Former NIGHTWISH frontwoman Tarja Turunen is set to release "Frisson Noir" on June 12 via earMUSIC — and by all accounts, this is the heaviest, most metal album of her two-decade solo career. Described as "a powerful statement of identity, strength and belonging," the record and its stacked lineup of guest artists back that claim up considerably.
Produced by Grammy-winning Neal Avron (LINKIN PARK, DISTURBED, SKILLET) and featuring collaborations with CRADLE OF FILTH's Dani Filth, former NIGHTWISH bassist and vocalist Marko Hietala, Finnish cello-metal collective APOCALYPTICA, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith, "Frisson Noir" is a deliberately boundary-pushing record that refuses to stay in any comfortable lane.
Tarja has been characteristically direct about why she chose now to pursue the heaviest sound of her career: "For some time already I've been looking for a really heavy sound for my albums," she explained. The key was finding the right production collaborator: "I really wanted to work with Neal Avron for this record that could make a change in that and help me out... yes, it really now sounds heavy. And it's a result I'm really happy with."
The album's ten tracks run the gamut from brooding orchestral metal to outright genre collisions. "I Don't Care" featuring Dani Filth promises to be one of the most striking vocal pairings of the year, blending Tarja's operatic soprano with Filth's trademark extreme metal shriek. "Tango" with APOCALYPTICA brings the Finnish cello ensemble's unique brand of orchestral heaviness. "Leap Of Faith" reunites Tarja with Marko Hietala, whose powerful baritone provides a compelling counterpoint to her classical soprano.
"Against The Odds" featuring RHCP's Chad Smith represents the album's most unexpected collaboration — a reminder that Tarja's musical vision extends well beyond genre boundaries. "Both styles have so much in common," she has noted of metal and classical fusion. "I feel music is just emotion."
Full track listing: "Frisson Noir," "The Eternal Return," "Leap Of Faith" (feat. Marko Hietala), "At Sea," "Blaze Forever," "The Trace Outlives," "Tango" (feat. Apocalyptica), "Anemoia," "I Don't Care" (feat. Dani Filth), "Against The Odds" (feat. Chad Smith).
Formats include CD digipak, standard and limited purple 2LP gatefold (first pressing with copper foil), and a collector's box set. A "Frisson" live tour kicks off September 30 in Berlin with additional European dates through the autumn.