In 2002 Nightwish released Century Child, and the singles ´Ever Dream´ and ´Bless the Child´. The main difference from previous albums in the use of a live orchestra on most songs, to get a stronger full of classical music.
Shortly afterwards, Sami Vanska left the band, and Marco Hietala from Sinergyl and Tarot took over the bass guitar (he did not leave the other bands he plays in).
Century Child was certified gold two hours after its release, and platinum two weeks afterwards. It set a record on the Finnish album charts as well, never before had the second been so distant from the first place.
