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Symphonic metal band, Nightwish formed in Kitee, Finland, by keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen. Initially attempting to create acoustic music, he recruited trained opera vocalist Tarja Turunen, but soon added full metal-band instrumentation with guitarist Emppo Vuorinen, bassist Sami Vänskä, and drummer Jukka Nevalainen. The band's demos landed them a contract with the Finnish label Spinefarm, which released their debut album Angels Fall First in late 1997. The band toured Europe heavily, consolidating their success, and in 2000 recorded their third album Wishmaster. Not only did it top the Finnish charts, but it also became the group's first album to be released in the U.S. In 2001, Sami Vänskä had left the band, citing artistic differences and was replaced by Marco Hietala. In 2005, Anette Olzon replaced vocalist Tarja Turunen, and by 2007, a new era began for the band with the release of their sixth full-length studio album, Dark Passion Play.