Finnish band Nightwish will perform at A8 Live.

    The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vanska after the release of their debut album, “Angels Fall First” (1997). The band’s current lineup includes Holopainen, Vuorinen, Nevalainen, Marco Hietala (bass, vocals), Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, guitars) and Floor Jansen (lead vocals).

    Although Nightwish has been prominent in their home country since “Angels Fall First,” they did not achieve worldwide fame until the release of the albums “Oceanborn” (1998), “Wishmaster” (2000) and “Century Child” (2002). Their 2004 album, “Once,” has sold more than 1 million copies and was the band’s breakthrough in the United States. Their biggest U.S. hit single, “Wish I Had an Angel” (2004), received MTV airplay and was included on three U.S. film soundtracks to promote their North American tour.

    Nightwish performs symphonic metal with soaring female operatic vocals. Following the departure of Turunen from the group, Nightwish left behind the “signature operatic vocals” of their earlier albums. Their music has been described as “bombastic heavy, symphonic and cinematic, with keyboards and strings creating a gothic atmosphere.” The band’s music is also known to be complex and layered. Their approach is epic, theatrical and operatic. Critic Chad Bowar notes that the music is “always very melodic with memorable choruses and a lot of hooks.”

    Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 5

    Tickets: 380-1,380 yuan

    Booking: 400-610-3721

    Venue: A8 Live, 2/F, A8 Music Building, intersection of Binhai Boulevard and Keyuan Road (滨海大道与科园路交汇处A8音乐大厦二楼A8 Live)

    Metro: Shekou Line, Keyuan Station (科苑站), Exit A

    (SD News)