Album review: TARJA – Frisson Noir

earMUSIC [Release date 12.06.26]

Tarja Turunen releases her tenth studio album and one she calls the “heaviest record of her career”. There are a few notable guest appearances including fellow ex-Nightwish member Marko Hietala, Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth), Apocalyptica, and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). The album is mixed by GRAMMY-winning producer Neal Avron (Linkin Park, Skillet, Disturbed), who certainly gives the album a big, symphonic metal feel.

As for the album’s title, Tarja sums it up perfectly, “the word frisson describes the moment when music sends a shiver through the body. It is the instant when sound stops being just sound and becomes emotion, memory, and physical sensation. Frisson Noir was created around this idea. In an era where technology can generate songs instantly, the album celebrates the human element in music: real performances, breath, imperfection, uncontrolled emotion, and the unpredictable spark that turns a song into an experience. Every song on the album was written, recorded, produced, and mixed with that intention.”

There is so much to savour and enjoy on here, be it the dog bothering vocal heights Tarja hits on ‘The Eternal Return’ or the swirling, pomptastic ‘Leap of Faith’, where she duets with Marko Hietala. The latter a definite album stand out.

The album’s epic, ‘At Sea’, was the first of three songs released ahead of the album and it has everything you’d want from a memorable symphonic metal song. Cradle of Filth’s Dani Filth adds his own imitable vocal style to ‘I Don’t Care’ and whisper it quietly, sounds very melodic and suits Tarja’s soaring vocals down to a tee. An excellent guest musician choice!

Apocalyptica add a bit of magic to ‘Tango’, one of those songs that ebbs and flows to great effect.

‘Against the Odds’ sees the album out in a high, with Chad Smith guesting on this one. He adds a hefty beat to the songs impressive final flourish. A veritable musical feast of strings, choirs, violin and Tarja’s vocals proving the icing on the musical cake.

Without doubt one of her career highlights and for those hankering after a more Nightwish feel to her music, you’ll be more than satisfied. An album with so much going on musically the listener can’t wait to hear it all again! Fantastical music and a delight from start to finish. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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