Former NIGHTWISH vocalist TARJA TURUNEN has announced her new studio album "Frisson Noir", due June 12, 2026, via earMUSIC. The record blends orchestral elements with contemporary metal and features an extraordinary cast: CRADLE OF FILTH's Dani Filth, Finnish cello metal legends APOCALYPTICA, ex-NIGHTWISH bassist Marko Hietala, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith. Mixing was handled by Grammy-winning producer Neal Avron.
Turunen will launch the international "Frisson" live tour on September 30, 2026, starting in Berlin.
In parallel, the 49-year-old soprano has retired high heels from live performances. After a painful seven-show German tour, she consulted her doctor and made the decision permanent. "Those times are over," Turunen stated, noting she had not worn heels on stage for roughly three years before that tour. She now focuses on physical conditioning with a personal trainer to sustain her touring schedule.
"Frisson Noir" promises to be one of the most diverse and ambitious records of Turunen's solo career — bridging classical, gothic, and metal worlds through collaborations with some of the genre's most iconic names.