Nightwish

Nightwish, the undisputed masters of symphonic metal, have enchanted a global audience with their unique blend of powerful operatic vocals, intricate orchestral arrangements, and heavy metal instrumentation. Hailing from Kitee, Finland, this iconic band has forged a sound that is both epic and deeply emotional, solidifying their status as pioneers of the genre.

The story of Nightwish began in 1996, when main songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen conceived the idea for a band that would combine acoustic elements, keyboard-driven melodies, and female vocals. He recruited classically trained vocalist Tarja Turunen and guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and the trio initially explored a more acoustic, mood-driven style. However, as drummer Jukka Nevalainen joined and electric guitars replaced acoustic ones, the band’s sound evolved rapidly into the powerful symphonic metal style they are renowned for today.

Their debut album, Angels Fall First, was released in 1997, giving a glimpse of their potential. It was with subsequent albums like Oceanborn (1998) and Wishmaster (2000) that Nightwish truly began to establish their distinctive sound, garnering a dedicated following in Europe. The addition of bassist Marko Hietala in 2001, who also provided strong male vocals, further enriched their sonic palette, adding a new dimension to their already majestic sound. Albums like Century Child (2002) and the massively successful Once (2004) propelled them to international stardom, with “Nemo” becoming a staple hit and their songs even featuring in film soundtracks, notably Alone in the Dark.