Metal Underground.com

On first listen, Nightwish seems to fall into the same genre as Evanescence, Lacuna Coil and The Gathering – female-fronted metal band with symphonic and gothic overtones. But any similarities end there. Singer Tarja Turunen, a trained opera singer, adds a new dimension to the band and separates Nightwish from other bands. Then there's the rest of the group, led by keyboardist and primary songwriter Tuomas Holopainen. Listen closely, and you'll hear a group that's equally influenced by opera, classical music, Euro-metal, early thrash and even Kate Bush. Nightwish formed as an acoustic-based band in, but quickly switched to a hard rock sound.