“I’ve been struggling to free my mind. I’ve learned so much. Finally it’s happening”: How Tarja Turunen brought a decade of development to bear on diverse album Frisson Noir
Tarja Turunen says Frisson Noir is her heaviest album to date, created to capture in the studio the powerful, riff-driven sound of her live band. The Finnish symphonic metal singer views the record as the result of a decade of artistic development and a new freedom in her songwriting, making it a significant step in her solo career.
The album combines unlikely influences including flamenco and tango, alongside heavy metal elements and a collaboration with former Nightwish bandmate Marko Hietala. Turunen says she had missed the dense “wall of sound” provided by heavy guitars, which she feels is needed to support her large operatic voice in performance.
In short
- Tarja Turunen calls Frisson Noir her heaviest album yet.
- The record reflects a decade of creative growth.
- It combines heavy riffs with flamenco, tango and Hietala collaboration.
Explained simply
Tarja Turunen is a Finnish singer known for combining operatic vocals with heavy metal. She first became widely known as the lead singer of Nightwish, then built a solo career after leaving the band.
Frisson Noir brings together heavy guitar music and influences such as flamenco and tango. Turunen says its sound reflects years of developing as a songwriter and aims to match the force of her live band, while giving her voice a dense musical backing.
The record also features Marko Hietala, her former Nightwish bandmate. Its mix of styles and return to a heavier sound mark a notable point in Turunen’s solo work.
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