OCTOBER 2009

TARJA TURUNEN

 MY WINTER STORM

(Universal, 2007)

The story of Tarja Turunen begins sometime in 1996 in the beginning of the story about Nightwish, the worldwide known Finnish symphonic metal band reputed exactly for recognizable and in the same time one of the best educated female voices in the world. But, Tarja and Nightwish separate in 2005, and this extraordinary singer and, many would agree, extraordinary personality leaving behind past, successful, years starts her own career. In 2006 she released Christmas album "Henkäys Ikuisuudesta" (The Breath Of Eternity), and a year later her first album for international market "My Winter Storm" which soared Tarja onto the new paths of success.
The first you'd notice when you take the album in your hands is the fact it is extremely long, there are 18 songs with, depending of the edition you have, additional bonus songs. The next thing you wouldn't miss is the fact Tarja is on this album in a first place classic singer. Although in particular way she continued to follow the style path she paved during almost 10 years long career in Nightwish, "My Winter Storm" with its wonderful refrains and reach arrangements is more than ever in her career closer to the romantic atmosphere of classic music wrapped into the fashionable rock/metal expression.
If you approach to "My Winter Storm" album individually and released of the shadows from the past you'd doubtless enjoy because this album with incredible levity thread melodic opera sounds with symphonic ones that are melted together with metal sound in which Tarja explores her voice in a way different from the one we got used listening to the band leaded by Tuomas Holopainen. After all, this isn't just another Nightwish album, this is Tarja' album and the proof this music diva found her place in the music industry. And exactly because we are partial to comparing this album won't satisfy everyone. However, pay your attention on moments that will for sure leave the trace also in Tarja' future solo steps. In the first place here is the first single, "I Walk Alone" with all violins, heavy guitars and strong lyrics "Go tell the world I'm still around / I didn't fly, I'm coming down..." and more then obviously inspired by Mozart's Requiem.
If you are in a bit more melancholic mood the song that will attract you already in its first accords is wonderful "Reign" where softly orchestral arrangements follow Tarjas incredible voice which leads you to the place where you wanna be.
One of my personal favorites is the song "My Little Pheonix", strong in any way, by its lyrics, inspiration, music, vocals. After it follows the current single "Die Alive", the song in the same way inspiring as the previous one and with very noticeable message putted into refrain: "No more fate / and no more mystery. / Even as time falls away/ I live my days / every moment and its memory, / not only to survive: to die alive". The admirers of gothic expression would find its favorite into "Boy And The Ghost" where are Tarjas voice and its emotional note in the first place. Another one of my personal favorites is "Oasis" opened by piano section which, if you close your eyes for a moment, leads to the place you as the special one keep in your heart. Tarja in this song sings in finish what is additional strength of this song.
A bit surprisingly, Tarja on the album "My Winter Storm" found the place also for Alice Cooper' "Poison" which maybe isn't the best choice for the concept of the album, but it is interesting for sure. In the end I'd mention two more songs, "Ciaran's Well", whild and fast with melodic opera vocals and recognizable strength and complexity and "Calling Grace" which is special for its arrangement and acoustic.
The album "My Winter Storm" is despite to its duration which for moments takes your attention from the music to something else brought almost to perfection and nobody can't deny it.  Tarjas strong voice and lyrics gives a signet that no other album in the hatch of music industry cannot get. "My Winter Storm" is the great beginning of one solo career. And although some hardcore Nightwish fans aren't enthusiastic for Tarjas detachment from known expression there is no doubt this music diva found her place under the sun. Don't miss your chance sometime before the winter, in October, feel her winter storm in Tvornica in Zagreb!

www.tarjaturunen.com

Text: Ivana Sataić - Ivy