It’s July, 1996. A hidden campfire looms on the island in the middle of Lake Pyhäjärvi, Kitee. Then at midnight, something happens that has far-reaching consequences. Tuomas has an idea of a solo project that would play atmospheric “mood music”. The idea quickly crystallises: the sound would include acoustic guitars, flutes, strings, piano – and female vocals. Guitarist Erno “Emppu” Vuorinen and vocalist Tarja Turunen soon join the project.
Holopainen’s embryonic idea takes form in just a few months, and the first Nightwish demo is completed in early 1997. Outsiders’ opinions are reservedly positive, and the seeds sown during the summer start sprouting during the freezing winter of Karelia. New dimensions soon appear in the band’s music: Vuorinen changes from acoustic to electric guitar, and Jukka Nevalainen joins as the drummer. A few weeks of furious practise culminate in a studio demo recorded in April, featuring seven songs by the new line-up. The songs attract the attention of Spinefarm Records, and the band is offered a deal. During the summer, Nightwish record four more songs, and their debut album Angels Fall First is released in November. The album rises to number 31 on the Finnish charts, while the single The Carpenter, has already made it to top ten. Wrapping up a year of surprisingly hectic action, Nightwish play their debut gig on New Year’s eve. Over 400 people show up at Huvikeskus, Kitee, and the band is jumpy as hell, but the concert surpasses all expectations.
