Nightwish

Finland Est. 1996

"A rich tapestry of sound where orchestral swells collide with thunderous rhythms, creating a tension-filled interplay that propels each song forward."

Quick Start

A good place to start with Nightwish is…

Yesterwynde

2024

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Career Arc

Nightwish's discography from 1997 to 2024

1997 2010 2024

Angels Fall First (1997) Oceanborn (1998) Sacrament of Wilderness (1998) Passion and the Opera (1998) Sleeping Sun (Four Ballad... (1999) Walking in the Air (1999) Wishmastour 2000 (2000) Wishmaster (2000) The Golden Wishes (2000) The Kinslayer (2000) Deep Silent Complete (2000) From Wishes to Eternity (2001) Nightwish: 1997 - 2001 (2001) Over the Hills and Far Aw... (2001) Century Child (2002) Bless the Child (2002) Ever Dream (2002) Memory Box (2003) Tales from the Elvenpath (2004) Once (2004)

Nightwish has carved out a significant presence in the heavy music landscape, merging orchestral elements with the ferocity of metal.

Nightwish has carved out a significant presence in the heavy music landscape, merging orchestral elements with the ferocity of metal. Their impact is felt not just in the evolution of symphonic metal but also in how they challenge the expectations of mainstream heaviness, drawing listeners into theatrical narratives that intertwine personal introspection and grand mythological themes. This combination has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that thrives on their cinematic soundscapes and emotional depth. The band's approach is marked by an ambitious blend of operatic vocals and complex arrangements, often featuring lush instrumentation alongside driving guitar riffs. Nightwish innovates through their ability to seamlessly integrate classical music's dynamics into a heavier framework, creating an auditory experience that feels both expansive and intimate. Their live performances amplify this connection, transforming concerts into immersive storytelling experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. In their songwriting, Nightwish frequently explores themes of longing, nature, and existential inquiry, employing a mix of poetic imagery and narrative-driven lyrics. The tone oscillates between lyrical sincerity and dramatic irony, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of human emotion. This storytelling approach invites listeners to engage with the music on both a visceral level and an intellectual one.

Full discography

Nightwish's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

59 releases • 30 albums • 1 EP • 1997–2024

Type:

Albums ()

Yesterwynde

2024

Human. :II: Nature.

2020

Decades

2018

Vehicle of Spirit

2016

Showtime, Storytime

2013

Imaginaerum

2011

Lokikirja

2009

Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places)

2009

The Sound of Nightwish Reborn – Early Demos for "Dark Passion Play" and B-sides

2008

Dark Passion Play

2007

End of an Era

2006

Highest Hopes: The Best of Nightwish

2005

Bestwishes

2005

Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads

2005

Wishsides

2005

Tales from the Elvenpath

2004

Once

2004

Memory Box

2003

Century Child

2002

From Wishes to Eternity

2001

Nightwish: 1997 - 2001

2001

Wishmastour 2000

2000

Wishmaster

2000

The Golden Wishes

2000

Oceanborn

1998

Angels Fall First

1997

Decades: Live in Buenos Aires

2019

Wishbox

Nightwish: Live at Summer Breeze 2002

Over The Hills And Far Away: The Great Ones

EPs ()

Over the Hills and Far Away

2001

Singles ()

Lanternlight

2024

An Ocean of Strange Islands

2024

The Day Of...

2024

Perfume of the Timeless

2024

Endless Forms Most Beautiful

2015

Shudder Before the Beautiful

2015

Élan

2015

The Crow, the Owl and the Dove

2012

Storytime

2011

Hilma ja Onni

2009

Bye Bye Beautiful

2008

The Islander

2008

Erämaan viimeinen

2007

Amaranth

2007

Eva

2007

Sleeping Sun

2005

The Siren

2005

Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan

2005

Wish I Had an Angel

2004

Nemo

2004

Bless the Child

2002

Ever Dream

2002

The Kinslayer

2000

Deep Silent Complete

2000

Sleeping Sun (Four Ballads of the Eclipse)

1999

Walking in the Air

1999

Sacrament of Wilderness

1998

Passion and the Opera

1998

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Angels Fall First (1997)

Oceanborn (1998)

Wishmaster (2000)

Wishmastour 2000 (2000)

The Golden Wishes (2000)

From Wishes to Etern... (2001)

Over the Hills and F... (2001)

Nightwish: 1997 - 20... (2001)

Century Child (2002)

Memory Box (2003)

Once (2004)

Tales from the Elven... (2004)

Walking in the Air: The Greatest Ballads

Walking in the Air:... (2005)

Highest Hopes: The B... (2005)

Bestwishes (2005)

Wishsides (2005)

End of an Era (2006)

Dark Passion Play (2007)

The Sound of Nightwish Reborn – Early Demos for "Dark Passion Play" and B-sides

The Sound of Nightwi... (2008)

Made in Hong Kong (And in Various Other Places)

Made in Hong Kong (A... (2009)

Lokikirja (2009)

Imaginaerum (2011)

Showtime, Storytime (2013)

Vehicle of Spirit (2016)

Decades (2018)

Decades: Live in Bue... (2019)

Human. :II: Nature. (2020)

Yesterwynde (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nightwish sound like?

A rich tapestry of sound where orchestral swells collide with thunderous rhythms, creating a tension-filled interplay that propels each song forward. Rooted in power metal and symphonic metal. Start with Once.

What is the best Nightwish album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Once" (2004). It's the most representative of what makes Nightwish worth hearing.

Who is Nightwish for?

If you're into power metal and symphonic metal, Nightwish is worth your time. A rich tapestry of sound where orchestral swells collide with thunderous rhythms, creating a tension-filled interplay that propels each song forward.

How many albums does Nightwish have?

Nightwish has 59 releases in their discography, including 30 albums and 1 EP.

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