Floor Jansen leaves Nightwish, Iron Maiden drops its 2027 break

Floor Jansen and Nightwish have agreed to part ways after 13 years with her as the Finnish band's singer, according to Hard Force's weekly “Planète Metal” roundup of metal news from 12 to 18 October 2026. The same roundup reports that Iron Maiden, who had announced a break in 2027, changed their minds: the band will play 16 concerts in the United States between mid-April and mid-May, closing the “Run For Your Lives Tour” that marks their 50 years.

Metallica released official footage of “The Call Of Ktulu” and “...And Justice For All” from their 1 October show, the opening night of the 24-date “Life Burns Faster” residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. James Hetfield dedicated the first to Cliff Burton, while the second had been missing from the band's setlists since 2014.

Glenn Hughes, formerly of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, gave fans an update after eight days in hospital following ten-hour open-heart surgery. On Instagram, the 75-year-old said his aortic valve had been replaced, as in 2013, and that his energy was returning day by day.

Among the new music, Staind shared “Ghosts” from their ninth album, “The Space Between The Darkness And The Light”, due in 2027. Power Trip released “Precinct 3” and “Scavenger”, their first songs with singer Seth Gilmore, six years after the death of Riley Gale. The Smashing Pumpkins recorded “Black Stars” with producer Butch Vig for the soundtrack of “The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping”, their first work together in 32 years. Dream Theater have started on the follow-up to “Parasomnia” (2025).