Nightwish

Nightwish were formed in Kitee, Finland, in 1996 by keyboardist and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen and vocalist Tarja Turunen. The debut Angels Fall First appeared in 1997, and Oceanborn, Wishmaster and Century Child soon made them the leading name in symphonic metal.

Once (2004) became their international breakthrough, but Turunen was dismissed after the tour. Anette Olzon sang on Dark Passion Play (2007) and Imaginaerum (2011) before Floor Jansen took over the microphone in 2012. Troy Donockley’s uilleann pipes and whistles became a permanent part of the sound, and Kai Hahto settled in behind the drum kit.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015) and Human. :II: Nature. (2020) followed. Bassist and singer Marko Hietala left in 2021, and Jukka Koskinen joined in his place. The tenth studio album, Yesterwynde, was released on 20 September 2024 via Nuclear Blast.

Nightwish chose not to tour Yesterwynde. In 2026 Holopainen said that songs for the next album were already being written, with recording planned for 2027.

On 15 October 2026 Nightwish and Floor Jansen announced that they were parting ways after more than a decade together. The band said it would still record a new album in 2027 and did not name a new singer. Jansen continues with her solo work; her second solo album, Hytress, is due in January 2027.

Current line-up: Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards), Emppu Vuorinen (guitars), Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, whistles, guitars, vocals), Jukka Koskinen (bass), Kai Hahto (drums)