Nightwish | Artist

Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band formed 1996 in Kitee by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. Drummer Jukka Nevalainen and bassist Sami Vanskathen joined before the release of the debut album in 1997. Prominent front-woman Tarja Turunen, who is a classically trained Lied singer, left the band in 2005 to pursue a solo career. She was replaced by Swedish songstress Anette Olzon who remained until 2012 before leaving to join Swedish rock band Alyson Avenue and Finnish heavy metal band the Dark Element. The third and current front-woman is the Dutch singer Floor Jansen, who also performs with the bands Northward, Star One and Ayreon. Nightwish's music, centred around the compositions and keyboards of Holopainen, is a blend of goth-influenced symphonic metal with soaring female operatic vocals. Critics have described the music as being complex, layered, theatrical and operatic, but always melodic with memorable choruses and a lot of hooks. Standout albums include Oceanborn (1998), Century Child (2002), Once (2004), Imaginaerum (2011) and the 2006 live album End of an Era. Nightwish is the most successful Finnish band worldwide, having sold more than 10 million records.

Artist Website: nightwish.com

Featured Albums: Nightwish

Related Artists: Tarja Turunen, Floor Jansen

Video Clips: Elan, Last Ride of the Day, Phantom of the Opera