| Nightwish is a band from Finland that plays mostly symphonic
metal. Tuomas Holopainen, Empuu Vuorien, and Tarja Turunen started
Nightwish in 1996. They recorded a three-song demo, originally
to be acoustic. Later they traded the acoustic sound for an
electric guitar; Jukka Nevalainen later joined the band to play
percussion.
In 1997 the first album was released, a seven track album
called “Angels fall first”. Nightwish was then
signed to Spinefarm Records, and they later officially released
the album. Nightwish gained a bassist Sami Vänskä
and recorded a second album “Oceanborn”. The album
reached number five on the album charts, and the single “Sacrament
of Wilderness” hit the top of the singles chart. Later
Nightwish recorded the song “Sleeping sun” and
added it to later “Oceanborn” albums as a hidden
track.
In 2000 the band entered the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest
with “Sleepwalker” and claimed second place. Later
that year the released the album “Wishmaster”
2001 saw the release of the EP “Over the hills and
far away”. Also the DVD “From wishes to Eternity
was released. Sami Vänskä was asked to leave the
band, and was replaced by Marco Hientala.
In 2002 the album “Century child” was released.
This album showcased the vocals of both Turunen and Hientala,
which made for a very nice collaboration, and also the album
featured an orchestra. “Century child made it immediately
to the top of the charts.
In 2003 the band took some time off and there were rumors
about a break-up caused by Turunen’s marriage. Then
this was put aside when in 2004 Nightwish released their fifth
album “Once”. This album also featured an orchestra
as “Century child” on most of the songs. “Once”
had great success and was the album that started the market
for Nightwish in the US, extending the North American fan
base of the band.
“Highest Hopes” a best-of compilation was released
in 2005, and had several tracks from all the different albums,
as well as a remake of Sleeping sun, and a cover of Pink Floyd’s
“High Hopes”. Later that year, with much sadness,
Tarja Turunen left the band. The members giving her a letter
explaining why, supposedly due to her views about the band
and the money. Nightwish is still searching for a new vocalist
to take her place.
Despite the confusion followed by Turunen's departure from
Nightwish. The band released the Dvd "End of an Era"
Which had immediate success going gold in Finland the day
it was released. The Dvd had the live footage of the bands
last show with Turunen which took place at the Iceerena in
Helsinki.
In May 2007 Nightwish released their new single, Eva. Along
with it the idenitiy of their new singer Anette Olzon. |
