The Greatest Show on Earth - An Interview with Troy Donockley of Nightwish

To look at the history of Nightwish is to look at a history of maturation and change. Although it is true that some of the elements that were present in their 1997 debut Angels Fall First continue to this day, and can even be heard in their 2015 album Endless Forms Most Beautiful, significant changes have affected the sound, the style and even the philosophy behind the band. Perhaps most importantly, they've gone from being a niche band, appealing to goth teens with a passion for operatic stylings, to becoming one of the most important bands in heavy metal today.

One of the changes that had a significant impact on Nightwish was the addition of Troy Donockley to their line-up. It wasn't only that his background was completely different to that of the band, which allowed them to tread new grounds in their music, but also that he allowed them add new sounds and depths to their catalog. The larger-than-life experience that Nightwish were aiming to create, was thus facilitated by his inclusion.