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Floor Jansen

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Floor Jansen
Jansen live with Nightwish in 2022 at Hellfest
Jansen live with Nightwish in 2022 at Hellfest
Background information
Born (1981-02-21) 21 February 1981 (age 43)
OriginGoirle, North Brabant, Netherlands
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • vocal coach
Years active1997–present
Member of
Formerly of
Websitefloorjansen.com

Floor Jansen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈfloːr ˈjɑnsə(n)]; born 21 February 1981) is a Dutch singer and songwriter. She is the third and current lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish.

Jansen first became known as the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band After Forever from 1997, when she joined at age 16, to their disbanding in 2009. When After Forever disbanded, she formed ReVamp and has released two albums with them. In 2012 following the departure of their lead vocalist Anette Olzon, Nightwish brought in Jansen as a touring member until the end of their Imaginaerum World Tour. In 2013, they announced Jansen was now their full-time lead vocalist; she subsequently disbanded ReVamp to focus on Nightwish. In 2018, she and Pagan's Mind guitarist Jørn Viggo Lofstad premiered their hard rock duo Northward.

A frequent collaborator of Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Jansen is a member of his progressive metal supergroup Star One, and sang in the Ayreon albums Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer, 01011001, and The Source, as well as the live album Ayreon Universe – The Best of Ayreon Live. She also sang lead vocals in several songs of the MaYan album Quarterpast and in Avalon's Angels of the Apocalypse. She is the older sister of fellow singer Irene Jansen, who also worked with Ayreon.

Biography

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After Forever (1997–2009)

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Jansen with After Forever at the Masters of Rock festival in 2007

Jansen was sixteen when she joined Apocalypse (later known as After Forever) in 1997. Three years later the band released its first album, Prison of Desire. She co-wrote the band's words and music with Mark Jansen (no relation) until he left in 2002, after which she was the band's sole composer.[1] Before becoming a full-time musician, she worked as a singing teacher.[2]

Because of the burnout that After Forever bandmate Sander Gommans underwent, the band took a year off starting in January 2008 but ultimately decided to call it quits in February 2009. Jansen posted on her website that she was writing music with Jørn Viggo Lofstad (Pagan's Mind, Jørn Lande) for a new musical project, but the two did not publish as Northward until ten years later.[3]

ReVamp (2009–2016)

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ReVamp performing live in Oslo in September 2010

On 17 October 2009, Jansen announced via MySpace that the name of her new band was ReVamp.[4] ReVamp's first album was produced with After Forever keyboardist Joost van den Broek, bass player Jaap Melman (formerly of Dreadlock Pussy)[5] and guitarist Waldemar Sorychta (Grip Inc., Voodoocult, Eyes of Eden and Despair) as songwriters and producers. The final line-up of ReVamp featured keyboardist Ruben Wijga, bass player Jaap Melman, guitarists Jord Otto and Arjan Rijnen and drummer Matthias Landes.

In August 2011, Van Canto announced on Facebook, that ReVamp would no longer participate in their Out of the Dark tour, as Jansen suffered a burnout herself.[6][non-primary source needed]

In late 2011, Jansen joined her former bandmate Mark Jansen in his band Mayan's Latin American tour, performing in São Paulo. In 2012, Jansen joined Adrenaline Mob on stage in Bochum and Weert. ReVamp's second album, Wild Card, was released in 2013.[7]

ReVamp announced its breakup in September 2016, citing Floor Jansen's inability to participate fully in both ReVamp and Nightwish.[8][non-primary source needed]

Nightwish (2012–present)

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After Nightwish's previous lead vocalist Anette Olzon parted ways with the band, Jansen acted as Nightwish's live lead vocalist for the remainder of the Imaginaerum World Tour in 2012.[9] Her first show with the band was in Seattle in October. When commenting on the experience, she said:[9]

There was this evil voice in my head that said, 'What on earth do you think you're doing? You don't know these songs, you've had no time to learn them'. And everybody in the venue was holding a cell phone, so it would be on YouTube straight away.

Jansen live with Nightwish in 2013, before being promoted to permanent member later that year

On 9 October 2013, Nightwish announced Jansen as Olzon's permanent replacement in the band.[10] In 2015, Nightwish released their first studio album featuring Jansen as the lead vocalist, which was Endless Forms Most Beautiful.[11] The second studio album with Jansen as lead vocalist, Human. :II: Nature., was released on 10 April 2020.[12] The third studio album with Jansen as lead vocalist, Yesterwynde, was released on 20 September 2024.[13]

Jansen live with Nightwish in 2015 during the Endless Forms Most Beautiful tour

Solo career (2020–present)

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Jansen performed her first solo concert in January 2020. Due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the final shows of the tour had to be postponed, and finally took place in summer 2021. [14] On 2 August 2021, Jansen had confirmed in an interview that she is working on a solo album.[15][16] The album has been aimed for a 2023 release.[17] Jansen released her first single "Fire" on 25 March 2022.[18] Her second solo single, "Storm", was released on 27 May 2022.[17] Her third solo single, "Me Without You", was released on 8 September 2022.[19] The fourth solo single called "Invincible" was released on 13 January 2023. The album, called Paragon was released on 24 March 2023.

Jansen was the opening act for Metallica in Amsterdam on 29 April 2023 at the last minute, when American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch had canceled their appearance that night.[20]

Other works

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Three albums by the Dutch composer and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen's project Ayreon include guest vocals from Jansen: she sang backing vocals on "My House on Mars" from the album Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer, played the character of Forever, referred to as Ω, (Coincidentally, Jansen used the Ω symbol as an emblem for her band Revamp, and she has the symbol tattooed on her wrist) on seven songs from the album 01011001, and was featured as a character named The Biologist on the album The Source. She is also a member of Lucassen's heavy metal supergroup Star One, and was featured on the studio albums Space Metal and Victims of the Modern Age. She was also featured in the 2018 live album Ayreon Universe – The Best of Ayreon Live.

On 9 December 2013, she was also announced as the main vocalist, playing the lead role, for the second full-length album of former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki's metal opera act Avalon.[21] The album, Angels of the Apocalypse, was released on 16 May 2014. She has also been a guest for the metal band Nightmare.

On 22 February 2018, Northward, a hard rock project by Jansen and Pagan's Mind guitarist Jørn Viggo Lofstad, was unveiled. The two created the project in 2007, writing an entire album worth of music in 2008 but being unable to record previously due to their busy schedules; they ultimately reunited in 2017 to finally record the album, which was released on 19 October 2018 under their signed label Nuclear Blast.[22] The album features a duet between Jansen and her sister Irene.[23][non-primary source needed]

In 2019, Jansen participated in the Dutch reality TV show Beste Zangers. In the last episode she partnered with classical singer Henk Poort to perform "The Phantom of the Opera", which was later released as a single. It reached number one on the Dutch single charts, and allowed Jansen to go on a sold-out solo tour in the Netherlands.[24] She also won the Popprijs 2019, a prestigious Dutch award for the artist or band with an important contribution to Dutch pop music in the past year.[25] Among her other performances for Beste Zangers was a solo version of "Shallow", and a separate acoustic duet version of the same song with Tim Akkerman.[24] In 2022, she performed in the German version of Beste Zangers: "Sing meinen Song - Das Tauschkonzert".[26]

Personal life

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As a child, she wanted to be a biologist; coincidentally, she played the character "The Biologist" in the Ayreon album The Source.[27]

Between 2014 and 2015, Jansen lived in Joensuu, the capital of North Karelia.[28]

Jansen was previously in a relationship with After Forever guitarist Sander Gommans.[29][30]

On 18 September 2016, it was announced that Jansen and her husband, Sabaton drummer Hannes Van Dahl, were expecting their first child.[31][32] On 15 March 2017, Jansen announced via Instagram that she had given birth to a girl.[33] On 20 October 2023, she announced the birth of their second daughter.[34]

Jansen is vegetarian.[35]

In 2018, a new species of beetle was discovered by scientist Andreas Weigel and named Tmesisternus floorjansenae after Jansen.[36][37] Jansen thereby became the second Nightwish member to be a namesake for a newly discovered species, following Tuomas Holopainen, after whom had been named a species of fungus gnat discovered in 2017 by Finnish biologist Jukka Salmela.[38][non-primary source needed]

In 2020 a new species of brittle star, Ophiomitrella floorae of the late Maastrichtian age (c. 66.7 Ma), was named after her.[39]

On 26 October 2022, Jansen announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing surgery the following day.[40] Two days following the announcement, Jansen confirmed that the surgery had gone well.[41] On 18 November, Jansen announced that she was now cancer free.[42]

Singing style

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Jansen can sing from classical to belting and raspy vocals like screaming and death growls.[43][44][45] She is a soprano with a range of more than three octaves (C3 to F6[46]).[47][48][49][50]

Jansen started studying music at the Dutch Rock Academy in 1999, entering the Conservatorium Tilburg three years later. She studied musical theatre and a year of opera.[43][44] When After Forever split up, she started teaching, performing in her own course called Wanna be a Star?![citation needed]

She used to play the guitar, piano and flute and has completed several years of music studies.[51][52]

Discography

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Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Nuclear Blast Records (3 April 2007). "After Forever – Interview w/ Floor Jansen + Joost van den Broek (Part 1)". Retrieved 17 October 2015 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Nightwish: Floor Jansen, Tuomas Holopainen and Marco Hietala on making the cut as a musician". The Cut. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Biography". Floor Jansen. 2015. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Name of my new band!". blogs.myspace.com. 17 October 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  5. ^ "Former After Forever Singer's Revamp: First Full Length Song Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Van Canto post". Facebook.com. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Official website". ReVamp Music. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Facebook announcement – No More Revamp". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b Everley, Dave (8 December 2015). "How Nightwish became a modern metal phenomenon". Metal Hammer. Team Rock. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Press release // October 9th, 2013". Nightwish.com. 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Nightwish To Release 'Endless Forms Most Beautiful' Album In March". Blabbermouth.net. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Nightwish detail new double studio album Human. :II: Nature". Louder. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Nightwish announces new album 'Yesterwynde'". www.nightwish.com. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Watch FLOOR JANSEN Perform NIGHTWISH Classics At First Pandemic-Era Solo Concert". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  15. ^ "FLOOR JANSEN: 'I Would Like To Find A Way To Combine A Solo Career With NIGHTWISH'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  16. ^ "NIGHTWISH Vocalist FLOOR JANSEN - "I've Been Working On A Solo Album Since The Beginning Of The Pandemic"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  17. ^ a b Scarlett, Liz (27 May 2022). "Nightwish's Floor Jansen releases the theatrical and uplifting ballad Storm". Metal Hammer. Louder Sound. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Nightwish's Floor Jansen Announces 'Fire' Solo Single". Blabbermouth.net. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Nightwish's Floor Jansen Releases Third Solo Single, 'Me Without You'". Blabbermouth.net. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Watch: Nightwish's Floor Jansen Performs In Amsterdam As Support Act For Metallica". Blabbermouth.net. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Floor Jansen is the main vocalist on Avalon II, the album and European tour planned for May 2014". Avalon Opera.com. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  22. ^ "NORTHWARD Feat. NIGHTWISH Singer And PAGAN'S MIND Guitarist: 'While Love Died' Video Released". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Floor Jansen and Jørn Viggo Lofstad's hard rock project signs to Nuclear Blast and announces first album!". Facebook. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  24. ^ a b "NIGHTWISH's FLOOR JANSEN Kicks Off Solo Tour In Nijmegen (Video)". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 25 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Zangeres Floor Jansen wint Popprijs 2019". NU. 18 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Floor Jansen part of Sing Meinen Song!". Floor Jansen homepage. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Ayreon – The Day That The World Breaks Down – The Source (2017)". YouTube. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  28. ^ Ahjopalo, Janne (28 June 2014). "Nightwishin Floor Jansen yllättää muuttamalla Itä-Suomeen". YLE (in Finnish). Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  29. ^ Begai, Carl. "EPICA - THE ECSTASY OF AGONY". Bravewords. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 1)". YouTube. FaceCulture. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Nightwish Singer Floor Jansen Is Four Months Pregnant". 18 September 2016.
  32. ^ "Nightwish singer Floor Jansen is four months pregnant". 17 September 2016.
  33. ^ Jansen, Floor. "Floor Jansen on Instagram: "In perfect health our daughter…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  34. ^ "NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen and SABATON drummer Hannes Van Dahl welcome their second child – Arrow Lords of Metal". Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  35. ^ Michea, Martin (4 December 2016). "Interviews : "This is who we are. This is what a Nightwish show is like." – An Interview With Floor Jansen (Nightwish)". Metalobsession. Retrieved 4 December 2016. I don't really have a favourite dish or anything, but I'm a vegetarian.
  36. ^ "Newly Discovered Species of Beetle Named After Nightwish Singer Floor Jansen". 9 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Tmesisternus floorjansenae Weigel, 2018". 2018.
  38. ^ Jansen, Floor. "Floor Jansen on Facebook: "This fine example of the endless forms most beautiful species on this green planet was discovered last year by Andreas Weigel. He named the beetle 'Tmesisternus floorjansenae Weigel, 2018. How special to have the honor of having a beautiful animal named after me."". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  39. ^ "Author Interview: A new ophiacanthid brittle star (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from sublittoral crinoid and seagrass communities of late Maastrichtian age in the southeast Netherlands". Peerj.com. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  40. ^ "Nightwish's Floor Jansen Diagnosed With Breast Cancer". Blabbermouth.net. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  41. ^ "Nightwish-forsanger Floor Jansen har fået konstateret brystkræft". SE og H��R (in Danish). 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  42. ^ Scarlett, Liz (18 November 2022). "Nightwish's Floor Jansen reveals she is now cancer free". Louder Sound. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  43. ^ a b "Interview – Floor Jansen of ReVamp & Nightwish". Cryptic Rock. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  44. ^ a b Ashmedai (18 August 2013). "Pulling A Wild Card: An Interview With ReVamp". Metal Blast!. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  45. ^ May, Ant (15 March 2015). "Nightwish – Endless forms most beautiful – Preview". PlanetMosh. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  46. ^ "Digging Deeper: Axl Rose is NOT the Singer With the Widest Range". VVN Music. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  47. ^ "After Forever – Invisible Circles". Metalreviews. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  48. ^ Franco, Nicholas (23 December 2013). "Revamp – Wildcard (Album review)". Crypticrock. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  49. ^ "NIGHTWISH Launches 'Evolution Series' Jewelry Collection". Blabbermouth. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  50. ^ "Floor Jansen The Range Planet". The Range Planet. Retrieved 12 December 2021. Voice type: Soprano Vocal range: C3-F6
  51. ^ "After Forever". Musical Discoveries. 13 June 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  52. ^ "Review of Decipher – The Album". Musical Discoveries. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2015.

Bibliography

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  • Isoaho, Timo (2018). Nightwish – We Were Here (English ed.). Latvia: Deggael Communications. ISBN 978-952-99749-3-1.
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