Nightwish
Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. Nightwish released their debut album Angels Fall First in their home country 1997 and reached number 31 on the Finnish album charts, with the single “The Carpenter” reaching number 3 on the singles chart. On October 7, 1998, Nightwish released their second full length album, Oceanborn, . Adopting a more technical and progressive sound than Angels Fall First.Oceanborn was an instant success in Finland, reaching number 5 on the Finnish album charts.The album’s first single, “Sacrament of Wilderness”, hit number 1 on the Finnish singles charts, where it stayed for several weeks.
In 19 May 2000, Nightwish released their third studio album Wishmaster. This debuted at No. 1 on the Finnish album charts, and was certified gold in Finland after three weeks at number one.In 2002, Nightwish released Century Child, along with the singles “Ever Dream” and “Bless the Child”. The main difference from previous albums is the use of a live Finnish orchestra.Century Child was certified gold two hours after its release, and platinum two weeks afterwards. It set a record on the Finnish album charts as well: Never before had second place been so distant from first place.A new album, Once, was released on June 7, 2004, along with their first single, "Nemo" (Latin: “No one”), from that album. The single topped the charts in Finland and Hungary and reached the charts in six additional countries.
After the recording in the Hartwall Areena (Helsinki) on October 21, 2005, of the new live DVD End of an Era the members of Nightwish decided that it was best to continue Nightwish without Turunen. The main justification given in the letter for Turunen’s dismissal was that the band felt that both her husband Marcelo Cabuli (an Argentine businessman) and commercial interests had changed her attitude towards the band.
In September 2006, the band entered the studio to record their sixth studio album, "Dark Passion Play". the 35-year-old Alyson Avenue's ex-lead singer, Anette Olzon, from Sweden, was announced to replace Turunen.
Dark Passion Play was released last week of September, 2007,It was awarded double platinum in Finland the second day after its release and took the number one position on the charts of Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Hungary and Croatia and got in top 100 in other 16 countries, including the United States.
Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. According to Nightwish songwriter Tuomas Holopainen, the album is a concept album that tells the story of an old composer who is reminiscing of his youth on his deathbed. The album was produced alongside the movie of the same name.
An unexpected chain of events begins in late September 2012, as vocalist Anette Olzon falls sick and is rushed to hospital just before the concert in Denver, CO. As Nightwish do not want to disappoint the fans that have already filled the venue, after a quick counsel, they decide to take the stage after all, performing the songs with the help of Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Alissa White-Gluzin (Arch Enemy. ex The Agonist)
Olzon returns to front the band for one more performance, but nothing can prevent the ending of a chapter in the story of Nightwish. After the concert in Salt Lake City on September 29, Olzon and the band part ways.
The situation is challenging to say the least, as Nightwish’s professional ethic does not let them cancel the remaining eleven concerts of the important US tour. The band immediately contact their old friend Floor Jansen, who had proven her vocal skills in the Dutch band After Forever. The timetable seems nearly impossible, but against all odds, Nightwish take the stage in Seattle on October 1st with Floor Jansen as their singer. Having rehearsed the vocal parts during the intercontinental flight, Jansen tackles the formidable challenge amazingly well, and the band get to sigh in relief. The tour can go on, and what's even better, Jansen, whose skillful vocals and dedicated stage presence are immediately recognized, receives a great welcome by the fans on the West Coast, in Florida, and elsewhere in the US.
On 9 October 2013, Nightwish announced Dutch singer Floor Jansen as the permanent replacement for Olzon.Troy Donockley has also been announced as a full-time member, making the band become a sextet for the first time. According to the band's webpage, the band will enter the studio in 2014 to record their eighth full album for a 2015 release.
