Essentials:


Name: Marco Hietala

Instrument: Bass and Vocals

Date of birth: 14th of January 1966

Place of residence: Helsinki, Finland

Musical background: Marco has been playing bass and guitar for over 20 years, including stints in successful bands such as Sinergy and Tarot (with whom he still plays). He has studied musical theory, classical guitar and singing for four years and also has five years experience in studio engineering.

Bio:


Marco first took up bass duties for Nightwish in 2002 and most fans have now all but forgotten what the band was like without him. His impact has been huge, largely due to his onstage presence, classic ‘metalhead' look and as a result performing the male vocal duties on ‘Century Child' and forthcoming opus, ‘Once'.

But what of the man himself?

Marco Hietala was born on January 14 1966 in Helsinki , Finland , where he currently resides. Before joining Nightwish, he was already established as a musician in Finland after fronting his own band, Finnish metal legends Tarot, with whom he still plays. He has also played in Sinergy, the female fronted project featuring Children of Bodom's Alexi Laiho.

Considering his involvement in so many high profile bands, it is perhaps not surprising to learn that Marco has years of practical and academic musical experience behind him. He has played bass and guitar for over twenty years, writing his own songs throughout this period and also has five years studio engineering experience. With regards to the academic side of things, he spent four years studying music theory, singing and classical guitar. As a classic metal fan, he places the likes of Black Sabbath and Rainbow high on his list of influences.

In his spare time, Marco is perhaps typical of a male metal fan, enjoying sci-fi, movies, fantasy and horror fiction and computer games. He cites Tolkein as being his favourite author and in keeping with this, Lord of the Rings as his favourite book. He is also a fan of the recent Lord of the Rings movies, although the Star Wars films remain his favourite. With this in mind, it is perhaps not surprising that he states Babylon 5 to be his favourite television programme.

So, what does the future hold for Marco and Nightwish? Well, he will once again be contributing the male vocals on the bands upcoming album and no doubt, will be entertaining thousands upon thousands of fans on the upcoming ‘Once upon a Tour' trek. It is unquestionable that Marco is now as much a part of Nightwish as any other member and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.