Only Heavy Metal

This September sees the release of Tarja Turunen’s classical solo debut “Ave Maria – En Plein Air.”

Ave Maria is a traditional prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, asking for her intercession. It has been set to music in over 4000 songs, some of which kept the original prayer as words while others used a different text than the traditional one.

“Ave Maria – En Plein Air” features 12 beautiful “Ave Maria” songs by a wide variety of composers. Tarja Turunen breathes life into some of the most loved and rare songs of Paolo Tosti, David Popper, Astor Piazzolla, and of course Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles Gounod, among others. The closing track of the album presents a magnificent composition by Tarja Turunen herself.
Recorded in the stunning Lakeuden Risti Church in Seinäjoki, Finland – a snow-white landmark, both national heritage and significant example of modern Finnish architecture designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto – the Lutheran church offers the perfect soundscape for Tarja Turunen’s crisp clear voice. Combined with a piercing organ, cello and harp, the music blends into a rich sound universe.

“Ave Maria – En Plein Air” will be released as Limited Super Audio CD, Vinyl and Download on September 11th, 2015 on earMUSIC.

Classical music was Tarja Turunen’s first love. The classically trained soprano studied Church Music at Sibelius Academy in Finland as well as German Lied at the Music University of Karlsruhe, Germany. She became one of the most important female voices of metal: first as part of multi-million selling and groundbreaking symphonic metal band Nightwish and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name and releasing three studio albums so far.
Tarja Turunen has always crossed genres and musical cultures, showing a wide versatility with projects such as “Tarja Turunen & HARUS” and “Beauty & The Beat”; HARUS being a mix of traditional and modern pieces whereas “Beauty & The Beat” created an interface between classical and rock music, arranged with orchestra and choir.

Tarja Turunen is one of the few artists who can perform at the biggest rock and metal festivals one night, in a cathedral the next.
This December, Tarja Turunen will introduce her favourite “Ave Maria’s” as well as her most beloved Christmas carols on tour:

AVE MARIA Christmas Tour 2015
04.12. OLOMOUC – Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné (CZ)
10.12. BERLIN – Passionskirche (GER)
11.12. BOCHUM – Christuskirche (GER)
12.12. BIELEFELD – Altstädter Nikolaikirche (GER)
14.12. MAGDEBURG – Johanniskirche (GER)
15.12. MAINZ – Frankfurter Hof (GER)
16.12. ZURICH – Theater Spirgarten (CH)
27.12. MOSCOW – The Great Hall of Moscow State Conservatory (RU)
AVE MARIA Joulukonsertti 2015
21.12. TAMPERE – Kalevan kirkko (FIN)

Working on a Sunday with Tim Palmer at 62' Studios in Austin, Texas, USA. My new album is half way ready

earMUSIC and Tarja are very proud to announce the release of her new heavy rock album “The Shadow Self”. Over the last couple of weeks, the most successful Finnish solo artist has been teasing her fans on various occasions, revealing bits and pieces of the new studio album.

Finally, the highly anticipated news and the cover artwork are officially revealed: “The Shadow Self” will be released on August 5th, 2016 on earMUSIC.

“I am very excited to finally be able to share the first details of my new heavy rock album with all of you,” says Tarja. “‘The Shadow Self’ is full of songs that are very dear to me. I cannot wait for you to hear the record that I believe is one of my heaviest albums to date. Keep your eyes open as there will be many surprises along the way to the album release on August 5th. I really mean it. Surprises will follow very soon”

With the release of her fourth rock album, the versatile singer is following up on the success of the multi-platinum and gold awarded previous records “My Winter Storm” (2007), “What Lies Beneath” (2010) and her most recent album “Colours In The Dark” (2013) which charted all over the globe including 4 Top 10 entries.

“The Shadow Self” is now available for pre-order in various formats, including CD Standard, Special Edition CD+DVD. The Digital pre-order is going to start on March 15th at 00:00am.

“The Brightest Void” will be released on June 3rd, 2016 on earMUSIC as 1CD Digipak, 1LP+Download Code and Digital. The specially priced prequel to Tarja’s upcoming studio album “The Shadow Self” will be available for physical and digital pre-order starting on April 8th, 2016.

“The Brightest Void” features not one but three incredible guest artists: fellow Finnish star Michael Monroe, icon of the glam rock scene and former front man of inspiring band Hanoi Rocks; Chad Smith (who doesn’t need any further introduction) and a new mix of Within Temptation’s collaboration “Paradise (What about us)” carried out with Tarja and world renowned sound engineer and producer Tim Palmer. The prequel presents Tarja’s new single “No Bitter End” as the album opener and furthermore shakes you with an incredible cover of Sir Paul McCartney’s overlooked gem “House Of Wax” and adds a new twist to Dame Shirley Basseys’ James Bond main theme hit “Goldfinger”.