NIGHTWISH keyboardist and chief songwriter Tuomas Holopainen has revealed he has already written six songs for the band's eleventh studio album, describing himself as "more inspired than ever". The comments, made to Metal Hammer magazine, suggest the Finnish symphonic metal band are pressing ahead with new material despite an extended live hiatus, with Holopainen indicating studio time has been pencilled in for 2027, the follow-up to 2024's "Yesterwynde".

Holopainen, 49, said he wants to complete another album before NIGHTWISH return to touring, ruling out shows next year but leaving the door open for 2027, which would mark the band's 30th anniversary. Bandmates have offered differing signals on the group's plans: singer Floor Jansen recently said there was "nothing planned" for the coming months, while guitarist-collaborator Troy Donockley described an open-ended hiatus taken to avoid burnout, while hinting at possible live activity to mark the anniversary.