ERIC PETERSON Says TESTAMENT’s Collaboration With NIGHTWISH’s FLOOR JANSEN Is ‘Not Gonna Happen’
In a world where genre lines are increasingly blurred and unexpected collaborations are more common than ever, fans of heavy metal and symphonic rock were recently abuzz with speculation about a potential collaboration between Testament’s guitarist Eric Peterson and Nightwish’s powerhouse vocalist Floor Jansen. The idea alone generated considerable interest online, with forums, social media, and metal blogs lighting up at the prospect of a union between thrash metal grit and symphonic metal grandeur.
But the buzz has been firmly extinguished.
In a recent interview at the Louder Than All Festival in Sweden, Testament guitarist and founding member Eric Peterson put an end to the growing speculation, stating unequivocally that a musical partnership with Floor Jansen is “not gonna happen.”
> “Look, I get it. People love Floor, and they love Testament, and the idea of putting those together sounds cool on paper. But just to be completely honest with everyone—it’s not gonna happen,” Peterson said. “There was never a concrete plan for that kind of collaboration, and right now, it’s just not something we’re pursuing.”
His words were direct, deflating the hopes of fans who had envisioned a project that would blend the aggressive complexity of thrash with the soaring operatics of one of symphonic metal’s most iconic vocalists.
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The Origin of the Rumor
Speculation around a potential collaboration began over a year ago when Floor Jansen and Eric Peterson were spotted backstage together at the Wacken Open Air Festival. Photos of their conversation circulated online, sparking immediate theories. Adding fuel to the fire, Jansen had previously expressed admiration for Testament’s musical legacy in interviews, calling them “one of the most technically brilliant thrash bands of all time.”
Peterson, for his part, has long been open to experimentation. His side project, Dragonlord, blends black metal with symphonic elements, leading many to believe a crossover with a vocalist like Jansen was well within the realm of possibility. Fans saw it as a natural evolution, a chance for both artists to explore new territory while preserving their distinct styles.
The rumor gained even more traction after an Instagram Live session in early 2025 where Peterson casually mentioned he was “working on something a little different, a little more epic,” without offering further detail. Many took this as a not-so-subtle hint at the long-suspected collaboration.
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Eric Peterson Sets the Record Straight
But in his latest statement, Peterson made it clear that while there may have been friendly interactions and even mutual admiration, nothing serious was ever in the works.
> “There was never a songwriting session, no demos, no label talks, nothing like that. I think the whole thing got blown out of proportion because people saw a couple of pictures and read into it way too much,” Peterson explained. “We talked, sure. We’re both musicians. That doesn’t mean there’s a record coming.”
He also emphasized that while Testament has experimented in the past and will continue to evolve musically, the band’s core sound remains rooted in the aggressive and technical precision of thrash metal.
> “We’re working on a new record now, and I think fans are going to love it because it’s classic Testament—heavy, fast, and with a bit of that dark melodic edge we’ve been playing with over the years,” he said. “But it’s still thrash. That’s our foundation. I’m not going to force a collaboration just because it sounds good in theory.”
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Floor Jansen’s Side of the Story
As of now, Floor Jansen has not publicly responded to Peterson’s remarks, but she has previously discussed her openness to collaborations in general. In a 2024 interview with Metal Hammer, she mentioned that while she enjoyed exploring different genres, she had to be selective with how and when she collaborated.
> “I love creative challenges, but I also need to feel like it makes sense artistically,” Jansen said. “It’s not just about clashing genres—it’s about building something meaningful that both parties believe in.”
That sentiment may well apply here. While the idea of blending Jansen’s theatrical, classically trained voice with Testament’s relentless thrash attack sounds intriguing, making such a collaboration work artistically and logistically is a tall order.
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A Clash of Styles?
One potential obstacle that fans may have underestimated is the stark stylistic contrast between the two acts. Testament’s sound is rooted in the Bay Area thrash movement, defined by aggressive riffing, breakneck tempos, and socially conscious (often apocalyptic) themes. Floor Jansen, on the other hand, comes from the world of symphonic and operatic metal, which emphasizes atmosphere, orchestration, and often more fantastical or introspective lyrical themes.
Eric Peterson acknowledged this in the same interview.
> “I think it’s a cool idea on the surface, but when you actually sit down and try to blend those styles in a way that’s authentic—it’s a lot harder than people think,” Peterson said. “I’m all for trying new things, but it has to feel real. I don’t want to make something just because it’ll go viral.”
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Fan Reactions: Mixed Emotions
The online metal community had varied responses to Peterson’s statement. On Reddit threads and fan forums, reactions ranged from disappointment to understanding.
One user wrote:
> “That sucks. Floor has such a powerful voice, and Testament’s riffs are legendary. That could’ve been insane.”
Another added:
> “Honestly, I get where Peterson is coming from. It’s easy to fantasize about dream collabs, but if it doesn’t fit the vibe, it can end up sounding forced.”
Others speculated that the collaboration may still happen in the future, perhaps as a one-off live performance or limited studio release.
> “Never say never. If Floor guests on a Dragonlord song, I wouldn’t be shocked,” a fan tweeted. “That would be a better stylistic fit anyway.”
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Peterson Focused on Testament’s Future
With the rumor now dead in the water, Peterson is refocusing attention on what’s ahead for Testament. The band is currently working on their follow-up to 2020’s Titans of Creation, a critically acclaimed album that reaffirmed the band’s standing as thrash icons.
> “We’re in writing mode right now,” Peterson said. “Chuck [Billy] is sounding great, and we’re pushing ourselves with the new material. It’s definitely heavier than Titans, maybe even a little darker.”
Testament has also announced a co-headlining European tour with Kreator and Death Angel, set to kick off in Fall 2025. Floor Jansen, meanwhile, is returning to the stage after a temporary hiatus due to health concerns and has rejoined Nightwish for their upcoming world tour.
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Looking at What Could Have Been
It’s natural to feel a bit let down. The idea of Floor Jansen’s ethereal power interweaving with Testament’s fierce instrumentation would have created a fascinating sonic experiment. Fans envisioned a cinematic metal epic—a track where Jansen’s high-octave crescendos clashed and harmonized with Billy’s gritty growls, all under the storm of Peterson’s guitar work.
But such dreams are often best left to imagination. As Eric Peterson noted, not every collaboration needs to happen just because it can.
> “I respect Floor a ton. She’s amazing at what she does. But that’s her world, and this is mine,” he concluded. “If the stars align one day and it makes sense, maybe we’ll talk. But for now, there’s nothing happening there.”
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Final Thoughts: A Lesson in Artistic Integrity
In an era where collaborations are sometimes driven more by hype than genuine artistic connection, Peterson’s candidness is refreshing. While fans will undoubtedly continue to fantasize about what a Testament–Jansen crossover might have sounded like, the guitarist’s refusal to chase trends underscores a commitment to authenticity.
As the metal world spins forward, both Peterson and Jansen remain towering figures in their respective genres. Even without a collaboration, they continue to push boundaries, inspire fans, and evolve as artists.
And sometimes, the best music isn’t the one that combines all the biggest names—it’s the one that stays true to itself.
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