Longtime NIGHTWISH bandmates Marco Hietala and Tarja Turunen performed live together for the first time in 12 years during this past Thursday’s (December 14) “Raskasta Joulua” concert at the Elenia Areena in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

“Raskasta Joulua”, which translates to “Heavy Christmas,” is an all-star symphonic Christmas rock project which consists of Finland’s leading heavy metal vocalists and musicians.

Turunen was fired from NIGHTWISH at the end of the band’s 2005 tour by being presented with an open letter which was published on the NIGHTWISH web site at the same time. In the letter, the other members of NIGHTWISH wrote: “To you, unfortunately, business, money, and things that have nothing to do with emotions have become much more important.”

NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen later called the decision to part ways with Turunen “the most difficult thing I ever had to do.” For her part, Tarja said the way she was kicked out of the band proved that her former bandmates were not her friends. “Maybe one day I’ll forgive, but I will never forget,” she said.

Dutch singer Floor Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH in October 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band’s lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon.

As a member of NIGHTWISH, Turunen released five albums, as well as three live albums, one EP and fourteen singles between 1997 and 2005.

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net