NIGHTWISH Singer And SABATON Drummer Welcome Their Second Child

Lucy, the daughter of SABATON drummer Hannes Van Dahl and NIGHTWISH singer Floor Jansen, is the couple’s

second child.

Freja, Jansen and Van Dahl’s daughter, was born on March 15, 2017, making her six years old already.

The singer, who was born in the Netherlands, broke the news earlier today (Friday, October 20) on social media. She

wrote, “There she is! Freja, Lucy, Hannes, and her are holding hands in this photo that she shared.” We are

overjoyed to announce the arrival of Lucy, our second daughter! Freja, our older sister, is also overjoyed with our

little girl with black hair!

It is humbling to say that both our newborn girl and I are in excellent health, as health is not a guarantee! We ask

that you respect our privacy during this private time as we fully appreciate these unique moments! We are incredibly

grateful for all of the love and support we had throughout our pregnancy! Our beloved Lucy has officially joined this

lovely world.

Hannes was questioned by Spain’s Metal Journal, just before Freja was born, if his family status would affect his

capacity to tour with SABATON. Hannes stated: “Well, you know, nothing really changes in my opinion since this is

what I do and this is what I do for a profession. People in this industry have previously given birth. So, to allay any

concerns—I know a lot of people are concerned that I might leave the band—I will not be leaving. To the best of my

ability, I must go and be there with my family when the time comes. But I’m returning to touring after I’ve completed

that. I won’t go, therefore. I’ll be present.

Jansen had previously discussed the difficulties of being a parent and a touring musician for bands like

NIGHTWISH. In 2016, she stated to Radio Rock in Finland: “It’s a really difficult combination, of course, but I was

delighted that [NIGHTWISH] is a very open group; we can talk about things the way we are today, or have been,

actually. In fact, the males were intrigued as well. We started talking about it a few months ago, saying things like,

“So, 2017… What about children? Yes? Therefore, it’s a wonderful idea to brainstorm together: how can we integrate

it? In addition, my partner plays in a popular band that does a lot of touring. Yes, then you also require the

assistance of your family members.  Therefore, I don’t think that won’t work. Undoubtedly, it will present a problem,

but doesn’t a little SABATON or NIGHTWISH creche program sound wonderful?

Additionally, Jansen refuted reports that she will quit the band following the birth of her first child. She said, “No, I

won’t [quit NIGHTWISH],” on Mariskal Rock TV. Don’t worry, I adore this way too much. You don’t even harbour

any unfavourable conjectures. Everything is going well, so let’s continue indefinitely.”

The final performance by NIGHTWISH prior to their current tour break took place on June 17 at the Lemonsoft

Stadion in Vaasa.

Floor declared herself “cancer free” in November 2022, having had a tumour surgically removed in the wake of

receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.

NIGHTWISH shocked fans in April when they revealed that they will not be performing live for the foreseeable

future and that they would not be touring in promotion of their upcoming studio album, which is tentatively

scheduled for release in 2024.

“Paragon,” Floor’s first solo album, was released in March.

Jansen, who is a member of NIGHTWISH, has had two number one albums in Finland and Top Five placements in

the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Greece, Hungary, and Germany.

Jansen, who was born in the Netherlands, joined AFTER FOREVER, one of the earliest symphonic metal bands in

history, at the age of sixteen. Before disbanding in 2009, the group released five albums between 2000 and 2007.

In 2010 and 2013, Jansen’s subsequent group, REVAMP, put out two albums before she became a full-time member

of NIGHTWISH. The 2015 album “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” by NIGHTWISH marked the group’s debut with

Jansen as the lead vocalist and reached several Top 10 positions worldwide. “Human. :II: Nature.” from 2020, which

was also a worldwide hit, came after this.

Along with appearing on three of NIGHTWISH’s live albums—”Showtime, Storytime,” “Vehicle Of Spirit,” and

“Decades: Live In Concert”—Jansen has toured widely with the group.

Jansen appeared in the well-known Dutch TV program “Beste Zangers” in 2019, where she with Henk Poort co-

wrote the hit song “Phantom Of The Opera”. A Dutch Popprijs award, a distinguished honour given to musicians who

have significantly influenced Dutch music, was given to her. Her first solo tour that year sold out in less than a day.

In October 2012, Jansen made his live debut with NIGHTWISH at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington, following

the sudden departure of Anette Olzon, the band’s lead singer of five years. 2013 saw Jansen formally join

NIGHTWISH.