Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band formed in 1996 in the town of Kitee. Nightwish composes songs that are often classified as either symphonic metal or power metal, and sometimes as variants of the genre called opera metal and epic metal. Nightwish is considered one of the main developers of the symphonic metal genre, which encompasses similar bands such as Epica, After Forever and Visions of Atlantis.
Although the band has been prominent in their home country since the release of their first single ("The Carpenter"), they did not achieve worldwide fame until the release of the album Once (2004). This album led to Nightwish video clips being shown on MTV in the United States and inclusion of their music on U.S. movie soundtracks. Their biggest U.S. hit, "Wish I Had an Angel", made it onto two U.S. film soundtracks, as a way to promote their first North American tour. They later produced three singles and music videos for the album, and "Sleeping Sun", from the 2005 "best of" compilation, Highest Hopes, prior to vocalist Tarja Turunen's departure.
As of 2007, the band is searching for a replacement for Turunen, who was fired at the end of 2005. A replacement for the soprano singer has not yet been found, and the band has stated that they do not plan to make any decisions on this issue before 2007.[1] Recently, the band declared that the new vocalist will be announced at the end of May 2007, together with the release of a new single
Although the band has been prominent in their home country since the release of their first single ("The Carpenter"), they did not achieve worldwide fame until the release of the album Once (2004). This album led to Nightwish video clips being shown on MTV in the United States and inclusion of their music on U.S. movie soundtracks. Their biggest U.S. hit, "Wish I Had an Angel", made it onto two U.S. film soundtracks, as a way to promote their first North American tour. They later produced three singles and music videos for the album, and "Sleeping Sun", from the 2005 "best of" compilation, Highest Hopes, prior to vocalist Tarja Turunen's departure.
As of 2007, the band is searching for a replacement for Turunen, who was fired at the end of 2005. A replacement for the soprano singer has not yet been found, and the band has stated that they do not plan to make any decisions on this issue before 2007.[1] Recently, the band declared that the new vocalist will be announced at the end of May 2007, together with the release of a new single
