“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.
- 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.