Group

Nightwish

Finnish symphonic metal

From: Kitee, Finland
Since: 1996–present
Rating: ★ 4.45 (29 votes)
Releases: 134

symphonic metal
power metal
metal

About

Nightwish are a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead vocalist Tarja Turunen. The lineup grew with drummer Jukka Nevalainen and bassist Sami Vänskä. In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Nightwish has been successful in Finland since the release of their debut album, Angels Fall First (1997), and were later recognized internationally through the release of their albums Oceanborn (1998), Wishmaster (2000), Century Child (2002) and Once (2004).

After Turunen's dismissal from the band in 2005, Anette Olzon joined as her replacement and recorded two albums with the band: Dark Passion Play (2007) and Imaginaerum (2011), before leaving in 2012. In 2013, Floor Jansen took over as lead vocalist and became a permanent member of the band alongside Troy Donockley. After the release of Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015), Nevalainen left the band in 2019, and Kai Hahto, who had acted as his replacement since 2014, became the official drummer. Hietala left the band in 2021, and Jukka Koskinen was announced as his replacement in 2022. The band's ninth and tenth studio albums, Human. :II: Nature. and Yesterwynde, were released in 2020 and 2024, respectively. Ahead of the release of Yesterwynde, the band announced they would be going on a touring hiatus. Jansen left the band in October 2026.
Nightwish is the third-best-selling musical act in Finland with certified sales of nearly 900,000 copies. The group has sold more than 10 million records and received over 60 gold and platinum awards. In 2018, Nightwish was inducted into the Finnish Music Hall of Fame, becoming the honorary gallery's 11th member.

From Nightwish on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Members

Emppu Vuorinen 1996–1997, 1996–now · original member bass guitar, classical guitar, guitar
Tuomas Holopainen 1996–now · original member keyboard, lead vocals, piano
Troy Donockley 2013–now background vocals, low whistle, uilleann pipes
Kai Hahto 2019–now drums (drum set)
Jukka Koskinen 2022–now bass guitar
Tarja 1996–2005 · original member · former lead vocals
Jukka Nevalainen 1997–2019 · former drums (drum set), percussion
Sami Vänskä 1998–2001 · former bass guitar
Marko Hietala 2001–2021 · former bass guitar, classical guitar, other vocals
Anette Olzon 2007–2012 · former lead vocals
Floor Jansen 2013–2026 · former lead vocals