"Sleeping Sun" is a power ballad and the fourth single by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released as a maxi single with three other songs on 2 August 1999 to coincide with the total solar eclipse that would occur on 11 August.
Sleeping Sun
Sleeping Sun
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Nevalainen, and then bassist Sami Vänskä after the release of their debut album, Angels Fall First (1997). In 2001, Vänskä was replaced by Marko Hietala, who also took over the male vocalist role previously filled by Holopainen or guest singers. Although Nightwish have been prominent in their home country since Angels Fall First, they did not achieve wider success until the release of the albums Oceanborn (1998), Wishmaster (2000) and Century Child (2002).
Nightwish after a performance in Toronto in May 2022; (L–R): Jukka Koskinen, Tuomas Holopainen, Floor Jansen, Troy Donockley, Kai Hahto, Emppu Vuorinen
Tuomas Holopainen (left) and Emppu Vuorinen (right), two of the band's founding members.
Tarja Turunen was the band's first lead vocalist from 1996 to 2005.
Former bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala, replaced Sami Vänskä in late 2001 and performed with the band until his departure in 2021.
