose from which was amazing! I could choose which one I preferred and I chose 'The Good Die Young'."

Radio Metal: What was the second choice?

Turunen: "Don’t ask me because I really don’t remember the song, it was obvious for me, immediately when I heard it: 'No! Next! This one? Yes!' I loved the project, it was such an honour to be part of it."

Radio Metal: Do you consider doing a guest appearance at one of their gigs to sing 'The Good Die Young' or invite Klaus Meine at some point?

Turunen: "It would be lovely! We have been talking about it many times and it would eventually happen before they stop everything."

Radio Metal: Is it completely inconceivable for you to get involved in a band again?

Turunen: "No, nothing is impossible. It is just that I want to be happy with everything I do today musically. If I’m happy, I’m 100% in it, I want to work on it, to love it, to put all my guts in it! So a band? Yeah! Why not? But if you asked me now, it would be very difficult since I don’t have time, but it would be fun."

Radio Metal: Out of curiosity, did you listen to the album Dark Passion Play? What do you think of Anette Olzon’s work?

Turunen: "I am not the right person to answer this question! I’m so sorry! (laughs)"

Radio Metal: I am just asking you what do you think of her way of singing, it is a simple question…

Turunen: "What I’ve heard… I wish all the band all the best and lots of happiness, that’s all I can tell you really."

Radio Metal: Do you think you could go back on stage with the band when time will have passed?

Turunen: "No… (laughs)"

Check out the complete interview at this location.