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Nightwish are a five piece symphonic metal band from Finland. The band was formed by keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, vocalist Tarja Turunen and guitarist Emppu Vuorinen in 1996. Drummer Jukka Nevalainen joined in early 1997. As a four piece, they produced their debut album, Angels Fall First, which charted in the Finnish top 40. The band was joined by bassist Sami Vanska for their second album.

In 2000, the group tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest for Finland with the song Sleepwalker. In the Finnish national final, they won the public televote, but the jury overruled, deciding that Nina Astrom would be a better representative. Sami Vanska was replaced by Marco Hietala in 2001, who was to provide vocals as well as play bass guitar.

In 2004, Nightwish released their European breakthrough album, Once, which featured a full orchestra. A Best Of was released in 2005, which was to be followed by some shocking news. The four male members of the group had decided to dismiss Tarja from the band after it was revealed that she was “in it for the money, rather than the music”. Following her departure, the hunt for a new vocalist began.

Mid 2007 saw the first release from the group with the new vocalist, Anette Olzon. There were mixed emotions amongst the fans on hearing the new vocalist. Some saying that the vocals were too weak, whilst others suggesting that this is what Tuomas had wanted the band to sound like from day 1. However, Dark Passion Play was to be their most successful album to date, reaching number one in six countries, and charting well across Europe.