List of Nightwish band members

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Nightwish live in Mantova, Italy, 2009.jpg
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Nightwish performing in 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2015

Nightwish are a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland, formed in 1996 by songwriter/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and vocalist Tarja Turunen. The currently consist of Holopainen and Vuorinen, alongside multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley (official since 2013, touring from 2007), lead vocalist Floor Jansen (since 2012), drummer Kai Hahto (official since 2019, touring from 2014), and bassist Jukka Koskinen (since 2021)

Contents

History

Although Nightwish has been prominent in their home country since the release of their first single, "The Carpenter" (1997) and debut album Angels Fall First , they did not achieve worldwide fame until the release of the albums Oceanborn , Wishmaster and Century Child , which were released in 1998, 2000 and 2002 respectively. Their 2004 album, Once , which has sold more than 1.2 million copies, [1] led to Nightwish video clips being shown on MTV in the United States and inclusion of their music in US movie soundtracks. Their biggest US hit single, "Wish I Had an Angel" (2004), made it onto three US film soundtracks as a means to promote their North American tour. [2] The band produced three more singles and two music videos for the album, as well as "Sleeping Sun", from the 2005 "best of" compilation album, Highest Hopes , prior to vocalist Tarja Turunen’s dismissal.

In May 2007, former Alyson Avenue frontwoman, Anette Olzon, was revealed as Turunen’s replacement, [3] and in the autumn, the band released a new album – Dark Passion Play , which has sold more than 1.5 million copies. [4] The supporting tour started on 6 October 2007 and ended on 19 September 2009. [5] [6] A new E.P./live album, Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places) , was released in March 2009 as a MCD/DVD.

Nightwish has received eleven awards from both the Emma-gaala Awards, from thirteen nominations, [7] [8] [9] and one Echo Awards from two nominations. Nightwish has also received 2 nominations from the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards, but has not received an award; Nightwish already won awards from MTV Europe Music Awards [10] and from World Music Awards. [7]

Members

Current

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Tuomas-Holopainen-keyboards1.JPG
Tuomas Holopainen 1996–present
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • male vocals (1996–1998)
all releases
Emppu-Vuorinen-guitar1.jpg
Emppu Vuorinen
  • guitars
  • bass (1997)
Troydonockley2014.jpg
Troy Donockley [lower-alpha 1] 2013–present (touring & session member 2007–2013)
  • uilleann pipes
  • tin whistle
  • bouzouki
  • male vocals
  • guitars
all releases since Dark Passion Play (2007)
20151121 Oberhausen Nightwish Nightwish 0006 (cropped).jpg
Floor Jansen [lower-alpha 2] 2013–present (touring member 2012–2013)lead vocalsall releases since Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015)
Tuska 20130628 - Wintersun - 32.jpg
Kai Hahto [lower-alpha 3] 2019–present (touring & session member 2014–2019)
  • drums
  • hand percussion
Wintersun Rockharz 2019 04.jpg
Jukka Koskinen [lower-alpha 4] 2022–present (touring member 2021–2022)bassnone to date

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Tarja Turunen at Obras Stadium 2008 04.jpg
Tarja Turunen [lower-alpha 5] 1996–2005lead vocalsall releases until Once (2004)
Jukka-Nevalainen-drums.jpg
Jukka Nevalainen [lower-alpha 6] 1997–2019 (on hiatus August 2014 – July 2019)drumsall releases from Angels Fall First (1997) until Imaginaerum (2011)
Sami Vänskä [lower-alpha 7] 1998–2001bassall releases from Oceanborn (1998) until Over the Hills and Far Away (2001)
Anette Olzon with Nightwish live in Mantova, Italy, 2009.jpg
Anette Olzon [lower-alpha 8] 2007–2012lead vocalsall releases from Dark Passion Play (2007) until Imaginaerum (2011)
Marco Hietala Tuska 2019.jpg
Marko Hietala [lower-alpha 9] 2002–2021
  • bass
  • acoustic guitar
  • male vocals
  • multi-neck guitar
all releases from Century Child (2002) up to Human. :II: Nature (2020)

Touring

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotes
Samppa Hirvonen1997–1998bassDuring the debut tour.
Marianna Pellinen
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
During the debut tour, as well as certain promotions and performances for Oceanborn .
Tapio Wilska
  • 2000–2001
  • 2018
male vocals
Pekka Kuusisto
  • 2009
  • 2012
violinPekka joined Nightwish for the final concert of Dark Passion Play tour at Hartwall Areena and later played violin solos for the album Imaginaerum. Pekka later joined Nightwish for the Imaginaerum Movie Premiere at Hartwall Areena and played violin/pipe battle with Troy Donockley.
Alissa White-Gluz 2012vocalsAlissa and Ryd filled in for Anette while she was in hospital during the Denver show in 2012. [16]
Elize Ryd
Netta Skog2018accordionNetta joined Nightwish for the Mukkula, Gatorade Center and Hartwall Arena shows on the Decades: World Tour in 2018.
Henk Poort 2022vocalsJoined Nightwish for The Phantom of the Opera performance at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. Performance released as a live single.
Yannis Papadopoulos Joined Nightwish for Sahara performance at the O2 arena in Prague.

Timeline

List of Nightwish band members

Guest appearances

YearsArtistAlbums / songsInstrumentNotes
2000–2002Sam HardwickBacking vocalsLive in Playback
2000Ike VilMale vocalsLive in Playback
2001 Tony Kakko Featured in the 2001 DVD, From Wishes to Eternity (in song Beauty and the Beast)
2004John Two-Hawks
  • "Creek Mary's Blood" in Once
Male vocals, Native American flute Featured in 2006 DVD, End of an Era
2004–2007 London Session Orchestra All the chorus effects and orchestral soundsLive in Playback
2007 Johanna Salomaa Female vocals Indica frontwoman

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightwish</span> Finnish symphonic metal band

Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vänskä after the release of their debut album, Angels Fall First (1997). In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Although Nightwish have been prominent in their home country since Angels Fall First, they did not achieve wider success until the release of the albums Oceanborn (1998), Wishmaster (2000) and Century Child (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuomas Holopainen</span> Finnish songwriter, producer and keyboardist

Tuomas Lauri Johannes Holopainen is a Finnish musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the primary songwriter, keyboardist, and a co-founding member of symphonic metal band Nightwish. He has stated that his songwriting is influenced by harmonic film music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emppu Vuorinen</span> Musical artist

Erno Matti Juhani "Emppu" Vuorinen is a Finnish guitarist, most famous for being a founding member and occasional songwriter of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. He is the oldest of five children, having a twin brother and three younger sisters. He started to play guitar as a private study at the age of 12 and since then has played in various bands including Nightwish, Brother Firetribe, Barilari, Almah, and Altaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marko Hietala</span> Finnish musician

Marko Tapani "Marco" Hietala is a Finnish heavy metal vocalist, bassist and songwriter. Internationally, he is best known as the former bassist, male vocalist and secondary composer to Tuomas Holopainen, of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. He is also the vocalist and bassist as well as composer and lyricist for the heavy metal band Tarot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Sun</span> 1999 Nightwish song

"Sleeping Sun" is a power ballad and the fourth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released as a maxi single with three other songs on 2 August 1999 to coincide with the total solar eclipse that would occur on 11 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wish I Had an Angel</span> 2004 single by Nightwish

"Wish I Had An Angel" is the ninth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, the second from their fifth album Once. The song features vocals by then-vocalist Tarja Turunen and bassist Marko Hietala. The song was still performed live after Turunen's departure with Anette Olzon, before her departure, and current vocalist Floor Jansen afterwards. Featured on the soundtrack of the film Alone in the Dark, it became the group's most popular single in Europe and in the United States, next to "Nemo". It made it onto two U.S. film soundtracks. It reached #60 in the UK Singles Chart, the highest of any of the band's singles in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacrament of Wilderness</span> 1998 single by Nightwish

"Sacrament of Wilderness" is the second single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released as the first single from their album Oceanborn, and a split-single with Eternal Tears of Sorrow and Darkwoods My Betrothed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ever Dream</span> 2002 single by Nightwish

"Ever Dream" is the sixth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Released as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Century Child, it was the group's first single release in two years, following "Deep Silent Complete" in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eva (Nightwish song)</span> 2007 promotional single by Nightwish

"Eva" is the fourth promotional single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Lifted from their sixth studio album Dark Passion Play, this was the first release to feature Anette Olzon, following Tarja Turunen's departure in 2005.

<i>Dark Passion Play</i> 2007 studio album by Nightwish

Dark Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 26 September 2007 by Spinefarm Records in Finland, 28 September by Nuclear Blast in Europe and 2 October 2007 by Roadrunner Records in the US. It is the first album without original vocalist Tarja Turunen, who was dismissed in 2005, as well as the first album involving future member Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes and tin whistle. It is the first of only two albums with vocalist Anette Olzon, who was eventually dismissed in 2012 after the release of the band's subsequent album, Imaginaerum. Tuomas Holopainen has referred to this album as the "album that saved his life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anette Olzon</span> Swedish singer

Anette Ingegerd Olsson, known by the stage name Anette Olzon, is a Swedish singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish from 2007 to 2012. She is also the vocalist of Swedish classic rock band Alyson Avenue, and of the Finnish heavy metal band The Dark Element.

"While Your Lips Are Still Red" is a 2007 song written by Tuomas Holopainen and Marko Hietala of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was performed by Holopainen, Hietala, and Jukka Nevalainen for the Finnish film The Matriarch, which was written and directed by renowned Finnish director Markku Pölönen; the film premiered in Finland in September 2007. The song is included on Nightwish's "Amaranth" single, which was released on 22 August 2007 as the second single of their sixth studio album, Dark Passion Play. It was also released on their live / compilation EP Made in Hong Kong in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye Bye Beautiful</span> 2008 single by Nightwish

"Bye Bye Beautiful" is the second track on Nightwish's Dark Passion Play album. The song was confirmed to be the second single from Dark Passion Play by Tuomas Holopainen in an interview, but it was changed to the third single after the announcement of "Erämaan viimeinen"'s release as the second.

<i>Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places)</i> 2009 live album by Nightwish

Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places) is the title of a live / compilation CD/DVD by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, released on 11 March 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Once Upon a Tour</span> 2004–2005 concert tour by Nightwish

Once Upon a Tour was the third world tour by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, in 2004 and 2005, to promote the release of their fifth album, Once, released June 7, 2004. A new greatest hits compilation, Highest Hopes, was also released to tie in with the tour. The albums combined with the band's most expansive merchandise campaign by Nuclear Blast Records meant this tour was heralded as the band's most important in many years. Many of the band's songs had not been played in a long time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Passion Play World Tour</span> 2007–2009 concert tour by Nightwish

The Dark Passion Play World Tour was the fourth world tour by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, taking place from 2007 to 2009 in support of their sixth studio album, Dark Passion Play, released by Nuclear Blast on September 26, 2007; it was the first tour with former frontwoman Anette Olzon, who joined the band in 2006, after Tarja Turunen's dismissal on October 21, 2005. During this tour, the band played for the first time in Israel, China, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Ireland, Serbia and Croatia.

<i>Imaginaerum</i> 2011 studio album by Nightwish

Imaginaerum is the seventh studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 30 November 2011 by Scene Nation Oy and Sony Music in Finland, then on 2 December in Nuclear Blast in the rest of Europe and Roadrunner Records worldwide. 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, directed by Stobe Harju, who previously directed Nightwish's "The Islander" music video, and the album and the film share the same themes and general story. It is their second and last album with vocalist Anette Olzon, as well as the last with drummer Jukka Nevalainen.

<i>Imaginaerum</i> (film) 2012 Finnish-Canadian fantasy film

Imaginaerum is a 2012 fantasy film co-written and directed by Stobe Harju. It was developed with and features music from Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish's seventh studio album of the same name; Nightwish's keyboardist and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen co-wrote the film. Imaginaerum, which is produced by Markus Selin from Solar Films Inc. along with Nightwish, is the feature film debut of director Stobe Harju.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endless Forms Most Beautiful World Tour</span> 2015–2016 concert tour by Nightwish

The Endless Forms Most Beautiful World Tour was the sixth world tour by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, in support of their eighth studio album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful.

<i>Decades</i> (Nightwish album) 2018 compilation album by Nightwish

Decades is the seventh compilation album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, and contains remastered versions of the original material. It was released on March 9, 2018, which is the same day that they began touring for the Decades: World Tour. The track listing is presented in reverse chronological order.

References

  1. "Spinefarm". Nightwish. Archived from the original on 27 March 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2005.
  2. "IMDb". Nightwish. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
  3. 1 2 "BLABBERMOUTH.NET". NIGHTWISH Announces New Singer. Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
  4. "Nightwish – The Official Website". The Band – Discography. Dark Passion Play (2007). Archived from the original on 17 June 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
  5. "Nightwish.com – Live". Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  6. "Nightwish.com – Live – Past shows – 2007". Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  7. 1 2 "EMMA nominations". nightwish.com. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  8. "Nightwish wins at Emma Gaala". nightwish.com. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  9. "NIGHTWISH Performs At Germany's ECHO AWARDS; Video Available". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  10. "MTV Europe Music Awards". escapadelas.com. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  11. "Northward". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  12. "Nightwish announces Jukka Koskinen as band's new permanent bassist". Chaoszine. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  13. "NIGHTWISH Singer ANETTE OLZON Creating Songs For Solo Album". roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  14. "MARCO HIETALA's BLACK SABBATH Tribute Band To Play In Poland". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  15. "Marko Hietala leaves Nightwish". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  16. "KAMELOT Backing Singers Fill In For NIGHTWISH Frontwoman In Denver". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  1. Donockley (born 30 May 1964) is an English composer and multi-instrumentalist most known for his playing of uilleann pipes. He performed on Dark Passion Play and Imaginaerum . He accompanied the band on most of their Dark Passion Play tour and is featured on the music video for the single "The Islander". When the band released their latest album Imaginaerum in 2011, he was asked to play a wide array of instruments, including uilleann pipes, Celtic bouzouki, and tin and low whistles. He was asked to supply some Cumbrian chanting on the song "The Crow, The Owl, and the Dove." He also joined the band on the Imaginaerum World Tour. On 9 October 2013, he was confirmed as a full-time member of Nightwish.
  2. Jansen (born 21 February 1981) is a Dutch soprano singer, who was the lead singer of the symphonic metal band After Forever which disbanded in 2009, and the singer for ReVamp which disbanded in 2016. She is also a member of supergroup Star One. She started touring with Nightwish on 1 October 2012 when Anette Olzon parted from the band. She was originally scheduled to play with the band until the end of the Imaginaerum World Tour. On 9 October 2013, she was confirmed as the new full-time lead vocalist for Nightwish. Jansen's side-project Northward released their first album in October 2018. [11]
  3. Hahto (born 31 December 1973) stepped in to record the drums for the new Nightwish album, replacing Jukka Nevalainen, who went on hiatus from the band due to insomnia, and performed in all live shows to date. In July 2019, Nevalainen announced he would not be returning to the band, as Hahto had become Nightwish's full-time drummer. Prior to replacing Nevalainen, Hahto was Nevalainen's drum tech as well as being a founder of Wintersun.
  4. Koskinen was announced to perform with the band on tour throughout 2021 and 2022. On August 21, 2022, he was announced to be the new bass player for Nightwish. [12]
  5. Tarja (born 17 August 1977) is a Finnish singer-songwriter, composer and actress, whose work includes eight solo albums. She was dismissed from the band on 22 October 2005 [3] after nine years, at the end of the Once Upon a Tour . In 2006, Turunen released a Christmas album, Henkäys Ikuisuudesta , with a support classical tour between 25 November and 26 December. Since 2007, she has been active as a successful solo performer with her own band.
  6. Nevalainen (born 21 April 1978) is a Finnish drummer. He spent his early years in the city of Kitee; his drumming career started at age eleven when his music teacher at school told him that a new educational program for music was opening, and he thought Nevalainen would fit in well as a drummer. His first band was The Highway, but he joined his first real band at the age of 15–16. The band had a rehearsal place, but was restricted to practicing only a couple of days a week. After he left that band, he joined up with Erno "Emppu" Vuorinen and they got a permanent practice place. Nevalainen announced his departure from the band in July 2019 after being on hiatus from 2014 due to persistent insomnia. Kai Hahto who had previously filled in for Nevalainen for the 2015 album and the subsequent world tours has replaced Nevalainen.
  7. Sami (born 26 September 1976) started playing bass as a private study. He has played in a few bands which have been mostly from the metal genre. He started his career in the band Nattvindens Gråt, with Tuomas Holopainen. He made two albums, A Bard's Tale (1995) and Chaos Without Theory (1997), and a demo, Dar Svanar Flyger (1995), with them. He joined Nightwish for the second studio album, Oceanborn, and was soon replaced by Marko Hietala.
  8. Olzon (born 21 June 1971) is a Swedish singer. She replaced Tarja Turunen after her dismissal on 21 October 2005. Olzon was formerly the vocalist in the Swedish AOR band Alyson Avenue. After her admission into Nightwish, she played with several bands, in studio and live, including Brother Firetribe and Pain, and will release a new album in the near future, under her own name. [13] Anette's departure from Nightwish was announced on 1 October 2012, midway through their North American tour, and Floor Jansen took over on vocals for the remainder of the Imaginaerum World Tour .
  9. Hietala (born 14 January 1966) is a Finnish bassist and vocalist, who is often seen as an icon for the Finnish metal scene. He is also the vocalist and bassist as well as composer/lyricist for heavy metal band Tarot. He joined Nightwish following the departure of previous bassist Sami Vänskä. He was a prominent guest musician in Delain, a project involving many members of the gothic/symphonic metal community. Hietala is the bassist and lends his voice to a number of songs. He also participated in the recording of Invitation, by Altaria, providing backing vocals. He has also been part of the bands Sinergy and Northern Kings. In Delain, he played the bass for the album Lucidity and was also the main male vocalist on the album. He is also featured as vocalist on two of the songs on Delain's album April Rain . In March 2009, Hietala joined the band Sapattivuosi, they cover Black Sabbath songs in Finnish. [14]
    On January 12, 2021, Marko announced his retirement from the band and from the music industry. [15]