Nightwish Drummer Jukka Nevalainen Steps Away From Band Due to Chronic Insomnia

We've seen musicians step away from bands over the years due to a number of physical ailments, but here's one that is a bit out of the ordinary. Nightwish drummer Jukka Nevalainen has revealed that he's taking a break from the band in order to address an issue with chronic insomnia.

The drummer taped a video that can be seen above in which he discusses his condition and how it has affected his playing within the Finnish symphonic metal band. Nevalainen states that while he will not be touring or recording on the band's new album, he does intend to remain active in the band's day-to-day affairs.

His statement reads as follows:

How to begin telling something that you wouldn’t want to have to tell, although you know that the decision you made is the only (at least the only right) one you could make at the moment? I face this dilemma now, and will do my best to find the right words.
For a number of years, I have suffered from occasional but very difficult insomnia, something that has been my unwanted companion during many of our tours, too. I’ve done my best to try to control it or at least to cope with it. Still, we don’t even really know why we need sleep, so unfortunately there’s not much information available on why some of us suffer from sleeplessness. There is no 100% cure for the problem.
During the last month, it has become evident for me that due to my insomnia, I can’t fulfill my duties as a musician in the way that I’d want and with the precision that the music deserves. Thus I have decided to step aside from my duties as the drummer of Nightwish during the recording of the forthcoming album and the subsequent tour. I will still be involved in managing the day-to-day affairs of the band, but the dearest and the most important thing, playing, is, for the time being, not possible. Time will tell what the future holds.
On a personal level, my decision obviously feels indescribably sad. Fortunately, looking at it with some distance, it is “just” part of the constant, inevitable ebb and flow of life. The sad things are part of it as well as the beautiful, unforgettable experiences and adventures that I’ve already had the pleasure to experience in spades. Surely, there will still be many adventures ahead, too.
My good friend Kai Hahto will play drums on the forthcoming album. I’m extremely grateful that he didn’t hesitate for a minute when he decided to help us in this challenging situation. What comes to touring, everything is still open, but we will let you know as soon possible what the line-up will be.
If beginning this was hard, so is ending it. So maybe I will just quote something fitting.
“You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.”― Eckhart Tolle

Nightwish have called upon Wintersun drummer Kai Hahto to sit in with them during the recording of their forthcoming album. Hahto has the complete support of his Wintersun bandmates, who offered the following statement:

We are very proud to announce that Kai has officially joined Nightwish, filling in for their drummer Jukka Nevalainen who has had to step down because of serious insomnia. 
A long time friend of the group and having already worked as a drum tech for previous Nightwish albums, Kai will be now sharing his drumming skills live and in studio with these legends of female-fronted symphonic metal.
Being used to pulling double duty from playing previously in multiple other bands (Swallow The Sun, Rotten Sound, Max On The Rox etc.) Kai stays as a full-time member of Wintersun continuing to record and tour with band. Right now Wintersun is preparing for the Summer Breeze festival happening in Germany next week.
We wish Jukka Nevalainen all the best and a successful recovery!

Nightwish just signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment in North America for their upcoming release. All the best to Jukka Nevalainen on his recovery!