REVIEW: Tarja - Frisson Noir
- Amy Lynch
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Described by Tarja Turunen herself as the "heaviest record of her career", releases her tenth overall solo studio album Frisson Noir, first metal album since In The Raw back in 2019. Produced and mixed by veteran rock producer Neal Avron, known for his work with LINKIN PARK, FALL OUT BOY, and YOU ME AT SIX, helps to give the album a raw alternative rock bite within the symphonic metal landscape. This dynamic is immediate from the title track with a calming melody that gradually darkens and twists into the record's first heavy moment as the band comes in. Frisson Noir brilliantly toys with expectation with softer moments anchoring the start of the first verse before kicking up the intensity for the second verse, into the bridge and soaring chorus of operatic notes fans of Turunen expect.
The first glimpse of Frisson Noir came in the form of the first single At Sea back in March 2026, a ten minute classical operatic masterclass of symphonic metal at its finest. Starting with the calm haunting opening of the beautiful piano notes of Niklas Pokki taking the listener on a journey, before starting to ramp up alongside the intricate violin notes by Mervi Myllyoja. This kicks on into full on storm crescendo with the orchestral sections of the track by BUDAPEST ART ORCHESTRA uniquely blended with heavy metal guitars and drums this genre is known for. A true testament to the crashing waves of emotions real human created music makes the listener feel.
The album features many familiar faces from the metal and rock scene, making the album a collaborative effort featuring Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH), Finnish band APOCALYPTICA and Chad Smith (drummer of RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS) to name a few. A celebration of the human element of music, in a world of AI music that can be made in seconds, a core theme for this new album.
One of these collaborations sees a welcome return with former NIGHTWISH bandmate Marko Hietala on the song Leap of Faith. Turunen and Hietala last reunited on his solo album Roses from the Deep for the song Left on Mars back in 2025. For Leap of Faith in essence is a deeply resonant piece that leans into their legendary vocal chemistry. Playing adroitly with tension and release, the song dips beautifully into an orchestral midsection that allows for the track’s emotions to breathe, with the last few minutes delivering an exquisite duet that gives the track its definitive show-stopping moment.
One of the more intriguing tracks on the record is the latest single The Trace Outlives, which has a unique mix of heavy electric guitar riffs and an acoustic Japanese shamisen played by Soyo Komada. A shamisen is a three stringed instrument that gets plucked aggressively with a plectrum creating a distinctive soundscape. Neal Avron’s mix shines here, ensuring the acoustic notes are heard clearly over the guitars. If this wasn’t enough the song builds with a tight rhythmic cadence in Turunen’s verse delivery, before leading beautifully into her iconic soprano vocals in the chorus, amplifying the song to another level. From here the album pivots into a more softer emotional note with Tango featuring APOCALYPTICA, where the dark staccato notes of brooding cello alongside Turunen’s theatrical verses lead beautifully into a more upbeat chorus layered with iconic operatic vocals that soars with the music.
After the bittersweet Anemoia which adds a more acoustic feel to the album with a sense of longing, this leads beautifully into the second released single I Don’t Care with Dani Filth sharing dual vocals. Throughout the track Turunen and Filth share the lead harmonising together, intertwining their unique vocal styles, ensuring each remains present rather than taking turns in separate verses. The song, while solid in its execution, feels slightly overshadowed given the high bar set by the other two singles At Sea and The Trace Outlives.
Ultimately the grand finale Against the Odds featuring Chad Smith resurrects a track that was left unfinished until now, here the track shines as a beautiful moment with orchestral notes, the drums bringing it all together to the perfect close. The album Frisson Noir true to its title which translates to a “dark shiver” delivers exactly what Tarja set out to achieve. The way music is able to reach into the soul to send a shiver throughout the body, to not only hear it, but to feel it emotionally. The album, whilst heavy in its nature, has a deeply ethereal haunting atmosphere. By anchoring these musical arrangements in genuine raw collaboration and compelling lyricism that draws you deeper in, TARJA has crafted an album that proves music belongs to human creators.
Score: 9/10
Frisson Noir will be released on 12th June 2026 via earMUSIC.
Words: Amy Lynch
Photos: Tim Tronckoe
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