Troy Donockley (pictured below), the English composer and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with NIGHTWISH both on the road and in the studio, has issued the following update from the band's current North American tour:

"'Keep calm and carry on....' Oh yes, indeedy. These were the famous words written on 'morale-boosting' posters by the British government at the beginning of [World War II].

"Now, I am not for one moment suggesting that the first half of our U.S. tour has been like the outbreak of the war, but those words are pretty bloody pertinent!

"Oh, how we love touring the States. It's trite to say that the fans here are so brilliant (they are, of course), because the fans are brilliant EVERYWHERE. But they have been particularly lovely to us; especially in light of the recent explosive events.

"Yes, a split with the singer Anette [Olzon] occurred, but it was really, really for the best. Believe me. The joy of this adventure was being wrecked and everyone was feeling very insecure... It was seriously interfering with our tasting sessions of the fine wines from the Napa Valley. Outrageous!

"I mean, we never could have predicted that myself and Tuomas [Holopainen, NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman] would find ourselves on stage, alone, asking an audience of over 1,600 in Denver to vote by a show of hands on whether the band should perform or not [after Anette was taken ill]. Touchingly, we were met by a sea of upraised hands; beautiful, but how surreal...

"Anyway, we have fully embraced the slogan from that heroic old poster, and we are all feeling a squillion times better. Our replacement singer, Floor [Jansen], is simply majestic and we are having fearless fun. And on evidence of the ecstatic response to the last two shows, the fans seem to understand that this 'vehicle of spirit' cannot be derailed so easily...."

Troy Donockley has built up a formidable reputation as both a composer/arranger and as a multi-instrumental musician/performer. He is a leading virtuoso of the uilleann pipes (and the low whistle) and has performed and is known all over the world. His music, which has been described as "a peculiar brand of epic classical-folk-progressive fusion," can be heard in TV, media and movies (such as "Robin Hood" and "Ironclad") and through various commissions. Troy co-founded the BBC Award-nominated band THE BAD SHEPHERDS and as a producer/musician has recorded and toured with various artists such as NIGHTWISH, Maddy Prior, Barbara Dickson, Maire Brennan (Clannad), MIDGE URE, Iona, Roy Harper, Lesley Garrett, STATUS QUO, Del Amitri, Alan Stivell, MOSTLY AUTUMN and many, many more.